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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Mex-Busnut on October 22, 2011, 04:38:17 PM

Title: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: Mex-Busnut on October 22, 2011, 04:38:17 PM
Dear Friends,

The tank monitoring panel I purchased is an iSeries from these people:

http://www.tankedge.com/ (http://www.tankedge.com/)

Can I  just use copper strips glued to the sides of my plastic holding tanks as sensors? Or maybe some long brass screws through the sides?

I am trying to save some $$$ on this.

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: Lin on October 22, 2011, 06:30:51 PM
You mean that the kit does not come with whatever you need or explain what to do?
Title: Re: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: TomC on October 22, 2011, 07:11:36 PM
All three of my tanks are made of white plastic.  Mount a halogen puck light above or to the side of the tank so the light will shine into the tank and you can see the water level.  Most reliable tank water level gauge you can have.  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: PSmith on October 23, 2011, 06:10:52 AM
What a Great idea Tom.  I'm going to do that on mine when I install my transfer pump (from the gray to the black).  I've thought about the level issue for awhile. Thanks !
Title: Re: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: Iceni John on October 23, 2011, 10:34:15 AM
Another option, at least for fresh water tanks, is a simple sight glass.   My tanks are sheathed in plywood, so TomC's brilliant (sic) suggestion won't work for me;  I made a sight glass on the side of one of my fresh tanks, and as both fresh tanks are interconnected I know how much is in both.   A sight glass may not work so well for the black tank  -  "solids" could block it!

I read all too many reports of fancy electronic level gauges that stop working after a time, usually because of a build-up of grunge on the sensors.   KISS is best.

John
Title: Re: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: eagle19952 on October 23, 2011, 12:56:14 PM
tho this might not solve your problem,next time You could snoop around here,
http://www.jmesales.com/Results.aspx?categoryid=2048&manufacturerid=29&maxprice=100000&gclid=CLWk54fK_6sCFUHs7Qodyh_bWg (http://www.jmesales.com/Results.aspx?categoryid=2048&manufacturerid=29&maxprice=100000&gclid=CLWk54fK_6sCFUHs7Qodyh_bWg)

And here
http://www.kruegersentrygauge.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=35_48&products_id=116 (http://www.kruegersentrygauge.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=35_48&products_id=116)]

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jmesales.com%2Fshowimage.axd%3Fid%3D9605%26amp%3BW%3D110%26amp%3BH%3D110&hash=68b169d53c461d413942011c408c411d93d2da40)

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ksentry.com%2Fcatalog%2Fimages%2Falarm_small.jpg&hash=cdaa44e99f818c563c16a6d10bd7eaec955da40a)
Title: Re: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: Sean on October 23, 2011, 01:54:04 PM
I have this same system (I have the Acu-Gage 8 ).  You just use foil tape, following the instructions (https://tankedge.com/downloads/iSeries_Instructions_81111.pdf (https://tankedge.com/downloads/iSeries_Instructions_81111.pdf)).  The copper pads that come with the senders stick to the foil.

The standard iSeries kit comes with three of these senders.  If you just have the panel alone, without the senders, then you'll need to buy the senders to make a complete system -- no way around that.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com (http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com)
Title: Re: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: usbusin on October 24, 2011, 06:50:47 AM
Has anybody used this pressure sensing transducer from Catcon Products?  Looks like a simple solution using pressure of the liquid level.

http://www.catconproducts.com/rv.htm (http://www.catconproducts.com/rv.htm)
Title: Re: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: TomC on October 24, 2011, 07:12:55 AM
My fresh water tank is enclosed in plywood under my bed (transit bus).  I made four 3/4" wide slits (with a router) in the plywood that faces out so I can see the water level in tank when I turn on the puck light above the tank.  Cutting slits in the side of the tanks can be done also in the bay of the bus.  If you have your black tank also made with white translucent plastic, you'll be able to see the level in it also (the only reason black tanks are colored with carbon black is to block seeing what's in the tank-some people get upset seeing "floaters").  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: jjrbus on October 24, 2011, 10:15:47 AM
While there are very few right ways to do things on a bus Tom's is the eaisest, cheapest most reliable.  I also added a 3" cleanout to the black tank.

At least add Tom's idea for when your latest, greatest, Hi tech, computer controlled, laser guided, temperature sensitive, air actuated, voice controlled, blu tooth ready gizmo goes belly up ;D


                                                                                          HTH  JIm
Title: Re: Anybody know how to make some holding tank sensors?
Post by: Mex-Busnut on October 24, 2011, 10:35:08 AM
Quote from: jjrbus on October 24, 2011, 10:15:47 AM
At least add Tom's idea for when your latest, greatest, Hi tech, computer controlled, laser guided, temperature sensitive, air actuated, voice controlled, blu tooth ready gizmo goes belly up ;D

Jim:

I have told you 16 million times not to exagerate.

;D
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