Tank monitor

[cpaharley2008]

Has anyone switched out their generic tank monitor ? The factory stock one, to me is too inaccurate and identical to those in 95% other units. They now have digital monitors that express the reading in % or gallons/liters vs 1/3,2/3 etc.
With the solar you really do not need a battery monitor, so a digital 3 tank system would be all that is needed. Any ideas? Something like this
https://tankedge.com/products.html

[J Mac]

With some things I live by the "if it ain't broke...don't fix it" creedo.

The unit costs over two hundred dollars before new sensor rods and installation. Total end cost would most likely be around three hundred dollars give or take. In the end, if I keep the black and gray tanks clean, the existing monitor on the Escape will do just fine.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by J Mac

With some things I live by the "if it ain't broke...don't fix it" creedo.

I am kinda along this line, especially in this case. Mine works quite good. I would like something better for the batteries, though I do have a good meter for checking them out closer.

I think the key is keeping the sensors clean, then mine seem to work fairly well, but if they go I might look at upgrading to something like that.

I imagine someone has upgraded.

[Vermilye]

An "in between" solution, at least price wise might be these. I haven't used them, but have seen other forum posts stating they are an improvement over the normal sensors...

[Eugene We]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Has anyone switched out their generic tank monitor ? The factory stock one, to me is too inaccurate and identical to those in 95% other units. They now have digital monitors that express the reading in % or gallons/liters vs 1/3,2/3 etc.
With the solar you really do not need a battery monitor, so a digital 3 tank system would be all that is needed. Any ideas? Something like this
https://tankedge.com/products.html

Did you have the bottom of your trailer sprayed with foam insulation?

[cpaharley2008]

yes, my tanks are sprayed, so I'm looking just to replace the monitor inside the camper with something more exciting, utilizing the existing wire leads.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

An "in between" solution, at least price wise might be these. I haven't used them, but have seen other forum posts stating they are an improvement over the normal sensors...

Jon - those look interesting - did you install them on yours?

Eric

[gocamp]

What is a good method to keep the black tank sensor clean? Wand down toilet, Back flush black tank with water? Thanks.

[Devil Dog]

Yep, you got to keep the poo-poo paper of it. Or it dont work to well.
Or just turn the pump off, open the trap hold hour nose and have a look see. It's useing your sencors to the max.

[daveandsandyclink]

This is my first experience at owning a RV tank monitor system on a trailer. It hasn't worked in two months and I haven't missed it. However for the sake of keeping stuff in working order, I am in the process of finding where I lost 12v. negative ground. I see it as another thing to complicate camping in a RV and wouldn't spend a dime for a upgrade.

[gbaglo]

I find the monitor only raises my anxiety level. Trying to figure out why empty tanks read 1/3 full or fretting when the fresh water is below one half.
It could be that ignorance is bliss.

[float5]

Jim, I'd like to have one of those digital monitors with gallons but we are probably too cheap to pay for one until we have a couple of other items that are more important to us. Maybe later.

gocamp, I was reading elsewhere and they said to use plenty of water when flushing. We always use one of those toilet chemical packs after the dump station. That requires a gallon of water so there is always a good amount of water in there before arriving at the next campground.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Has anyone switched out their generic tank monitor ? The factory stock one, to me is too inaccurate and identical to those in 95% other units. They now have digital monitors that express the reading in % or gallons/liters vs 1/3,2/3 etc.
With the solar you really do not need a battery monitor, so a digital 3 tank system would be all that is needed. Any ideas? Something like this
https://tankedge.com/products.html

The problem with the Tank Edge monitor is it uses capacitive pads to measure the tank levels, not the original sensors. Without installing strips of aluminum tape on the outsides of your tanks, it won't work. If you have sprayed insulation in the tanks, this could be difficult to do. Check out the video that shows the installation process.

As to using the sensors I linked in the previous post - no I haven't used them, just read posts from others that felt they were an improvement over the old type.