SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

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SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

May 13, 2019, 09:57:02 pm

So I'm wanting to get a SeeLevel II for my rig before out next trip. Going to have no hookups at the next location.

The buyers guide mentions:

Bluetooth wireless option. The SeeLeveL 709-BTP3 has Bluetooth® wireless technology capability so that tank levels and battery voltage can be shown on a smartphone or tablet with the free downloaded app. Bluetooth® has a limited range of up to 16 meters (50‘) but should function inside the RV and immediate surrounding area.

But that model number isn't listed in the catalog. Anyone know if it's still available, or worth it if it is?

What senders are the best for a 2001 MB?

What's the best place to buy them, rvupgrades.com?

Thanks in advance
Sean

Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #1 – May 14, 2019, 12:25:45 am

Sean, I have found the information on the Garnet web page not complete when discussing the bluetooth capabilities/models available. I had looked at this before and I thought there were two bluetooth models, but as I said their web page is not obvious about the bluetooth model(s).

I would suggest calling them (the encourage that) to discuss it with them. Let us know what you find out.

There are some reports of people using them at iRV2 Forums Most people seemed to like them from my brief scan.

Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #2 – May 14, 2019, 07:07:55 am

Sean-

I ordered from BestConverter.com.

The Bluetooth option was not around in 2014. I ordered these parts for our MB:

709PH-1003 709PH SeeLevel II Tank Monitor System
710JS Junior Sender Board

I had a leftover sender board (probably one of the longer ones).

I put the senders on all three tanks. I created a new panel on which to mount the SeeLevel display. It replaced the LD "barometer and button" panel. I'll post pictures here, or send some to you, if you are interested. If you go Bluetooth, that modification may not be needed.

I had the body shop overcoat the senders with a 3M product. Link is here.

Mark H

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Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #3 – May 14, 2019, 09:01:48 am

Thanks. I wasn't planning on replacing the existing panel. I'll find someplace to mount the new display. I only want to use it to monitor the fresh, gray, and black tanks. Don't care about pump switch. I'll give them a call to see if the BT is still available and if they offer it in a non-pump switch model.

Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #4 – May 14, 2019, 12:03:27 pm

If a Bluetooth SeeLevel exist, each sensor will still need to be wired to a 12-VDC power supply.
If you are going to have to run wires, you might as well use the standard, fixed readout panel, saving money and having a more dependable monitor.
The stock SeeLevel is one of the most dependable devices seen in RVs, there many that are over 15 years old.

Larry

Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #5 – May 14, 2019, 01:20:49 pm

Sean, I agree with Larry. Why bother with Bluetooth?

If it helps, when I installed my SeeLevel system in my MB in 2009, I used a single pair, one blue, one black, wire connecting from the grey tank sensor, to the black tank sensor, up through the floor near the water pump, where I spliced in the fresh tank sensor, then led that single pair up inside the black tank vent stack to the space near the microwave. There, I installed the panel, hooked into the green wire feeding the propane reading on the panel over the stove, hooked into a 12v supply and into a ground. I sealed the hole in the floor using a 1/4" i.d. rubber hose fed down from the floor to underneath the metal plate below the floor insulation. With the wires inside that hose, I could easily seal around the hose using expanding foam above and below on the outside of the hose, then a dab of caulk in the hose at the top. I sealed the black tank vent holes using rubber grommets and caulk.

In hindsight, I would have brought up separate pairs for the grey and black tank sensors, which I have done a few years ago. I connected the fresh, grey and black tank sensors to a jumper block so I could easily disconnect one of the sensors, a task that is part of diagnosing a problem in the system. I had a failed black tank sensor that occasionally told the panel is was a black tank sensor and occasionally a grey tank sensor. The only way to determine which sensor was bad was to disconnect both, then connect one at a time and see which was messed up. Now, with separate leads coming to a terminal block where I can disconnect or re-connect them, diagnosis would be a breeze.

Also in hindsight, I think I would place my panel on the surface above the breaker panel. That would make access to 12v and ground very simple. By tapping into the green wire closer to the propane tank gauge and bringing that wire up through the floor with the sensor leads, all of the connections would be a much easier setup. I have not done that, because I already have the hole in the panel over the microwave. However, I DO wish I had thought of that back in 2009.

