[Archived]

I like people with a lot of courage.

By courage I mean trusting mechanical and electronic devices to perform certain functions.

If you really want to have your coach do some things automatically at the very least try to create a system least likely to be troublesome. I know from experience the fresh water tank level indicator is far more reliable than the holding tank monitor. So with that as a basis why not automatically dump the holding tank every time the system automatically fills the water tank? Adjust the water fill level to some value that insures the holding tank will never get completely full.

If the water tank fails to fill or fails to shut off as a result of a sensor problem there is no damage to the coach so apart from a little flooding at the camp site or a dry water tank no harm is done unless the pump fails to shut off and burns up. But a failure of the holding tank to drain can ultimately end up with a pretty nasty coach floor, so I would also want a fail safe system that either guarantees the tank will dump, or will shut down the water pump or flow when the holding tank reaches a certain level.

I can think of so many potential issues my analysis of the risk versus reward ratio has all kinds of bells going off.

[Archived]

Points well noted.

I am however not looking to create a system that doesn’t already exist in my coach.

I’m really just looking to find a RELIABLE holding tank monitor system that will work on a stainless tank.

[Archived]

Don’t use the autofill on the fresh and dump and refill based on the fresh water level.

[Reagan]

I do exactly what Joel says and it is as easy as pushing the button. Reliability in a tank monitor? There will be peace in the Middle East before we see one.

[Dick]

Done a long time ago trying to keep them accurate…kinda just know when to push a button. we all learn to just manage certain things on these busses. Geo.

[Per]

These work great, just not for those of us with stainless tanks:

http://www.motorhome.com/rv-how-to/seelevel-ii-tank-monitor/

As long as your holding tank is bigger than your fresh tank(and it does not clog preventing a complet dump), judging status based on fresh tank level is generally fine. If holding tank is empty and slightly bigger than your fresh tank, you can not overflow it unless you add water to the fresh tank.

I have decided to do the follwoing after looking at available options:

1. Remote dump button in the coach.

2. Override swtich in the coach for the fill solinoid in the coach with buzzer (when the switch is turned on and filling, the buzzer will sound makeing accidental activation less likely). This way the autofill will not be used while inside or away from the coach so a plumbing failure can only dump the contents of the fresh tank and not the endless city water supply.

I rarely stay in any place long enough to leave my coach connected to services but when I do, it is nice to not have to go outside to tend to the tanks if it is cold, hot, raining, windy, middle of the night, etc.

I’m certainly open to suggestions but I think I like this one. It is possible to get more complex and as pointed out above, have it auto dump every time you fill or several other variations but the more complicated it becomes, the more you invite a problem.

I still wish I could have a more reliable secondary tank monitor on the gray/black tank other than the headhunter but if it doesn’t exist, so be it.

[Mike]

Our Liberty has a switch for the waste tank dump valve (air operated) on the tank itself. All I have to do is open the bay, and if the hose is properly attached, push the button, the valve opens, and down the hole all the stuff goes. There is a pilot light that comes on when the value is open. No light, valve should be closed.

I would NOT be comfortable putting that switch or button in the coach. Because of the laws of gravity and the principals of moving sewage, I want to be standing next to the button that controls the dump valve. If anything wrong happens I can instantly hit the button and presumably close the valve minimizing any inappropriate release of effluent onto the ground.

If the dump valve button/switch is in the coach how do you make sure someone doesn’t accidently “test” it? How do you know that the valve isn’t “open” when you go to take the cover off the end of the pipe?

Make sure you’ve completely thought this idea through.

[Andy]

Dick; doesn’t your coach have inside control for sewage dump, macerator dump and grey water bypass? Of course, mine requires a code word to operate from inside which means a second fail-safe operation.

Actually, my previous Marathon had inside control for macerator dump which the previous owner told me he used frequently on the road but only when raining!!!

[Dave]

Joe, it does. And like your’s, I have to use a password.

I’ve never used the macerator and I always control the dump valve from the panel in the driver’s side water bay.

For the OP to have the same protection against an accident like you and I have, he’d have to install some kind of second control or failsafe syatem.

[Dan]

I fully agree with inside control of all filling and dumping functions being controllable from inside the coach.

Until I had that ability it just seemed like the answer to a question nobody asked, but the reality is that it is a big convenience when it needs to be done when it is raining or the site is muddy or you realize just before a shower the holding tank is getting a little full.

I have almost 100% of the time filled from outside, and dumped at the same time. The reason is I do not want city water to supply my coach because my practice of dumping and filling at the same time and only using water from the tank almost assures me I will not overflaw a holding tank. If I leave the supply valves open the city water pressure might keep my pump from working so while I am not emptying my water tank I am filling my holding tank and you can see what that can lead to.

But there have been instances when I knew we were low on water, which meant the holding tank was full or nearly full and when Di sees the holding tank level display all lit up she gets nervous, so it is nice to give her peace of mind by dumping.

Do I need the ability to control it all from inside? No, but it is a feature I would not want to give up.

BTW, Use the macerator occasionally if you have one because if for some reason the big dump valve will not open you have a back up means of dumping.

[Archived]

I always dump and fill from outside. Mary likes it that way. Sometimes the door’s locked when I try to get back in. Imagine that. She calls it ‘quiet time’.

[Mike]

That works both ways Doug. Now per Jon I should occasionally take the extra time to empty with the macerator.

Love you Honey

[Archived]

I don’t know if we need to empty the tank with the macerator, but exercising it keeps it available for those times when we need it.

[Roscoeapproved]

Jon. You really did miss the boat on what could have been a brilliant political career. You sure know how to state your point and still keep yourself out of trouble. But, to your statement “when we need it” did you mean when we need the macerator or the quiet time?Im sorry to have to hold your feet to the fire.

---

Jeff and Lindsay

91 Marathon XL

[Harry]

Jeff,

No macerator or even holding tank needed for Jon, remember, it’s a Liberty and only rose petals exit the sewer connection.