Vacuflush fill read sensors

[Debt-icated]

My vacuflush 1/2 full sensor continues illuminate on the panel even though there is nothing in the tank. I just pulled the sensor stick out of the tank expecting something to be impeding the float slide. Nothing is there.. Regardless, I cleaned it really good put back in there and it still is illuminating. Anything else I should try? I'm kind of confused

 

[gerryb]

You probably have a short in the sensor mechanism. Disconnect the sensor harness from the system. There should be a connector with a series of white wires leading out of the sensor mechanism not too far from the tank. If the light indicator goes out, you'll probably need a new sensor, specifically for the 1/2 full rod.

 

[CliffA]

this thread is timely...just a few weeks ago I was having wrong (or no) readings from the vacuflush tank sensors also....I pulled all of the sensors and cleaned the probes and sensors very well to insure the sensors would not hang up and would slide easily....after reinstalling the probes and sensors i discovered all was OK except the 'Full' light was illuminated on the monitor but I knew the tank was empty.....even though I have not had the chance to correct the problem yet I think I know what it is..i believe the floating sensors are 'directional'....I noticed this when I was cleaning the sensors.....by that I mean they are designed to be installed only in one orientation...if installed upside down they will give a false alert....

i don't know if this is correct or not but I plan to 'go back in' this coming WE and see if that is indeed the problem....I might have the 'Full' sensor installed upside down.....

cliff

 

[Westie]

Cliff : You are right they absolutely have a direction to them. If you install them the wrong way they will work the opposite of what they should.

 

[CliffA]

Cliff : You are right they absolutely have a direction to them. If you install them the wrong way they will work the opposite of what they should.

thanks for confirming Westie.....

cliff

 

[Robski97]

A few years ago I Changed my sensors. Was not a bad job. Had short on empty tube. ( tube with a magnet) ( Easy to check with a continuity tester )

Figured if I'm doing it might as well service them all . Its simply open or closed circuit. Just don't reverse the magnet ( float )

Rob

 

[Debt-icated]

does anyone know where I can get a new 1/2 full sensor tube? all I can find online are the newer versions where all three sensors tubs are on one piece. My tank setup has 3 individual tubes.

 

[CliffA]

does anyone know where I can get a new 1/2 full sensor tube? all I can find online are the newer versions where all three sensors tubs are on one piece. My tank setup has 3 individual tubes.

if the original tube just broke you may be able to repair it with some good plastic glue such as JB Plastic Weld....if not you may have to switch over to the new style......

cliff

 

[MancaveII]

There are actually kits you can order in 12 and 24" sizes that you cut down to fit the various levels.

385311254 is the part number for 24" - it can be made into any level.

 

[MancaveII]

Just wanted to share some additional information...

If you're like me, you've removed your existing sensors and cleaned them as a first step to resolve any issues. Like me, you probably took them apart, cleaned and reassembled.

The floats are directional and they are numbered...and they are not placed (up or down) the same for each rod.

The smaller the number on the float (28, 54, 92) and I have two sets and they are (32, 58, 86) or something like that...the smaller the number, the shorter the rod it goes on. I can't find anything to support this information, I just know in the two sets I have, they are numbered and striped, and both were smaller number on the shortest rod to the larger number on the longer rods. Good be pure luck they were placed that way, but I’m not taking any chances.

Notwithstanding that, the mid float for a waste tank is reversed. The white strip is facing up (or the letters N O) while the directions indicate (white stripe is down or N O facing down) opposite for longest rod. Now the short or "full" sensor did not have any directional indication with the instructions but it came with the "N O / white stripe" facing down...that kept the FULL light on. Reversed it, the FULL light went out. If did this with the sensors out of the tank first (just hanging from a clip) and then I put them all back in and proceeded to test the setup. Empty light was on, and 1/2 and FULL lights were off...all good. Started to fill the tank with the shower hose and everything worked accordingly. Empty went off, 1/2 came on, FULL said off. Continued, FULL on, 1/2 off, empty off. Went and pumped out and everything is good to go. Keep in mind all of my lights were on before and thus the readings were just crazy.

So my best advice is to look at your floats to ensure the numbers and orientation are checked for each one. In the end, my FULL sensor float was fine but the plastic rod that it slides on was comprised and not working. Only one of the three rods and sensors were bad, the rest was orientation. Once I started to take that apart, it was obvious water had gotten into the rod (either from the top during an engine bay cleaning or seal of the plastic part of the short plastic hose). I suspect water from the top as the seal for the parts is pretty robust.

Hope this helps someone else in the waste tank adventures.