Date:         Thu, 30 Aug 2001 08:09:55 -0700
Reply-To:     DaveC <voicebox@DNAI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         DaveC <voicebox@DNAI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Water reservoir level sensor float? (87 Westy)
Comments: To: harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <OE76Xg5wlSe9F6EBSot00000a1c@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>Only for westfalia owners or those with interest in magnetic switches:
>
>I have the same float water level sensor in my '90 westfalia water tank.
>(the plastic stick with the magnetic sliding float)

Is the little magnet (about the size of a $15 stack of dollar coins
with a hole in it) supposed to float by itself (maybe it's just
waterlogged)? Or is there supposed to be a foam ring of some kind
that goes around the magnet and helps it float?

>Fixed it once before like 4 years ago, but now it's broken again.
>What happens is: there are 2 magnetic reed switches inside
>the plastic tube, and 2 resistors.
>
>The lower reed switch has a tendency to break from vibration etc.
>You can buy a new float level assembly, but they are pretty pricey.
>The reed switches are about $4.50, and can be easily soldered in.
>You just have to find a similar micro reed switch in an electronics shop.
>      The upper switch is normally open,
>      the lower switch is normally closed.
>
>To get to the reed switches:
>Unscrew the 3 little screws that the plastic tube is attached with,
>and then pull the tube from the tank cover.
>
>Then gentley pull on the 2 wires, one green and black, and pull the
>switch resistor assembly out. You'll see what I'm talking about.
>It's a long copper stick with one magnetic micro reed switch and
>resistor at the top, and one at the bottom.

Thanks. This will be a breeze to fix. I can get reed switches
anywhere here in silly-con valley, and soldering is preferred to $$
replacements.

Just need to figure out the float thing...

Dave
--
Dave Carpenter

Whatever you wish for me,
May you have twice as much.