Installing the See Level II Tank Monitoring System
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- See Full Blog Post - www.loveyourrv....
In this video, I install the SeeLevel 709-4PH RV Tank Level Display system into my 2011 Keystone Cougar fifth wheel trailer.
I show you how I wire the control/readout panel in place of the OEM tank monitor and wire the 4 sensor strips to my fresh water and waste tanks.
I also point out a mistake I made when I ordered the wrong sensor strips for my short tanks.
In a few weeks, I'll be posting a full review video so stay tuned for that.
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Never miss one of your videos, even though they cost me money. This few hundred dollars will be well worth it.
haha,sorry. :)
Good job! Most of these "sucky" level gauges are the biggest problem on RV's. I will be replacing mine with See Level monitors on my class A and really appreciated the video you put together.Thanks much.
Your welcome. :) Cheers Ray
Awesome! Every RV needs these from the factory
For sure, I can't believe they continue to install the same old ones that they know don't work!
Ray after watching your video again I see it needs to use the new wall plate, I purchased from repro the 3 sensors per tank stick type same as I had on my Eagle cap truck camper which worked perfect. I was hoping for a easier hookup when I replace the sensors on my new Rockwood.
Yes, the SeeLevel sensors use a digital bus wire system to communicate whereas the old OEM are just using simple resistance I think.
Once again the first thing that pops up when looking for RV instructions on youtube is Love your RV. I should just check here first. Installed this very product today. Same exact stock junk monitor. Thanks for the vid. I went in to install mine already having installed one with you! Works great. Cheers!
Great to hear!
Love it! I would not have been able to install mine without this video. Garnet should put you on the payroll
Nice job! Solder and shrink wrap is way better and looks so much neater.
Ray you do the best info videos on the internet, thank you so much
Thanks!
I am a subscriber and enjoy your "how to" and "travel logs". I watched this video before I bought a 709-P3. I also water it several times while installing this weekend. I appreciate very much that you share so others may learn.
You're welcome. :)
Thanks for continuing install video. I really liked the way you broke down the wiring bundle on the control panel. Don't know if I would have been that wise about it. On some projects I get to caught up on knocking it out and make stupid mistakes.
Your welcome. Cheers! Ray
Extremely helpful video (as usual Ray). I have been wanting to do this job, but was a little nervous about taking it on. I am much less nervous about it now. Many thanks and best of luck with calibration.
Thanks. :)
Thank you Ray. Been thinking about this system myself. It's good to know what I'm getting myself into
Hi Ray. Thanks for posting this video. We have a Keystone
Springdale so as I suspected the wiring is just like yours. Although I have
electrical skills you saved me a lot of research and crawling around under the
trailer!!!!! Thank You.
No problem, you're welcome. :)
Thanks Ray. Great job!
I used the Horst Miracle Probes did the gray and Black Tanks they worked Very Well But always wondered about See Level System Worked
I was aware of the Horst probes but I've decided to go with the SeeLevel since it should have finer resolution of tank levels and no drilling into the tank required.
Awesome job!
Thanks Ray, great video. I have been wondering what I could do with the worthless level indicators the RV came with. This appears to be the perfect solution! Love your videos.
Thanks!
Another great video. Can't wait to see the final video on this.
Thanks Ray nice video, looks like its time to make order for 710JS senders.
haha, ya, I'll have to see how the system performs, maybe I'll be OK.
Thanks Ray
Wow -- much more involved than I would have expected. Your knowledge and comfort levels are inspiring. Question: Would it be possible to order just one of the shorter one-inch sensors, or do you have to get an entirely different kit? Thanks for doing this one -- gives me a very clear idea what is ahead of me! Safe travels, my friend.
Yes, I see now when you click optional sensors at the check out there are drop-down boxes to add different numbers and varieties of sensors. So, you can order what you need.
Example: go here and click the optional sensors box - www.garnetinstruments.com/products/7094ph-seelevel-tank-monitor/ Cheers Ray
Great instructional video. Absolutely loved that light switch plate idea for the wall mounting. Keep up the great vids. Cheers!