Installing a SeeLevel system is a project that demands a bit of care but is quite do-able. Those tank walls must be perfectly clean and dry before attaching the sensors. But, with some attention to the task, as Larry said, these are wonderfully dependable systems.

Ken F in OR

Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #6 – May 14, 2019, 03:20:09 pm

The Bluetooth is available for sale at several stores (an internet search pulled up a handful easily).

However in reading about them the monitor panel (looks the same) also will Bluetooth to devices so it can be seen on a phone or tablet. I thought I had seen 2 models with Bluetooth but when I looked yesterday I only found one.

In the discussions online Often the new seelevel panel is located close to the tanks (the wet bay is often discussed as the preferred location and recommended by the manufacturer). I would guess this is because of the difficulty of adding wiring in some rvs and the people are unwilling or unable to reuse existing wiring). Some people seem to leave their old panel and just add a new one (so don't reuse wires).

So the only advantage the Bluetooth offers is not having to walk to the panel - wherever it is located, instead just having to find your phone.

Jane

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #7 – May 14, 2019, 04:26:06 pm

Quote from: Larry W - May 14, 2019, 12:03:27 pm

If a Bluetooth SeeLevel exist, each sensor will still need to be wired to a 12-VDC power supply.
If you are going to have to run wires, you might as well use the standard, fixed readout panel, saving money and having a more dependable monitor.
The stock SeeLevel is one of the most dependable devices seen in RVs, there many that are over 15 years old.

Larry

I was figuring the bluetooth was only for repeating what was showing on the display, not for for getting the readings from the sensers to the display. I'm going to give them a call to see exactly what's up w/ the bluetooth model. If it's just a repeater, then it could save me from getting two displays, one for inside the coach and one for exterior. The picture of the unit I saw was the normal SeeLevel display with a little bluetooth logo. I really wish their website was a bit more forthcoming.

Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #8 – May 14, 2019, 06:37:46 pm

Quote from: henness - May 14, 2019, 04:26:06 pm

If it's just a repeater, then it could save me from getting two displays, one for inside the coach and one for exterior.

Why would you need a remote monitor for either dumping or filling the fresh water tank?.
Your eyes and ears tell you everything you need to know, when stuff stops coming out of the holding tank, it's empty, when water starts bubbling out of the fresh water fill, it's full.
Do you really want to be handing the dump hose and your phone at the same time? Splashing your phone, even with fresh water, isn't a recommended activity.

I like tech where there is a real advantage but many times it overly complicates what are simple procedures.
A Bluetooth SeeLevel will be more prone to problems due to its increase complexity and if something happens to your phone, you are out of luck

Larry

Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #9 – May 14, 2019, 10:47:41 pm

Back flushing the black and gray tanks is the main reason. Instead of having to have someone in the bathroom holding the toilet open and watching for the water to come up. Last time I had the kid helping out, I had to switch places as they where gagging from the little bit of sewer gas coming up.

Also for filling the fresh tank somewhat before traveling. I like to have 1/3 tank or so for traveling. Not too much weight and gives us enough to use till we get to where we are going and can then fill up.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #10 – May 15, 2019, 09:41:43 am

Quote from: Larry W - May 14, 2019, 06:37:46 pm

Why would you need a remote monitor for either dumping or filling the fresh water tank?.
Your eyes and ears tell you everything you need to know, when stuff stops coming out of the holding tank, it's empty, when water starts bubbling out of the fresh water fill, it's full.
.............................

Larry

<smile>
Larry, Larry
Some of us need a second opinion. Just in case..................

glen

Re: SeeLevel II - Bluetooth, senders, and where to buy

Reply #11 – May 15, 2019, 12:03:52 pm

Quote from: henness - May 14, 2019, 10:47:41 pm

Back flushing the black and gray tanks is the main reason. Instead of having to have someone in the bathroom holding the toilet open and watching for the water to come up. Last time I had the kid helping out, I had to switch places as they where gagging from the little bit of sewer gas coming up.

With external flushers, no one has to hold the toilet valve open...and gag.
The whole process is done outside by one person and has worked well for 25 years of LDing.
Make the flushing process easier on yourself and, even more importantly, on your kids, giving them a more positive experience of RVing.

Holding tank flusher | Flickr
Amazon.com: Camco 40126 Tornado Rotary Tank Rinser with Hose: Gateway

Larry

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