Tank level issues

[DocData757]

We have all seen numerous posts complaining about the lack of reliability of the tank level monitoring systems on our rigs.

I spotted an add in the latest Highway mag from GoodSamsClub and thought I'd mention it here... http://www.tankedge.com/

They say they 'reliably' monitor tank levels without any tank wall penetrations.

Anyone have any experience with these?

Dave

[katie2011]

I have a 2009 Keystone Summerland 1890FL and ever since I bought it the monitoring panel indicated the gray tank was 1/3 full even when I knew it was empty. After much checking, cleaning and Internet emailing I crawled under the camper and looked at the probes on the gray tank. Then I saw the problem and none of this applies to the black tank. (1) the gray tank drain is installed so that the tank is never really empty. (2) the common and 1/3 full probes are installed level with the bottom edge of the drain. So, if the tank is never empty and the probes are installed so they have water connectivity you always get a 1/3 full reading on the sensor. DUH!

I went to the local 2011 RV show and checked all the Keystone units on display and, guess what, they all are made the same as my 2009 model. I then emailed the tank manufacturer, Travel Star Products, and the contact agreed with my assessment of the problem. He said he'd contact Keystone plus look at the design of the drain on the gray tank!

How did I resolve the problem since I couldn't change the location of the drain? I installed two new probes. I measured the distances of the probes and relocated the common and 1/3 full probes to about the middle of the drain. It isn't perfect but is at least good for approximating how much is in the gray tank. In the pics putty covers the old no longer used probes. In the left pic the one on the left of the drain (white wire) is the common probe and in the right pic the lowest one on the right (yellow wire) is the 1/3 full probe.