Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 16:29:24 -0300
Reply-To: Malcolm Stebbins <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Malcolm Stebbins <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
Subject: Fail-safe Westy water gauge? - longish
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Last time I had a good idea, I installed an extra map pocket in the existing
holes of the passenger's side panel and ALL 600 of you emailed back
suggesting that I try and open the glove box!!!!!! So here's another GREAT
idea:
In re-installing my Westy fresh water tank, I was hit with one of those
EUREKA moments. You see, my water level gauge does not work and I will
have to either learn electronics, or spend $BIG$, or send it away to get it
fixed.
But today - I THOUGHT of a FAILSAFE water level gauge for my/your Westy.
You will need: (from either a FLAPS or an RV centre) 1) two water-tight pipe
fixtures (preferable plastic) that are meant to go through a plastic wall - like
the valves on the TOP of the later model Westy water tank, 2) about 2 or 3
feet of clear plastic hose (be sure to measure), 3) one brightly coloured float
ball that will EASILY go in the clear plastic hose. 4) two 90 degree elbows
that will fit the clear plastic pipe 5) Six all stainless steal, screw clamps.
Take a deep breath and drill the requisite size holes in the SIDE (1 near the
near the top and one near the BOTTOM) of the reservoir that faces the
FRONT of the van. Use good silicon goop and install the water-tight fixtures.
Drill the requisite size holes in the wall of the cabinet to allow the hoses to
run forward (toward the front of the van) - through the first cabinet wall (into
the 'hidden' cabinet space) and then keep going horizontally straight ahead
and drill another hole through the next wall (out of the hidden cabinet) into
the storage cabinet next to (to the rear of) the fridge.
Run two clear plastic hoses (gooped & clamped) horizontally from the new
reservoir water-tight fixtures forward (from the top and the bottom of the
reservoir) straight through the two holes in the 2 walls. Attach (goop &
clamp) the clear plastic pipe to the 2 elbows that will go through the second
wall (one pointing up and one pointing down). Put the brightly coloured float
ball in a piece of the clear plastic hose and attach (goop & clamp) the clear
plastic hose from the bottom 90 elbow to the top 90 degree elbow.
A picture is worth a 1000 words (Arial, proportional font used here):
== & || are the clear plastic hose/tubing; "|" are cabinet & reservoir walls
perspective is looking at the left side of the van from the interior of the van:
first wall into hidden cabinet
reservoir wall / second wall
\ / / tube
-------------------| | | /
=|==|===|=||
reservoir | | | ||
| | | ||. float ball
| | | ||
=|==|===|=||
--------------------
Now, make this vertical piece of clear plastic hose so that it will fit right along
the front part of the left hand side (rear of the van) wall of the cabinet (the 2
elbows should be nearly flush with the side of the cabinet wall, and you may
have to cut out a small piece of the cabinet shelf to allow for the clear plastic
hose). Or you may even want to put the hose in the left front vertical corner of
the cabinet (rear right of the van) - anywhere so that you can see the hose
when you open the cabinet door! You can even fish the hose around any
obstacles in the 'hidden' cabinet, as water will seek its own level.
Until the laws of gravity are repealed, the brightly coloured ball should float at
the same level as the water in the reservoir!!!!!
Yes, Yes, Yes, If you are going up or down a steep hill, you may get a false
reading, but when was the last time you rushed back the check the water
level as you were precariously perched on some hilly mountain road. And
anyway, the electric eater level indicator might give a false reading too in this
situation.
I have not yet done this yet, but I may. SO WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS
IDEA!!!!!!!! please save me from my own brain!!!!!!!
Malcolm S