[C320-list] Holding tank monitor sensor

[Allan Field]

Roger - Did you get the article I sent you offline? - Allan Field

On Sat, Jan 16, 2021 at 10:31 AM Roger Nitkin <rnitkin at aol.com> wrote:

> 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
> > >>
> > >>
> >
> >
> >
>