Sensible tank monitors

[jcurtis934]

I understand that cost has a big impact on what gets used in an rv...but it would be nice to see a manufacturer step up to the plate and put a quality monitoring system in from the start. The Iseries line is one such system. I installed one in my motorhome when the basic "bolt in the tank" failed to yield satisfactory results in too short a timeframe after purchase. I don't care how well you clean your tanks, the present method of measurement soon yields a crappy result. And now, I get to drop the bottom of my montana and install an Iseries unit in this rv. Thanks for listening to this rant. John

[DQDick]

Please add me to the folks who find this issue very annoying and include it as one of the additions to a persons rig that makes them think long and hard about buying a new rig and having to do it all over again. I'm not real enthused about paying a good deal for a new rig that can't measure up to what I've added to this one and good monitors would be on that list.

[DonandBonnie]

We find that we get along just fine without the tank monitors. With our lifestyle we have learned that we can get a week out of the black tank with no problem. We have even pushed it to two weeks without issue. Even using odorizing packets, the toilet will tell us when it's time. The gray tanks give us three days and that's with a daily shower for each of us. If we miss and see standing water in the bottom of the shower, we still have time to finish the shower before it overflows. Rarely do we reach these limits because in every campground stay that exceeds two days we dump before we leave.

[Rob Walters]

JUST MHO but, If you have to pay for the feature, it should work as advertised well past the first or second use. Failure of these sensors is notorious in just about all makes and models of RV's and not just our beloved Montanas. Since the feature is not an option but standard, the buyer is paying for it, and whether or not you use it doesn't mean it shouldn't work as intended. It would be nice to have the manufacturer step up and raise the bar on these sensors. I think it would be great for Keystone to be the manufacturer others aspire to be instead of maintaining the status quo of using barely passable equipment with a very short service life. With that being said, I too, do NOT rely on the little red lights, but I wished I could.

[7.3Ford]

I install SeeLevel system. See post below.

http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ad.php?t=52900

[1retired06]

Like others, we have learned to live without them.

[WeBeFulltime]

I never look at ours because I know they're liars.

[Hooker]

The problem is, as one of my favorite talk show hosts says, money...follow the money. Keystone uses a cheap system that doesn't work, at least for long. The system in our 3400RL worked for a little while then quit, and like most others we quit trying to use it. Our MH has a Sensa Tank Level Monitoring System with both an interior and exterior panel. It accurately displays the levels in the fresh water, black, gray, and propane tanks. It has worked fine for over three years.

No doubt it costs a bit more...but it works. If Keystone owners want their guages to work, you'll have to pressure Keystone. Seems to me they should either put one in that works or not put one in at all.

[mhs4771]

Yea, but a great selling feature to the New B who has never owned an RV.
Those of us who have owned a few, or in some cases, quite a few, know that they aren't worth the energy to lite the LEDs, but we buy anyway. Planning to ignore them or do a mod and put in something that actually works.

[richfaa]

It has been brought up several times perhaps at every Fall rally and completely ignored. Like others we just do not pay any attention to them. Just another RV thing.

[lostshakerofsalt]

Not sure why people complain about the tank level sensors. I don't use any of them except the fresh water level sensor. When the toilet burps I know it is time to empty. I can also tell by the sound the water makes as it drains into the black tank when I flush if it is getting close to time to dump. If we have been at a park for a week, I empty all tanks before we leave. When we are at a site for an extended period, I connect the sewer line and open the kitchen drain. The bathroom grey water valve stays closed until I dump the black water tank.

[richfaa]

There are accurate sensors on the market but they are expensive. The Rv manufacturers just don't feel it is worth the investment.

Speaking of things that do not work. How about the temperature sensor that is I have no clue where, that when you push the "outside temp "button it reads the outside temp. Ours has never worked during the day when it is daylight. It works fine at night when there is no sun. Did I miss the "does not read temps during the day" sticker???
Example this AM it was 36 degree according to the weather channel but 81 degrees according to my "outside temp" button. Once the sun went down it gave a good reading. Just wondering????

[DQDick]

It was just one of those warm Florida Mornings

[Carl n Susan]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa



Speaking of things that do not work. How about the temperature sensor that is I have no clue where, that when you push the "outside temp "button it reads the outside temp.

Rich: If you recall, Bingo tilted this windmill back in 2010. Here is what Dometic told him:

The outdoor sensor is provided with the AC unit when it is purchased by the manufacturer. They may be choosing to not have this feature and not connecting it to the control board, we can not answer that question. I can tell you that the sensor is available for purchase thru Dometic. The part number is 3311731.000 and this retails for $18.75, if ordered thru us there would be a $15.00 shipping fee as well. This sensor will need to be plugged into your control board at the P3 connector. Thank you

If you are in need of any Dometic refrigerator or air conditioner or A& E awning parts you can call us at 1-800-544-4881 or purchase from any dealer or Camping World location.

If we can be of any future service do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for choosing Dometic product lines.
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...72&whichpage=2

Montana is still saving a few bucks by not installing the outside sensor.

[Sheepdog]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

There are accurate sensors on the market but they are expensive. The Rv manufacturers just don't feel it is worth the investment.

Speaking of things that do not work. How about the temperature sensor that is I have no clue where, that when you push the "outside temp "button it reads the outside temp. Ours has never worked during the day when it is daylight. It works fine at night when there is no sun. Did I miss the "does not read temps during the day" sticker???
Example this AM it was 36 degree according to the weather channel but 81 degrees according to my "outside temp" button. Once the sun went down it gave a good reading. Just wondering????

Rich,
With your leaky tanks you don't have to worry about level sensors!

[richfaa]

Sensor not installed that no doubt explains it. we had a outside sensor on our 06 3400 that we have somewhere. Think it cost like 9.95 at wally mart.

[richfaa]

At 9:21AM the outside temperature according to the outside temperature monitor on this best you can buy, top of the line (at the time) 2013 3402 Montana Big Sky is 109 degrees here in sunny Florida. Got on my shorts, sandals and T shirt. Think I will go out a wash the truck.

[richfaa]

Holy moly..It was not 109 degrees outside. We must not have the premium temp sensor.

[CORattler]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

Holy moly..It was not 109 degrees outside. We must not have the premium temp sensor.

I love the sarcasm!

[richfaa]

The temp sensor works fine ..at night. It appears that the sensor is pointed directly at the sun. Here I thought that a temp sensor should be in the shade and not in the direct sun. Added a measure temp at night only sticker on the control panel..