New MicroPulse Sensor and re-cal... post mortem on old sensor

[RFP]

The MicroPulse system on our '14 23D International Serenity was simply displaying whatever it decided to on the black tank. Absolutely zero consistency, so, zero usefulness.

The fresh and gray tank readings are, and were, just fine.

So, I thought that I'm willing to pony up for one new sensor, and if that didn't do the trick, I'm back to the flashlight method

This morning, I installed the sensor and went through the re-cal procedure for the black tank only (super-easy), the result being a properly working system (well, at least for now... I have high hopes... I'm a optimist ).

Just for grins, I thought that I would do a post mortem on the old sensor, so I cut it open on the bandsaw. Wow, what a mess! Clearly, the "tank side" seal had been breached and black-tank-stuff had found its way into the guys of the sensor. As you can see, it's badly corroded... no wonder it didn't know what it was doing!

Any lesson to be learned here? Probably not, other than a leaky old sensor isn't as good as a shiny new one!

Rob

[lsbrodsky]

Tell us more! What did you do to remove the old sensor and install the new one? Repairs like this are useful to the rest of us!!!
Larry

[RFP]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

Tell us more! What did you do to remove the old sensor and install the new one? Repairs like this are useful to the rest of us!!!
Larry

Larry,

I got lucky! On our 23D, the MicroPulse black tank sensor sits on the big dump pipe, just opposite the dump valve. It just couldn't be easier. There is a little rubber 'boot' that covers the connection... I simply popped the 'boot' off and disconnected the little 'telephone-type' connector, then unscrewed the sensor. I actually feel kind of guilty for something to be this easy... doesn't happen to me all that often!

I'm truly sorry that I can't be on more, 'general,' help.

[lsbrodsky]

I think I once looked for mine and it was not that obvious. Oh well, just another issue for the future. Thanks anyhow.
Larry

[KJRitchie]

Larry, you are in the same boat as me. We would have to cut access hatches in our metal holding tank pans.

Kelvin

[lsbrodsky]

Kelvin,

Not something I want to do. I would probably do without. We rarely go more than 3 days without hookups and that has never been a problem for the black tank. Once again, the maintainability of an Airstream is soiled..deliberate pun.

Larry

[RFP]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Larry, you are in the same boat as me. We would have to cut access hatches in our metal holding tank pans.

Kelvin

Kelvin,

Here's a question for you: If the straps holding the 'tank covers' are removed, can the tank covers just be dropped down and out of the way?

Are the tanks secured to the floor/frame/whatever so that they stay in place even with the tank covers out of the way?

Does this question make any sense?

R

[Howard L.]

?? For anyone who has replaced a grey water sensor on a newer 30 (2012). Emailed Dan at Cust service and he said cut hole in pan to expose sensor near the Y valve. Any body done this? Do you have a photo showing a more exact location?

Thanks.

[greghoro]

Pray tell, how much did a new sensor cost? I seem to recall they were quite expensive.


Greg

[RFP]

Originally Posted by greghoro

Pray tell, how much did a new sensor cost? I seem to recall they were quite expensive.


Greg

Well, this is a weird story. Catcon's place of business is only six miles from my house so I thought that I would just drop by and pick one up... save shipping costs. The assembly people were there but had no idea how to make a sale (I thought that perfectly reasonable). Said the owner is sometimes "in and out" ... well, right then, he was out! A few days went buy and while I was out running some other errands, I dropped by Catcon again. This time, the owner was there but was "on the phone." I found a stool, sat down and waited... about twenty minutes. When the owner appeared, I told him why I was there and he said that they weren't really set up for "drop in" trade. I understood that... no problem.

Then, he picked a sensor our of a rack and said, "I'll just give you one."

Woo hoo... he was my hero for the day.

So, that's my story. Next time around, I'll not be so lucky, so I'll just buy one on line like I'm supposed to. Here: http://www.shop.catconproducts.com/p...5&categoryId=2

By the way, calibrating the new sensor - even for just the one tank - was super easy... I just followed the instructions from the PDF on their web site: http://www.catconproducts.com/pdf/Mi...itorManual.pdf

All the best,

Rob

[GMFL]

Thanks for this Rob. I’ll be attempting a zero tomorrow