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New holding tank sensors
Sitting at Marathon getting our tank sensors replaced. Our old tank sensors were getting unreliable, particularly the black water tank sensors. The new ones are pressure sensors, ten on each tank. Got them all installed yesterday, this morning we are waiting on our mechanic to calibrate them–he got called on a new coach build to assist. Definitely need plenty of time here at Marathon in Oregon! Looked at a couple of new coaches, very nice. Will buy one as soon as we save up for one. Should only take us about 300 years!
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16 Replies
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. Per,
You said the new ones are pressure sensors. Are they placed inside or outside of the tank ? I am wondering if this would be a viable alternative to the Headhunter tank monitors ? Please post more info and pics when You can ?Bsafe,
Rocky -
The sensors are mounted on the outside of the tanks. They are the same used on the new coaches here–I peeked at a new one. The are about two inches wide by an inch high, and they interface with the Techlink system. They are supposed to have 15 inches vertical height. Our water and black tanks are less, so he ended up staggering them. Right now they are working on programming the sensors, so we are waiting longer than we had wanted to.
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Just be aware some tank level sensor systems will not work on a metal tank. Having said that there are alternatives but they will involve a degree of creativity to allow sensors that won’t work on a metal tank, but will work on a plastic stand pipe either inside or outside a metal tank.
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Per….
Dorothy and I pulled into Marathon this afternoon after a bruising trip to Alaska. Just wanted to reiterate what you had posted about the new black water sensors. On my 2000 Marathon, the black water had gotten down-right undependable….about two months ago we came by and had them replaced with the system they are now using and have found them to be great. The black water tank now registers properly….we’ve enjoyed knowing when to dump….instead of guessing!!! ty
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Do the new sensors work with your vintage tech-link or did you have to upgrade to the new “rasberry tech link”?
My sensors still work with no issues. They go up in increments of 10%, but I basically know where I’m at.
A couple months ago, my Tech Link went “blank.” Marathon thought it was a bad video card which would have meant I had to upgrade to the rasberry tech link. I changed out on of the radio shack amplifier for the tech link itself, $40 on Amazon, and was back in business.
But it is good to know there’s a replacment out there … didn’t like not knowing where my tank levels were at.
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we got new sensors too – they work with the tech link that was in our bus. How do you know which tech link we have?
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Tim,
Marathon GP upgraded to the new Raspberry last year when they went through the coach. Took a while to get the sensors to talk to the Techlink, but Terry figured it out. Finally got out of there at 4 PM today. Drained the tanks when we left, and they are still on zero–have to wait through the night to see if the sensors work!
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Rasberry, tell us more boy’s?
B-Tom – Did the trip to Alaska abet up your bus?
Jeff and Lindsay
91 Marathon XL -
The new Rasberry system replaces all tech-link systems and it’s what all new coaches come with (like the tank sensors).
However, it is “not” plug & play. Leon said it simply wouldn’t fit in my current space (overhead in driver’s compartment). However, since mine is still working, he said stick with mine until it quits, then head the a Marathon facility to get the Rasberry. I think he quoted $1,400 to upgrade to the new Rasberry.
Side note to Tom’s question to B-Tom,
When we were at Marathon, we parked next to a guy who just got back from Alaska. He said it was an unbelievable experience, but would never do it in his bus again. He said there were segments with dirt, gravel, new tar, etc., and his coach needed new brakes, shocks when they returned. In fact, his coach blew a tire somewhere along the Canadian/US border and Marathon ended up sending a low-boy to pick up his bus and get it to the Marathon facility in Coburg. He was still trying to get the tar of his stainless steel when we were there …
Does make me wonder about taking our bus up there …
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I can see the constant pounding over bumps damaging shocks, but cannot understand how a trip to Alaska can ruin a set of brakes. Our brakes will go for more than 250,000 miles of use (unless the coach is a city bus).
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Yeah,
I thought that was odd, but I didn’t question him. Of course, he could have replaced the brakes simply cuz it was time.
One thing on the Marathon tech-link system. When I originally thought it was my video card, Leon advised they no longer support my old system, and I would have to upgrade to the Rasberry. That’s when I started to ask more questions.
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I also put the new tank monitoring system in since my old ones were totally inaccurate. I really like the new ones and the do work with my vintage of tech link, also instead of reading every 10%, these will read every 1% which is nice.
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Interesting thread because our tank sensors have been showing incorrect readings for some time.
They work with our Silverleaf system which is independent of the Crestron controls. Anybody having Silverleaf and any input as to what kind of sensors they are, etc. ? Thanks in advance.Cheers,
Ronald
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Does the new Raspberry system use the little Raspberty Pi computer?
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Tom…sorry, I just saw your question about the Alaska trip.
I’ll put it this way….Alaska is not easy on your motorhome! I have a lot of gravel chips on the front end…one starburst in the driver’s side windshield…dirt and dust in every nook and cranny. My CRV took a little beating too. Had one MH tire incident, although thankfully it didn’t ruin my new Michelin tire…it was repairable!
But a couple of things come out of our experience: First, if I had it to do over, I wouldn’t do the tour thing. Yes you’re in some remote places, but never for a long time. The people on the tour were fun, but I’m not much on being forced into a schedule. Secondly, I would plan on doing much more dry camping. There are hundreds of pull-offs along almost every road–some in beautiful settings. The campgrounds we went to, arranged for by Fantasy Tours, were very utilitarian…gravel, tightly spaced spots…almost universally 30 amp or worse. Dusty and extremely crowded. Many weren’t full hookups…all in all, I’d just soon sit on the side of a river, dry camping and enjoying the Alaska scenery. Fuel was never a problem, particularly with the long legs of the Prevosts.
But the reason for going to Alaska is the scenery and that didn’t disappoint. It was spectacular.
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