Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB Reply #25 – September 30, 2021, 10:46:34 am Quote from: RIMRIDER - September 29, 2021, 08:31:31 pmI 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[attach type=thumb]26256[/attach][attach type=thumb]26252[/attach][attach type=thumb]26254[/attach]Some folks just have too much talent. Outstanding work, Kendall!Chris
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB Reply #26 – September 30, 2021, 05:07:17 pm Very nice work, Kendall!
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB Reply #27 – October 01, 2021, 01:39:13 pm Hats off to you, Kendall. This is amazing work, it blends in perfectly. Thank you for sharing the photos and the template (and for the tip of being able to take the end cap off to take to the workbench.) Question: I'm not familiar with the "Gray to Blk" switch -- is that a new feature? A pump which moves gray tank water to the black tank?Jim
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB Reply #28 – October 01, 2021, 03:07:29 pm Quote from: Table 58 - October 01, 2021, 01:39:13 pmQuestion: I'm not familiar with the "Gray to Blk" switch -- is that a new feature? A pump which moves gray tank water to the black tank?The switch is for a future transfer pump, for pumping excess gray water to the black tank. We always fill the gray first.Holding tank transfer pump | FlickrLarry
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB Reply #29 – October 01, 2021, 08:34:18 pm Quote from: Table 58 - October 01, 2021, 01:39:13 pmHats off to you, Kendall. This is amazing work, it blends in perfectly. Thank you for sharing the photos and the template (and for the tip of being able to take the end cap off to take to the workbench.) Question: I'm not familiar with the "Gray to Blk" switch -- is that a new feature? A pump which moves gray tank water to the black tank?JimYou are welcome Jim. I hope this helps you in deciding how to mount your "See Level" panel. Also thank you and the other members for the kind comments. I do some things well but other tasks not so much.
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB Reply #30 – July 12, 2022, 04:01:49 pm So just to follow up on this project (installing SeeLevel gauges inside my 2017 MB): I've completely chickened out. I followed Kendall's template, got the right size aluminum plate, readied myself to cut into the panel... and then said: Nope.I just knew I'd make a cosmetic mistake somewhere and for the rest of my "lazy days" I'd be focused on that instead of the greater clarification the SeeLevel would give me. I love the LD's clean look too much to risk it.However, -- I already have the SeeLevel kit ($$$) and I'd like to install it somehow in one of the lower bays, to the side in the propane bay or the generator bay, somewhere without active storage. This way I could satisfy my OCD when the tanks went into the red. Now the crazy part: The SeeLevel board requires a +5V input and a ground. Could I run this off 4 1.5V AA cell batteries? Just hook up a small battery cage, turn it on for my trip, take it off when I'm done?
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB Reply #31 – July 12, 2022, 04:31:56 pm Quote from: Table 58 - July 12, 2022, 04:01:49 pm The SeeLevel board requires a +5V input and a ground. Could I run this off 4 1.5V AA cell batteries? Just hook up a small battery cage, turn it on for my trip, take it off when I'm done?Every See-Level I have installed operates on 12 volts, not 5 volts. https://www.garnetinstruments.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/709-series-Spec-Sheet-AR-ES2-08-Jun-2022.pdfIf you are scared to make the interior cut, hire someone to do it. Having the monitor inside the rig is a lot more convenient than an external mount which will seldomly be looked at. Larry 2 Likes
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB Reply #32 – July 12, 2022, 04:35:52 pm 12v, okay! Thank you, Larry!Jim
Re: Height of tanks (fresh, grey, black) on 2017 MB Reply #33 – July 12, 2022, 08:25:40 pm Quote from: Table 58 - July 12, 2022, 04:01:49 pmSo just to follow up on this project (installing SeeLevel gauges inside my 2017 MB): I've completely chickened out. I followed Kendall's template, got the right size aluminum plate, readied myself to cut into the panel... and then said: Nope.There is a way around this. The SeeLevel takes minimal depth. Simply make a template cutout in a nice piece of 1" thick oak board a bit larger than the front of the unit. Mount the unit on the board, routing the wires out a channel in the back of the board, then position and mount to the wall surface using Scotch Command strips. All you need is a small hole to pass the wires through. I have used this many times to avoid cutting into panels to mount something that might not be as permanent as I would hope...Steve 4 Likes