Fresh water guages

Topic: Fresh water guages (Read 1284 times) previous topic - next topic

Fresh water guages

January 13, 2011, 12:38:55 pm

Until recently my Audit System gauges were as accurate as I needed. Now the fresh water gauge has gone south while the black and grey work fine.
I have checked as far as I can in the water bay behind the WH but can find no loose or broken wires or anything that looks out of place. I have never had to fool with the sensors on these tanks and really don't understand how they work.
If someone can enlighten me or give me tips on what to look for I would appreciate it.
Thanks

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #1 – January 13, 2011, 12:43:09 pm

I will follow this topic closely as I would love to improve the accuracy and repeatability of my gauges also !

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #2 – January 13, 2011, 12:50:50 pm

They work like a stud finder works. Have about 4 sensors that stick to the outside of the tanks. But it could be you Audit computer unit going also. Don't know how to trouble shoot that stuff, but someone around here must! Think the newer units are better. And it think some have converted over.

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #3 – January 13, 2011, 01:10:53 pm

I use a small vertical clear plastic tube next to the water manifold and SEE the water level in it. 1999 U320

best, paul

Quote

I will follow this topic closely as I would love to improve the accuracy and repeatability of my gauges also !

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #4 – January 13, 2011, 03:24:21 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – January 13, 2011, 12:38:55 pm

Until recently my Audit System gauges were as accurate as I needed. Now the fresh water gauge has gone south while the black and grey work fine.
I have checked as far as I can in the water bay behind the WH but can find no loose or broken wires or anything that looks out of place. I have never had to fool with the sensors on these tanks and really don't understand how they work.
If someone can enlighten me or give me tips on what to look for I would appreciate it.
Thanks

I installed the SeeLevel II gauges in my 1993, U225 when the Audit screen went south. The thing I like most about the SeeLevel gauges is that you can use the original coach wiring and the readout is digital, accurate and repeatable, SeeLeveL RV Gauges by Garnet Technologies Inc.. Also, they are in Grandbury, TX not too far from MCD so you can go to Garnett to get their 709 installed, then to MCD for new shades and then down to NAC for any other service. Or if you are in the Poretravel Club like me you can buy the system from Dyers RV online and install the unit yourself which I did in about 4 hours not knowing what I was doing. Probably 1 hour if you do know what you are doing.

I have attached a photo of the gauge in the old screen location. I bought a 7" color screen with a side camera to replace the old Audit CRT. The whole thing the gauge, the 7" monitor and camera were under $600.

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #5 – January 13, 2011, 05:00:00 pm

I Don't 't have a problem with the black, grey, compass, rear view features of the audit system, only the fresh water gauge. It has worked fine til now so I ASSUME that some change took place such as a broken wire, bad sensors etc. That is what I would like to find and correct. No need to replace whole system til it all goes out.

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #6 – January 13, 2011, 05:04:11 pm

Dyers has the model 709 which it appears Garnet no longer sells. The 709 seems better as you get 3 tanks along with LPG and battery.
Garnet SeeLevel II 709 Monitoring System - Holding Tank Accessories - Black

under 185 bucks shipped. Ordered and added to my 'one of these days' list. Once I get it I'll see if I need more sensors.

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #7 – January 13, 2011, 05:50:44 pm

Were the stock 12" senders adequate? Would you recommend additional senders for full coverage?

Quote from: Kent Speers – January 13, 2011, 03:24:21 pm

Or if you are in the Poretravel Club like me you can buy the system from Dyers RV online and install the unit yourself which I did in about 4 hours not knowing what I was doing. Probably 1 hour if you do know what you are doing.

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #8 – January 13, 2011, 07:47:16 pm

I am also considering SensaTank because I may have more flexibility.
http://www.levelguardproducts.com/pdf/LevelGuard_SensaTank_RV_100_Installati on_Jul2010.pdf
Sensors can be installed on slant side of holding tanks, which SeeLevel cannot because of the middle steel horizontal support bar. And I can space sensors so they read correctly compensating for the slanted increased capacity on the upper half of tanks.

SeeLevel reads out in percent, which is pretty cool. But the percent of tank does not read correctly as the tank has increasing volume as you go up the tank. For example 50% full is above the middle of the tank. But so what, as everything is relative.

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #9 – January 13, 2011, 08:48:12 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – January 13, 2011, 05:00:00 pm

I Don't 't have a problem with the black, grey, compass, rear view features of the audit system, only the fresh water gauge. It has worked fine til now so I ASSUME that some change took place such as a broken wire, bad sensors etc. That is what I would like to find and correct. No need to replace whole system til it all goes out.

Gary, I think the senders are replaceable. James Triana can probably tell you if they are still available.

Quote from: Dave Head – January 13, 2011, 05:50:44 pm

Were the stock 12" senders adequate? Would you recommend additional senders for full coverage?

On the 93, the tanks are tall. I only care when the black and gray tank are getting full so I placed one 12" sender at the top of the tanks. By doing so the percentages are incorrect but I know for sure as the tanks are nearing full. I did install two senders on the fresh water tank although I could have gotten by with just one because again it is only critical to know when the fresh water tank nears empty. The LP gauge value is calibrated to the tank so it is accurate although temperature seems to have an effect .

The neatest thing about the SeeLevel system is you use only one of the existing wires for both back tanks. The fresh water tank is in the front so wiring it just requires splicing into the single sending wire near the gauge.

