Westy water tank level sensor repair |
Post Reply | Page 123> |
Author | ||||||||||||
nkonid
Newbie Joined: 25 Nov 19 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 28 Nov 19 at 16:55 |
|||||||||||
New correction (!):
|
||||||||||||
nkonid
Newbie Joined: 25 Nov 19 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Correction:
|
||||||||||||
nkonid
Newbie Joined: 25 Nov 19 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
I think I got it. I confirmed the following resistance values for T4 Westfalia 1991:
Full -> 0 Ohm 2/3 -> 0,72k 1/3 -> 1,62k Empty -> 6,2k So, instead of using a float and reed switches, I am thinking of a simple 4+1 parallel wire system, or tracks on a PCB, using the conductivity of water. As the water level rises (green line), the resistors connect in parallel. No moving parts, wires are immersed in water. It should work. Anybody sees a mistake here? |
||||||||||||
KrisG
Groupie Joined: 28 Sep 14 Location: Begijnendijk,BE Status: Offline Points: 135 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
This is the schematic I use for my alternative :
All resistors are 1MOhm. When the tank is empty, both switches are open, only 1 resistance is in place => 1MOhm The bottom switch closes when the water comes up 'a little',about 10L in the tank. This puts the second resistance in parallel with the first, resulting in total of 500Ohms The top switch closes when the tank is about halfway, resistance is 0 Ohms This is what works for the Late T3 Westfalia. Kris |
||||||||||||
Regards,
Kris |
||||||||||||
nkonid
Newbie Joined: 25 Nov 19 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Thank you, but I really meant "Resistance", not "Resistors".
What I need, is the reading (Ohms) of the multimeter at each of the 4 positions of the float. I am thinking of simulating this with a series of resistors and bare cables using the conductivity of the water.
|
||||||||||||
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Here's more info
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Not sure on a T4 but 560k 0.5W on the T3 (RS 163993P)
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
nkonid
Newbie Joined: 25 Nov 19 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Hello. Can somebody tell me the correct values of resistance for Full, 2/3, 1/3 and Empty ?
My van is a VW T4 California 1991.
|
||||||||||||
Zeb
Yardie Joined: 12 Sep 08 Location: Portishead Status: Offline Points: 467 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Top quality replacement, I Just fitted one of these after repairing my own a couple of times from the earlier post.
I'm not usually in a hurry to chuck out any original parts but it seems to be far more robust than the original. Great job Holydiver Thanks very much Zeb Edited by Zeb - 28 Jun 12 at 21:22 |
||||||||||||
1990 Westfalia California 1.6TD
|
||||||||||||
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Now available if you're interested please PM or email wedgewerks@btinternet.com
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
cooky73
Yardie Joined: 15 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 320 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
I would but a T4 one if it was cheap - Gunzl wants €130!
|
||||||||||||
2003 Westy California TDi
|
||||||||||||
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Seeing that over 1,300 please have read this post I take it that a lot of you have an issue with your sensor??
Since posting this thread I've been thinking about making these, but wonder if there's a market for it??
If you think there is PM me and if I get enough I'll look into this again
Cheers
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
dbeierl
Newbie Joined: 07 Aug 10 Location: Rhode Island US Status: Offline Points: 5 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
The leakage failure is mostly because this is a very high-impedance circuit (it's pulled up to +12v through a 1-megohm resistor. Water soaks into the edges of the PCB and shorts the foils together. The tipoff for water damage (generally fixable by running several changes of neutral grain spirits through) is that the LED reading may change after the switch has been on for a few minutes. The breakage failure is purely because the blighters who did the soldering didn't leave any slack in the leads. Resolder them with a bit of slack and it will stop being so infernally delicate.
|
||||||||||||
Zeb
Yardie Joined: 12 Sep 08 Location: Portishead Status: Offline Points: 467 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Ah I agree that's a little different than replacing the switches. Try Spannerboy on here for a used one then repair if you have to.
Is the pump still in the tank and connected with two spare spade connections for a sensor if you can find one? |
||||||||||||
1990 Westfalia California 1.6TD
|
||||||||||||
grm2507
Groupie Joined: 16 Feb 10 Location: Glos. Status: Offline Points: 134 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Yep - I can appreciate that.
My problem was that I had absolutely nothing to work with. Whoever had the bus before me had taken everything out. I know I could have got the tube, fixed it to something in the tank lid, got the resistors/reed switches and fixed them to something I could shove into the tube etc. etc... Not sure I have that much time or inclination. I'd rather be out using the damn thing! Mucho respecto for those that do build the things themselves though.
|
||||||||||||
1987 Vanagon GL DJ 2.1 - Dove Blue Metallic
1991 Westfalia Atlantic JX 1.6TD - Alpine White 1991 Westfalia Atlantic JX 1.6TD (Pop-top) - Alpine White |
||||||||||||
Zeb
Yardie Joined: 12 Sep 08 Location: Portishead Status: Offline Points: 467 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
It really is a simple repair if you have a soldering iron and are able to buy the resistors and reed switches locally. It is much more satisfying to repair/restore the original Westy kit instead of spending loads of cash on aftermarket kit.
|
||||||||||||
1990 Westfalia California 1.6TD
|
||||||||||||
grm2507
Groupie Joined: 16 Feb 10 Location: Glos. Status: Offline Points: 134 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
I bought one of these a while back and never used it (managed to resell on ebay). It doesn't look that straightforward to fit and certainly isn't a direct replacement for the original sensor.
I managed to get a direct replacement for the original item from BusDepot.com in the US. A bit pricey but so simple to fit - and worked first time. Trouble is that I may have got the last one available made by their supplier (I always believe what they tell me!!) - worth checking though.
|
||||||||||||
1987 Vanagon GL DJ 2.1 - Dove Blue Metallic
1991 Westfalia Atlantic JX 1.6TD - Alpine White 1991 Westfalia Atlantic JX 1.6TD (Pop-top) - Alpine White |
||||||||||||
O===vw===O
Groupie Joined: 08 Oct 08 Location: aycliffe/durham Status: Offline Points: 129 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
take a look at this one £24 from gunzl - http://server2.gs-shop.de/200/cgi-bin/shop.dll?SESSIONID=00887388153932989&AnbieterID=4357
|
||||||||||||
life moves pretty fast,if you dont park the T4 and take a look around once in a while,you could miss it!
03 2.5tdi 88 with decat, egr blank, big injectors, stan intercooler, remap apparently 130bhp |
||||||||||||
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Hi Nugget
I've got it saved as a word doc PM me your email add and i'll sending to you
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Zeb
Yardie Joined: 12 Sep 08 Location: Portishead Status: Offline Points: 467 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
I don't think is is there anymore, look at the previous page on this thread as the text has been put here but without the pictures. I don't think you will need anything else.
Cheers Zeb |
||||||||||||
1990 Westfalia California 1.6TD
|
||||||||||||
Post Reply | Page 123> |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |