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Thu May 22, 2025 7:43 am

I did some searching but didn’t find anything.

Discovered last night that my lowest sensor gasket seems to have failed. I haven’t dug in yet. Curious, are these just flat rubber washers or is there a special gasket?

I should say, my tank simply has the 4 sensor screws, no sliding sensor.

Thanks

Thu May 22, 2025 8:42 am

Check the RV industry. I was looking at new sensors and they seem pretty standard. I don’t believe it’s a washer, more of a grommet that compresses.

Search google for Rv tank level sensors.

Thu May 22, 2025 9:47 am

MarkWard wrote: Check the RV industry. I was looking at new sensors and they seem pretty standard. I don’t believe it’s a washer, more of a grommet that compresses.

Search google for Rv tank level sensors.

I think you are correct about their form.

Off to Google I go!

Thu May 22, 2025 9:55 am

This might be the trick.

https://a.co/d/9D7R08F

Thu May 22, 2025 1:14 pm

Well nut from Lowes should work if you can get the correct size

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-20-x-1-4-in-Brass-Brass-Well-Nut/3012494

Thu May 22, 2025 2:26 pm

Having just replaced my water level sensor this week, I can confirm that it is some sort of foam gasket. Though, the original was rubber from what I remember. I'm sure either will work as long as it is compressible.

Thu May 22, 2025 2:30 pm

Timwhy wrote: Well nut from Lowes should work if you can get the correct size

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-20-x-1-4-in-Brass-Brass-Well-Nut/3012494

Hey I didn't know that was a thing, thanks!

Thu May 22, 2025 2:31 pm

Chootrain470 wrote: Having just replaced my water level sensor this week, I can confirm that it is some sort of foam gasket. Though, the original was rubber from what I remember. I'm sure either will work as long as it is compressible.

Cool. I removed one today and compared it to Amazon and I think it's a direct swap for about $10 for all 4. Hardest part was cutting the hardened rubber to remove it... so far. That bottom sensor will be tricky!

Thu May 22, 2025 2:33 pm

Chootrain470 wrote: Having just replaced my water level sensor this week, I can confirm that it is some sort of foam gasket. Though, the original was rubber from what I remember. I'm sure either will work as long as it is compressible.

Was yours the float type? The early campers had metal contacts fitted to the side of the water tank. My testing found they aren’t resistors, just metal connection paths through the water.

Thu May 22, 2025 2:49 pm

MarkWard wrote: Chootrain470 wrote: Having just replaced my water level sensor this week, I can confirm that it is some sort of foam gasket. Though, the original was rubber from what I remember. I'm sure either will work as long as it is compressible.

Was yours the float type? The early campers had metal contacts fitted to the side of the water tank. My testing found they aren’t resistors, just metal connection paths through the water. .

This is what I have in my 87. No reed switch float. I assume resistance is measured in the control board.

Sat May 24, 2025 11:48 am

Icebox500 wrote: MarkWard wrote: Chootrain470 wrote: Having just replaced my water level sensor this week, I can confirm that it is some sort of foam gasket. Though, the original was rubber from what I remember. I'm sure either will work as long as it is compressible.

Was yours the float type? The early campers had metal contacts fitted to the side of the water tank. My testing found they aren’t resistors, just metal connection paths through the water. .

This is what I have in my 87. No reed switch float. I assume resistance is measured in the control board.

I spent an afternoon trying to figure out why my full light wasn't working through process of elimination. It was a realtively new GW Display and had worked. I did some experimenting with an ohm meter. I always thought that water would be a good conductor, but was actually surprised how much resistance there is even in a glass of water. I believe the magic happens in the tiny little black box next to the tank. As the level lowers, the top connector is exposed and the loop is through the remaining. As the water drops below the second sensor, the loop is through the bottom sensor. I believe it's resistance to ground. Anyhow the display was defective and GW warrantied it without question. But, I wanted to be sure it wasn't the van before contacting them.

Sat May 24, 2025 1:59 pm

MarkWard wrote:

I spent an afternoon trying to figure out why my full light wasn't working through process of elimination. It was a realtively new GW Display and had worked. I did some experimenting with an ohm meter. I always thought that water would be a good conductor, but was actually surprised how much resistance there is even in a glass of water. I believe the magic happens in the tiny little black box next to the tank. As the level lowers, the top connector is exposed and the loop is through the remaining. As the water drops below the second sensor, the loop is through the bottom sensor. I believe it's resistance to ground. Anyhow the display was defective and GW warrantied it without question. But, I wanted to be sure it wasn't the van before contacting them.

Put some salt in the tank and see if it changes results?

Sat May 24, 2025 2:44 pm

Already in the rear view mirror. :wink:

Sat May 24, 2025 2:45 pm

MarkWard wrote:
I spent an afternoon trying to figure out why my full light wasn't working

take a ScotchBrite pad and buff the little sensor buttons on the water side of the tank. they get an oxide coating on them that doesn't respond to the water conductivity.

Sat May 24, 2025 4:16 pm

Water conductivity can vary by many orders of magnitude:
https://alpha-measure.com/water-conductivity-range/

Sun May 25, 2025 5:01 am

It was more of a learning expedition. Seems every accidental electrocution you read about has water involved. When I was testing with my ohm meter I was surprised how much resistance there was even with both probes in the water next to each other. I’d never actually measured before, but was expecting very little resistance. I have less resistance across my body. The vans measuring of the 3 loops, full, half, and empty and lighting the 3 different LEDs is pretty advanced for the day.

Sun May 25, 2025 7:12 am

MarkWard wrote: It was more of a learning expedition. Seems every accidental electrocution you read about has water involved. When I was testing with my ohm meter I was surprised how much resistance there was even with both probes in the water next to each other. I’d never actually measured before, but was expecting very little resistance. I have less resistance across my body. The vans measuring of the 3 loops, full, half, and empty and lighting the 3 different LEDs is pretty advanced for the day.

Water is such a poor conductor that many consider it a non-conductor.

In reality it is a very poor ground because of its poor conductivity. Yes, salts and minerals help because you are creating an electrolyte.

Electrons zig zag their way through water from conductive point to point looking for the path of least resistance.
If you have ever seen someone who was in water like a lake or pool when lightning struck very close by, they look like they were beaten all over because the current zig zagging through the water looking for the path of least resistance hits their body in numerous places.

Ray