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Topic: Which SeeLevel to buy? (Read 922 times) previous topic - next topic

Which SeeLevel to buy?

Howdy everyone!

I've decided I want to purchase a SeeLevel for my 1994 U280.  The existing tank monitors are giving false readings.  I would like to monitor the following:

1.  Fresh Tank
2.  Gray Tank
3.  Black Tank
4.  Propane Tank

I'd also like a second monitor in the wet bay for when I'm dumping the tanks.  I looked at the material on Garnet's site, and they talk about single pole - single throw, single pole - double throw, and momentary switches.  I'm only guessing, but I think my water pump uses a single pole - single throw switch.  Is this right?  I'd appreciate any advice from the forum about which specific model to purchase. 

BTW - I'm heading to FOT with the RV for service on Monday, June 10th.  I just joined the Motorcade Club.  I'll be having routine maintenance as well as some items installed.  If I can get the SeeLevel before I arrive, I might have FOT install it.

All comments and suggestions are welcome.

Mark
1994 U280 Grandvilla, 40ft.
League CIty TX
Newbie :-)

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #1 –
Do check on switch, mine has three momentary switches, one in bath, wet bay, and kitchen.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #2 –
I don't think you need a rocker switch for the pump or any thing else.  Fresh, gray, black, LP and battery is good.

My tanks are about 22" tall so 2 12" strips work well.  I just bought two kits to get six 12" strips and two monitors.  You can get one kit with 16" strips but them you pay extra for that and have to buy a second monitor.  The strips can be trimmed (in about 2" increments) for the best length.  I left the top of the strips on the waste tanks about 2" below the top and about 2" above the bottom of the fresh tank.  That leaves you with a bit of reserve waste space after you get to 100% and a bit of reserve water left after you get to 0%.

709 SEELEVEL II TANK MONITOR SYSTEM
709 SeeLeveL II Tank Monitor System - Garnet Instruments

Shop for price. These folks usually have a good price.  Got mine here.
Garnet 709 SeeLevel II Tank Monitoring System


Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #3 –
Roger and Susan,

Thank you for the sound advice!  I looked at the link, the price was phenomenal, so I ordered two.  I'm looking forward to them arriving this week, and should be able to take them with me on my trip to FOT Sunday.

Thanks!

Mark
1994 U280 Grandvilla, 40ft.
League CIty TX
Newbie :-)

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #4 –
Not sure about the 280 but our 270 has pump, gas and electric water heater switches so we needed an extra switch in the bath.  Wet bay only needs readouts and no switches. Far right hand switch is bathroom light.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #5 –
Two kits will work fine. 

Extra switches in the SeeLevel panels have an amp limit, sometimes you need to use a relay with them.  Extra switches are easy to add.  You need to understand how they are wired.  My coach uses latching relays to the water pump that makes multiple water switches (momentary contact) possible. 

I have 1, 2 and 3 hole black switch plates the same size as OEM FT plates if you need one let me know.  I have lots of on/off switches too.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #6 –
I just bought two 709 standard kits from RV Upgrades, VERY happy with there sale price.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #7 –
For a second monitor in the wet bay, I'd like to purchase the 709 P3 system. It has a Water Pump Switch. Can I remove the existing wires on the OEM switch in the wet bay and connect them to the SeeLevel switch? Is that all that needs to be done?

TIA
Ed

Edit: I can see that my Flojet pump and accumulator draws 10 amps. More than the SeeLevel switch rated at 7.5. I think I found my answer.

Second Edit:
To quote Roger   

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
 
Extra switches in the SeeLevel panels have an amp limit, sometimes you need to use a relay with them.    My coach uses latching relays to the water pump that makes multiple water switches (momentary contact) possible. 


Wouldn't the existing "Latching Relay" in my U295 provide the protection I need?
Also change the SeeLevel model to a 709 RVC PM. It has a momentary Pump Switch.
Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #8 –
The switch for your water pump is most likely controlling a relay under the white fiberglass panel that houses many of the DC breakers for the house systems. If so, it is the relay that is switching the high current and therefore the pump switch on the SeeLevel panel would be adequate to control your pump. That said, any reason to change it since you already have control of your water pump from the wet bay?
Don
Edit: It occurred to me that the 709 P3 pump switch may not be a momentary switch and therefore wouldn't work for a situation where there is more than one switch controlling a latching relay. I downloaded the SeeLevel manual it it makes no mention of the type of switch other than that it is limited to 7.5 amps.
Don
Quote from: Lance Camper –
For a second monitor in the wet bay, I'd like to purchase the 709 P3 system. It has a Water Pump Switch. Can I remove the existing wires on the OEM switch in the wet bay and connect them to the SeeLevel switch? Is that all that needs to be done?

