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07-03-2017, 08:29 PM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: kingston
Posts: 73
M.O.C. #12000
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2015 Montana 3611 tank gauges inoperative
A few weeks ago I posted a thread after finding evidence of a rat in the belly of our RV resulting in tail light problems. Following advice from the responses I found and repaired a wire completely chewed into. We are now noticing all tank gauges show empty which is not correct thus now figure the rat has chewed more wires. If anyone has any experience or advice on how to trace these wires I would greatly appreciate it. BTW I caught the rat. Also wondering if I could turn this in to my insurance company and take it to a dealer.
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07-03-2017, 09:45 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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First place I would look is where the wires come up from the belly somewhere under the display. It would seem logical the rat found them all in one place rather than chewed them individually. Doesn't mean it didn't, just where I would start.
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07-04-2017, 01:55 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Paola
Posts: 5,739
M.O.C. #4961
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From the control panel you have a 5 conductor ribbon cable that goes down to the belly. It goes to the black tank first then it drops one conductor at each tank. The white and blue go to the fresh water tank. The white is the ground and goes to each tank. Therefore it would have to be in the ribbon cable or the control unit has gone bad.
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Dennis & Linda Ward
Paola, Kansas
Montana 3735MK Legacy Edition
1200 watts of Solar
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07-04-2017, 06:23 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Likely not the wiring making the gauges fail at all. It is a common problem for these gauges not work from the beginning or for a short time only due to the type of probes inside the tank.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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07-04-2017, 07:49 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Fowler
Posts: 414
M.O.C. #12748
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime
Likely not the wiring making the gauges fail at all. It is a common problem for these gauges not work from the beginning or for a short time only due to the type of probes inside the tank.
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You are correct on the gauges only working for a short time when new although I don't think that is his problem because his gauges are showing empty, not full or partially full due to probe problems.
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07-04-2017, 08:30 AM
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#6
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ozark
Posts: 27
M.O.C. #20018
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Type of probes plus poopy buildup! But you are spot on. Gauges never work for long. Even if you follow good procedures and backflush.
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07-04-2017, 08:36 AM
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#7
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ozark
Posts: 27
M.O.C. #20018
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Showing empty is not abnormal. But yes, showing full is most normal. Those poop gremlins can do some strange things! I have had empty readings even when you can see the level at the top (mostly water when I fill the tank to get a really good flush. Then full after I get a complete discharge from the black tank running clear. Darned poop gremlins! Making an irksome job even worse!
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07-04-2017, 08:43 AM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Ferndale
Posts: 273
M.O.C. #16033
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It is pretty crappy when things don't work. Just say in.
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07-05-2017, 06:55 AM
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#9
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ozark
Posts: 27
M.O.C. #20018
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Aa we daid in the Army: "poop happens and then you die!" (Didn't say "poop" but must be polite). Nothing mechanical or electrical works all the time. Just saying!
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07-05-2017, 07:01 AM
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#10
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ozark
Posts: 27
M.O.C. #20018
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In case you didn't know, there are probes you can install without drilling into tanks or other drastic measures. They reportedly work much better than builders install. They are taped onto the tank and measure levels by temperature variations. Never tried them. I simply dump the black tank at least once per week....and more often in high heat. In hot areas, black tanks can get really rank fast! And if my wife leaves the exhaust fan on while flushing, (baadddd idea) she gets hit with "the methane blues". I leave the gray tanks open all the time until the day before we set up to leave to flush the hose.
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