Thanks, worked out well. :)
Very instructive. Thank you!
cool project consider mounting the sensor at an angle to get full resolution in your shorter tanks
In the instruction manual, it mentions " make sure that the sender is square with the tank". I believe an angled mounting would mess up the readings.
great video and nice clean install i did notice you used an inline fuse behind that control panel you might want to label that might save someone a lot of troubleshooting sometime maybe even you if you was to forget it was there
Thanks Bud, Good idea. I should label all the wires too. Although, I do have full blog posts and video footage to fall back on. The next owner of this rig will be lucky! every mod is heavily documented :)
Garnet should send you another set of senders for the informative video. I will now be ordering a kit this winter.
That would be nice. Cheers Ray
Just got a call today from Garnet. They are going to send me out a set of the shorter sensors. Yay!
am I right to assume that the gauge will read zero if the water level is below the strip, 100percent when it's above the strip, and proportional for a mid level? looking forward to the third video. best wishes to Anne's family.
Manual says - The sender
ends should be 1/4” to 3/4” away from the top and bottom of
709-4PH Manual Page 15
the tank, to allow for the thickness of the tank top and bottom
and any bows in them (see the diagrams). The senders are
calibrated to account for this distance from the bottom of
the tank.
Hey Ray . Shure do enjoy your how to video's . You have inspired me on many projects of my own . Thanks again ! Happy trails and bottoms up ! Paul
Glad to hear it Paul. Sometimes "how to" and sometimes "how not to do". haha. Cheers! Ray
I know that feeling ! Been down that road . LOL
Good job Ray.
Thanks Ray! Great video!
You're welcome. :)
Great video Ray. It helped me greatly ! Thank you
Awesome job on that spaghetti of a wiring harness. You must have a ton of patience as i think i would have walked away from that one sir.
Thanks. :)
Great video! Thnking of doing this on my trailer.
Thanks. :)
you are the best.....kudos and thanks...
Thank you. Appreciate the compliment. - Ray
thanks. great info. please keep 'em coming
Great idea. Wondering if just the sensors can be purchased and installed next to or near the existing tank sensors and transfer the wires to the See level making use of the original panel display? I ask because my current tank sensor display is part of a larger control panel.
I'd guess the answer is no as the SeeLevel uses a digital system of communications between the sensors and the display unit, and I'd imagine its it own unique design. Cheers, Ray
Nice video. I think that you could install tank strips at an angle instead of vertically to maintain sensitivity. I have never done it but my trailer needs this kit.
hhmmm, not sure if it would work right at an angle. The manual says to make sure the strip is square on the tank.
Great video! On the chrome light switch cover, could you have turned it 90 degrees and mounted the whole mess with only four screws? Just thinking it might have looked a little cleaner. Keep up the good work!
Thanks. It was close but didn't quite line up right. The switch cover was cheap, though, so I'm gonna keep an eye out for something better.
You used the original wires inside, but did you run new wire to each sensor, or use existing from old tank sensors when connecting underneath? I know it's been awhile, are you still liking these monitoring systems?
Used the existing wire runs but only need to use 2 of them as the SeeLevel uses a digital bus system for data transmit back to the head unit. I've done a few review updates over the years, here is one from 2020 th-cam.com/video/20YTNa63eCs/w-d-xo.html Not much has changed since then, still functioning the same. Cheers, Ray
I realize this is a old video, that being said could you have used the same control panel after soldering in the new sensors? I have a new travel trailer and have never liked the sensors in the tank.
Ray, Good morning!
I also have the 2007 276RLS. I have been looking closely at your Blog and install videos. Good info. I have either got to replace my OEM sensors (and possibly the sensor wiring harness) or start from scratch and install the SeaLevel system. I have not been able to find the model number you reference on their website. Garnet is showing that model as discontinued. I have been able to locate two units from various vendors but would prefer to buy from Garnet because of warranty concerns. Do you have any idea why they have discontinued this model? Thanks!
