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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: mikke60 on January 18, 2018, 11:30:39 AM

Title: Tank monitors
Post by: mikke60 on January 18, 2018, 11:30:39 AM
Has anyone added external tank monitors to their ss grey and blAck tanks?

If so, what brands and what results do you get?
Thanks, mike s
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: eagle19952 on January 18, 2018, 07:48:39 PM
Quote from: mikke60 on January 18, 2018, 11:30:39 AM
Has anyone added external tank monitors to their ss grey and blAck tanks?

If so, what brands and what results do you get?
Thanks, mike s

The biggest joke (or scam) foisted upon the RV industry.

Now they even have bluetooth.
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: TomC on January 18, 2018, 08:33:11 PM
Shine a light into the tank and see the level-never breaks.
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: scanzel on January 19, 2018, 03:36:42 AM
Most of the outside tank monitors work for awhile but if the tank walls get very dirty and caked up then they don't give good readings. They all have a claim to fame of how good they are but they all fail eventually or give false readings. If your tanks are buried way in and you can't see or get to them then this is better than none. I forgot to check my black/gray one time and I new it was full when shower floor started to fill with soapy water while showering.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: chessie4905 on January 19, 2018, 04:14:16 AM
If you add one to the fresh water tank, you should be able to have a pretty good idea about when the others are full with a little thought.
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: birdarchitect26 on January 19, 2018, 06:02:39 AM
Are your tanks translucent? Leave your own little window cut out, you can even create your own scale if you feel fit.

J
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Iceni John on January 19, 2018, 07:24:55 AM
Quote from: TomC on January 18, 2018, 08:33:11 PM
Shine a light into the tank and see the level-never breaks.
I followed TomC's advice, and use a Malibu 12V halogen garden light to shine against the graywater tank.   Simple, always works, nothing to ever go wrong, cheap  -  what's not to like?

John
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Handyjim on January 19, 2018, 08:01:51 AM
Didn't the OP say ss tanks. I take that to be stainless steel.
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: TomC on January 19, 2018, 08:37:18 AM
Yes-I guess that's what SS means! OOPS!
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: chessie4905 on January 19, 2018, 09:15:18 AM
Hell, you just need a brighter light.
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Iceni John on January 19, 2018, 12:29:33 PM
Or just a simple level gauge.   I have one for my fresh water tanks  -  some clear poly tube inside a length of aluminum channel.   Even if the tank were hidden from view, the level gauge can be mounted anywhere.   I also made one for my coolant surge tank, using translucent thick-wall silicone tube  -  works great.   KISS.

John
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: mikke60 on January 19, 2018, 02:33:49 PM
I do have the clear tube on my flesh tank, but I don't think it would be so good on black
Mike
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Melbo on January 19, 2018, 04:36:06 PM
I saw these when I was looking for tank sensors.  I don't know how well they work or anything about them other than what you can read at their website. 

Melbo
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: eagle19952 on January 19, 2018, 09:54:35 PM
Quote from: chessie4905 on January 19, 2018, 04:14:16 AM
If you add one to the fresh water tank, you should be able to have a pretty good idea about when the others are full with a little thought.

yup. water in water out.
if you drink beer, pee out doors :)
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Scott & Heather on January 21, 2018, 09:19:32 AM
This is why I think translucent poly tanks are the best option....I can't imagine having stainless tanks and never knowing.


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Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Jim Eh. on January 21, 2018, 09:56:31 AM
If you need to know exactly, install a load cell, fill the tank to 90% with water to tell when "full" is, then monitor the load cell.
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Jim Eh. on January 21, 2018, 09:57:29 AM
yeah, yeah I know, how do you know when it is 90%, fill then drain a little ...
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Lin on January 21, 2018, 11:01:11 AM
Is it considered really gauche to look down the chute with a flashlight?
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Scott & Heather on January 21, 2018, 12:07:13 PM
Nasty. Of course I've had to deal with piles of my own family's slop when removing the black tank or cleaning it....I have stories. Crappy job.


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Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on January 21, 2018, 02:01:17 PM
We had 100 gallon stainless water and sewage tank. Always filled the water tank and ran off of the 12v pump. When we ran out of water it was time to dump.  ;D  Usually we could go for about a week or so on a tank so i just would dump about every 5-6 days so that i never had to worry about running out of water while taking a shower.
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Iceni John on January 21, 2018, 02:41:55 PM
Quote from: Scott & Heather on January 21, 2018, 09:19:32 AM
This is why I think translucent poly tanks are the best option....I can't imagine having stainless tanks and never knowing.


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Yup, me too.   My poo tank is in full view when I open the access door, so there's no need for any high-tech gizmos to tell me if it's full  -  I just look at it!

John
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: mikke60 on January 21, 2018, 06:26:07 PM
The coach owners son was a metal fabricator , so all 3 tanks were custom built stainless, I would never want to change out for the convenience of tank monitors. Emptying more often is a small price to pay for the quality tanks
Title: Re: Tank monitors
Post by: Scott & Heather on January 21, 2018, 07:05:19 PM
Honestly, the thick poly 150 gallon tanks I use will last every bit as long as a stainless tank...and mine are lighter, and the tank levels can be clearly seen when I turn my super bright LED luggage bay lights on...


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