Early 80's Monitor Panel Probe Report using Horst Probes

[Peter_Crowl]

Long story short - you can replace original Winnie tank probes with Horst Probes and achieve dependable readings.

I have an '84 Elandan. I've replaced my fresh tank and as part of the process had to find new monitor probes.

I know - there are many aftermarket systems some of which don't use internal probes at all. They're probably better. I, though, want to retain my original monitor and control panel. I contacted Winnie Parts and Winnie Tech. Neither had much to offer by way of assistance.

My local parts supplier had the Horst Probe sets for Fresh/Gray and Black. These looked good as they met the first criteria - they install from outside the tank. But - they come as a set of 4 and if you've come this far with me you already know the Monitor (Made by Jensen) reads in Quarters. The original probe set also had 8 per tank. A negative opposite each positive - but all 4 negatives are interconnected.

Since I had my hood down for painting, I removed the monitor panel strip.
Looking at it and the coach wiring bundle it was apparent that the positive probes in all 3 tanks are connected together. All the Orange wires are the Full position probes for all 3 tanks and all report together to the board. Each tanks Negative, though, is unique and that's how they separate them for display.

Using clip leads I tested the system using a small vessel of water. Just putting the clip lead ends into the water yielded good result. Orange and Green was Tank 1 Full. I then got a large pan of water and separated them by 16" . No reading. So I clipped the probes onto the leads and again got good result.

So what does this all mean?
If you want to use your original Winnebago monitor panel with new probes, you only need one negative. But you do need 4 positive probes so a set of 4 is one short.

I contacted Horst Dynamics via their website contact form. I got a call back from the inventor himself - John Vander Horst. He called since we actually live about 20 minutes from each other in South Metro Denver. He was interested as he didn't have experience with an older system like mine nor one with 8 probes.

Tomorrow - if all goes well - he's going to stop by and see my setup - he's also being kind enough to provide a 5th probe. I'm going to ask him if there's a way they can market a 5 probe option for people in our situation.

Hope this helps somebody down the road.

Peter
in Denver