Community Forums

Pusherpilot · 05-21-2008, 12:24 PM

Saw this on another forum. I bought a sensor frome these guys last year. It was much less than Monacos asking price. The frustrating thing is that tech support wouldn't tell me who the mfgr of their Aladdin system components is! Apparently this guy found out too.
From the ramblin pushers group
For those of us who have the tank sensors that are the screw-in type
that work on the pressure in the tanks. I have found the company
that supplies them for Monaco. These sensors are usually connected
to the Aladdin System.

Monaco sells these sensors for about $60 each retail. At the Pusher
Maintenance Session they sold for $31 each.

I just spoke with the company that manufactures these units for
Monaco and they will sell them direct for $25 plus Shipping. It is
the same sensor for each tank (Fresh, Black and Grey).

They have an ad in the FMCA Magazine each month.
Catcon Products, Inc. Tel: 817-921-2188
Web Site is www.catconproducts.com

Just thought I would pass this along to those of us who have had to
replace these sensors at the retail price.

Art Conway
'05 Imperial

Pusherpilot · 05-21-2008, 12:24 PM

Saw this on another forum. I bought a sensor frome these guys last year. It was much less than Monacos asking price. The frustrating thing is that tech support wouldn't tell me who the mfgr of their Aladdin system components is! Apparently this guy found out too.
From the ramblin pushers group
For those of us who have the tank sensors that are the screw-in type
that work on the pressure in the tanks. I have found the company
that supplies them for Monaco. These sensors are usually connected
to the Aladdin System.

Monaco sells these sensors for about $60 each retail. At the Pusher
Maintenance Session they sold for $31 each.

I just spoke with the company that manufactures these units for
Monaco and they will sell them direct for $25 plus Shipping. It is
the same sensor for each tank (Fresh, Black and Grey).

They have an ad in the FMCA Magazine each month.
Catcon Products, Inc. Tel: 817-921-2188
Web Site is www.catconproducts.com

Just thought I would pass this along to those of us who have had to
replace these sensors at the retail price.

Art Conway
'05 Imperial

Stretch · 05-21-2008, 05:23 PM

Thanks, I needed that info. None of my Aladin tank probes work. Fresh water reads incorectly. All others show nothing

ronboc · 05-22-2008, 02:33 AM

Good info to know, Art!

I used to use all of the 'blue' words in my vocabulary (and made up a few new ones) each time I'd check my tank-levels or try to clean the sensors and re-check, only to find they had no correlation whatsoever to reality-levels.

Finally gave in and bought a See-Level Gauge system. They use external pad-type sensors that measure the electrical capacitance of the liquid-level on the inside, so there is no probe sticking in to get clogged or gummed-up. Problem solved.

I don't know if they could be adapted to work with an Aladin system, but might be worth a check to see if it's viable to just replace 'em.

Oh, and they're sold right here by one of our forum's sponsors, RV-Upgrades

Robin_M · 05-22-2008, 03:45 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I don't know if they could be adapted to work with an Aladdin system, but might be worth a check to see if it's viable to just replace 'em </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I believe I read on another forum that there is an adapter to make See-Level sensors work with the full Aladdin system. The folks at See-Level would probably have more info.

Ron, where did you install the See-Level sensors. I looked into them, but didn't think I could get enough access to the tanks to install them without removing the plastic face panel in the service bay on my Dip.

ronboc · 05-22-2008, 11:11 AM

Oh, come on now, Robin. When did removing a little teeny itty-bitty piece of plastic hinder one of your projects??

Actually, yes it did require removing that plastic face-panel and all the associated wires, hoses, clamps, etc. I'd already been back in there once to redo the TDI hose-reel, so I knew it'd be simpler the second (and third - I'd left off a wire-connector after the second job and had to remove the panel again) time around. Wasn't hard to do, just go careful, it is plastic and can crack - altho it was a lot tougher than I'd imagined.

Once back there, it was a very easy job to get to the tanks and install the sensors. I elected to run a separate wire for the sensors, but I do know folks that just used one of the wires for the original level-indicators. I also sanded-down the tank-wall where I wanted the sensor-tapes, as the wall seemed a bit rough and I wanted to be sure I could get the sensor to stick.

I suppose you could get to the tanks and run wiring without removing the panel, but I'd think it'd be a lot harder.

HTH,
Ron

Robin_M · 05-22-2008, 05:12 PM

Thanks, Ron.

I've decided that some day I will remove that plastic face panel, with all its hoses, clamps, switches, spigots, valves, wires, knobs, etc. But it's going to take me a few years to work up the courage (and time) to tackle that project.

Then again, if my water hose breaks, or gets a permanent kink to it, etc., I may get to it sooner.

MonacoMama · 05-22-2008, 08:38 PM

OK...it seems to me that someone I have talked to told me that they put their sensors on the other side of their tanks??

Who was it that may have done it that way..and how did they do it?

I like...no...LOVE the idea of the See-Level...but I am not into tearing the utility bay apart to do it....

Anyone else out there who can give Robin_M and me (ok-Sacs

) guidance?

MM

ronboc · 05-23-2008, 03:50 AM

MM/Sacs/Robin, not sure if your water-bay layout may be much different (tho I doubt it) as I think we're all the same. I'm also thinking you mean the 'other side' as being the curbside?

In any case, for it to be the most useful a sensor should be mounted on the side that can 'see' the full measure of tank-capacity, from empty to full. That would mean they go on the road-side, since that's where the drain is - and the tank is at its tallest. However, I can open one compartment door on the curbside and see the backside of the holding tanks as well as the fresh tank. Unfortunately, the holding tanks are tapered thinner at that side (so the stuff will drain to the other side). Additionally, the fresh tank is installed with a foam block under it on the curbside, so it also is somewhat tapered in capacity.

It would be great if they could go curbside and I suppose you could put 'em there, but it would kinda defeat the purpose as it wouldn't indicate til you'd filled the tank to a certain level and then it would measure the remainder.

In truth, getting back of the plastic panel isn't that tough - especially considering some of the projects everyone has already tackled here! A handful of screws holding the panel to the frame (some may be hidden behind the weatherstrip), and it's loose. Then remove any electric panels and disconnect them (and FOR GOSH SAKE, LABEL WHICH WIRE GOES WHERE... voice of experience here!), and carefully reach around back to unscrew the plumbing fittings (BTW, on mine there was this neat black approx 5"x12" blankout panel that I never could figure out, til I started trying to reach back there - sure made it easier to disconnect stuff!). You may have to hold your mouth just right when it comes time to twist out the big panel, as it's molded a tad larger than the space (and that's why I know it does bend quite a bit).

Once done, you're looking right into the belly of the beast, and the sensor-job is nil in comparison. Following the very clear directions, simply clean the tank(s), stick 'em on, and hook 'em up. They all come together at one wire (two counting ground) so wiring is also a simple job. I installed 2 monitor panels, one at the water-bay and the other in the big black display panel in the hall.

I think I'm beginning to wear off the lettering, as every time I walk by I poke the buttons... just to see the levels.

HTH, and I'd be glad to help with suggestions.