Decent water level indicator ?

Ridgeway

Ridgeway

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Does anyone know of a decent fresh water tank level indicator ?

Ours is bobbins ! It measures in increments of 1/3rds so with a 100ltr tank you really only get a vague idea of how much water is remaining in your tank.

Thought about an Adruino diy solution but just haven't got time at present so looking for an off the shelf solution that I can fit, ideally with 10% graduations.
 
If you are going to add smarts to it, how about using a flow meter so you can count the litres going out? Maybe use the existing 'bobbins' level sensor so the system knows when to reset the counter? Could be a fun project.

Cheap flow sensor?
 
If I were to DIY a good monitoring system then yes a flow meter is a good way to go. Just an auto reset to 100ltrs at fill and then count down from there. This would of coarse need a full fill each time which isn't always required. Some of the CAK tanks CBE solutions may work well.
 
Problem is, you don't know which part of the system is 'bobbins', the sensor or the read-out. The sensor may be capable of greater precision but, for some reason, the read-out only displays one of four states. Most of us don't give a jot if there's more than a third of a tank, it's those last few cupfuls that need to be watched.
 
I take the top off and have a look if I really want to know, generally ignore the gauge reading.

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Better idea... use a pressure sensor. If your tank is roughly the same profile all the way up, it'll be a linear scale.... otherwise you'll have to do some calibration.
 
rogher said:
Problem is, you don't know which part of the system is 'bobbins', the sensor or the read-out. The sensor may be capable of greater precision but, for some reason, the read-out only displays one of four states. Most of us don't give a jot if there's more than a third of a tank, it's those last few cupfuls that need to be watched.
Click to expand...

In my case both. The sensor only has 3 probes and the display and can take 3 readings.
 
The CBE unit from CAK with the SPE sensor appears to be multi-height so maybe that's the way to go. Looks like it will give an actual "%" reading, probably +/- 5% but that would be more than enough.
 
Dipstick!!!! :D2

When we had a converted ambulance I put in a fresh water tank under the dinette seat but it was blue so we couldn't tell what was in it ... I drilled a hole about 1cm into the top of it that a rubber bung fited into to seal it ... to check the level I had a 'dipstick' (a long piece of dowel) which I 'dipped' in and where it was wet to, that's how much was left ... easy peasy if you can access the tank and would be much more accurate than any gauge ... so long as you aren't on a slope! :D
 
There are two kinds of level sensor. One type has a number of rods of different lengths. If it has 4 rods, the display senses how many rods are touching the water, and calculates on that information.

The other type has two equal rods that go all the way to the bottom of the tank. The display measures how much of the rod is covered. These sensors give you a continuous level reading, that is it will show for example 28% or 93%, not just 25%, 50% etc.

I suspect that your display will not take the 'continuous' sensor. On Hymers it can be done as an optional upgrade, but I haven't upgraded mine.

The other option might be to vary the length of the rods. Of course that's a bit difficult, as you probably want them longer, not shorter, to give you more information when the water level is low.
 
The tank isn't an easy access so a dipstick isn't ideal unfortunately, nice simple approach though.

Yes the sensor I have is a classic multi probe, fixed segment type and I too assume that my display won't accept the double probe continuous measurement type hence I'll need to swap out the sensor and the display. The CBE display and SPE sensors are looking good
 
Truma now make an ultrasonic device to measure gas levels. Maybe that could be used for water, too?

Water level gauges are notoriously poor. You don’t want one that uses a float in a motorhome because it would get broken by water movement. I think probes are the answer, or sensors down the side of the tank. Probes might need cleaning, so put them where they can be easily removed.
 
The one in our Carthago is excellent and gives very accurate continuous readings.
First time I've ever had a water level gauge I could rely on.

Richard.

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Clarky said:
The one in our Carthago is excellent and gives very accurate continuous readings.
First time I've ever had a water level gauge I could rely on.

Richard.
Click to expand...

I guess you have a multi-height version that Autorouter describes, (Hymer option).

If I buy one at €75k do I get a free Chic-C Line ???
 
