See Level Gauges??

[Roadtrek Adventuous RS1]

My 2012 RS Adventurous has the "standard issue" gauges for the fresh, gray and black tanks ... I called Roadtrek and they admitted that they're just estimates..

SO, I have to make an educated guess on how much fresh water is really left in the tank.... Easier to spot the black tank that fills up rather quickly as it's the smallest one at 10 gallons...

This is one of the upgrades I decided to skip.... See Level gauges for now....

While they would be nice... my RV shop said that installing these is extremely difficult on the close quarters of the Roadtrek and it would cost a little more than $1,000...

Have any of you either found a more convenient way to keep an eye on your tank levels or have you installed something like the See Level monitors...

I understand that these See Level gauges read right through the outside panel of the tanks... a completely better system than what came on my 2012.

Would make things easier especially if we had to use it for the shower... that's when you want to make sure you have enough water..

[Doneworking]

Experience. Experience. Experience!

After you use your B for a while, you will know intuitively about how much water you have remaining and how much gray/black tank capacity remains. You can take a gallon bucket into the shower, fill it and time how long it takes and then you can gauge how much water you use in a shower.

Essentially, as far as the "estimate" lights work, when you see two thirds full on the sewage and one third remaining on the water you need to be mindful. Over the years my wife and I have simply learned how to take a shower every day, use the john, was somethings in the sink, wash hands and control our water usage very successfully. Practice doesn't make perfect, but it sure gives you a good level of confidence.

For that $1000 you mentioned, I can buy over four hundred gallons of fuel at the current price and that is a whole lot of enjoyable travel. To each his own.

Paul

[Davydd]

Through my Silverleaf controller/monitor I can see in 1% increments the levels of fresh water, black and grey tanks and can set a warning alarm at my level discretion for each of them.

[booster]

You will get used to reading the tank level lights, as long as they continue to work. They have a well earned reputation for getting gunked up and quitting working.


We did get tired of the hassle of the in tank sensors, when even the higher quality Horst probes started to read incorrectly. I put the Seelevel gauges into our Roadtrek C190P, and it is a bit challenging. I removed the fresh tank, which was not a big job, to be able to get a bit better sensor coverage, but that wouldn't have been necessary if you weren't super picky on seeing the last little bit of capacity at the top. The wiring is not a big deal as you can use the existing wiring.


Your Sprinter will be different, of course, but I don't think I would write off putting them in until you get a look at the van on a lift to see if there is good enough access to put on the sensors without having to remove a bunch of stuff. RV shops will often generalize and charge more than really needed.



I don't think going to the Seelevel would be justified for us just on accuracy, but it certainly is based on reliability.


Remember that the tanks are oddly shapied so the readings will still not be really accurate because they just read the vertical liquid level. I made a little chart of what the actual amounts of liquid is in the tank vs the % shown on the panel, so we know very closely.

[falfal3]

Originally Posted by Roadtrek Adventuous RS1

My 2012 RS Adventurous has the "standard issue" gauges for the fresh, gray and black tanks ... I called Roadtrek and they admitted that they're just estimates..

SO, I have to make an educated guess on how much fresh water is really left in the tank.... Easier to spot the black tank that fills up rather quickly as it's the smallest one at 10 gallons...

This is one of the upgrades I decided to skip.... See Level gauges for now....

While they would be nice... my RV shop said that installing these is extremely difficult on the close quarters of the Roadtrek and it would cost a little more than $1,000...

Have any of you either found a more convenient way to keep an eye on your tank levels or have you installed something like the See Level monitors...

I understand that these See Level gauges read right through the outside panel of the tanks... a completely better system than what came on my 2012.

Would make things easier especially if we had to use it for the shower... that's when you want to make sure you have enough water..

I carry a notepad and learned that I get 30 flushes b4 my blk tank needs emptied. I just use the old "1 mark/flush, (1111/). 4 flushes with a forward slash through the 4 = 5, start again 'till I get to 30.

[Arlo]

I went thru the same frustration a few years ago with the tank sensors in my 2013 RS, and also got a $1000+ quote for installing the See Level sensors. I’ve given up on the black-tank sensor, but the fresh and grey give reliably estimates — good enough now that I’ve learned how to interpret the idiot lights.

