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Old 09-30-2016, 03:35 PM   #1
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Calling all engineers

It seems that everyone can agree that the monitor for gey water is not really reliable. Do you think that some kind of water meter installed just before the grey water enter the holding tank would be more reliable? Of course that would not work for black water but I could see it working to monitor the amount of water leaving the fresh water tank. I would think that if it is not done right now there might be good reasons but I am curious to find out if you think this could be a valid option.
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Old 09-30-2016, 04:23 PM   #2
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My tank gauges on my 81 Excella II still work fine. They are resistance based. Usually the black water tank is the most problematic since stuff gets stuck to the sensors. Flow meters are not that easy to deal with and you need some sort of data acquisition system to monitor it and keep track of the total flow. If you can see the side of the tank you can use some clear hose attached to the top and bottom of the tank to show the level.

Perry
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Old 09-30-2016, 05:09 PM   #3
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Well, this ex-engineer wouldn't bother! I think it would be cost prohibitive anyway.

One fairly simple way that is use to measure liquid level in tanks consists of a long tube inside to the bottom coupled with a hand pump to pump air into the tube to force the liquid out. There is a pressure gauge on the air line and the pressure required to force the liquid out will be proportional to the depth of liquid and the pressure gauge can be calibrated in inches of liquid or gallons of liquid accordingly.

................ But I still wouldn't bother!

I gave up on the monitors on our trailer years ago and have never really missed them!

Black tank - look in the toilet

Grey tank - look in the shower pan

Fresh water - do your best to conserve water and put more when you have to!

We don't often camp without full hookups, but I have developed a few tricks to help deal with tank capacities as best we can when we have to do so!

Brian.
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Old 09-30-2016, 05:17 PM   #4
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The SeeLevel II monitor is quite ingenious in that it can sense liquid levels from the exterior of the container without any moving parts. Sure, the sensor can be incorrectly placed or poorly attached and the inside wall of the container must also be kept reasonable clean for it to work correctly. No system is without weaknesses. However, I'm quite impressed with this technology and expect it to be reliable for years to come.
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Old 09-30-2016, 05:52 PM   #5
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I threw away our factory installed system a couple of years ago.
Here is a link to the thread I started at the time.
The new system has worked perfectly from the moment it was installed...
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http://www.airforums.com/forums/f163...se-102968.html
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Old 09-30-2016, 06:34 PM   #6
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My SeeLevel works perfectly as well.
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Old 09-30-2016, 07:20 PM   #7
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No complaints on the SeaLevel system
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Old 09-30-2016, 07:25 PM   #8
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Happy to see that for most of you the seelevel monitor seems to be adequate . In the very short time I used it mine did not seem to be acurate at all.
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Old 09-30-2016, 07:31 PM   #9
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You can have it cheap, accurate, or reliable: choose two.

Guess which two Airstream chose.
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Old 09-30-2016, 07:40 PM   #10
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Meh. They only picked one....


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Old 09-30-2016, 07:42 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Papa smurf View Post
Happy to see that for most of you the seelevel monitor seems to be adequate . In the very short time I used it mine did not seem to be acurate at all.
Who installed? It's all about proper installation.
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Old 09-30-2016, 07:49 PM   #12
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Calling all engineers

See level works well, just keep it away from metal. And you tanks can't be made out of metal.

http://www.adventurerv.net/see-level...source=Froogle
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Old 09-30-2016, 08:03 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by dznf0g View Post
Who installed? It's all about proper installation.
It is the model that was installed at the factory on my 2016 27fb International.
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Old 09-30-2016, 08:32 PM   #14
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I wasn't aware there was agreement on the grey water tank not being accurate. I'm also surprised to hear your SeeLevel is not accurate and I too agree it's likely in the installation. I wouldn't give up on it.
To your question or proposal for engineers, its not a bad idea but the end would have to justify the means. Also, many RVers don't use the fresh water tank a lot or certainly not exclusively so monitoring the exit level of the fresh water tank (if I understand you correct) would only work for true boondockers. Again, not a bad idea and I'm sure you have some people thinking.
We toyed with the Catcon system and sensor a few years ago when Airstream was using them and they were just okay at best but in the end, the SeeLevel is a better system in my opinion. That said, we have not got one single call back on them that I can remember in 8 years. Not one! They must be doing something right and I'm glad to see them standard equipment on more and more OEMs. They're pretty darn good, easy to install and accurate.
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Old 09-30-2016, 09:02 PM   #15
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It would not need to be anything fancy, i was thinking about somerhing like this

https://www.hoselink.com.au/buy/tap-...ter-gauge/5815
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Old 09-30-2016, 09:15 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Papa smurf View Post
It seems that everyone can agree that the monitor for gey water is not really reliable. Do you think that some kind of water meter installed just before the grey water enter the holding tank would be more reliable? Of course that would not work for black water but I could see it working to monitor the amount of water leaving the fresh water tank. I would think that if it is not done right now there might be good reasons but I am curious to find out if you think this could be a valid option.

No it won't. Water meters require flow.
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Old 09-30-2016, 09:31 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wingeezer View Post

Black tank - look in the toilet

Grey tank - look in the shower pan

Fresh water - do your best to conserve water and put more when you have to!

Brian.
This retired engineer has the same philosophy. Keep it simple. We're camping, not on a space mission.
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Old 09-30-2016, 09:57 PM   #18
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Install a dipstick...
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Old 09-30-2016, 09:59 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Papa smurf View Post
It would not need to be anything fancy, i was thinking about somerhing like this

https://www.hoselink.com.au/buy/tap-...ter-gauge/5815
Where are you going to connect it and get the readout?
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Old 10-01-2016, 01:38 PM   #20
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So it seems I had an impractical solution to a problem that does not exist
That's what I like about this forum you can run your idea by a bunch of people with experience and knowledge and you can be sure to receive an honest opinion.

Thaks everyone
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