This post outlines my experiences installing a SeeLevel Tank Monitoring System. Others may want to share there ideas, experiences and sugestions.
The The install was made on a 13QBB.
1) I powered the system from the power switch for the lights. I connected to the outgoing wire, splicing into the wire using connection pieces similar to the ones used by Camplite. I do not know what they are called, you can get them at an auto parts store, possible at a big box store. They allow you to splice into the line without cutting the line. When I turn the lights off, this disconnects the read out from the power supply. The readout does not like surges like the ones that may occur when you turn the power on. It is my understanding that the system will reset itself for two or three times and then you buy a new one.
2) I ran s separate ground through the cabinet and through the bed box and out to the battery. I taped all lines down with silver duck tape. The direct line to the battery helps ensure that you will get an accurate battery voltage read. My test indicate that it is relatively accurate. I do not ground out to anything else. (This is my neutral line for the read out.)
3) I dropped the receiving line out of the cabinet, being careful not to drill into the wheel well or any tank.
4) I tinned the wires where necessary. Some of my wire was stranded and it made some connections easier. Where possible I tried to use special crimps to connect wires to ensure a good connection.
5) On the fresh water tank I looked for the flattest wall I could find. None where flat. In addition, I tried to avoid coming into contact with metal. The strip was flexible enough to follow the warped surface.
6) The black and gray water tanks are odd shaped to help ensure that everything flows to the drain. In addition, there are "ribs" on two sides. This limits you to the side with the drain and the opposite side.
7) On the black water tank I used the side near the drain. This avoids getting a zero read while the tank fills to the level of the opposite wall. On the gray water tank I chose the opposite wall because I was real easy. In retrospect, I should have done them both on their drain side.
8) I followed the manufacture's directions for installing, including using painters tape to test the install BEFORE I glued them on.
9) I tucked the wires into the handy groves under the camper and tried, with limited success to foam them in. Where possible I used wire ties.
10) People use different techniques to protect the exposed reader strips. I was going to use undercoat (3M as discussed in the various online handouts), but decided to cover them using gasket material, held on with Gorilla tape. I then sprayed this with the undercoat. This should protect them from moisture and rocks.
11) As explained to me by their customer service staff, very few tanks are symmetrical. Consequently the read out may not accurately reflect the amount of fluid in the tank in percentage terms. It is only a measure of the percentage distribution of the fluid over the length of the strip. What I did was to pore water into the tanks - keeping track of the amount pored in and the percentage read out. I keep the table near the tank reader. I will try to attach the table at another time. Presently, I am having no luck. In any case, the tables are not linear.
(http://s4.postimg.org/tglybii95/Tank_Conversion_Page_1.jpg)
(http://postimg.org/image/tglybii95/)
Hi littleritchie,
Will be taking be getting my 13QBB at the beginning of July and want to add the See Level system like you did.
Was the standard 12 inch sensors that come with the standard kit ok or did you need the shorter ones?
I want to order ahead of time so that I can install once I get the trailer, but I am not sure of the tank heights.
The sensor strips can be shortened by cutting them at specific spots. They cannot be lengthened, so don't worry about having them too long. I don't know what the tank heights are in the 13QBB, but I'm sure you'll be fine with the standard 12" sensors.
Just had an answer from Dan at LL.
Approx.
Fresh 8"
Grey 6"
Black 5"
Minimum on standard sensor 4-1/2" so I should be ok with the standard kit.
[font size="3"]At the risk of setting your timetable back, I suggest you wait until your camper is in hand before ordering the SeeLevel. It would be better to see exactly how the tanks are mounted and where you want to mount the sensors. The tanks are odd shaped and their mounting limits the surfaces available. The waste tanks have ribs on their long sides that restrict your ability to stick the sensors close to the top. You may want to use the alternate shorter 710JS sensors, particularly on the black tank. The shorter sensors provide increased accuracy for short tanks and can be cut slightly shorter than the 710ES. Keep in mind that you are most interested in the bottom of the fresh tank and the tops of the wast tanks and should position the sensors accordingly. I installed the SeeLevel on my 21RBS which has larger thanks than your 13 and I used the shorter 710JS on the black tank. In hindsight I might have preferred it on the gray tank as well.
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Hi Charliem,
Thanks, I will be following your advice and wait till we take delivery of the trailer before ordering.
We only had a small pop-up before with none of these systems so I have some learning on all of these new aspects of a trailer. I will chime in again once I am ready to go ahead with this project. Cheers