So just how much water do I have?

[Folkranger]

My latest motorhome, like others before, shows fresh water tank as 25%, 50%, 75%........ but what does this really mean.

Take 25%. Do I have 25% to 49%
Or 1% to 25%
Or is it an average, eg 12.5% to 37.5%?
Of course you could be an optimist with a tank always half full.
Also, as this is a rubbish way to measure, what modifications have you made that improve this.

 

[pappajohn]

All level gauges are a waste of space.
When no water comes out of the tap you've run out.

Same with the grey waste, if dirty water appears in the shower tray it's full

 

[Rivermount]

Probably the only way to find out is to fill up with measured amounts, ( e.g. 5lt at a time) whilst watching the gauge to see when you reach the changes in the gauge.
I know that my fresh water tank is not a regular rectangle as it fits over the wheel arch so I have no idea what my gauge is telling me!

 

[I2C]

Our water gauge is made up of 4 bars at various lengths, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. In my head 25% reading will mean anything between 25% to 49%, a 50% reading will be anywhere between 50% and 74% etc.

As others have said, they’re not accurate but it gives me an idea of what we might have left.

 

[two]

It ought to be "at least (whatever)"
Best way to find out is to fill the tank from empty, 10litre at a time, and watch to see when the indicator changes.
(Make sure the van is level.)
Tanks are not always uniform in shape, so could mess up any device that measures the depth linearly.

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[Lenny HB]

Depend on the type of gauge, ours has probes in the tank.
75% = 75 - 100%
50% = 50 - 75%
25% = 25 - 50%
Ours is fairly accurate but doesn't really matter as we know a full tank will last at least 4 days with us both having a shower each day.

 

[Folkranger]

Probably the only way to find out is to fill up with measured amounts, ( e.g. 5lt at a time) whilst watching the gauge to see when you reach the changes in the gauge.
I know that my fresh water tank is not a regular rectangle as it fits over the wheel arch so I have no idea what my gauge is telling me!

Did exactly that with my last van but found later that it varied significantly from this.

 

[Off da Grid]

Depends on how level you are and where the sensors are.
The sensors on our tank are on the passenger side of the van so if we are not level while filling the gauge can say 2/3 full while the water is overflowing the filler.
Go level and it shows full.
Same with the grey tank which covers over half of the bottom off the van.

You will get to know how long a full tank lasts after a while and refill accordingly.
Just check at a reasonable time so you don’t run out to late when it’s dark or something.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Probably the only way to find out is to fill up with measured amounts, ( e.g. 5lt at a time) whilst watching the gauge to see when you reach the changes in the gauge.
I know that my fresh water tank is not a regular rectangle as it fits over the wheel arch so I have no idea what my gauge is telling me!

To be honest I would not bother. They are notoriously inaccurate and as PJ says, just keep and eye on it and worry more about enjoying yourself

 

[Folkranger]

Depend on the type of gauge, ours has probes in the tank.
75% = 75 - 100%
50% = 50 - 75%
25% = 25 - 50%
Ours is fairly accurate but doesn't really matter as we know a full tank will last at least 4 days with us both having a shower each day.

Should be the same tank, 160l. Nice to know you're both so clean

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[mikebeaches]

Depend on the type of gauge, ours has probes in the tank.
75% = 75 - 100%
50% = 50 - 75%
25% = 25 - 50%
Ours is fairly accurate but doesn't really matter as we know a full tank will last at least 4 days with us both having a shower each day.

Agree with Lenny - that's certainly my experience of our fresh water gauge on the Rapido.

 

[the1andonly]

All level gauges are a waste of space.
When no water comes out of the tap you've run out.

Same with the grey waste, if dirty water appears in the shower tray it's full

Yep
mine are a totAl waste of time.
Ive added float switches and leds to show sufficient for 2 showers and its almost full, turn the tap off

 

[62272]

Lenny is correct if your sensors are the type (that I assume most use) which are three (or four for the nearly out of water red hazard sign warning) sets of parallel metal probs which are fitted under a cap on top of your water tank and hang down at different depths into your water tank. Electrical current passes between each parallel set and will report the level dependant on the highest level reporting a current flow. Once the water drops below the level for each height of parallel rods, the electrical current stops flowing for that level and the reported water level at your control panel changes to the next level down… until empty.

If you are parked completely level the reports should be accurate (as per Lenny HB’s entry). 25% will be at least 25%, but no more than 49% (in theory). If however you are parked anything other than dead level (forward/backwards & nearside to offside) such as a slight tilt, it will throw out the level indicator. This could have a profound affect even with a slight lean.

Thats why I use the watering can method of filling my fresh water, as I know each filled can is 10 litres.

 

[Dramfineday]

I use a gardena smart meter water gauge (other brands are available). Find that helpful when filling up.

 

[Folkranger]

Our hobby had a flap that allowed us to see the side of the tank. But that was under the seat so easy.