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #10 – January 13, 2011, 08:56:00 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – January 13, 2011, 07:47:16 pm

I am also considering SensaTank because I may have more flexibility.
www.levelguardproducts.com/pdf/LevelGuard_SensaTank_RV_100_Installati on_Jul2010.pdf
Sensors can be installed on slant side of holding tanks, which SeeLevel cannot because of the middle steel horizontal support bar. And I can space sensors so they read correctly compensating for the slanted increased capacity on the upper half of tanks.

SeeLevel reads out in percent, which is pretty cool. But the percent of tank does not read correctly as the tank has increasing volume as you go up the tank. For example 50% full is above the middle of the tank. But so what, as everything is relative.

I think you are correct about the inaccuracy due to the slant but I don't recall there being a steel support on the Grand Villas.

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #11 – February 12, 2011, 12:25:43 pm

Kent - based on your remark of using only a single sensor on the gray and black water tanks (excuse my inability here) - if your gauge shows 20% full, would you then interpret that to be roughly 60% full if your tank is 24 inches tall (only half of the tank covered by the 12 inch sensor that comes with the model 709)? Am getting ready to order a SeeLevel and think will follow your suggestion of a single sensor on black and gray and an extra sensor for the fresh tank. Our 1998 U295 tanks are 26 inches tall.

Thanks for your help, Bill

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #12 – February 12, 2011, 12:50:39 pm

How tall are 1999 40ft U320 fresh water tanks?

I use a clear plastic tube about 1/2 inch in diameter plumbed in so I can SEE the water level in IT - which I assume is the same as the level in the tank.

I'm determined to not overflow the tank (again) as best I can.

best, paul

Quote

Our 1998 U295 tanks are 26 inches tall.

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #13 – February 12, 2011, 05:56:56 pm

Paul - wish I could help with your question but do not know if the config was used. Also am trying to not run out of water nor overflow! Hopefully SeeLevel will be the answer.

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #14 – February 13, 2011, 01:28:37 am

This just in from Javalina WOW!!!!

I believe the wire going to the black tank is black however I don't have a
published drawing in my records to verify. We do not have an exchange CPU;
if the computer has failed it will have to be repaired. The price of repair
is $475.00 - $1100.00 with a lead time of 4 weeks

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #15 – February 13, 2011, 01:34:03 am

This was message sent prior to last post

I am getting about .092 MV to the probes.

1/4 tank included, but disconnecting it & routing it to ground does not give
a 1/4 reading on the CRT. All others read just fine with this method (both
gray and black water)

The probes (sensors) are welded into the tank and cannot be replaced
( another brilliant engineering feat by/of Foretravel)

Does this tell me the computer needs repair ??

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #16 – February 13, 2011, 10:07:27 am

Quote from: Bill and Ricki – February 12, 2011, 12:25:43 pm

Kent - based on your remark of using only a single sensor on the gray and black water tanks (excuse my inability here) - if your gauge shows 20% full, would you then interpret that to be roughly 60% full if your tank is 24 inches tall (only half of the tank covered by the 12 inch sensor that comes with the model 709)? Am getting ready to order a SeeLevel and think will follow your suggestion of a single sensor on black and gray and an extra sensor for the fresh tank. Our 1998 U295 tanks are 26 inches tall.

Thanks for your help, Bill

Bill, I came to the same conclusion although math is not my greatest strength. I basically used the gauges as a fail safe. I really just wanted to know when the fresh water tank was nearing empty and the holding tanks were nearing full.

I always use my fresh water tank rather than a direct connection to an outside water line. That way whenever my water tank is empty, it is time to dump. By this method I am constantly refreshing and sanitizing my water tank and don't really have to pay close attention to the gauges. FWIW

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #17 – February 21, 2011, 07:00:48 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – January 13, 2011, 12:38:55 pm

Until recently my Audit System gauges were as accurate as I needed. Now the fresh water gauge has gone south while the black and grey work fine.
I have checked as far as I can in the water bay behind the WH but can find no loose or broken wires or anything that looks out of place. I have never had to fool with the sensors on these tanks and really don't understand how they work.
If someone can enlighten me or give me tips on what to look for I would appreciate it.
Thanks

The sensors should be at the top of the tank and held in place with aluminum tape, check to make sure that there is no breaks in the tape as this will cause the tank readings to be inaccurate and will only read to where the brake is. To repair simply apply more aluminum over the break and smooth out with a roller

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #18 – February 22, 2011, 08:17:39 am

Gary;
have talked with Javelins ( e-mail) Seems that many different sensor are used. Manufactures determine what sensors to use.

I am getting about .092 MV to the probes.
1/4 tank sensor included, but disconnecting it & routing it to ground does not give
a 1/4 reading on the CRT. All others read just fine with this method (both
gray and black water)

The probes (sensors) are glued into the tank and cannot be replaced
( another brilliant engineering feat by/of Foretravel)

this from Javelina
We do not have an exchange CPU;
if the computer has failed it will have to be repaired. The price of repair
is $475.00 - $1100.00 with a lead time of 4 weeks

Re: Fresh water guages

Reply #19 – February 22, 2011, 07:17:48 pm

Quote

Gary;
have talked with Javelins ( e-mail) Seems that many different sensor are used. Manufactures determine what sensors to use.

I am getting about .092 MV to the probes.
1/4 tank sensor included, but disconnecting it & routing it to ground does not give
a 1/4 reading on the CRT. All others read just fine with this method (both
gray and black water)

The probes (sensors) are glued into the tank and cannot be replaced

Bill. Yep my sensor are glued to the aluminum tape. Will live with it I guess.
Gary

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