2006 Monterey Laguna 4 Tank Sensors

[Mark Hoovler]

I have an issue with my gray and black water sensors, they do not work very well, if at all.  I am looking to replace the system.  Does anyone have any input on a new type system that will work.  Everything seems pretty easy to get to.  I tried all electrical connections and they seem fine.  Unplugged and tested and not sure the sensors are any good.  Any input would be greatful.

Thanks
Mark

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Mark,
Coach Assist contains quite a few Aladdin documents including a pretty comprehensive troubleshooting manual that should assist you in determining if the system is working properly. That said, the most common problem with the tank sensors is that they get dirty and won't provide accurate readings and sometimes no readings at all. One solution that some have used to clean them is to add ice cubes to the tank and then drive the coach. The ice moving against the sensors may clean them. Another "solution" is to add a bio chemical to the tank that is claimed to clean the senors. Personally I've never had much luck with either these approaches although I do recommend "Tank Tech" for maintaining the existing status of the sensors once they are clean. There are outfits that will clean your tanks and sensors using a pressure washer. I think they charge around $200 or so. You can also replace the existing sensors. Another solution is to replace the tank sensor system with a new system such as See Level. Its sensors are mounted on the outside of the tanks so there is no issue with contamination. The downside is that it does not interface to the Aladdin.
Hope this helps.
Steve

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Mark
The secret to having any system work well is to flush your tanks frequently .
The sensors read through the tank side some use metal pins and some read directly through the plastic tank as the tanks get used they will collect a layer of calcified water much like in a kettle this makes it hard for the sensors to get an accurate reading as this layer will retain / stay well making the sensors believe they are reading the level of water add to this toilet paper which can stick like wall paper to the sides of the tank and you can see why the sensors are inaccurate.
There is a company that specializes in tank cleaning and does a great job.
But you can keep your tanks clean by using your onboard tank flusher and an inline backflush unit .
You'd be surprised how much toilet paper and other crap you get out using the back flush unit and filling and dumping the tank 2 or 3 times the only thing you have to keep an eye on is how full you fill the tank ( you don't want to over fill a tank )

Tank back flush unit
https://www.amazon.com/rv-black-tank-flush/s?k=rv+black+tank+flush

This is a link to a Kleen tanks video explaining does and don'ts
https://youtu.be/fs7YE9hmD7k?si=1wi3Mfh1CyaaA_jF

I personally have changed out my original tank monitor because the panel lights for the 1/4 and 1/2 full quiet working all together.
I opted to install a Sea Level system will blue tooth connection because my wife is 5'3"" and  can't reach the panel location in our coach without stepping on the driver's seat, this system allows you to connect to your phone and get all the reads easily.
This system can be installed using the original tank monitor wiring which saves a lot of work.

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Garnet-709-BTP3-Seelevel-II-Tank-Monitoring-System-p/709-btp3-1003.htm

Install video
https://youtu.be/BraJs42HreA?si=DNjAU_ShKWNInab3

If your coach has the Aladdin system you may have to rewire for the system I'm not sure the Sea level system will interface with the Aladdin system you can contact Garnet who make the Sea level system and see if they have an interface to allow it to work through  the Aladdin  ,i know they can connect to  a RVC multiplex system but not sure about the Aladdin .

https://www.garnetinstruments.com/holding-tanks/


Hope this helps
Eric

[Richard Davis]

Since you have an '06, I assume you have an Alladin system.  I have found over time that the black tank sensor lasts 2 to 3 years, the gray tank sensor about 3 to 5 years and the fresh water sensor lasts 5 to 10 years.  I have tried cleaning them with little success.  They are a gel filled pressure sensor and once they fail the only solution seems to be replacing them.  And, they have become expensive.  NWRVsupply now wants over $80 for a replacement.  I have heard good things about SeeLevel, but I have not been forced to go that way yet.  Good luck.
Richard

[Mark Hoovler]

Thanks for the input.  I will be  looking into the new system for our coach, as I have tried several times cleaning and flushing the tanks.  Yes I do use the tank flush whenever we dump our tanks. 

Mark