|
|
04-21-2020, 06:25 PM
|
#1
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 386
|
Tank (black, Gray) indicators on newer Winnebagoes
Hi all.
I just want to ask what everyone with newer Winnie's think of the black and gray tank sensors. My Intent tanks indicators suck. And we don't even put TP down the black tank, and even use grease cutting dish soap. But they are so erratic that really can't believe them. Even done an electrical trouble shoot check and yep they are reporting properly. Just the sensors are not cleaning themselves.
So if yours are working properly, what's the secret?
Thanks
Denny
__________________
Denny and Barb, Intent 26M, Renology 800w Solar sys.
Four 12v batteries, Sumo Springs front, RM anti-sway
RM Steering Stabilizer, Home Wisconsin and Arizona
|
|
|
04-21-2020, 06:35 PM
|
#2
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Kingsland, Texas
Posts: 196
|
Hi Denny - It can be many things, but a couple of quick thoughts on what we have personally run into... If you have anything up against the tanks in your storage areas it can fool the sensors. If you run too much dish soap through the tanks (black or gray), the bubbles (suds) can fool the tanks - particularly after driving. When we have had that happen, we had to flush the tanks multiple times to get everything working normally again.
__________________
DAT in TX
2018 Vista LX 27N
2022 Minnie 2529RG
|
|
|
04-21-2020, 06:35 PM
|
#3
|
Proud “No Intent” Owner
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Belmont, CA
Posts: 1,774
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by K9AEG
Hi all.
I just want to ask what everyone with newer Winnie's think of the black and brown tank sensors. My Intent tanks indicators suck. And we don't even put TP down the black tank, and even use grease cutting dish soap. But they are so erratic that really can't believe them. Even done an electrical trouble shoot check and yep they are reporting properly. Just the sensors are not cleaning themselves.
So if yours are working properly, what's the secret?
Thanks
Denny
|
Hey Denny,
We had the same issue. Grey water tank sensors always showing 2/3rds full, when empty.
There are a lot of home remedies out there, that some say work well.
This worked for us. One treatment and all tanks read empty now.
|
|
|
04-21-2020, 08:29 PM
|
#4
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 386
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by IOS 3
Hi Denny - It can be many things, but a couple of quick thoughts on what we have personally run into... If you have anything up against the tanks in your storage areas it can fool the sensors. If you run too much dish soap through the tanks (black or gray), the bubbles (suds) can fool the tanks - particularly after driving. When we have had that happen, we had to flush the tanks multiple times to get everything working normally again.
|
ISO3, I don't think any of the above qualifies for my problem. Nothing is near sensors and we usually dump twice a week even before driving the unit. Thanks though for your input..
Denny
|
|
|
04-29-2020, 04:13 PM
|
#5
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 122
|
They usually don’t work correctly. Get a SeeLevel system by Garnet Industries and you can even use the existing wiring. I did this several years ago and they work perfectly. Don’t waste your time trying to fix a system that has never been reliable. The only thing it has been is cheap and trouble prone. This is one of the most commonly brought up questions. There are thousands of posts about this.
|
|
|
04-29-2020, 04:48 PM
|
#6
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 386
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 09 harley
They usually don’t work correctly. Get a SeeLevel system by Garnet Industries and you can even use the existing wiring. I did this several years ago and they work perfectly. Don’t waste your time trying to fix a system that has never been reliable. The only thing it has been is cheap and trouble prone. This is one of the most commonly brought up questions. There are thousands of posts about this.
|
Will check into this Harley... thanks
__________________
Denny and Barb, Intent 26M, Renology 800w Solar sys.
Four 12v batteries, Sumo Springs front, RM anti-sway
RM Steering Stabilizer, Home Wisconsin and Arizona
|
|
|
04-29-2020, 04:49 PM
|
#7
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 386
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyatt
Hey Denny,
We had the same issue. Grey water tank sensors always showing 2/3rds full, when empty.
There are a lot of home remedies out there, that some say work well.
This worked for us. One treatment and all tanks read empty now.
|
Thanks Wyatt. Will look at this...
__________________
Denny and Barb, Intent 26M, Renology 800w Solar sys.
