Upgrade/repair water level guages

[Bianchina3]

I have a 2011 Puma 26RLSS. When we went camping this weekend we were going to be out for three days. We have a 51 gallon fresh water tank. The fresh water gauge showed full the whole time but I knew it didn't work correctly (it shows full when I know it's empty). The grey water tank was erratic and black showed was empty the whole time. I could care less about the grey and black (for now).

My DW was obsessed with the fresh water level. She was afraid we would run out. She asked if I could fix the fresh gauge, which I replied "Pssshhh, Of course, I can fix anything!" When we got back home and I looked under the camper the tanks look as if they are in big heavy plastic enclosures. It also looks like the tank sits on top of a metal beam and goes the full width of the frame. I think access will be a problem.

I was looking at replacing it with something like SeeLevel gauges that attach to the side of the tank but I don't know if I can get to the side of the tank.

Any insight is more then welcome.

[Happy Vibe]

It sounds like your gauge may be wired wrong. I have never had a problem with my fresh water gauge, black and gray yes because of buildup on the inside walls. I would double check the wiring on the back of the control board first before I buy a new system. I think FR tried the sensors that go on the outside of the tank and found they did not work that well.

[Oaklevel]

Just my two cents..... Most of the RV tank gauges are problematic and not worth the time and expense involved ...... The only only one I might repair is the fresh water tank.

[Bianchina3]

Here is something strange we noticed. When we go home and the fresh tank was empty it read empty. I needed to put some water in the tank to run the pump and it read empty for a while and then switched to FULL all at once. Maybe there is a problem with the wiring.

If I didn't fix the system are there other ways to check the tank level then?

[Happy Vibe]

The only way is with the meter or to crawl under and look at the tank. I still think your wires are not connected right. There are 4 sensor in the tank. one common sensor and a sensor for 1/3, 2/3 and full. If any of theses are on the wrong sensor it will give you some strange readings.

[Oaklevel]

After awhile you kind of know but most of the time you can look into the toilet for the black tank level....... Gauges haven't been around forever our first two campers did not have them........ If the grey tank is full it will come up in the shower, galley tank the sink I know then its a little late by then....... but we can go over a weekend, Usually 5 days without emptying but everyone's tanks are different size & water consumption is different.

I rarely pay any attention to them.

[Herk7769]

This system is VERY easy to troubleshoot provided you have access to the tank probes (outside of tank).

Inside of tank problems are more often than not the result of poor tank maintenance and winterization techniques. The OEM probes are just buttons but they are close to the tank walls and sludge can easily bridge the button to tank wall resulting in a bad reading. Low resistance (like a short) makes the tank read full; high resistance (like an open) makes the tank read empty.

ANY probe shorting to the tank wall will make the tank read full.

Here is the troubleshooting guide for the "outside of tank" issues.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I too had trouble with tank readings. I removed the "Idiotic BOARD" on the wall, found the nylon nuts that held the diode board in place was loose ("the ones that give you the level readings") I simply tighten the nylon nuts and all works well now!
Hope you solve your problem?

[Bianchina3]

You guys are awesome! Thanks.

A few things I found funny:

Oaklevel doesn't use the level gauges.

I'm a quality manager for an electronics manufacturer and I always tell the engineers that if you have to have a trouble shooting guide you didn't design it right in the first place!