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Dan G. · 05-11-2007, 08:29 AM

Who else is having problems with Tank Sensors? Mine seem to read ½ or ¾ full always. These darn things have not worked since day one. Dealer fixed once and lasted one day. Broke before I even used the tanks again so I know it is not a sensor issue. In all the trailers I have had over the years I never had as many little issues like I do with this trailer.

BillTex · 05-11-2007, 08:33 AM

Black or grey?
Be sure to use plenty of water when you flush (before and after) and always start with a few gallons in the bottom of the tank.
I dump a few buckets of water in before I dump black tank also. Either that or use a Flush King. I also use Geo method a couple of times/season.
My gray is pretty accurate, seems like my black tank gauge, despite my efforts, is always finicky.

Bill

Dan G. · 05-11-2007, 08:48 AM

Thanks for the reply, Bill. It is both. I keep them very clean and have with all my trailers over the years. I use a flush king. Pretty sure it is not a debris issue.

Kistler · 05-11-2007, 09:16 AM

Grey, OK but black never shows less than 1/4.........since day one! I just look down the toilet to see what is happening.

Pecos Pete · 05-11-2007, 09:23 AM

I have had 4 new AS trailers and not one of them reads accurately for grey or black after a few uses. We just learn to pay attention to avoid standing in a puddle of grey water while showering.

thecatsandi · 05-11-2007, 09:40 AM

The black tank can be cleaned with a bag of ice and a bucket of water. Dump thse in just before you head out for the road. I have not figure out how to get get ice into the grey tank short of removing the vent cap and dump in down the stack. Then check the sensors...

balrgn · 05-11-2007, 09:44 AM

One trick I learned was to put a bag of ice in the black tank, via the toilet, before I leave to go to a campground. Let it slosh around in there. Dump the black first off. Cleans the internal terminals pretty well. (sometimes I put some baking soda in with it)

Silvertwinkie · 05-11-2007, 10:14 AM

The ice trick will not work with these sensors if the hope is to fix the sensors this way, as they are not simple electrodes that close circuits as water levels rise. This Micro Pulse system I believe uses other type sensors that calculate levels based on pressures. I had the exact same problem as has been described in this thread. I also found that temperature played a critital role in output. So, if the system was calibrated when it was 80 degrees out, when it was 50 degrees out, the system would not be accurate, but if it was within about a 25 degree difference it worked well.

Here is a thread I started a while back. The calibration docs I got from the manufac of the tank monitor system are no longer on my server on the links on the thread and I think someone else took them and posted them to another site.

If you can't find them, PM me your email address and I will send them to you.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f163...ion-14877.html

**jcanavera** · 05-11-2007, 02:00 PM

Dan,
Here is the link to the manufacturer's web site that has a PDF document regarding configuration. Note that your monitor panel is under a 5 year warranty from the manufacturer. Obviously if the dealer fixed it and then you had problems again, apparently the unit is not storing its configuration properly. These folks should be able to get you fixed up with a replacement panel. One of my lights failed and they quickly sent me a new panel.

CATCON Products | Home

Twink is right about the ice cube solution. It's not the fix for this new breed of sensors.

Regards,

Jack

BillTex · 05-14-2007, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

My gray is pretty accurate, seems like my black tank gauge, despite my efforts, is always finicky.

Bill

Well guess what? It must be my turn. As noted black and grey sensors work OK most of the time. I have never had problems with my Fresh tank gauge...until this weekend!
Worked fine 2 weeks ago. Fill up this weekend...nothing, still reads "E". Never lit up all weekend.
As you can guess, black and grey are not really a big deal.
Fresh water however, is a little more critical!
Any ideas?
You can't really put any cleaners in your fresh...
I guess I could do the ice cube thing next time?

Thanx, Bill

**jcanavera** · 05-14-2007, 12:56 PM

I guess what would be nice to know, and I assume someone has done this, how do you diagnose a sensor problem in the vehicles that use the older technology? Obviously it can be the sensor, the wiring, and finally the panel itself. If you've done this task, post the steps you went through. I'm sure it will help a lot of folks who have just found out, or will find out shortly that things have gone astray.

Now those of you who have the newer trailers, I'm not sure when that new technology came out, (I'm assuming 2002 or 2003) but the bulk if not all of us are still under manufacturer's warranty (the panel only), so worse case you can get a replacement.

Jack

Silvertwinkie · 05-14-2007, 01:16 PM

The new tank sensors came out mid 2004 model year. Anything prior to that time would be the old sensors. I say that because when I went to get the Safari new, I was told these were only placed into service very recently. How true or false that is, I can't say.

Bill isn't your unit a pre-2004?

BillTex · 05-14-2007, 01:38 PM

Yep-89...

Got to thinking-it won't be easy getting ice cubes in the fresh water tank!

Silvertwinkie · 05-14-2007, 01:42 PM

Won't be easy anything with the fresh tank if it's parked above the axles....

If you're unit is like mine, it looks kind of a job to get to the tank. If you're unit is more like our Bambi, then it would be a breeze....but me thinks it's the first.

BillTex · 05-14-2007, 01:59 PM

Yeah-over the axles.

Kind of strange, worked fine 2 weeks ago?

Bill

Silvertwinkie · 05-14-2007, 03:13 PM

Maybe just a loose wire....maybe some bouncing will wiggle it back to working?!

Poprivet · 05-15-2007, 04:33 AM

The complete monitor panel crapped out in my 1990 250 motor home and the local Airstream dealer told me it was the circuit board and that it was obsolete - end of help there. Anyone know of a source or repair for these circuit boards?

BillTex · 05-19-2007, 02:15 PM

Took some time going over the monitor panel today; battery level inicator works fine, all 3 tanks read empty. I even filled fresh and gray to see if the gauge would move. Nothing. Took panel off, cleaned all connections. Read the troubleshoot section in the manual and it states to check connection on foil at tank, problem is; how do you get to them?
I could not find any wiring running into the tanks from underneat?
Am I going to have to remove belly panels?

Thanx, Bill

JDL · 05-19-2007, 04:09 PM

FYI:

For those with the newer tank sensors.

I have 19' 2005 bambi CCD. I had some issues with my levels. I replaced the black water sensor and the panel. So far..... Its been good. The folks at CATCON CATCON Products | Home were very helpful

I would also second that temperature seems to make a big difference.

jd

Lumatic · 05-19-2007, 05:23 PM

On my 71 and 73 the sensors, clock, thermometer didn't work when I got the coaches and I never bothered to try to fix them. Seemed more effort than it was worth at least to me. Someday I will stick something that fits and does something in the clock and thermometer holes

I notice all the other posts are from, at least what I would call, late model units. What's up with that? Anybody who has a vintage coach have working guages and sensors, and what's the secret?