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07-08-2009, 10:42 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Shelburne
Posts: 688
M.O.C. #8693
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Tank level sensor upgrades/replacements?
Does anybody know of an alternate sensor system for the tanks? The sensors are useless. They don't work reliably (sludge, grease, paper, etc.) and, even if they did, they don't indicate the tank contents accurately enough to decide when to dump. From the comments on MOC, our problem is typical.
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07-08-2009, 11:03 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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There is an external system that uses similar technology like a stud finder uses, but they are very expensive - around $400 if I remember right.
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07-08-2009, 11:09 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ft. Smith
Posts: 981
M.O.C. #116
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07-08-2009, 12:07 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,751
M.O.C. #7753
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Actually there is a viable alternative, SeeLevel Guages. About 250.00 for four tank sensors, fresh,grey, galley, black, battery, and switches for water heater and pump. basically a full retrofit for the POS that comes on most Montana/Big Skys. Here is a link to one dealer... As soon as the stick house sells these are going on the Big Sky... Dave
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07-08-2009, 01:38 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by KathyandDave
Does anybody know of an alternate sensor system for the tanks? The sensors are useless. They don't work reliably (sludge, grease, paper, etc.) and, even if they did, they don't indicate the tank contents accurately enough to decide when to dump. From the comments on MOC, our problem is typical.
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You don't really need any type of gauge to know when to dump. The toilet will "burp" (a bubble shows) when flushed when the black water tank is getting close to full. In our case, when we notice the first "burp" we have another day that we can go before we dump. However, we usually dump as soon as we notice the "burp" or the next morning.
The gray water tank will indicate that it is nearing full capacity when you pull the plug in the bathroom wash basin and you can hear the water very close to the top.
The sensors really are useless. Having said that, I know there are some on the forum who are able to keep the tanks clean enough so that the sensors always read correctly, or near correctly.
Orv
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07-08-2009, 01:55 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Exnavydiver
Actually there is a viable alternative, SeeLevel Guages. About 250.00 for four tank sensors, fresh,grey, galley, black, battery, and switches for water heater and pump. basically a full retrofit for the POS that comes on most Montana/Big Skys. Here is a link to one dealer... As soon as the stick house sells these are going on the Big Sky... Dave
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Unless I'm reading it wrong - that $250 is for the gauge only - the sensors are extra.
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07-08-2009, 02:05 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,751
M.O.C. #7753
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you're wrong, check this link and read the note under the sensor unit. Each unit comes with sensors... Dave
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07-08-2009, 03:45 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Santa Fe Springs
Posts: 4,189
M.O.C. #639
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as Orv said, I do the same as him, but when I see the water (gray) come up in the shower I pull the gate valve then on that tank, for the gally tank Keystone did a good pipe job there when the water wont go down any more and stops draining it's full, and I do the same as the forward gray tank. 
__________________
Pulling a 2004, 2980 RL an oldie but goodie.
Tow vehicle is a 2009 RED RAM 3500 DRW.
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07-08-2009, 04:44 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Amarillo
Posts: 125
M.O.C. #7742
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You can get the best info on the SeeLevel product by looking at their web site---it looks an sounds like agood product--
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07-08-2009, 04:56 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Wappingers Falls
Posts: 1,303
M.O.C. #6263
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Right...so I tend to dump early and put in a lot of water..."the solution to pollution is dilution".
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07-08-2009, 05:08 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
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Dave how do these connect onto the tanks? Are they glued on or what! Can't see anything on your sight or the website for Seelevel that says how they connect! Sure seems like a good deal to me-- anything beats those in-tank gauges that come on the Montes! Maybe at Fall Rally we can suggest this to Keystone! Ya right!!
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07-08-2009, 05:22 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,751
M.O.C. #7753
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Rondo, here is a link to the PDF file for the shop manual for this unit, the sensors are adhesive. They stick to the side of the tanks and you only need one of the wires from the old sensors for each new sensor... dave
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07-08-2009, 05:36 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
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Sure get me into more trouble by introing this to me!  I may go broke just updating my 2004 2980! When everything is done then I'll decide to go for a new one and I'll really be in trouble with the DW. Trials and tribulations of a MOCr!! 
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07-08-2009, 06:41 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Rondo, then you are in the same boat as the rest of us, so don't feel too special.
At this point, my list of wants for both the TV and the RV far surpasses the price of the Monty. Isn't that about how you feel?
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07-08-2009, 06:55 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
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07-09-2009, 01:17 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Exnavydiver
you're wrong, check this link and read the note under the sensor unit. Each unit comes with sensors... Dave
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Ah ha! That clears it up. I wonder why they don't say that in the original ad? Thanks!
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07-09-2009, 03:43 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We learned to live without them.I sometimes wonder why the RV industry even bothers to put such a low cost inferior product in a RV.. Then again the gages in all of our other RV's worked but we were just weekend campers.
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07-09-2009, 04:00 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ft. Smith
Posts: 981
M.O.C. #116
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by richfaa
We learned to live without them.I sometimes wonder why the RV industry even bothers to put such a low cost inferior product in a RV.. Then again the gages in all of our other RV's worked but we were just weekend campers.
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Marketing.
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07-09-2009, 11:49 AM
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#19
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Established Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: bridgewater
Posts: 19
M.O.C. #9454
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Like any advice this is worth what you pay for it... We tried this "remedy" and I think it even worked for a day or two. Just befor you head out for a good days run ..dump the tanks then add about 5-10 galons of water and TWO OR THREE BAGS OF ICECUBES.......it at lease tries to clean the sludge offm the tank/sensor.... Having tries taht you will probably use the old standby "Honey the toilet's full and needs to be dumped >>NOW!!!!"
gary and verna 2004 36rl/ 2006 3500 duramax
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07-09-2009, 12:28 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 10,917
M.O.C. #420
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If there is one thing I have learned it's this...
FORGET ABOUT THOSE D&*#ED GAUGES AND GET ON WITH THE RVing LIFESTYLE WE ALL LOVE.
Without a doubt this is one crappy subject that has been kicked around for many many years. Over all these years we have yet to hear a viable LONG lasting solution and you wanna know why??? Because THERE IS NONE!
Get to understand your usage and what the rig itself is telling you and you will soon forget those gauges, that is until it's brought back up again here on the forum.
My Monty does in fact talk to me and Lorraine and here's how.
As I pointed out in another thread our gally and shower tanks are interconnected. When these 2 tanks start becoming full the kitchen sink will gurgle or the shower pan will begin to fill with water. Either way it's time to dump.
When the Black Tank is near full it will blow bubbles when you flush the commode. Not so big when it first begins but much bigger if you haven't taken the hint.
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