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Bluto · 11-20-2015, 09:34 AM

Today is a good day. I've had a problem with my Micro Pulse system because the light on the panel for the gray water will not come on at all. I believe I read someplace(maybe on this forum) that the company that makes it is out of business so I thought I'd have to spend a cool $800 or so to get someone to install a new system of another brand. But after doing some research I found that the Micro Pulse people are alive and well and living in Texas.
I emailed them and they had me send my sensor panel to them to repair or replace as they see fit. I sent the unit out yesterday and I should have it back sometime next week.
Here is their web address:
CATCON Products |Home

P.S. They also sell some parts online if you want to go that route.

switz · 11-20-2015, 09:40 AM

Airstream changed to See Level tank monitoring systems in 2015. We replaced the Micro Pulse in our 2014 Classic with a 714 See Level this year as the Micro Pulse failed to operate with any accuracy several times after recalibration. Our new digital tank display is above the WWII ship's clock in my avatar.

KJRitchie · 11-20-2015, 09:58 AM

I'm still stuck with my Micropulse but it seems to be working well enough to keep it. I figured the easiest way to recalibrate it is to disconnect the other two tanks while I calibrate the target tank. I could never isolate one tank according to their procedure. I also calibrate while on the battery and not shore power. I use an inline water meter to determine how many gallons to put in a tank for empty reading. I figure 5 gallons for my 25fb tanks. Then fill the tank up to within 2 or 3 gallons of being full for the full reading. Finish the calibration and then move onto the next tank.

In my 25fb the RJ11 wires come down from the monitor panel near the water pump. The RJ11 wires from each tank come up from below in the same place. They are connected together with an RJII extension adapter. The wires are color coded white for fresh, black for black tank and gray for gray tank. Just unclip the leads of the tanks you don't want calibrated. If the panel can't see a tank sensor it skips it during calibration.

Its too bad Airstream didn't design service accessibility in changing out the sensors on my model. Would have to take the power saw to my holding tank covers to swap out he sensors or to replace them with a SeeLevel sensor.

Kelvin

switz · 11-20-2015, 10:07 AM

SeeLevel sensors are attached externally to the skin of the tank. We left the MicroPulse probes in the tanks. We did have to drop the sheet metal covers to gain access to the black and gray tank sides.

amaier7771 · 11-20-2015, 12:48 PM

just tracking this thread...........

Rich W · 11-20-2015, 04:53 PM

My Micropulse fresh water always showed full, then empty, then nothing for the last year. Gray water registers if it's not too cold or too hot. Black registers sometimes, if it's in the mood. I'm happy if the gray shows. I figure if the fresh water is out it's time to get the 5 gallon can out and go get some more. Life goes on

gandttimes · 11-20-2015, 05:04 PM

Airstream stared the changeover in 2014 models and of course in the Eddie Bauer model. Or 2014 unfortunately came with Micropulse and after a year of re calibrating and complaining my dealership got the go ahead to change to the See Level on Airstream's dime. What a difference. Well worth changing. The technician who did the work said that Airstream has a system worked out that enabled a daily straight forward swap without having to cut a bunch of new access holes.
Sure is great to have the accuracy for boondocking.

George

nrgtrakr · 11-20-2015, 05:14 PM

The monitor panel on our 75 Overlander consumes a huge amount of space. Maybe I'll do an upgrade.

Omega Man · 11-20-2015, 05:45 PM

The micropulse on my 2013 flying cloud never really worked reliably. I contacted the factory and they sent me the recalibration instructions. Recalibration works for a few weeks and then it's way off the mark. The dealer was not much better. I just learned to live with no tank monitors.

Bluto · 11-20-2015, 10:12 PM

I posted the info I found just to help anyone else who might have a problem and not know who to contact about it. I contacted Airstream couldn't even a good answer from their service dept. The guy I talked to didn't have a clue. He suggested I go to a local dealership.

I look at it like this, contacting Catcon and letting them fix my panel saves me from a lot of extra work if I would do a complete system changeover myself or shelling out a lot of money to buy a new system and have it installed, so I'll work with Catcon to resolve my problem. I like the fact that they have stood behind their product with me. They asked for no money and said they will repair or fix the panel free of charge. That was music to my ears as a new panel would cost me at least $125. There may be better systems out there but I'll give these guys a chance first.