Weird, not sure why they would stop having that model. You can find my review video here - www.loveyourrv.com/seelevel-ii-review/ and update on the See Level after years of use - www.loveyourrv.com/10-more-must-have-rv-gadgets/
@@LoveYourRV ,
Ray, Thanks for the video links. It does seen odd that they would discontinue it. I received a reply back from Gabe Morales. Still no explanation as to why it was discontinued. His reply is below:
"Unfortunately, we don’t have an option on the 4 tank systems that has a heater switch. Our 3 tank model, 709-HP3W, offers a heater switch but that is the only display that has the heater switch. The closest you could come to that with the 4 tank models is the 709-4P that comes with the water pump switch."
Could you take the longer sensor and mount it at an angle so the 5" of tank depth used the 6 or 7" sensor. Seems this would be a way to keep a finer resolution. I'm looking at getting these to replace our original 2003 sensors put in by Newmar and our black and grey tanks are both pretty short, height wise. Thanks for posting, yeah that mess of wires looked like an electricians nightmare. Lol
The manual indicated to mount the sensors square with the tank. I imagine an angle sensor would send confusing signals.. Cheers. Ray
Would it have been possible to place the sensors on a diagonal? That way a longer sensor could add even more resolution to your system?
No, they only can measure properly placed straight up and down, it won't be accurate diagonally.
Great video, thanks for the tips! :)
WHen you say you'll need to work with your multi meter to discover which are the positive and which are the negative connections....etc. Just what do you look for on the meter and where do you connect the meter wires? Thanks for your info !!
I place the meters negative black lead on the RV negative ground wires and then I can test for voltage at different points with the red lead. Another option is to use an automotive circuit tester - www.amazon.com/Professional-6-12V-Circuit-Tester-Indicator/dp/B003UHNMMS I can place the lead on one side of the switches and the other and see where the power is being switched to. With the OHMs function of the meter, I can test to see which wires are connected to each other. My meter beeps when the resistance reading is 0 ohms. More info on multimeter testing - learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-use-a-multimeter
Great job. I have an 05 Cougar with the same issues you had. How has the system held up and worked over the years now?
Thanks, here is the review post and video www.loveyourrv.com/seelevel-ii-review/ and an update - th-cam.com/video/Oigk2WHnrVs/w-d-xo.html
Seems that it would be helpful if the indicator panel had a way to calibrate the sensor's readings. Example; fill the tank and set the indicator to 100%, drain the tank and set the indicator to 0%
It's supposed to auto calibrate. Mince show full 100% when the tanks are full and 0% when empty. Works perfectly on the freshwater and shower tank but gives 100& full false readings when the galley and black are dirty. I guess they have more crud build up in them. - www.loveyourrv.com/seelevel-ii-review/ Cheers Ray
Thanks Ray, i watched the Tank Techs' RX video and it seems like very good information to help with tank maintenance.
Here are my favorite tank treatments - www.loveyourrv.com/favorite-rv-waste-holding-tank-treatments-love-rv/
Are you still using the See Level 2 system Ray? Has it been trouble free and accurate? Thanks.
Yes, here was my most recent video update from Jan 2020 - th-cam.com/video/ZxumGGRZpVA/w-d-xo.html
great video..very helpful but it would be nice if you added some info on the wiring of the sensors to the existing wiring.....did you connect the existing tank ground to sensor ground? or ? your video was way better than the see level manual....thanks
Thanks, I just had to splice the two wires from the SeeLevel sender pad to two of the existing sensor wires, In my case I used blue to blue and black to white, white being the old sensor ground, but that may vary with different rigs.
thanks..i figured that out....your video was helpful, i had just wish it had more on the wiring part.
Ray any update on the system? i am looking at replacing my cheap system and upgrading to this.
