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Topic: Water fill (Read 647 times) previous topic - next topic

Water fill

Today I'm doing the fresh water fill and will follow what Chuck did to his. My tank isn't as easy seen thru to visually watch for water level. Like most I don't like the full run over method. Need an idea on checking for full at the same side of the tank I'm filling.  Captain obvious could probably answer this but I'm hitting a dead end on ideas that won't spill water. Don't want to spill water or I would leave it like it is..My 280 you could see the water line plain as day but not so on this one..
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Water fill

Reply #1 –
Find Roger's post on automatic fill shutoff.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Water fill

Reply #2 –
Thanks
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Water fill

Reply #3 –
While spilling water when full is not the best idea, the summer season means fast evaporation and not nearly as serious and later in the fall/winter.

I wonder if you could drain the tank completely and then get a water totalizer to fill it 90% of the way? See many models at: water totalizer - Google Search . Downside here is that you would have to drain the tank completely before filling

Perhaps the best idea would be to make a sight tube where you could open the wet bay and instantly see the level. Easy to make and install. While our later fire trucks had gauges, the earlier models just had sight tubes on the pump panel. It's just a rigid clear plastic pipe connected to any water tank source.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Water fill

Reply #4 –
Quote
Perhaps the best idea would be to make a sight tube where you could open the wet bay and instantly see the level.


There are some old threads with photos describing this solution. I made one up for one of our rigs and it worked great. Or you can redirect your water overfill through the floor and forget about the wet bulkhead issue. Or you could install a SeeLevel or other system with a monitor in the wet bay. Lots of good solutions.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Water fill

Reply #5 –
A Seelevel tank monitor system is a nice upgrade to the OEM and a remote panel in the wet bay would solve your issue.  The typical installation for your coach would be to purchase 2 full systems because you need extra sensor strips for your tall tanks.  One remote panel inside and another outside.

Re: Water fill

Reply #6 –
I've read all the post on different fill systems built here and all are done nicely. I have chose to copy Chuck because less involved and accomplishes end result.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Water fill

Reply #7 –
Dub, For 20 years we fill our fresh water tank every week and by looking at water level, stop before overflowing.

Tank is translucent, we removed top angle fiberglass trim that hides seeing top of fresh water tank. We have placed a florescent lamp on top of tank with part of the lamp sticking out. With lamp on, we can easily see water level with our eyes.

On the curbside, our hot water tank blocks seeing the backside of the fresh water tank. But years ago, we replaced our hot water tank and when it was out, we re-routed & extended the 'top of fresh water tank overflow hose' so it now empties under coach about 3 feet from bulkhead in the area under the water manifold .

With your overflow above bulkhead, you may be able to jury-rig with a cutoff gallon water jug a way to catch the bulkhead water overflow and direct water away from bulkhead.  But most of the time you will be able to turn water fill off before overflowing.

Below are labels that we made to attach to the outside of fresh water tank to know gallons of water below the water level surface.  Label is accurate in that it is adjusted for the lower quantity of water at lower tank heights due to the tank angled construction.


Re: Water fill

Reply #8 –
Another way.  Open the valve and water in clear tubing will be the same as in the tank.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Water fill

Reply #9 –
I endorse the two SeeLevel system approach. 

My thread on an automated means to turn off the 12v solenoid fill valve works if you have an electric solenoid fill valve.  If you don't you can use it to turn on a buzzer/light to let you know if you are close to full or close to empty.

Water Fill Valve Auto Shut-off

Sensa Level Ultra Tank Sensor for Water and Waste Tanks

Sensor only
LevelGuard Tank Monitor 100 Switch [Z160TSRK] | eBay

Watching the water fill could take half an hour or more.  Just a bit of distraction and the water is overflowing. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Water fill

Reply #10 –
All good ideas.. that floursant light trick should lite this booger up to where water level will show while I sit on my stool looking at it.
Dub McBride 1996 270
 

Re: Water fill

Reply #11 –
I've made new led light fixtures to be installed in all my bays. I plan on using the new lights on top of the tank so that I can see the level. When I filled before, I tried to have the drivers side bay door open to the sun so I could watch from the other side. The new light should make it viable without the help of the sun and one on each side I can watch where ever.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318