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Topic: Erratic Readings on SeeLevel (Read 716 times) previous topic - next topic

Erratic Readings on SeeLevel

We have a SeeLevel system install in our coach.  It failed a couple of months ago, but that turned out to be loss of power to the display.  A connection vibrated loose. Resolved that and all was well.

The most recent concern, however, is that we're getting erratic readings. For example, after Susan's shower one morning, the reported fresh water level dropped from 60% to 52% (we're using our internal fresh water tank daily, while the temps are sub-freezing outside).  But the reported gray water level increased from 3% to 40%!  Similarly, when tanks were emptied in the past, both gray and black would show 0%.  But the last time I emptied the gray, the SeeLevel display still showed 3%. Then today, the gray water read as high as the mid-30% range, but now it has dropped to 8%.

Unfortunately, in talking with Garnet Instruments, the model installed in our coach is no longer made. We're trying to baby it as long as possible, since Garnet said not just the head (the display with the PC board), but ALL the tank strips/sensors would also have to be replaced.

Anyone else have erratic readings before the failure of some component in the SeeLevel system?
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522

Re: Erratic Readings on SeeLevel

Reply #1 –
Likely that the sensor strips are coming loose in the cold weather, maybe just a corner.

Double check wiring, may be a bad connection somewhere.

Garnet 709 Seelevel II Tank Monitoring Systems llok like they are on sale at Dyers on line
Garnet SeeLevel II 709 Monitoring System - Batteries Boxes & Accessories -...
And at rvUpgrades
Garnet 709 Seelevel II Tank Monitoring System

A few bucks more at RvUpGrades but they have free shipping.  Close to a wash.

Prices may be less elsewhere, this was just a quick look but these are usually good prices.

Roger

Comment:
Kenhat's idea of just ordering two kits is a good one.  You get six strips and two monitor panels for much less than ordering one kit, three extra strips and an extra panel individually.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Erratic Readings on SeeLevel

Reply #2 –
I have a problem with my See Level system also. Kind weird really. When I fill the fresh water tank the system never shows more than 61% full. Sometime later it it will show 80% full. A bit aggravating as I have to guess when to stop filling whereas before the system showed me an 80% reading while it was filling. Haven't troubleshot yet but have it on my todo list. The fun just never stops.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Erratic Readings on SeeLevel

Reply #3 –
Mine is problematic too. Gray tank works from 0% to 60% but sticks on 60%. Talked to support and they sent me a new sender. Used blue tape to move it around the tank to find the best spot. Tested for about a month. Worked fine. Did the permanent install. Yep 2 weeks later it began the exact same symptom again.

I have the fancy new 714 system and ordered a second 709 just to get the extra senders. I have the 714 mounted in the coach and the 709 mounted in the wet bay. They both show the same numbers so don't think it's the controller. Probably need to make another call to support. :(

Really like the SeeLevel system bummer it's not working properly.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Erratic Readings on SeeLevel

Reply #4 –
I have had the 709 for one year now and have not had a single problem, No I did not get extra senders just used the one set and adjusted them to the tanks so I could read when fresh was getting empty and black and gray are getting full, I don't thinks that make a difference but they have been working fine for me. :thumbsup: 
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Erratic Readings on SeeLevel

Reply #5 –
We had funny Seelevel readings on grey and black tanks this summer, but I attributed it to calcium buildups on the tank walls.  I put 5 gallons of vinegar in each tank, then filled up with water and waited as long as we could (we were parked for a while.).  It did fix the problem for several months, until we were recently parked for 2 months with really hard water.  We just started to get occasional erratic readings on partially full black.  Just added 3 gal of vinegar to each tank.  Have had big flakes of calcium come out of the tanks when dumping, so I think that was/is the problem.

If the problem is still there after the next dump, I will fill grey and black tanks with 5+ gals of vinegar and top off with enough water to slosh around when we travel next. 
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: Erratic Readings on SeeLevel

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Dave Katsuki –
We had funny Seelevel readings on grey and black tanks this summer, but I attributed it to calcium buildups on the tank walls.
You might want to consider using a water softener. We have been please with the water softener in our coach. It is relatively large, so it may not be suitable if all available spaces are full.

We used to use an RO system for all water going into the fresh water tank. However, fill times were very slow and we found RO unpleasant for showers. I still use an electric fill pump, valve, and float switch during filling of the fresh water tank. The system allows for unattended filling of the fresh water tank. The system reliably stops filling when the tank is full.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Erratic Readings on SeeLevel

Reply #7 –

Brad Metzger warned us about the really bad water at Parker, AZ so I got a set of filters and a water softener. No room in the wet bay so a little portable stand that fits in the basement works fine. We get it out, fill the tank and usually put it away unless we want some city water for a while but we normally use water from the fresh tank.  We have been very pleased with the better quality soft water. 

Water Filter and Softener Parts List and Sources

I am sure you can find parts at other places but I buy a lot of stuff for drip irrigation at Dripworks.  Their stuff is very good.  We have had as much a 1/2 mile of drip irrigation here at home.  And I am an Amazon fan and the Watts brand is well known, reliable and parts are available.

Hope this helps.

