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Topic: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB (Read 918 times) previous topic - next topic
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Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Hey all,

Reading the raving reviews, I've decided my next project is a SEE LEVEL 2 for our 2017 MB.  It doesn't matter how much time we have left at a campground, once that Fresh Water hits "E" my wife is ready to pack up & go (even if there's 20 gallons left.)  So I felt the SEE LEVEL 2 would be a good way to relieve some of that anxiety.  I've read the install threads on here and watched a few videos on YOUTUBE, so its definitely in my wheel house.

For those that don't know, the SEE LEVEL 2 monitors the tanks to a resolution of 4% instead of the industry standard "Full, 2/3rds, 1/3rd, Empty" breakdown.  A sensor attaches onto each tank vertically, then computer wizardry of some sort to determine the level of liquid inside.  Before purchasing, the website asks for the size (height) of the tanks so it can send out the correct lengths of sensor strip.

If anybody has those heights, it'll save me a trip to and from the storage yard!

Thanks! 

-- Jim
2017 Mid Bath
-- Tireman valve extenders;
-- Progressive Industries 30a EMS protector;
-- Hellwig front and rear anti-sway bars;
-- Dual canister water filter.
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #1 –
don't have a MB, but will see if I can get you the ones for mine.

btw you could always just wait for the water to actually be out on the cold knob, and once it's done, you still have 6gal in the "hot" knob which is cold unless you turn the water heater on.

We usually start packing once the cold knob one is out
1995 23.5 Rear Lounge
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #2 –
Jim, I will be bringing ours from storage to home on Friday and could get those measurements for you then. Sounds like a mod I would like to do also. Do you buy directly from the manufacturer?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #3 –
Height is a relative thing for the odd-shaped tanks on our FL, and I assume the same applies for your MB. You will likely find one gauge strip for each tank will work fine, and only make a decision on where you want the 'empty' of 'full' location to be. What has been done by at least one member is to tape the sensors to the tanks instead of using the self-adhesive so they could be adjusted until a satisfactory spot is found. The Seelevel is very accurate and consistent, but placement is arbitrary. The only general result is you want to know the when the water tank approaches empty, and the waste tanks full. So locate the sensors so you are happy the info is useful...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #4 –
When I install our SeeLevel on our 2017 MB the grey tank was the only tank that needed an extension sensor strip to cover bottom to top.  I elected not to buy extension, and put the strip beginning at the top of tank down about 80% of the way.  We have 0% filled for 1st day or so until it begins to register, but that is okay with us.
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #5 –
On my 2013 MB, I used two strips on my fresh and one on each of the other tanks. I like seeing how much we use daily to extrapolate when to refill.
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
 
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #6 –
It’s pretty tight where the FW tank is so I’m wondering how you install the sensor strip on it?  Although a bit of a hassle, you can pull off the kick panel under the sink and visually check the FW tank level by using a flashlight.  Can’t get more accurate than that.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #7 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
It’s pretty tight where the FW tank is so I’m wondering how you install the sensor strip on it? 

On my midbath, I took off a side of the storage compartment below the fridge to attach the See-level sensor strip on the end. EZ, PZ.

Steve K.
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #8 –
If I remember correctly, on our 2002 MB I pulled the stove out and had good access to the side of the fresh water tank.  As I recall, just four screws and the propane connection at the top rear.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #9 –
Art is correct, removing the stove (a simple matter of six screws and carefull slide-out), provides very good access to the fresh water tank. I had the stove out on my 2019 MB yesterday while installing a Wave 3 heater and noted this fact then. 

Warren
Warren
2019 MB “Dream Catcher”
Jeep Wrangler JL
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #10 –
Warren, would you care to share photos of your propane install for the Wave heater?  :)
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #12 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Jim, I will be bringing ours from storage to home on Friday and could get those measurements for you then. Sounds like a mod I would like to do also. Do you buy directly from the manufacturer?

Hiola,

That'd be great!  Let me know how it goes.  In re: purchasing.  Checking the See Level site, I see they put you to their distributor network.  I see it for sale online at rvupgradestore.com for $199.  I'll call around to see if the local guys can beat that price!

Jim
2017 Mid Bath
-- Tireman valve extenders;
-- Progressive Industries 30a EMS protector;
-- Hellwig front and rear anti-sway bars;
-- Dual canister water filter.
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #13 –
Jim,
Height of the FW tank is 14.25 inches. The gray and black are odd-shaped so I’m adding some photos. The first two are the gray tank in the rear of the chassis. The other is the black, midway on the driver side.  Let me know if you need anything else.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #14 –
Hiola, thanks!  What a great community!  I'm looking at Model 709 (FW/grey/black/lpg.)  Will be going with rvupgradestore.com as I believe $199 is the best price going.
2017 Mid Bath
-- Tireman valve extenders;
-- Progressive Industries 30a EMS protector;
-- Hellwig front and rear anti-sway bars;
-- Dual canister water filter.
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #15 –
So today's the day to start this project and... I'm not sure where to mount the new panel.  I got the panel that has Fresh, Grey, Black and Battery but my only concern are the tanks.  That leaves half the OEM panel still needed (battery, Generator on/off, generator hours, hot water on/off, water pump on/off.)

