Community Forums

zalaska · 06-05-2016, 09:03 AM

Sky_Boss - We have the SeeLevel II system, with display panels in the cabin and wet bay (agree with others on the value of a second panel). So far, it's been flawless. Brooks did the installation last year at HOOTS - perfect job! Not sure if you have the SL II system, or a predecessor, but there are diagnostics we can run to troubleshoot the wiring, sensors and display. Procedures are in the Manual or online at garnet instruments.com. It's recommended that "if a sensor appears to be malfunctioning, reviewing the diagnostics should be the first step..."

Basically, there are two diagnostic measurements - signal power & sender height, with details online. I've run the diags a few times, keeping track of the results. Simple to run - at least for the SL II model - 1) press & hold the tank button to be checked, and press the Battery button - dIA will appear. 2) first display will be power, P65 indicates 65% signal power (minimum is 5%). 3) sender height is next, h5 indicates 5 "segments" (multiply X 1.5 to get effective inches of sender in contact with tank).

On our 2015 DSDP, with sensors on curb side, our readings have been consistent for the 8 months the SL has been installed. We're reading P72 / h6 (fresh), P45 / h5 (gray), and P43 / h5 (black) - FWIW.

I've called Garnet a couple times, and their tech support is good. We met Don, the owner, at a couple of rallies. He's from the oil & gas industry, and is very patient, detailed and great to talk to. Perhaps a call to them can help you avoid the cost of a new sensor!! Good Luck!!

Sky_Boss · 06-05-2016, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zalaska

Sky_Boss - We have the SeeLevel II system, with display panels in the cabin and wet bay (agree with others on the value of a second panel). So far, it's been flawless. Brooks did the installation last year at HOOTS - perfect job! ...

Hello Jeff! looking forward to meeting up again in St. Charles.

Mine does everything you outlined. I have the 709 PH model. I've been sooooo busy doing lots of odds and ends while back "home" in Champaign, IL I'm getting a bit tired of it but the coach is in better shape every project. Sewer hose storage below the coach is next.

I'm pretty sure that the sender strip is the problem. My hunch is that it may have some intermittent breaks because of its location on the most flexible part of the tank. I'll call Garnett Monday and get a second opinion.

Assuming it is the sensor then I will relocate it to the far left (towards the rear) of the tank without the flex in it. I will also run extra wires for a water bay monitor but for the most part, the monitor in the coach has worked just fine for us.

Now, I need to figure out how to best extend that drain hose. LOL

zalaska · 06-05-2016, 12:50 PM

Hey Don - St Charles is coming up soon! My thought on the sensor strip is that IF it's salvageable, perhaps a new adhesive strip might secure it to the tank, and save you the cost of the sensor. We cleaned my tank surface repeatedly with alcohol prior to fastening the sensor strip. Even with a "72%" power diagnostic, we do get the occasional oPN, but they disappear as fast as they appear.
Let us know how you implement the tank vent fix. I believe Dutch Star Don posted his procedure in a thread several months ago. Good Luck!

DAJO · 06-05-2016, 01:14 PM

i don't have the same sensor but I have secured several others to the tank with etnabond tape after cleaning with alcohol. When I really want to know the water level I just look at the tank from the water bay, can't trust the gauge.

Sky_Boss · 06-05-2016, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zalaska

...My thought on the sensor strip is that IF it's salvageable, perhaps a new adhesive strip might secure it to the tank, and save you the cost of the sensor. ... Even with a "72%" power diagnostic, we do get the occasional oPN, but they disappear as fast as they appear. ...

If it is a trace in the sensor strip I don't see a way to salvage that. even if I could find a bad trace, I'm not sure I can solder it back given the very soft material of the sensor. It appears firmly attached to the tank too. I saw the OPN a couple times in the past but lately it has been pretty, pesky, consistent.

I'll find DS Don's thread to post another when I get the vent thing worked out.