Yes, you can find my review video here - www.loveyourrv.com/seelevel-ii-review/ and an update on the review here - www.loveyourrv.com/20-love-your-rv-product-reviews-how-have-they-performed/ Cheers, Ray
Hey Ray, did you plug the existing sensors or leave them as is? I installed the traditional ones in my black before deciding on the sealevel ones without ever using the tank. Also did you use a glue or tape over the sensors ? I thought I saw some recommendation to put some kind of mud over it (if the tank is outside)
I just left the old OEM sensors in place, doesn't hurt anything and they don't leak so left well enough alone. :) I left my new SeeLevel sensor strips bare uncoated as they are inside the trailer underbelly. The manual suggests using undercoating if they are exposed. www.garnetinstruments.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SeeLeveL-Sender-Manual-AR-ES2-24-Nov-2022.pdf
"Apply undercoating to the senders
On installations where the holding tank is exposed
to under chassis road spray and flying rocks etc. We
recommend the use of a rubberized undercoating.
Recommended brands:
3M 03584 Professional Grade Rubberized Undercoating
Gravel Guard Rocker Guard Coating By Dominion Sure Seal
"
I would mount it on an angle to use the entire length.
In the instruction manual, it mentions " make sure that the sender is square with the tank". I believe an angled mounting would mess up the readings.
Great job as always, Ray! You made a nice neat job of that rat's nest of wires. How do those sensors read the tank levels?
Thanks. I believe they measure capacitance which changes with water. Kinda like how touch screens know when your finger is close.
Ray, we're struggling with our indicators that are now 5 yrs old. You installed these indicators 5 years ago. How are they working now and would you recommend them?
Here was my lasted video clip about it from last summer th-cam.com/video/20YTNa63eCs/w-d-xo.html Fresh and shower tanks still work fine but black and galley are pretty well useless unless I want to be flushing and cleaning the tanks all the time, which I don't, too much hassle. Works OK for me though as I know the black tank level just by the flush sound and galley is last to fill. Cheers, Ray
Would it be possible to cause the RV to lose 12v service by pressing multiple buttons at the same time on that controller?
My 87 yr old in laws bought an RV with this KIB panel. The carbon monoxide alarm in the bed room went off and grandma ran around trying to get the buzzing shut off. She tried at the CO alarm reset button first and when she couldn't reset it went to pushing buttons on this kib panel and then she said it all went out. |
I replaced a 30amp fuse at the breaker panel and then went around and checked the deep cycle battery. It was flat dead. When I attached leads of a trickle charger to it I could tell there was a dead short somewhere because red from the charger was on the pos pole of the battery and it started smoking when I attached the black to Neg pole.
I was going to try and find the exact model of panel to replace it, because I might be smart enough to do that, but now I hear you say it's junk anyway. Damn, am I going to get hosed at the dealer, or what, huh?
No, pushing buttons on this shouldn't be a problem. CO alarm likely went off sensing a low battery voltage. Maybe the battery is bad (shorted cells) or the charger or there is a short somewhere in the wiring. Someone with an ohmmeter is going to have to get in there and track down the short.
@@LoveYourRV Thank you sir. The battery is brand new as of 8/ 21 and is a NAPA deep cycle/ RV Marine. I removed it and put it on trickle charge and it seems to be fine now.
I forgot to mention that earlier, my wife shut off the water at the frost free hydrant and the RV was set to use "city" water and the hot water heater was on at that time. Then she was told there was no pressure and realized her mistake and turned it back on some 2 hours later. I suppose at that moment she sent cold water into an overheated tank?
Grandma said that they had hot water coming out of the cold water tap too, I don't know what that means, but it doesn't sound good.
I knew this was going to be a cluster lol.
My poor wife thinks I'm smart. Glad she doesn't like to watch stuff like this because she would quickly find out differently.
Ray, we have similar models, mine is a 245rks, and I'm curious did you take down large sections of the Coroplast? I hate dealing with the underbelly all the screws holding the Coroplast are rusted tight and snap when touched. I have had better luck slicing open small sections as needed then close them up Gorilla Tape. Is this an OK method?
Thanks
Ron W
I just needed to take a few screws out along the side under the driver's side storage door, most of it I could access from existing flaps I cut before to access the waste tank valves and the back corner under the fresh water tank. Luckily, I don't have too much of a rust problem. I guess since winters are spent in the dry desert. I find the Gorilla tape method works fine. For a little more reinforcement you can add zip ties acting like stitches on the seam.