Four 12v batteries, Sumo Springs front, RM anti-sway
RM Steering Stabilizer, Home Wisconsin and Arizona
|
|
|
04-29-2020, 05:08 PM
|
#8
|
Proud “No Intent” Owner
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Belmont, CA
Posts: 1,774
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 09 harley
They usually don’t work correctly. Get a SeeLevel system by Garnet Industries and you can even use the existing wiring. I did this several years ago and they work perfectly. Don’t waste your time trying to fix a system that has never been reliable. The only thing it has been is cheap and trouble prone. This is one of the most commonly brought up questions. There are thousands of posts about this.
|
Interesting, how does one use the existing wiring? This looks like a whole new system?
|
|
|
04-29-2020, 05:52 PM
|
#9
|
2015 Itasca Spirit 27QP
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Posts: 286
|
I gave up and upgraded to See Level sensors. Not cheap or easy upgrade but they work. I know within a gallon or two just how much is in my tanks; gray, black, fresh and propane. I mounted the panel over the existing one after doing some metallurgic precision surgery on the old panel and had to do some rewiring of the water pump and water heater LEDs. Not recommended unless you are pretty handy with tools or want to hire someone who is. They would not be cheap labor either.
|
|
|
04-30-2020, 07:05 PM
|
#10
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Seminole FL
Posts: 25
|
I am fed up as well with the inaccuracy of the holding tank sensors. I am going with Seelevel sensors. But in regards to the installation, did you cut out the LED panel ad mount the new seelevel panel there? Did you go with the new water pump and Hot water switches or use the old ones? Trying to figure out the best way to go. Thanks if anyone has any inputs. Glad we went to Alaska last year. What a trip!
|
|
|
04-30-2020, 07:32 PM
|
#11
|
Proud “No Intent” Owner
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Belmont, CA
Posts: 1,774
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeC
I gave up and upgraded to See Level sensors. Not cheap or easy upgrade but they work. I know within a gallon or two just how much is in my tanks; gray, black, fresh and propane. I mounted the panel over the existing one after doing some metallurgic precision surgery on the old panel and had to do some rewiring of the water pump and water heater LEDs. Not recommended unless you are pretty handy with tools or want to hire someone who is. They would not be cheap labor either.
|
I like this system, from what I’ve read about it. Thank you. Kinda makes my toilet paper test moot if we don’t have to worry about internal sensors getting clogged...
https://vimeo.com/409959812
|
|
|
04-30-2020, 08:09 PM
|
#12
|
2015 Itasca Spirit 27QP
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Posts: 286
|
Be cautious, be careful...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Westy67
I am fed up as well with the inaccuracy of the holding tank sensors. I am going with Seelevel sensors. But in regards to the installation, did you cut out the LED panel ad mount the new seelevel panel there? Did you go with the new water pump and Hot water switches or use the old ones? Trying to figure out the best way to go. Thanks if anyone has any inputs. Glad we went to Alaska last year. What a trip!
|
I removed the original panel and cut a rectangular hole in it to accommodate the mounting of the SeeLevel II panel. I only got the basic sensor panel and kept the original water heater and water pump switches and LED lights, which needed rewiring as they were fed power from the old sensor panel. I had to put resistors in series with the LEDs (I think 1.2k ohm, check with the original resistor values) to drop the voltage from 12 to 3 volts and keep from blowing the LEDs. I have a picture of the finished project and you can write to me (private message) for it as I don't know how to post a .jpg file here, sorry. It blends in fairly well with the original panel but very careful measurements (measure 5 times, cut once) are necessary. Yes, I was a little nervous on this project as it was a bit complicated, even for an old retired electronics engineer.
Best wishes, good luck, and happy camping.
|
|
|
04-30-2020, 08:23 PM
|
#13
|
2015 Itasca Spirit 27QP
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Posts: 286
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Westy67
Glad we went to Alaska last year. What a trip!
|
Our plans for Alaska this summer were crushed by COVID-19. I've been planning this 3+ month trip for more than a year and modified the RV to be boondock ready; solar, lithium batteries/charger, inverter, battery monitor system and compressor refrigerator. Maybe next year.
|
|
|
05-01-2020, 07:57 AM
|
#14
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Spring Branch, TX
Posts: 7,837
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeC
I have a picture of the finished project and you can write to me (private message) for it as I don't know how to post a .jpg file here, sorry. .
|
Its super easy to post photos here or any forum for that matter.
https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...st-355670.html
__________________
2017 Winnebago Adventurer 37F
2016 Lincoln MKX Toad
|
|
|
05-01-2020, 08:32 AM
|
#15
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,354
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by creativepart
|
It may be easy, but it's not intuitive because the icon for images is only for web links. And they way you do attachments is not one of the other icons in the same row. Rather sloppy web design.
__________________
2019 2106 DS
2019 Colorado Duramax
|
|
|
05-01-2020, 08:37 AM
|
#16
|
2015 Itasca Spirit 27QP
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Posts: 286
|
Tank monitor panel picture
Sorry, I wasn't able to get the photo oriented properly. The source is correct, but the upload orients sideways. I even rotated the source right 90 degrees and it still shows up on its left side.
