Tank Monitors

MichaelB · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:09 pm

How reliable are the tank monitors in the head?
I filled up my fresh water tank, the monitor is still flashing E. I did a pump out over the weekend and that monitor still shows half full. I spent about 30 minutes at the dock with the attendant, pump...add some water...pump...add some water...pump. The reason i'm asking is the toilet is not going down, when i press the pedal, I hear the pump but it's not flushing. Thinking there might be a clog. (although we have a strict rule about using the head while we are at the dock) Anyone have any issues. My list is getting long for work to be done this off season, I'm still under the extended warranty from previous owner.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:22 pm

They aren't reliable at all. The new style senders from Fireboy-Xintex seem to be a better design, but only time will tell. I just put them in not to long ago.

txvista · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:16 pm

Had a similiar issue. You can read the post here.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3257

But to make it short, I ended up having 2 black water tanks in my boat and there was a clog in the hose between the two tanks. The head pumped into the top tank and the pumpout hose was on the belly tank. So I was thinking the tank sender was not working because I would pumpout and fill with water from the deck fitting and pumpout again. Well the top tank never emptied into the belly tank since their was a clog. The quickest way to tell, is to unscrew the sender on top of the tank and take a look. Also make sure that you have only one black water tank. I called Four Winns to verify before I started tearing things apart.

planealternative · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:45 pm

firecadet613 wrote:

They aren't reliable at all. The new style senders from Fireboy-Xintex seem to be a better design, but only time will tell. I just put them in not to long ago.

I also have had problems and I'm now in possession of the 'new design' models for both the waste tank and fresh water. Haven't had a chance yet to install them but will post when I do.

MichaelB · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:08 pm

Wow! We are still under the extended warranty so if there's any work to be done, it will be in the off season, but reading your thread was interesting I definitely will find out what we have and pass along information to Skipper Buds. Thanks for the input guys.

txvista · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:34 pm

If you do have a clog, not sure if that will be covered. Trust me, if you have some sh** still in the tank, you are you going to want to get it out before it permeates your plumbing.

Graham R · **Posted:** Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:31 am

According to the UK boating magazine, "Motor Boats Monthly" a company called Merlin Equipment has introduced an unit called "TS1 Sender" that uses ultrasonics to measure liquid levels. They wrote that it works on Aluminium, plastic and stainless tanks and can be easily programed to work with irregiularly shaped tanks. It's non-contact, so it should be reliable ( ultrasonic senders are widely used in industry for checking fluid levels). Their website is http://www.merlinequipment.com Indicated price in the UK is £72 ( so expect to pay a lot less in the US !)

Graham

Y-Guy · **Joined:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 2:23 am **Posts:** 132

I'm new at boating, but been a long time RVer. A couple of things that we use when the sensors are not up to snuff are to try dropping a bag of ice down the head with about 5 gallons of water in (depending on the tank layout may take more ice or more water), then take it for a spin this allows the ice to break up solids that are attached to the tank and sensors. Another trick is to find some Calgon water softener (ask your wife) and dump half the box in with water. The Calgon coats the sides of the tank making it harder to stick to.

Just a couple thoughts...

Steve

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:59 am

MichaelB wrote:

Wow! I definitely will find out what we have and pass along information to Skipper Buds..

Believe me, SB is aware of the problem. But, having them know that you are knowledgable about the issue, may help get it resolved more quickly.

www.iFourWinns.com

Tank Monitors

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