Fresh / Black Water video Monitors

DanD2

Last year I put new tank sensors on the fresh and black water tanks. Towards the end of the year, it appeared that they were acting up so I'm not taking any chances. After removal of panels to get access to the tanks, I mounted a vehicle wireless backup camera

I then put an LED light and mounted it to the top of the tank

This will all feed into this monitor which will be mounted in the aft cabin.

Once everything is all set, I'll have a switch that will turn everything on and I'll be able to monitor my tanks. I'll keep you all posted as I progress with this project.

youstolemybeer

you so just gave me an idea

DanD2

youstolemybeer said:

you so just gave me an idea

That's what these forums are all about.....:-))

tmcelrea

Do you have a parts list for your monitor system? Looks great. I would like to install that on my 342 as well for the same reasons....defective sensors that stop working.

Liberty44140

tmcelrea - Dan's camera's are perfect for his setup because he does not have storage in the aft cabin. Most of us with 342's have storage. If you have storage you may be able to do something more simple like this. Of course if you prefer cameras have at it, they are pretty cool!
https://rinkerboats.vanillaforums.com/discussion/5826/342-waste-water-tank-view#latest

DanD2

tmcelrea said:

Do you have a parts list for your monitor system? Looks great. I would like to install that on my 342 as well for the same reasons....defective sensors that stop working.

I don't have a parts list but here's what I used:
- I had a couple of extra spreader lights hanging around from coastalnightlights.com. I silicone'd them to the top of the tank.
- A couple of back-up cameras from ebay
- A 2 channel video monitor
- Rocker switch with LED. That one switch turns everything on.

Tear aft cabin apart, put a line with a marker about 1/4 empty on water tank, mount camera low to see the line. Mark about 1/4 full on waste, mount camera high.
 

DanD2

Here's a picture of the camera for the freshwater.....before I realized it should be mounted down low, not high...lol



Here is one with the spreader light on......

tmcelrea

Thanks Guys. I do have a storage area that I have added access panels to manually view the holding and fresh water tanks but I have to keep removing the stuff in the storage area each time I want to monitor the fluid levels.

Michael T

Really smart mod!

Michael T

@tmcelrea....where do you boat? The Ottawa, Rideau? or.......?

diggin2day1

I think I am going to buy a "backup camera" from Amazon(can get them anywhere from $20-$60) and used the "video input" port on the back of my Garmin 741xs to view the tank levels... won't need to purchase or install a separate monitor. I noticed that a lot of the cameras have infrared night vision, but I'm not too sure how well that will work. Most likely just use an LED mounted to top of tank like DanD2... This is such a great idea/mod and for such a low price!!!

tmcelrea

@Michael T - The boat is kept in Alexandria Bay. Much cheaper down there.

Michael T

AB just down the river a bit from me.