Date:         Sat, 14 Aug 2004 01:29:36 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: WTB:water level sensor
Comments: To: Jim Thompson <jim@KARMANNGHIA.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <00dd01c4816d$f1aece40$06caa8c0@karmannghia.comn>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 15:41 8/13/2004, Jim Thompson wrote:

>Trivial Note:  This type of sensor was utilized on 88-91 (From Westfalia ID
>Plate # J 000 002 (Bus Depot's application data says 83-91 which *appears*

Second trivial note: This is the design from hell, IMO a cure definitely
worse than the disease.  If you want it to last, a) seal the top thoroughly
including the strain-relief sleeve -- a single drop of water inside will
cause it to malfunction;  and b) physically uninstall the sensor before
tank washing or anything else that could put the slightest mechanical
stress on the sender wand, as the leverage is enormous and the wands were
built with no slack in the wiring.  A surprisingly small bend in the wrong
direction will pull switches apart or otherwise break things.

If you want not to deal with it, retrofit the previous arrangement with S/S
bolts in the side of the tank and a resistor network in the "secret
cupboard" -- it's a little picky about water conductivity and clean
electrodes, but it' s mechanically very robust.  As a side benefit you'll
regain the last-gasp warning where all LEDs are extinguished, saying you
have two liters or less in the tank.

david


--
David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage," '85 GL "Poor Relation"