TIA
Ed

Edit: I can see that my Flojet pump and accumulator draws 10 amps. More than the SeeLevel switch rated at 7.5. I think I found my answer.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #9 –
I don't understand why one needs any switch on the SeeLevel panel.  I thought the SeeLevel was a stand-alone level indicator.  Why does it need to be tied into the water pump controls?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #10 –
At some point when FT went to multiple water pump switches they added a latching relay to control power to the pump.  Any of the momentary contact water pump switches closes a ground wire to the latching relay which either latches the relay or releases it turning power to the pump (and the indicator lights at the switches) on or off.  A regular on/off switch will not work correctly with a latching relay.

Not all FT coaches have multiple water pump switches.  Some have only one which probably still drives a latching relay.  Thanks Don.

If you have a solenoid fill valve with a couple switches to open or close it  then it works the same way.

In general you shouldn't really need any additional switches with your SeeLevel system.

Be sure you understand how your particular coach is configured before making changes.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #11 –
Our 99' U270 came with (and still has) only one pump switch, but it is a momentary switch which controls a latching relay. On my project list to add two more switches, one by the entry and one in the bathroom. I don't really see the need for one in the wet bay, but I always like options...
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #12 –
The relays manage the power so that you don't need to have a higher power loop through the switch.

Nice to have on in the wet bay for washing up after the other function in the wet bay. 

I added a user configurable timer that starts when you turn the pump on and after 5 min (in our case) it closes a ground to release the latching relay.  We never have to worry about whether we left the water pump on. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
  I added a user configurable timer that starts when you turn the pump on and after 5 min (in our case) it closes a ground to release the latching relay.
So I guess you and Susan only take 5 minute showers?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
I don't understand why one needs any switch on the SeeLevel panel.  I thought the SeeLevel was a stand-alone level indicator.  Why does it need to tied into the water pump controls?
They offer it, that's why.  ;D    They have a slew of different monitors for sale. 2 tank, 3 tank, 4 tank, with battery, propane, monitors. With or w/o water heater and pump switches, etc.

I have 3 water pump switches in my U295. Kitchen, bathroom, and wet bay. I have NO need for SeeLevel water pump switch, I want to save space. My intent was to remove the one in wet bay cut the mounting hole for the monitor and use the switch on the SeeLevel monitor. If all I needed to do is move the wires over to the new switch (using the existing latching relay already installed) Roger had mentioned the 7.5 amp limit on the SeeLevel switch. My pump draws 10 amps. It requires a relay of some sort if using the 7.5 amp rated switch.

Looks like OP is taking his to Nacogdoches to install.
Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #15 –
Chuck says "So I guess you and Susan only take 5 minute showers?".

We set a timer for 10 minutes.  We were always done, then 7 and 6 and finally 5. Almost all the time it was enough.  We run the hot water recirculation system first. Then pump off and on to reset the timer.  Hot water from the manifold to the shower in 5-10 seconds.  5 minutes is enough.  Time your own showers and seen how long you need.  Timers can be set to anything.

At 3.5 GPM in five minutes the pump can push almost 18 gallons of tank water into your coach if the pump is on and a line breaks.  If you forget to tuen it off you will pump the entire contents of your fresh water tank into the coach in less than 30 minutes.  Five minutes is enough.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #16 –
To clarify our use of SeeLevel panels with switches, our coach's bathroom came with a water pump switch and separate switches for gas and electric water heater (far right hand switch in pic is for bathroom light). Adding a bathroom SeeLevel monitor panel only (LP, water, battery, black & gray) would have required adding the SeeLevel panel in addition to the existing switches.  Using the See Level with 2 built in switches (water pump and gas water heater) required less space and retained the two existing switch's (electric water heater and bathroom light).  See pic #2.

Roger correctly  emphasizes that using the SeeLevel switch for water pump did require a relay to accommodate the water pump's  bigger draw. 
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"
 

Re: Which SeeLevel to buy?

Reply #17 –
I found a good price here:
SeeLevel Gauges

Gauges were drop shipped from Garnet directly. It did take a couple of emails to get a shipping tracking number but eventually everything arrived ok.
Bruce & Linda
2004 U295, Build # 6268, ISL400 CAPS
2016 Ford Explorer Sport or 1985 Jeep CJ7