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[deleted79651]

My latest motorhome, like others before, shows fresh water tank as 25%, 50%, 75%........ but what does this really mean.

Take 25%. Do I have 25% to 49%
Or 1% to 25%
Or is it an average, eg 12.5% to 37.5%?
Of course you could be an optimist with a tank always half full.
Also, as this is a rubbish way to measure, what modifications have you made that improve this.

Our fresh water tank drops 'in advance',falling to 75% after the first few litres have been drawn off. We reckon to use 20 litres each day [more if hand washing of laundry undertaken] so top up in 25 litre hits on alternate days, enabling us to leave site with around 30 litres of water. We check the gauge against the indicated actual level of the tank when topping up. If using the Truma hot water heating, remember that 10 litres is needed for the boiler.

Steve

 

[the1andonly]

I use a gardena smart meter water gauge (other brands are available). Find that helpful when filling up.

Snap

 

[DumfriesDik]

Snap
View attachment 526182

Damn you. Bought it now.

 

[63720]

My latest motorhome, like others before, shows fresh water tank as 25%, 50%, 75%........ but what does this really mean.

Take 25%. Do I have 25% to 49%
Or 1% to 25%
Or is it an average, eg 12.5% to 37.5%?
Of course you could be an optimist with a tank always half full.
Also, as this is a rubbish way to measure, what modifications have you made that improve this.

Our is the same. But after 4 years of ownership it's not a problem for me as I maintain the level to about 50% on a site and when wilding. Rarely is our tank full.

 

[jdk62]

I like having a full tank….. I can see the water level and top it up to full

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[Two on Tour]

I re calibrated our analogue water level meter to read accurately at lower water levels so we don't run out, but the re calibration left us not know when we were full until the tank overflowed, so I fitted a float switch connected to a buzzer to let me know when I'm filling that it's full.

 

[Lenny HB]

We always fill up at every opportunity we use 35 - 40 Lt a day so a full tank lasts 4 - 5 days always travel with a full tank so providing we remember to count the days the gauge is ilrelavant as long as we don't use the washing machine.

 

[Folkranger]

I re calibrated our analogue water level meter to read accurately at lower water levels so we don't run out, but the re calibration left us not know when we were full until the tank overflowed, so I fitted a float switch connected to a buzzer to let me know when I'm filling that it's full.

Sounds good to me.

 

[Landy Andy]

Always a full tank, and fill till it overflows. Usually filling my croc

 

[Folkranger]

We always fill up at every opportunity we use 35 - 40 Lt a day so a full tank lasts 4 - 5 days always travel with a full tank so providing we remember to count the days the gauge is ilrelavant as long as we don't use the washing machine.

Lenny, I do believe you're in love with that washing machine. Has she got a name?

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[two]

I think the water meter may be one toy too many. Fine fo use in the garden, to determine how much water you've put on, but I don't think I need precision when filling-up my water tank.
I travel empty or with a minimum amount (small payload) and top up on arrival (to full if staying a few days).
The gauge, although only a rough guide, is good enough to tell me if we have enough for one, two or three days. When I fill with a watering can, I know how much I've added to the nearest 10litres.

 

[busby]

I just top it up to the brim every morning.BUSBY.

 

[Glas Robin]

I've no idea why we all have to put up with the inaccuracy of 3 or 4 rods in the tank approach. My oil tank at home has an accurate gauge sender (not that it stops us running our, mind!).

Why aren't these more prevalent? Other than the cost... There may be other cheaper ones, this was the first google result.

You searched for wema water - Camper Happy

camperhappy.co.uk

EDIT: You can get a range of depth senders on eBay really quite cheaply... might be my next tinker...

Liquid Water Level Sensor Stainless Steel Float Switch Tank Pool | eBay

1 Piece Float Switch. Can be installed either at the top or base of your tank to detect the water's or fall. Material: Stainless Steel. Light weight and simple working principle, high reliability. Working Current: 0.5-1A.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[two]

Because some drive like hooligans and the gauge has to be able to survive the weight of a considerable amount of water sloshing about?
My first van (Eurombil) showed the level on a digital readout, dropping 10% at a time until nearly empty when it dropped by 1% at a time. Whether the % figure was accurate or not, I do't know, but the tank became empty at 0%. Since then, all gauges have been crude by comparison, but I've learned to cope..

 

[Glas Robin]

Because some drive like hooligans and the gauge has to be able to survive the weight of a considerable amount of water sloshing about?
My first van (Eurombil) showed the level on a digital readout, dropping 10% at a time until nearly empty when it dropped by 1% at a time. Whether the % figure was accurate or not, I do't know, but the tank became empty at 0%. Since then, all gauges have been crude by comparison, but I've learned to cope..

Good point. I think it's worth a trial though to see if they are robust enough. After all the Thetford waste seonsor is a physical float and that tank has more, er.... "momentuum" sloshing around in it!

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