If you measure carefully, because there is little room for error, you can position the new panel so it looks like it was part of the original except for a slight color mismatch. On the inside, I preserved the connectors wherever possible.
|
|
|
05-01-2020, 08:40 AM
|
#17
|
2015 Itasca Spirit 27QP
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Posts: 286
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodspike
It may be easy, but it's not intuitive because the icon for images is only for web links. And they way you do attachments is not one of the other icons in the same row. Rather sloppy web design.
|
I agree. It's not an intuitive process and rather convoluted. Lots of room for improvement.
|
|
|
05-01-2020, 08:42 AM
|
#18
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 386
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeC
Our plans for Alaska this summer were crushed by COVID-19. I've been planning this 3+ month trip for more than a year and modified the RV to be boondock ready; solar, lithium batteries/charger, inverter, battery monitor system and compressor refrigerator. Maybe next year.
|
Yes am sorry your Alaskan plans are on hold. Your the 2nd person I've talked to with Alaska on hold.
I kinda have my Intent setup for dry camping. As a matter of fact, dry camping now for 6 days on the Arizona Rim.
So far, have 800 w. solar with 2 lead-acids and 2 AGM's. Seem to do well, but ultimately will do Lithium.
Intent comes with compressor refrig. Pulls about .8 amp. Seems to run alot as our compressor refrig's at our house. But during winter months here in Arizona, I unplug from the grid, and only a few time when cloudy rainy days, I have to plug back in.
I monitor everything... Solar panels, refrig pwr consumption, battery volts and battery draw. Nice to know what's going on with the systems.
__________________
Denny and Barb, Intent 26M, Renology 800w Solar sys.
Four 12v batteries, Sumo Springs front, RM anti-sway
RM Steering Stabilizer, Home Wisconsin and Arizona
|
|
|
05-01-2020, 09:05 AM
|
#19
|
2015 Itasca Spirit 27QP
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Posts: 286
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by K9AEG
So far, have 800 w. solar with 2 lead-acids and 2 AGM's. Seem to do well, but ultimately will do Lithium.
Intent comes with compressor refrig. Pulls about .8 amp. Seems to run alot as our compressor refrig's at our house. But during winter months here in Arizona, I unplug from the grid, and only a few time when cloudy rainy days, I have to plug back in.
I monitor everything... Solar panels, refrig pwr consumption, battery volts and battery draw. Nice to know what's going on with the systems.
|
I put a timer on my compressor and logged how many hours of run time I had over a given amount of time using Excel spreadsheet. In short, the fridge runs about 70% of the time with normal usage.
You will LOVE the lithium batteries after converting. Only caution, use a known name brand vendor. There is a lot of cheap product out there and offer inferior capacity, power management and functionality. I chose Relion. They have a fabulous selection of product, good reputation and have been around for long time. I chose the -HP version as the batteries my be needed to start the V-10 and are used to start the generator which can draw 260 amps. I wanted to ensure my 3 batteries would not be overloaded in any circumstance. 1C or 100 amps peak load is typical for 100 ah batteries. Too close for my comfort. The -HPs can supply 800 amps each for 2 seconds. They are a bit more expensive, but when spending thousands, I felt was worth it for the confidence that they would handle any known task without damage.
|
|
|
05-01-2020, 09:42 AM
|
#20
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 386
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeC
I put a timer on my compressor and logged how many hours of run time I had over a given amount of time using Excel spreadsheet. In short, the fridge runs about 70% of the time with normal usage.
You will LOVE the lithium batteries after converting. Only caution, use a known name brand vendor. There is a lot of cheap product out there and offer inferior capacity, power management and functionality. I chose Relion. They have a fabulous selection of product, good reputation and have been around for long time. I chose the -HP version as the batteries my be needed to start the V-10 and are used to start the generator which can draw 260 amps. I wanted to ensure my 3 batteries would not be overloaded in any circumstance. 1C or 100 amps peak load is typical for 100 ah batteries. Too close for my comfort. The -HPs can supply 800 amps each for 2 seconds. They are a bit more expensive, but when spending thousands, I felt was worth it for the confidence that they would handle any known task without damage.
|
I have begun to like the compressor refrig. When I initially bought this rig, I was going to change it out for gas/electric. But after weighing everything, I decided to spend the extra money in panels etc. The plus side of compressor type is you have more usable room inside.
Thanks for info. I will do some research on them.
__________________
Denny and Barb, Intent 26M, Renology 800w Solar sys.
Four 12v batteries, Sumo Springs front, RM anti-sway
RM Steering Stabilizer, Home Wisconsin and Arizona
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|