Read an old post about checking holding tank level (to see how full it is). A few responses suggested using a stud finder. Any comments from readers who have tried this?
Holding tank, stud finder
- Thread starter Mike8193
- Start date
Just headed out the door to the boat and I know the tank is near full. I've got to try this for calibrating the full level on the Profile readout.
I have this one and it might work, if you calibrate the tank Empty and Full.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Zircon-1-5-in-Scan-Depth-Metal-and-Wood-Stud-Finder/3092949
Jim...
I wonder if a capacitance tester meter, aka, moisture meter, would be preferable.
sounds plausible. They work off of density so if you calibrate it while shooting through an empty zone...
Our Catalina has a dark tank and a less than accurate tank sensor. I tried a couple of different Zircon stud finders with limited success. Honestly, though, tapping with my knuckle or a knife handle works better, so I ditched the stud finder idea. This year I installed a Gobius Pro level sensor at about the 80% mark. When it trips, I have a day to find a pumpout.
Yup, my Stanley Intellisensor does work, after a fashion. I was able to zero above the waste level and it instantly picked up the waste level. Useless to work with as it's a jungle of tubing and thru hull valves and when the sensor is laid on its side, all I could say is that it senses the difference between water and air but you really couldn't do anything useful with it.
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Tried that but found that I had better luck with a bright flashlight. Place the flashlight lens directly on top of the tank and look at the sides of the tank. On mine, I can see where the water level reaches as it is dark. Now I have an external electronic sensor with the gauge at the head and recommend that.
I always just used a light against the side of the tank. It was a happy day when I installed a proper tank monitor system. Very happy with this product. iSeries Tank Monitor | RV Monitor | Boat Monitor
Checked it out this week and it seemed accurate. Kept track of how many times it was used and number of pumps per time. Used estimates from Peggy Hall. Tank is accessible easily. We thought it would be half full. The stud finder confirmed it. Emptied it and stud finder confirmed again. No substitute for a proper monitor but now we know roughly how much use between pump outs.