Starting at the supply faucet:
1. Flushable particulate filter.  This traps all of the crud from the campground lines, rust, sand and other bits.  Then you open the bottom valve and it all flushes out.
    Drip Irrigation | Dripworks | Amiad Tagline Filters
      FAMCP34 with a 155 mesh screen.
        These have screens available from 50 to 200 mesh

2. 3/4" female pipe to 3/4" female hose fitting.
      Drip Irrigation | Dripworks | Female Hose x 3/4 Female Pipe
        AFHFP  This is a plastic one, there is a brass option.

3. 3/4" female pipe to 3/4" male hose filling
      Drip Irrigation | Dripworks | Male Hose x 3/4 Female Pipe
        AFPMH  This is a plastic one, there is a brass option.

4. Pressure regulator.
This is a flow triggered pressure regulator.  Best used if you are mostly using this system for filling the tank and some limited time use for connection to the supply water.
      Drip Irrigation | Dripworks | Senninger Lawn & Garden Regulators (Hose Thread)
        PRSG40  40 psi

5. Pressure Limit Valve.
This is continuous use pressure limit valve. Best used if you hookup to supply water and leave it on continuously.  With this one you probably don't need #2.
      Drip Irrigation | Dripworks | Senninger Limit Valve
        PRLV40    40 psi

6. FloodSafe Hose, Watts, 60", this hose has a 3.5 gpm flow limiting valve. If the flow exceeds that rate the valve closes and the water stops. It is resettable.  This protects the coach from a major water leak.  Picture says FlowStop, incorrectly labeled.
      Amazon.com: Watts MFS PBSPL60-1212 FloodSafe 3/4-by-3/4-by-60-Inch Washing...

7. Watts 520022 RV Duo Exterior Water Filter with Garden Hose Fittings. 
      Amazon.com: Watts 520022 RV/Boat Duo Exterior Water Filter with Garden Hose...
   
    Replacement filters are available at Amazon or at many RV sites.
      Amazon.com: Watts Premier 560088 Lead, Cyst, VOC Carbon Block Two Stage...

8. Watts RV PRO-1000 OR M7002 10000 Grains Portable Water Softener.
There are others brands available. This one got good reviews, uses about 1-1/4 lbs of ordinary table salt to regenerate, about every 700 gallons depending on hardness. Once or twice a year you backflush the softener. The orange Y fitting is only needed when you regenerate or backflush.  It is sort of fragile so use it when you need to.
      Amazon.com: Watts RV PRO-1000 OR M7002 10000 Grains Portable Water Softener:...

9. Stainless Steel Hose, Watts, 48".  This is a non-flood safe stainless braided hose. 
    Amazon.com: Watts WTS-SPL60-1212PB Stainless Steel Washing Machine Hose,...

Cheaper hoses...There is a 2 hose 48", 60" or 72" Flood Safe washing machine kit that gets you two hoses for less money than buying two individually.  You really should have these on your washing machine as wall (coach or at home)
You don't need two Flood Safe hoses but is cheaper this way.

    http://www.amazon.com/Watts-MFS-PBSPL48-1212-FloodSafe-Connector/dp/B000HE5EXC/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1454028967&sr=1-1&keywords=floodsafe

This setup is pretty effective. We use it pretty much 100% of the time.  You should use the particulate filter all the time in any case.  This helps keeps the water pump, valves, faucets clear of chunky crud.

Roger

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

Re: Erratic Readings on SeeLevel

Reply #8 –
Like Roger I use a whole house filter ( see thru) purchased from Lowes, then my Watts pressure regulator.  I keep them in a bucket with 2 hoses set up with quick connects, then the water softener, then last hose, ( quick connects on both ends) and I attach it to my direct fill in my fresh water tank.  Nice to have filtered , soft water all the time now.  Have been doing this over a year and it works great.  I really like that soft water does not build up calcium in the pipes, tanks, shower, etc....

 ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Erratic Readings on SeeLevel

Reply #9 –
Helpful . . . thank you! 

We'll try the vinegar cleanse, Dave.  That could be part of the problem since we really like hard water. I grew up on the limestone-rich water around Lexington, KY, that produces strong bones in thoroughbred horses and great bourbon. Other water seems tasteless.  <smile>  Soft water also never seems to get the shower soap off, after becoming accustomed to childhood scrubs with the hard stuff.

Ken, if we can't fix our discontinued 711 system, your idea of buying two is a good one, as Roger mentioned. I'd love to have a monitor in the utility bay.  The previous owner installed the 711 as Andy did, and that has worked fine.  Black and gray sensors are installed to show full.  Freshwater sensor is installed to show empty, so we fill slightly beyond 100% (we can fill higher than that in good weather, if we want to watch the fresh tank behind the hose and electric reels, but it's too cold out now). The extra sensors eliminating that step would be nice.

Finally, thanks Roger and Ted, for guidance on water filtering.  We've wanted to create a better system than we have (the blue plastic filters sold two-per-pack at Walmart). The water in the NC mountains has been great tasting, so we even "tanker" it when we travel, taking on a full 100 gallons before we leave.  But we've heard about the water in some places in AZ and I know from living in FL, that there are places there we'd want better filtration.

And Roland, yes — agreed:  "the fun just never stops."  That could be the motto written over our first nine months of coach ownership and full-timing!

With thanks to all, as always.  This Forum in invaluable.
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522