Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 13:12:28 -0700
Reply-To: Steve <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject: Re: Fail-safe Westy water gauge? - longish
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
There is a guy on the list who fixes the gauges for $20, or so, I believe. I need him
to fix mine!
Malcolm Stebbins wrote:
> 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
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