Bluto · 11-20-2015, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I'm still stuck with my Micropulse but it seems to be working well enough to keep it. I figured the easiest way to recalibrate it is to disconnect the other two tanks while I calibrate the target tank. I could never isolate one tank according to their procedure. I also calibrate while on the battery and not shore power. I use an inline water meter to determine how many gallons to put in a tank for empty reading. I figure 5 gallons for my 25fb tanks. Then fill the tank up to within 2 or 3 gallons of being full for the full reading. Finish the calibration and then move onto the next tank.

In my 25fb the RJ11 wires come down from the monitor panel near the water pump. The RJ11 wires from each tank come up from below in the same place. They are connected together with an RJII extension adapter. The wires are color coded white for fresh, black for black tank and gray for gray tank. Just unclip the leads of the tanks you don't want calibrated. If the panel can't see a tank sensor it skips it during calibration.

Its too bad Airstream didn't design service accessibility in changing out the sensors on my model. Would have to take the power saw to my holding tank covers to swap out he sensors or to replace them with a SeeLevel sensor.

Kelvin

Kelvin,
Thanks for the information. I may need it if I run into a problem on the calibration when I get the panel back from the shop.

Bluto · 12-09-2015, 09:36 PM

I got the repaired panel back from Catcon. There was nothing wrong with it except that the switch for the tanks was not working properly. They replaced it but also sent me a replacement tank sensor(free) for my gray tank as they think that may be the problem.
I have all the wires hooked back up except for the RJ11 at the back of the panel for the gray tank. I had to get a new RJ11 connector as the original one is broken.
So at this point I don't know what has caused the light on the gray tank to not work.
Once I replace the connector, and if it doesn't solve the light problem then I'll need to find the sensor on the tank and replace it.
Can anybody tell me where to look for it on the gray tank? I have a 2010 27' front bed model.

overlander63 · 12-10-2015, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

I got the repaired panel back from Catcon. There was nothing wrong with it except that the switch for the tanks was not working properly. They replaced it but also sent me a replacement tank sensor(free) for my gray tank as they think that may be the problem.
I have all the wires hooked back up except for the RJ11 at the back of the panel for the gray tank. I had to get a new RJ11 connector as the original one is broken.
So at this point I don't know what has caused the light on the gray tank to not work.
Once I replace the connector, and if it doesn't solve the light problem then I'll need to find the sensor on the tank and replace it.
Can anybody tell me where to look for it on the gray tank? I have a 2010 27' front bed model.

The sensor should be on the pipe from the grey tank to the valve, just before the valve.

KJRitchie · 12-10-2015, 08:10 AM

Plug the new connector into the monitor panel before you think about installing it to see if the monitor. Plug it into the gray telephone wire near the water pump under the fridge. Turn on the monitor and see if it shows a light.

If your gray and black tanks are like mine they are supported by the sheet metal covers under the trailer. Might be easier to cut an access panel in the sheet metal between the tanks

Kelvin

Bluto · 12-10-2015, 01:12 PM

Terry and Kelvin,
Thank you both for your timely answers. I hope to get at this again over the weekend and I will let you know what I found. I have an inspection plate near the sewer drains from a previous problem with the black water valve so I may be in luck and not have to cut a new one in the bottom to find the sensor. But first, I'll plug the new sensor in near the water pump, as Kelvin mentioned, just to see if I have continuity.

KJRitchie · 12-10-2015, 01:18 PM

I'm wondering if the gray LED never comes on even a bad sensor the LED would show a different color to indicate no sensor. When I disconnect my sensors to calibrate one tank the monitor will display amber or red LED for the disconnected sensors.

Kelvin

dznf0g · 12-10-2015, 01:30 PM

I looked for every work-around and fix for these poorly engineered systems for 4 years. I recommend ending the frustration and effort and going straight to the SeeLevel.

Zymurbrian · 12-10-2015, 11:17 PM

I also fought the Micropulse nightmare for the two years of my warranty period. Near the end I fought until it was replaced with a SeeLevel system. The Micropulse NEVER worked properly while the SeeLevel has worked flawlessly for a year and a half.

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

Bluto · 12-11-2015, 05:37 AM

Rich, you and Zymurbrian are telling me exactly what I don't want to hear.
Ha,ha!
I'm still hoping that my Micro is the one that's different and that I can still salvage it!
I guess we'll find out soon enough and I may have to ask you guys and Switz for install pointers on a SeeLevel system.

dznf0g · 12-11-2015, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

Rich, you and Zymurbrian are telling me exactly what I don't want to hear.
Ha,ha!
I'm still hoping that my Micro is the one that's different and that I can still salvage it!
I guess we'll find out soon enough and I may have to ask you guys and Switz for install pointers on a SeeLevel system.

Whenever you are ready! (And I am confident you will be ready sooner rather than later....)