Ep. 305: Mopeka Pro ✔ RV Water Tank Sensor | DIY RV upgrade

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

I have to pro sensors on our propane tanks, they work so much better than the older sensors. I love the sigh sounds during the install, haha. I think I would have just made a door in the material closed up with duck tape. Your solution is much more professional. I think I’m getting one. Lar

[@GrandAdventure]

Larry, I can tell you using it this week while boondocking has been a godsend. We can much more effectively monitor our water consumption.

[@wx7slc]

This is a great idea. I share your concern about existing tank sensors. Since I tend tobuild egg cartons from 2x4s, the only feature I might suggest is a short piece paracord (handy stuff) attached to the back side of the inspection cover and to the concealed surface of the cover flange. The cordage will save the cover if it vibrates loose in travel, and it will be completely contained so it won't grab snags along the road or trail. A 6" length should be long enough and will allow the twisting when replacing the inspection cover. Thanks for a stellar series, all the way from Taylorsville.

[@GrandAdventure]

That's a great idea, Richard! Thank you for giving me another project. 😄

[@garycousin5950]

Marc, have you considered insulating the inside of the inspection cap.

[@GrandAdventure]

To be honest I did not, Gary, as there was no insulation from the factory between the tank and the poly underbelly material anyway.

[@gorrdd]

Thanks Marc. Very useful information.😊 Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

You are most welcome, as always.

[@TumbleweedRvLife]

😎🤓 💜💚CA ❤ 🤙

[@OdysseyCamper]

Huh, have never seen this technology. Cool upfit!

[@GrandAdventure]

We've had their sensors for our propane tanks for the last 6 years, Darren. The technology works and it's extremely accurate.

[@CharlesinGA]

I installed Mopeka standard sensors on the LP bottles but they failed quickly. Mopeka sent me new Pro sensors and I installed them with retaining rings (belt and suspenders!) and they have worked fine since then. One battery lasted about 18 months. The other I replaced at about 24 mos.

[@GrandAdventure]

That's impressive Charles! We still have the second generation LP tank sensors, and we get about 6 months out of a CR2032 battery.

[@TumbleweedRvLife]

Is there anyway to retro fit in a truck camper? We have Mopika for our propane tanks and love it!

[@GrandAdventure]

As long as you have a way to access the underside of your water tank, and that underside is flat, you will be able to use this in any camper.

[@SevenBears1]

My idiot lights are always on 3/4 full.. Thanks GA

[@GrandAdventure]

J, we're loving this thing, boondocking with it this week. We can always know precisely how much water we have left, and if we're ahead of or behind target to finish the week before it's empty.

[@daviscrt]

That device should be a good asset to keep track of your fresh water tank. Lucky for me I can see both of my 50 gal tanks easy. LOL. Thanks Don

[@GrandAdventure]

Your unique situation certainly simplifies the process, Don.

[@patrickwong2823]

Hi Marc. I just installed the Mopeka Pro after watching your video on all three tanks - fresh, grey and black. It seems to work correctly on the fresh water tank and it somewhat works on the grey tank. When empty, it still says it is 23% full. But it did steadily decrease when I drained the grey tank. I'm still trying to see if I can calibrate it better. The grey and black tanks on my RV (RoadTrek Adventurous TS) are flat on top and bottom, but oddly shaped to fit under the RV. As you mentioned in your comments, the black tank does not seem to work at all. Question: Did you get your fresh water Mopeka sensor to work with your RVWhisper system? I'm trying to do that too. Thanks Marc. Keep the videos coming!

[@GrandAdventure]

Hey Patrick! As you've discovered, the Mopeka Pro won't work with your black tank due to the solids in there. You may have better success with the sensor on the grey tank as long as you have few to no solids from the kitchen sink, although we haven't tried anything other than the fresh tank. Yes, I believe that we did get the sensor communicating with RV Whisper. We've since, however, abandoned RV Whisper when we installed the Victron Cerbo GX, which mimics the functionality of RV Whisper through Victron's VRM. It made the RV Whisper superfluous in our installation.

[@TomSpurlock]

Nice product. I use Mopeka on my propane tank. However, many fresh water tanks sit on a floor, which isn't compatible with the Mopeka sensor ergonomics. They need to make a sensor that's .020" thick, so it could be slipped between the tank and the floor.

[@GrandAdventure]

Tom, I wonder if the sensor would work as effectively top down as it does bottom up?

[@cpwatching5647]

I have the LP sensors. Like them. Thanks for showing the install of the water tank sensor. Nice job!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you very much! We also have had DLP sensors for the past 6 years, and giving our satisfaction with both the sensors and the technology we knew this water tank sensor would be a winner for us.

[@moretoliving2236]

Marc, I hope in the months since, you added a dab of super glue/epoxy on broken retainer thing. I would have during the install. These things wiggle and bounce around and it would totally suck having sensor fall into the belly of the beast and skidadle to some random place in underbelly never to be seen again.

[@GrandAdventure]

Yep, Gorilla Glue! It's holding like a charm.

[@larrycox6614]

Does the sensor ever read empty or is LOW as close as it gets? How about the full accuracy?

