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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Fresh water tank new level system (Making the original gauge a 4-step indicator)
Fresh water tank new level system [message #333336] Mon, 11 June 2018 08:42 Go to next message
DetroitDan is currently offline  DetroitDan   United States
Messages: 51
Registered: March 2017
Location: Taylor, MI
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Member
I pulled the freshwater tank to address a few leaks around the defunct level float and decided to make the original gauge work again.

I used four inexpensive float switches and four resistors to cause the gauge to read (approximately) E, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and F.

The system works great! And, "welding" the cracks with a large soldering gun, and HF heat gun, a high-temp glue gun, strips cut from a milk jug, and high-temp glue sticks (eventually) produced a leak free tank!

One more check mark off the list!

Level sensors: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J3WGAYU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Project pictures: http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g7159-fresh-water-tank-restore.html





Dan Wallace
Detroit Metro
1974 Canyon Lands 260
Headers, 3.55, 16"
Floor plan 26-9
Honda 6010
Harrison 4-bag

[Updated on: Mon, 11 June 2018 08:43]

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Re: Fresh water tank new level system [message #333397 is a reply to message #333336] Tue, 12 June 2018 10:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Michael Leipold is currently offline  Michael Leipold   United States
Messages: 318
Registered: April 2011
Location: Greensboro NC
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Senior Member
I repaired my fresh water tank about 7 years ago.
It has developed new leaks and this time I am just going to replace it.
Just a warning that the repairs will last, but new leaks will develop.

Cool project though.


1973 GMC 26' Glacier - Unknown Mileage - Has a new switch pitch transmission with Powerdrive Smile
Re: [GMCnet] Fresh water tank new level system [message #333408 is a reply to message #333397] Tue, 12 June 2018 11:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
The fresh water tanks are usually made of a different plastic than the
holding tanks. One that can be successfully repaired by plastic welding and
adhesives that melt the plastic. Add the fact that the bottom and sides are
supported by structure, as well as shielded from the sunlight and freezing
temperatures, and you have a situation that lends itself to repairs rather
than replacement. My tank outlet fitting had been stripped out by
overtightening, and leaked constantly. I removed the tank and took it to a
plastic tank manufacturer, and one of the employees, on his lunch hour,
took a hot knife, cut out the offending fitting, and welded in a new one.
Think I paid him $20.00. Been fine since 1997.
But, I would not waste that much effort on waste tanks. Once they
crack and leak, they are shouting at you "Replace me, don't try to repair
me".
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

On Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 8:53 AM Michael wrote:

> I repaired my fresh water tank about 7 years ago.
> It has developed new leaks and this time I am just going to replace it.
> Just a warning that the repairs will last, but new leaks will develop.
>
> Cool project though.
> --
> 1973 GMC 26' Glacier - Unknown Mileage - Has a new switch pitch
> transmission with Powerdrive
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Re: Fresh water tank new level system [message #333409 is a reply to message #333336] Tue, 12 June 2018 11:53 Go to previous message
GatsbysCruise is currently offline  GatsbysCruise   United States
Messages: 261
Registered: January 2017
Location: Waukegan, Illinois
Karma: 3
Senior Member
DetroitDan wrote on Mon, 11 June 2018 08:42
I pulled the freshwater tank to address a few leaks around the defunct level float and decided to make the original gauge work again.

I used four inexpensive float switches and four resistors to cause the gauge to read (approximately) E, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and F.

The system works great! And, "welding" the cracks with a large soldering gun, and HF heat gun, a high-temp glue gun, strips cut from a milk jug, and high-temp glue sticks (eventually) produced a leak free tank!

One more check mark off the list!

Level sensors: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J3WGAYU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Project pictures: http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g7159-fresh-water-tank-restore.html


My Potable water tank appears to be made of a fibre glass material. Made in layers and the outside layer is crackled, like some of those lighting fixture globes. I had water in it shortly after I bought it but because of some PO modifications to the lines, such as the overflow line dumps in the bathroom?????? have not used it since.
-- This is an OEM tank for the 1974 Motorhome production run. I have toyed with the idea of using resin and Fibre glass cloth to cover the outside layer to strengthen it and maintain the water holding abilities. I have not found a tank that will fit in the same area where the OEM is without some modification to the back area including the bed area.
-- The float ( level ) system needs to be upgraded as well and I have pondered adding a top access to the tank for inspection using a marine deck plate.
Planning to eliminate the outside water hose connection on the driver side as it is made of plastic which is much too old now to trust from breaking under pressure.





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