Maybe this is where I should've gotten the bluetooth option as I'm hard pressed to cut into the panels willy-nilly.  Does anybody have any pictures of their SeeLevel installs on a mid-bath (mine's a 2017.)  Any thoughts on the panel placement would be appreciated. 

Thanks,
Jim
2017 Mid Bath
-- Tireman valve extenders;
-- Progressive Industries 30a EMS protector;
-- Hellwig front and rear anti-sway bars;
-- Dual canister water filter.
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #16 –
Following.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #17 –
The wooden panel with the factory status panel on it is out of space on my 2013 MB. I mounted the See Level display down low beneath the sink, close to the fresh water tank, a couple of feet left of the propane leak detector. I don’t squat down to look at it very often, so I haven’t spent the time to move it up to be in better view for checking usage. What it is good for is, I can see it from outside the door while the hose is filling the tank.
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #18 –
For what it's worth, in my 2003 midbath I mounted several monitor panels including the SeaLevel II in the end cap of the cabinet over the sink.

X

I've seen people do this using LD's padded end cap, cutting additional openings in it. But I made a plywood replacement for the original end cap. It wasn't too hard. I spaced it out about an inch from the cabinet, using lumber cut to fit, to allow room for the guts of the various displays.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #19 –
Thanks for the replies plus the pics.  Andy, replacing the whole cap is an interesting idea...  You get to really control where everything goes and it gives you a second chance if you make a mistake. 

Looking at mine, I think the most logical spot would be above the solar panel controller.  But again, I'm loathe to cut into the upholstery.  Maybe I could make a new pad?
2017 Mid Bath
-- Tireman valve extenders;
-- Progressive Industries 30a EMS protector;
-- Hellwig front and rear anti-sway bars;
-- Dual canister water filter.
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #20 –
Steve,
Do you have any pictures of your placement on your MB?
mar 🌴❤️🌺
Current 1 and only: 2003 LD Mid Bath 26.5
2017 Winnebago Minnie Winnie TT
2011 Dutchman Colorado 32' TT
2011 iCamp 14' TT
1985 Coachman Catalina 32' RV
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #21 –
Spartan 11, if you are asking me (Steve K) about photos of my "placement" the answer is no. But it would be easy to go take a photo of where I mounted the display. Photos of the sensor strip on the fresh water tank would not be an easy thing though.

I had replied that I placed the sensor for the fresh water tank on the forward side of the fresh water tank; I accessed that by taking the wood panels of the side of the storage compartment below the refrigerator.

I tend to do things the easiest way so I mounted the Seelevel display above the propane detector where I could tap into power easily and also routed the wires from the gray and black tanks from below. I don't recall the exact place but Andy B. found a route that just involved poking a hole through some sealant. I think I used part of a ballpoint pen as a conduit to run the wires through. I never connected the propane tank to the display. I trust the gadget on the tank but never trusted the LD holding tank monitor to be accurate.

Steve K.
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #22 –
This is what I measured on my 2016 MB.
Fresh water 14” inches high
Grey tank 8 1/4 inches high
Black tank 10 inches high
Haven’t ordered yet, need to decide on Bluetooth option.
Cheers
2016 Mid Bath
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #23 –
Quote from: Table 58  - 
Thanks for the replies plus the pics.  Andy, replacing the whole cap is an interesting idea...  You get to really control where everything goes and it gives you a second chance if you make a mistake. 

Looking at mine, I think the most logical spot would be above the solar panel controller.  But again, I'm loathe to cut into the upholstery.  Maybe I could make a new pad?
I chose to construct a new control panel for our 2019 TK.  I wanted to incorporate the new "See Level" panel along with some added features: hot water heater temperature display, "Hott Rod" water heater control switch and a pump control switch for transferring gray water to the black tank (future project).  I used "Microsoft Word" to lay out the template for the new panel.  In "Word" I inserted "shapes" and scaled rectangles and ovals to the actual size of the components and cutouts.  I used 1/8" high white "Datak" dry transfer lettering on the panel and so in "Word" I picked a font & font size that matched the "Datak" lettering.  When I was satisfied with the layout, I printed it out on an "Avery" label that has an adhesive back and then placed it on a 1/16" (actually .063") sheet of aluminum.  After making the cutouts, I sprayed it with some "Krylon" satin black paint.  I then installed all of the components and rubbed on all of the lettering with a burnishing tool (absolute worst part of this project).  Next I removed all of the components and gave the panel a couple of coats of "Krylon" clear matte finish paint.  Because of the additional components, my new panel turned out a little bigger than the original , so I made the opening bigger in the padded end cap.  I was able to remove the end cap (which was fastened from the back inside a cabinet with 4 long screws) and take it to my workbench to work on.

Kendall
XXX
Kendall & Donna
2019 TK  "RIMRIDER"
2023 Jeep Wrangler
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB
Reply #24 –
I gotta say, that looks nice......

Jon
1994 MB