By the way, at ARV Fest 2017 I asked how they get such accurate readings for the tanks — “by weight” was the answer. Follow up discussion focused on the difficulty of using that method.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[SteveJ]

I can count on 7 showers when traveling alone, 6 when dw is with. The black tank seems to fill at the same rate, but it does make a different sound when close to full. 37 gallons of allegedly available water helps. Also use tank water for sweet tea and coffee. None of my sensors work. I just mark down the showers at the very top of the next grocery list.

On TDY at Nason Creek CG near Coles Corner Wa.

[GeorgeRa]

ARV definition by weight is likely not precise enough, it is likely by pressure which is related to liquid height above the sensor. I use WEMA with floater activating electromechanical reed switches, great for my application for grey and fresh water. Tank Level Senders, Fuel Gauges, Marine Gauges, Fuel sending units, Fuel Senders by WEMA USA, Inc. For black tank I would choose a pressure sensor based system.

I am surprise that no one yet came out wit a simple and accurate tanks level measuring system like wireless tire pressure system. Accurate, no wiring, reasonably inexpensive – Aliexpress sells tire pressure systems for $50, just need low PSI/inches of water pressure sensors.

Added - https://www.sensorsone.com/submersib...level-sensors/

[gregmchugh]

Originally Posted by GeorgeRa

ARV definition by weight is likely not precise enough, it is likely by pressure which is related to liquid height above the sensor. I use WEMA with floater activating electromechanical reed switches, great for my application for grey and fresh water. Tank Level Senders, Fuel Gauges, Marine Gauges, Fuel sending units, Fuel Senders by WEMA USA, Inc. For black tank I would choose a pressure sensor based system.

I am surprise that no one yet came out wit a simple and accurate tanks level measuring system like wireless tire pressure system. Accurate, no wiring, reasonably inexpensive – Aliexpress sells tire pressure systems for $50, just need low PSI/inches of water pressure sensors.

Added - https://www.sensorsone.com/submersib...level-sensors/

Yes, I believe the silverleaf system that ARV uses interfaces to a Kavlico pressure sensor in the bottom of the tank to derive the “weight” of the stuff in the tank and the percent full.

[mlts22]

For something that can be a deal breaker on a vacation, it might be worth the cash to upgrade to the SeeLevel sensors. You can use the guesstimate method, if you are by yourself, but that becomes a lot more complicated with two people.

[SteveJ]

Originally Posted by mlts22

For something that can be a deal breaker on a vacation, it might be worth the cash to upgrade to the SeeLevel sensors. You can use the guesstimate method, if you are by yourself, but that becomes a lot more complicated with two people.

Our shower count does go to six when traveling as a couple. More water is used for ancillary purposes. Not going into detail...

On TDY at Nason Creek CG near Coles Corner Wa heading to Whidbey island today.

[Roadtrek Adventuous RS1]

Originally Posted by mlts22

For something that can be a deal breaker on a vacation, it might be worth the cash to upgrade to the SeeLevel sensors. You can use the guesstimate method, if you are by yourself, but that becomes a lot more complicated with two people.

Understood.. and I may still do it...but, I'll give the estimate a try for a while.. just a matter of dollars.. it's down on my priority list for the moment....

A few people said... you'll know when you're running out of water...and it's just an estimate...on the gauges....

BUT, I like precise controls... which is why I agree 100 percent .....

For the same reason... I don't appreciate not having a precise guage on my DEF fluid either....

[GeorgeRa]

Originally Posted by Roadtrek Adventuous RS1

....................
For the same reason... I don't appreciate not having a precise guage on my DEF fluid either....

Some Sprinters have DEF gauge hidden in their menu and some don't on newer vans. Did you check with a dealer?

[Roadtrek Adventuous RS1]

Originally Posted by GeorgeRa

Some Sprinters have DEF gauge hidden in their menu and some don't on newer vans. Did you check with a dealer?

