[C320-list] Holding tank monitor sensor

[Jack Brennan]

Hi Chris:

I have a somewhat similar attitude to you. In my previous life at various times. I built desktop computers, designed and built web sites and did basic programming. 

However, I am anti-tech on sailboats beyond depth sounder, autopilot and basic chart plotter (I use Open CPN on a tablet). Having navigated with a fold-up chart and handheld compass, having run aground and having sat at a tiller for many hours, these are great inventions.

I also love good solar, which makes us independent for long periods of time.

The other stuff, I can’t get excited about. I still like to work things out on my own rather than imagine I’m flying a jet. Maybe I’m something of a throwback. But I have also seen how quickly the house of cards can collapse when tech problems descend on a complex system. 

A little reluctantly, I installed a TV in anticipation of a 6- to 10-week sailing trip around Florida this spring. (The only means of getting away during covid …) My wife really likes her movies, and a TV means a longer trip.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.





Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Chris Nichols
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2021 6:34 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Holding tank monitor sensor

Now don’t get me wrong. I love tech. Early adopter of new electronics all my life. I love how my c320’s chart plotter radio and radar all talk to each other and will likely have AIS added when my vhf needs updating. They have literally been life savers in vinyard sound in the fog when motorboaters think it safe to proceed at 30 knots. 
I even really like the thought of tank monitors. Why not? More info is safer right?
However I also have a little Haven - wooden Luger - no tech at all. A paddle and a lead line. 
Having been unable to come to the us in 2020 to sail the 320 I spent far more time on the lugger here in the uk. The simplicity and basic seamanship skills seemed in a strange way to be more real and vital for the lack of electrical help. 

It makes me think and pose the question to members here. Do you think that as much as we love the sea and the wind, our other love of electronics can actually distance us from the constant vigilance, awareness and thoughtfulness that makes us competent sailors?
Perhaps less really is more?

Perhaps I need to get a pipe and start knitting fender covers as I turn into an old gaffer!

Happy new year my c320 chums. Love hearing your upgrades and fixes. Here’s to getting the vac jab and getting together in 2021. 
Best



Chris

> On 15 Jan 2021, at 22:13, John Meyers <jcmeyers7 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I installed a SeeLevel system last summer on the holding tank and forward
> water tank. Because the holding tank is not a rectangle I had to do some
> calculations and came up with a conversion table from the percentage the
> gauge says to percent the tank has. Works great for me.
> 
> John Meyers
> #406 1997
> Muskegon, MI
> 
> Catalina 320
> 22 gal Holding tank conversion using a SeeLevel system mounted near the top
> of the holding tank
> Reading Actual
> 40% 25%
> 50% 38%
> 60% 50%
> 70% 63%
> 80% 75%
> 90% 88%
> 100% 100%
> 
>> On Fri, Jan 15, 2021 at 5:02 PM John Frost <johncfrost at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I have precisely the same situation on my holding tank sensor. And I had
>> it on the first day that they delivered my boat in 2009 when the holding
>> tank had never even been used.
>> I attribute it to the positioning of the sensor, possibly too near the
>> bottom of the tank. I "solved" the problem by putting a small label under
>> the indicator that says "1/3 = empty".
>> Works for me.
>> I assume the right way to fix it is to unglue the sensor and raise it a
>> bit.
>> An alternative might be to disconnect the wire to the sensor to just not
>> get a reading when the tank is low.
>> 
>> John
>> 2009 C320MKII
>> Hull  #1118
>> Lake Guntersville, AL
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of
>> ROBERT MILLER
>> Sent: Friday, January 15, 2021 3:45 PM
>> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
>> Subject: [C320-list] Holding tank monitor sensor
>> 
>> I have a tank monitor system for both fresh and black water, which has 3
>> sensors installed on the outside of the tanks. On my holding tank the first
>> sensor isn’t working anymore (it always reads 1/3 full even when the tank
>> is empty). I suspect there is crud stuck to the tank wall which is causing
>> it to read full, but there is no clean out on the tank. Has anyone
>> encountered this problem and have a solution on how to clean the interior
>> walls to hopefully remedy this issue?
>> Thanks,
>> Rob Miller
>> Alchemy
>> 1999 #571
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>