Auto Sleeper Broadway 2017 Model.

Our AS Broadway has developed a fault with the fresh water and grey water tank contents gauge?  We've drained down the tanks every time following use.  Anyone else had similar problems?  Dealer says both tanks may have to be removed?  May be covered under warranty?  Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar issue?  Thanks for any suggestions.  Al lithe best.  Richard



Mod note - I'm moving this from Dealers chat to Coachbuilt section.

Another Mod note - A more meaningful title would get you a better response. We assume it's an Autosleeper, and if you mentioned "Tank contents gauges" in the title it would clue in those who are able to offer suggestions.

Yes it’s common...I’ve just had problems with the waste but not fresh water..

Sensors changed under warranty but it won’t last long I fear!

Ray

Welcome to the non working or inaccurate water sensors club

I too have had this problem. 2 sets of probes with 2 years on what I would consider very light use. I always drain down but live in a hard water area so expect it to reoccur ( especially after the numerous posts ). I have just descaled our Tassimo and wonder if anyone has found a similar treatment for water tanks.
Cheers 
Pete

Paul has it.

The problem as it was explained to me is one of calcification of the electrodes, which is activated by the small electric current used for sensing. the metal electrodes get "plated" with calcium carbonate which affects the measurement drastically. The harder the water, the faster it happens.

I too have experienced dodgy readings and when it gets too much to bear, I will swap the electrodes with float switches.

Descaling should work, until next time.

Dennis

Thanks everyone, 
Sounds like a regular descale is in order, prevention being better than being let down on site. 
Cheers
Pete

To be fair, if the fresh water tank gets empty unexpectedly on site, it is not the end of the world. I tend to carry 5l in a collapsible container for emergencies and for travelling. As for the grey water, keeping it drained regularly helps reduce the nasty smells.

I know, we paid for level measurements and they should work, but you generally know when you filled your tank up and that an empty fresh water tank will mean a full grey water tank approximately.

We don't have a gauge on the header tank for the toilet, but we generally understand when it will be getting low.

Regular de-scaling, for me anyway, is more of a faff on than estimating the quantity of water on hand.

Dennis

I do not understand why they do not fit pressure gauges at the bottom of the tank.  No scaling problem.  Generally used in narrow boats.

I descale once a year. We have always had issues with the grey water gauge, the freshwater not so much. Fortunately we don’t get the alarm sound for a full waste! 

We live with the problem, it should work but it just doesnt!

Pete

I agree with all the comments above, but I would still very much like both my fresh water sensors to work. (not so bothered about the grey water sensors)

I will probably update my fresh water pump to one of the Surfo type pumps if I have any further issues with the existing Autosleepers fitted whale systems.

I understand from my Autosleepers dealer that they will remove the fresh water tank to fit the Surflo pump and remove the original system.

Question is would this be a opportunity to fit better replacement sensors in the fresh water tank, and if so what type of new sensors should I have fitted that will work?

Terry

AS do not remove the submersible pump when fitting a Shurflo so they don't drop the tank.

I also suffer from erratic readings in a 2016 (66) van but this thread has progressed to de-scaling. How do you de-scale the sensors?

Paulmold wrote:AS do not remove the submersible pump when fitting a Shurflo so they don't drop the tank.

They did with ours Paul and they fitted a bespoke pick-up, but that was some time ago and they may have since decided it's not worth the extra work.

No reason the old submersible can't be used as a pick-up. The impeller won't get in the way of the water flow.

I am glad my old whale pump was removed by AS when they installed our Shurflo pump as the jubilee clip connecting it to the pipework was deeply ingrained in slimy rust. Not something I particularly like in a freshwater tank, and no they didn’t use a stainless steel clip as you would expect. Better out I say!  

Pete

I understand from Mark that they do now remove the old pump. With modern vans that means dropping the tank as the hatch is at the top. With mine the hatch is at the bottom but removal might still need the tank to be dropped unless I leave the wires in place. And I would need to extend the pick-up pipe and find a way to keep it on the bottom of the tank.

This year I cleaned the level sensors using citric acid. It seems to have been very successful. Probably needed every year or perhaps 2 years

The second part of my question was as follows...

Question is would this be a opportunity to fit better replacement sensors in the fresh water tank, and if so what type of new sensors should I have fitted that will work?


Terry

Any sensors will fur up with the calcium and other impurities in the best of water.  However, the type of sensor that is an array of 5 rods that project from the top of the tank into the water and end at different levels would probably be better.  wWe had that type on our Hymer and never had any problems in 10 years. However
a - is there enough space above the tank and under the floor to accommodate the cinnectin box at the top?
b - will it work with the Sargent system?

Thanks for the info, before contacting my Autosleepers dealer I’ll see if anyone can answer the two very good points you have raised.

As I live in a very hard water area it is always going to be a issue and as i am intending to keep the van till the end of my Motorhoming days I would like it to work correctly if possible.

Thanks again.

Terry

inspiredron wrote:Any sensors will fur up with the calcium and other impurities in the best of water.  However, the type of sensor that is an array of 5 rods that project from the top of the tank into the water and end at different levels would probably be better.  wWe had that type on our Hymer and never had any problems in 10 years. However
a - is there enough space above the tank and under the floor to accommodate the cinnectin box at the top?
b - will it work with the Sargent system?

Answers:

a - unlikely
b - certainly not

If my van wasn't nearly 7 years old I would have an inspection hatch installed in the bottom of the tank close to the studs so I could get at them with wire wool a couple of times a year.

Is that possible with Nuevo EK?

Eltel wrote:Is that possible with Nuevo EK?

It depends where your tank is located. Some recent models have the fresh water tank split with part under the floor and part above. There is an access hatch in the top tank but one would need to be installed in the bottom.

I feel sledghammer and nut syndrome.  I had the same feeling  as Peter but the citric acid was SO successful this year (to be fully proven on our September trip) that I will pay out £5 or £6 a year for the crystals as a preventative.  Last year I did remove my bottom hatch and could JUST reach the 0% (bottom and earth), 25% and 50% studs to wipe them with a scotchbrite - but not very effectively. The 0% is the important one but it did not lasttill the end of the season.
Not sure that Definitely not is correct Peter - rods and studs work on the same principle of the measuring device looking for continuity through the water.  The Hymer had an analogue meter but it still jumped in disctrete 25% steps as the water reached each rod.  But space on top of the tank is almost certainly insufficien - from memory I think that the connector box was about 2cm deep and about 5 to 7cm across.
Anyway - at a few pounds a year for citric acid is many years before th ecost of a questionable modification would be recouped.

We had our last van (not an Autosleeper) for 9 years and never had any problems with the water system - pump (Shurflo) or water gauges - maybe we were just lucky.

inspiredron wrote:I feel sledghammer and nut syndrome.  I had the same feeling  as Peter but the citric acid was SO successful this year (to be fully proven on our September trip) that I will pay out £5 or £6 a year for the crystals as a preventative.  

Just wondering if you have an update on the citric acid solution to the problem? Did it work. And what type of concentration did you use. Also do you leave the whole thing soaking for some period or just flush through. Thanks.