Hi George,

Yes, unfortunately, I don't have the model with this, BUT, I understand that it's not even that accurate.

[CrunchGriz]

I realize that this is an ancient thread, but I’m wondering if there are any actual users of the SeeLevel system who frequent this board. I also have an Adventurous RS 2012, and I’m thinking about putting the system in my rig. Has anyone actually done the modification, and have insights on how it went?

[booster]

Originally Posted by CrunchGriz

I realize that this is an ancient thread, but I’m wondering if there are any actual users of the SeeLevel system who frequent this board. I also have an Adventurous RS 2012, and I’m thinking about putting the system in my rig. Has anyone actually done the modification, and have insights on how it went?

We have them in our 07 Roadtrek 190P on a Chevy chassis. No problem with them in over 10 years of use.


I installed them and it not a horrible job at all. We had the old inside the tank sensors and it was easy to use the existing wiring.



The panel is in the same place and I also incorporated the pump and water heater in it. Did the whole thing if about 1 day in the garage, including the lifting of van.


Can't say about where on the tanks to put the sensors as you have a different van than we do, but hopefully there will be a easily accessible spot to put them and get full depth of coverage.


Remember that the sensors are just linear sensing so it you have an irregular shaped tank it will not be exact on the % reading. I have a chart on the wall that show % reading vs gallons left to full for the waste tanks and % reading to empty on fresh water tank. No change in readings over the years as has been very consistent unless we are off level a bunch.

[jjrbus]

Two types of people Gud Enough and Never Gud Enough. After a while you develop a feel for what is in the tanks. One way this is done is to not hook up to shore water except to fill tanks.

Many RV the water can be shut off step on toilet pedal and shine flashlight into toilet and See Level! In most RV a light can be held up to fresh tanks and See Level.

Try it the old fashioned way before you spend a $1000, I have been at this since 2000 and grateful I am a Gud Enough type.

[booster]

Originally Posted by jjrbus

Two types of people Gud Enough and Never Gud Enough. After a while you develop a feel for what is in the tanks. One way this is done is to not hook up to shore water except to fill tanks.

Many RV the water can be shut off step on toilet pedal and shine flashlight into toilet and See Level! In most RV a light can be held up to fresh tanks and See Level.

Try it the old fashioned way before you spend a $1000, I have been at this since 2000 and grateful I am a Gud Enough type.

I agree on the good enough, not good enough, theory, but would add that the distinction line between them can be wildly different between individuals. It is also influenced by outside factors like the mentioned cost for the swap of gauges. The good enough bar lowers quickly if you are concerned about the financial end of it all, for most of us.


My personal inclinations and working life (engineer) made me use a pretty simple way of determining if stuff needs improving. If I get irritated by using things that aren't doing what I expect, as well as I expect, there is a fix available, and I can afford to fix it, I do it.



The fact that the poster is asking about how hard it is to upgrade to SeeLevel gauging would seem to indicate that they are beyond the irritated step and seeing if there is an available, affordable, fix available.

[jjrbus]

Many years ago I put a See Level system in my bus conversion as I wanted the best. When the control panel failed a few years later they had changed the dimensions of the panel and I would have had to redo my instrument area to fit the new one in. By then I rarely used indicators so did not bother replacing the panel. My second RV an old Toyota the sensors did not work, I have the tools and knowledge to repair them but never bothered. My RT the sensors did not work, I pulled the tanks to replace the leaf springs and cleaned the sensors, never would have bothered if it would have required any work.

I am a retired engineer also. Toot Toot.

[avanti]

We had SeeLevel sensors in our previous rig. They are unquestionably the best available choice that can be had at a reasonable price.

I couldn't specify them in our new van because we have metal tanks, so I went with pressure-based level sensors. They are not as good. I had to replace one under warranty on our fresh tank. However, instead of installing the replacement, I found an interesting hack for using a SeeLevel sensor. I will eventually post a description of how I did it.

Bottom line: I would always go with SeeLevel if I had the choice.

Note: Both the pressure sensors and the SeeLevel can be integrated with a Victron Cerbo, If you happen to have one. This is a good way to integrate tank sensors with a Van automation system.