[C320-list] Holding tank monitor sensor

[Roger Nitkin]

Thanks for the good feedback, guys.
Regarding electronics, sailor/author Jon Kretschmer espouses a philosophy hecalls JET, standing for Just Enough Technology.By this he means that, although everyone has a different level of technologicalpreference, we should limit our devices to just  the level we really need andare comfortable with. We should stop at the point where extra "stuff" ceasesenhancing our sailing experience, and begins to detract from it.
RogerSummer Time # 429Westport, CT


-----Original Message-----
From: Troy Dunn <troutwarrior at gmail.com>
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Sent: Sat, Jan 16, 2021 8:38 am
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Holding tank monitor sensor

Chris and Jack-

Definitely agree that our instruments can make us lazy and perhaps less
safe; especially if we fail to recognize when they are lying to us, or
worse...when we are heads down in the cockpit instead of heads up, or think
that other captains are actually paying attention.

On the specific topic of holding tank monitors...if you are deep inside
U.S. waters to the point that you are considering removing your macerator
because it will never get used; having some sort of indication of when the
tank is full (beyond raw sewage running down the inside of the toe rail)
was a must have on my list.  Over the course of ownership we kept "pushing
the limit" on when to head to a pump out until one day...  But then again
that's 5 years of probably paying for a bunch of pump outs at $5 a clip
that we didn't need.    I suspect the monitor pays for itself both in real
money as well as peace of mind.

FWIW-

Troy

On Fri, Jan 15, 2021 at 7:33 PM Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
wrote:

> 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
> >>
> >>
>
>
>