[@GrandAdventure]

We've found it to be highly accurate, Larry. After ~20% or so it reads only "low" -- which is understandable, as the accuracy would be substantially diminished once there's only very little water left in the tank.

[@seearress]

If the bottomn of the tank isnt accessible can it be placed on the top?

[@GrandAdventure]

Regrettably no, as we understand it.

[@warrenscorner]

Cool gadget! I wonder if it would work on the grey and black tanks?

[@GrandAdventure]

It will work on a gray tank, Warren, assuming you don't put too much junk in there. The black tank has too many solids for this to be effective.

[@quilter4charityrobin754]

Thank you! One question: could you not just go ahead and use the screws to hold the ring in place to cure?

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Robin! In our case, the screws in that soft poly underbelly material simply didn't provide enough purchase to create the amount of pressure we were looking for to achieve good adhesion.

[@billdennis2993]

Thx Mark for an informative video of upgrading FW tank monitoring Happy Camping

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Bill, and same to you!

[@Twisted_stitches_leather]

Nice, another project to do. Thanks!

[@GrandAdventure]

Happy to keep you busy, Keith! 😄

[@garysanchezphotography]

Thanks for the video. After a year, is the Mopeka sensor still working OK? Do you think it will work for the black and gray tanks?

[@GrandAdventure]

It's functioning like a champ in our freshwater tank, Gary. It still showing a nearly full battery! We have it integrated into our Victron VRM, too. You might get away with it for gray water, but as we understand it there are too many solids in black water for the ultrasound of the Mopeka to work effectively.

[@garysanchezphotography]

@@GrandAdventure Thanks and that Victron VRM tip is great as well.

[@davepritchard4101]

I've been waiting for this device to be invented! We've owned our TT for 5 years - the OE sensor quit after y1. We've become quite adept at estimating how much we've typically used by metering gallons while refilling. I had a big fail while camping in more humid weather since we bathed more. Thanks for this one!

[@GrandAdventure]

You're most welcome, Dave! We've been boondocking with this sensor this week, and the thing is the bomb. We know instantly how much water we've been using and how much water we have left, to pace ourselves accordingly.

[@garymatthews4835]

Can this be used on a sewage tank

[@GrandAdventure]

No Gary, it needs fairly clear water to work.

[@TheSnakeman3]

How about the black water tank? Will this work on it or are they working on one? Thanks.

[@GrandAdventure]

It will work on freshwater or gray tanks, Robert, but there are too many solids in a black tank for this to be effective.

[@robertnasser9937]

All I can say is NICE, Now I am waiting for a way to improve the tracked ACs airflow

[@michaeltablet8577]

Much better system. Great video!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always, Michael!

[@TheEdelKampers]

It is sweet. Wish we could install it in our truck Camper but the tank is not in a place where you can get to the bottom of the tank. Our water tank in there has no sensors. Thanks for sharing such a great product. Mary 💞 Fred

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks you two! I'd think that if you can access the tank's side you could at least install traditional sensors.

[@WILDEBILL308]

Another great job.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Bill!

[@laughingram7287]

We like the Mopeka sensors for the gas bottles. Not sure about our tank access. Thanks for sharing! Ram 👍🏼👍🏾

[@GrandAdventure]

You bet, Ram! This water tank sensor is the bomb.

[@m.b.6113]

Duct tape, a sharpie and a tape measurer. Because we can access our tank visially with ease, i stuck a strip ofape up the height of the tanks. I marked increments with the tape and sharpien and the respective gallons available and gallons used on the tape at each increment. I calculated the gallons based kn the tank physical dimensions...not what the RV manufacturer said the capacity was. Low tech and almost free solution to know how much water is consumed and remaining.

[@GrandAdventure]

If you have easy access to view your tank, that's the perfect free solution! Most of us, however, don't have that luxury.

[@ricktaylor6373]

I like it and priced on Amazon but my fresh is under the bed in my class C . It might be a bigger to do beings the tank sits flat on the surface..

[@GrandAdventure]

It very well may be, Rick, especially if you don't have any space underneath that tank.

[@joemiles6917]

Sorry to have missed the premiere, but watching now.

[@GrandAdventure]

Happy to have you here no matter how or when, Joe!

[@enarandyr9122]

Why not remove the overflow drain ball valves and put a tight fitting cork in the line? This way if you forget to open the valves while filling the corks will simply pop out and prevent another disaster. Just an idea.

[@GrandAdventure]

Perhaps not a cork, but as someone else suggested some sufficiently loose fitting rubber cap. We're still thinking. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@enarandyr9122]

@@GrandAdventure That would also work. Either one would pop off under pressure.

[@godrulesme8619]

Great video...thank you!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you very much, and thanks for watching!

[@standingmannequin7911]

Thanks for talking me out of it.

[@GrandAdventure]

Out of curiosity, how did we do that?

[@standingmannequin7911]

@@GrandAdventure The underside of my truck camper is solid with no indication of where the water tank is.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@standingmannequin7911 gotcha.

[@standingmannequin7911]

@@GrandAdventure Thanks for showing us your skills. 😀