I’m not ready for this mod-however I would like a digital reading for my batteries. What would you recommend???
The one I use is a Trimetric by Bogart Engineering. The other good one is a Victron. Both are more than just a voltage readouts though they keep track of battery capacity left and current in and out. So they are relatively expensive and need to be installed. For just a readout there are many cheap ones on Amazon or eBay that will do the job. One like this amzn.to/2DTcYZP you can just plug into the 12-volt lighter socket most RVs have near the TV area around the 12-volt antenna amp.
Have you heard of these?? www.amazon.com/Yeeco-Multimeter-6-5-100V-Voltmeter-Amperage/dp/B01EUISFFE/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1516493973&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Yeeco
No, looking at it I don't think I would trust the shunts, they look a little cheaply made.
Ok. Thanks. The victron looks like a easy install. Bluetooth is a nice added feature.
My goal is to have these monitors and electric valves with the controls in the bathroom. When I see the black tank is full, I'll just close the gray, double tap the black tank sensor button, open the black, and watch the numbers go down. All from the comfort of inside the RV. So get some electric valves, so we can see a video install. Ha!
haha, good goal, I was thinking of those. My friend Doug at www.drainmaster.com/main/ sells them. Gonna stop at his shop in California later this fall and maybe pick some up. Sure would be nicer than the push rods. Cheers Ray
Seeing the sensor chip exposed to the element makes me question on how long they will last. What is the manifactuer say about it. Myself, I would be tempted to paint them or cover them with termoplastic.
You can use undercoating.
This is from the companies FAQ - Yes, we recommend Premium Rubberized Rocker Guard.
what is the max length of the sensors? i have a large fuel tank and wondering of this would be good for that, the fuel tank is 3ft high though. cheers
Here is a link to the different sensors - www.garnetinstruments.com/rv-shop/products/ Scroll down. I see one that can go to 34"
The 710-SS SeeLeveL™ Sender is a flexible self-adhesive printed circuit board that is mounted to the outside of the holding tanks. The sender can be cut to length to match the height of the tank. Tanks over 17 inches may be double stacked - see manual for details.
The 710-SS sender measures tanks from 7” to 17“ tall with a single sender and up to 34” tall with dual senders. This 16” sender can be shortened in 2” segments to 6” and provides 1/2” resolution.
Ray please send me the link to where you got the sensors at
www.garnetinstruments.com/rv-shop/
Love Your RV thank you my mailers didn't work well at all but hopefully these new ones will
Ray, have a question for you. I have a small trailer that doesn't have any sensors. So if I order this product I guess I would also need to order that ribbon wire or should I get individual wires to connect the sensors to the monitor?
No, shouldn't need ribbon wire, that just happened to be easy to reuse from the old sensors. These new ones just need 2 wires for the sensors versus the 4 my old sensors needed. I think they specify 18 gauge. You could use speaker wire or the red black automotive wire.
You can check on the website they have the install manuals for download - www.garnetinstruments.com/rv-shop/products/
Love Your RV Thanks for all the great info!
For all readers..... I've looked everywhere for info on how to add the two 40lb LP tanks to the Seelevel II monitor. All I keep seeing is the instruction for calibration. It seems DRV snipped the green wire for the harness on the back of the controller. There are no wires attached or even in the LP bay. How does Seelevel communicate with the tanks to begin with? Is there a special regulator, senders, or a separate gauge the green wire is supposed to connect to? I can't find anything aside from the water and holding tank senders and a simplified wiring diagram showing the green wire goes to the LP tanks. But what is the green wire connecting to? Anyone?.....Anyone?.... Bueller?.... Bueller?
Thanks y'all.
Cheers!
Cameron
Have you tried phoning Garnet, I remember giving them a call for advice during my install, someone had a technician phone me back - www.garnetinstruments.com/contact-2/
3:20 looks like an amateur radio install 😂
This looks complicated.
I thought they executed Jefferey Dahmer ?