Ridgeway said:
I guess you have a multi-height version that Autorouter describes, (Hymer option).

If I buy one at €75k do I get a free Chic-C Line ???
Click to expand...
Yes, you're correct. Two equal length rods that go to the bottom of the tank. They work well.

If you just add another €25k you should be OK for a free one. :LOL::LOL:

Richard.
 
Clarky said:
Yes, you're correct. Two equal length rods that go to the bottom of the tank. They work well.

If you just add another €25k you should be OK for a free one. :LOL::LOL:

Richard.
Click to expand...

OK good to know that the double probe type work well.

Will have to get saving for the Chic-C Line then, great vans, probably my favourite and as our local dealer has one as his own, says it's the best van he's had in 40yrs of motor homing.
 
Here's a link to an Arduino and a £15 sensor that can measure it's depth into water with an accuracy of about 1cm.
Arduino water depth sensor

As this one maxes out at many metres of pressure, there are probably alternatives that have a better level of accuracy.
 
On a previous MH the freshwater tank was under one of the bench seats. The indicated level was utter rubbish.

I simply removed the ply covering, then cut out a neat long thin piece of the ply from the seat side wall which covered the tank and re attached the covering, wrapping it into the "slot" and glueing it back in place.

You could from then on actually see the tank through the slot. Because it was white, translucent plastic, you could see the actual water level in it.
I then just filled it with a series of measured 10 litres, and made marks on the tank wall for each.

From then on we could literally just read off the actual amount of water remaining in the tank, like reading the temperature on a thermometer..... (unless the MH was on a really steep slope!)

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autorouter said:
There are two kinds of level sensor. One type has a number of rods of different lengths. If it has 4 rods, the display senses how many rods are touching the water, and calculates on that information.

The other type has two equal rods that go all the way to the bottom of the tank. The display measures how much of the rod is covered. These sensors give you a continuous level reading, that is it will show for example 28% or 93%, not just 25%, 50% etc.

I suspect that your display will not take the 'continuous' sensor. On Hymers it can be done as an optional upgrade, but I haven't upgraded mine.

The other option might be to vary the length of the rods. Of course that's a bit difficult, as you probably want them longer, not shorter, to give you more information when the water level is low.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the explanation, very interesting. However, there is a third method which is now being used and that is ultra-sonic measurement. Morelo use them which does away with the need for access hatches to the tanks and the calibration setting points are installed at an accessible point reached from an external hatch. Mine seem to work well.
 
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This may be worth looking at
 
Have always found that eventually alge and general gunge stop the sensors working correctly. Invariably its been a tank out job for me and a thorough clean. Its amazing where all the sand comes from!!
Best water level sensor ever was on our old diy coach conversion. A length of polythene tube from the bottom of the tank that was clipped alongside an external body trim. Topped off well above tank level with a porous stopper. Just look where the water was. Even worked without a battery!!

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Clive Mott said:
Have always found that eventually alge and general gunge stop the sensors working correctly. Invariably its been a tank out job for me and a thorough clean. Its amazing where all the sand comes from!!
Best water level sensor ever was on our old diy coach conversion. A length of polythene tube from the bottom of the tank that was clipped alongside an external body trim. Topped off well above tank level with a porous stopper. Just look where the water was. Even worked without a battery!!
Click to expand...
Definitely follows the KISS principle.........(y)
 
stewartwebr said:
Thank you for the explanation, very interesting. However, there is a third method which is now being used and that is ultra-sonic measurement. Morelo use them which does away with the need for access hatches to the tanks and the calibration setting points are installed at an accessible point reached from an external hatch. Mine seem to work well.
Click to expand...
That's helpful Stewart, I enquired on the method employed as they do not seem to have access through the floor like my Flair, and whilst more than happy with ultrasonic what is your experience of their accuracy as you approach 100%. In boating there was an issue at that point and when trying to fill a fuel tank to the brim in particular proved difficult.
 
Could you fit some of these??? No risk of them 'furring' up ... don't know if it's practical or not.
 
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