Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:03:34 -0800
Reply-To: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
Subject: Re: Reed Switch/water level sensor
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=response
Many thanks David! If I know Digikey, they want $3 for the part and $20 to
ship it, but will have to check. I think I will go with eBay... thanks for
the correction about the type of switch as well. It makes sense that it's a
single pole, as it only has a single power source. The double throw part I
assume lights the yellow and red LEDs.
As to the other sender units mentioned, if one uses a different receiver
gauge, it's possible. I just don't see any subminiature gauges that might
look good mounted in the stove panel. I spoke with West Marine about this
earlier.
I do agree that the one that uses the electrodes is not very elegant, but it
would work too.
I will break out the solder gun and get busy! Wish me luck.
Troy
> At 01:34 PM 3/18/2011, Troy wrote:
>>believe they are no longer available. From my understanding, it's usually
>>the reed switches in these that break. I have determined that the lower,
>>double pole double throw, switch is bad in mine, whereas the top one seems
>>to still be working fine. So, my question is does anyone know where I can
>>buy the switches? I see that eBay is filled with reed switches, I just
>>don't know the specs.
>
> It's a single pole, double throw miniature low-current switch. Using
> "reed switch spdt" on ebay this is the only candidate that would fit:
> http://cgi.ebay.com/Miniature-Reed-Switch-SPCO-SPDT-Change-Over-pack-2-/270699072331?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item3f06ec0b4b#shId
>
> Digikey has these:
> http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=374-1093-ND
>
> This one might need too strong a magnet, although I *think* it would fit
> physically:
>
> http://www.altex.com/Philmore-Open-Reed-Switch-SPDT-On-On-30-17154-P148426.aspx
>
>
>>Here's a link to repairing the level sensor btw:
>> http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/westy-water-tank-level-sensor-repair_topic42742.html
>
>>I also saw on eBay yesterday, a water level sensor that uses an 11 lead
>>wire. One basically takes the total height of the tank, divides it by 10,
>>and then strips the wire at regular intervals--one wire for each level.
>>This in turn sends a signal back to an indicator panel to show the various
>>water levels. Actually much more precise than the 3-level stock
>>indicator. The only drawback is the gauge is about 3" x 5", so kind of
>>large. About $70. If I find anything more about the Marine reed switches
>>sending units, I will pass along the info. It would be nice to have a
>>replacement option without having to do surgery on the old one.
>>
>>Here's a link to an alternative water level sensor gauge:
>>http://cgi.ebay.com/Tank-Water-Level-Indicator-Meter-Monitor-Gauge-Sensor-/230587975521?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item35b01d4761
>
> This essentially goes back to the principle of the original ones which
> have eletrodes in the tank side. Clever-looking. Not really an elegant
> solution for the Westy...
>
>
>>And finally the link to the reed switches, sender units sold by marine
>>dealers:
>>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOELLER-19-INCH-WATER-SENSOR-SENDING-UNIT-boat-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eb2c00683QQitemZ200567424643QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear
>
> Back to the resistor question.
>
> Yrs,
> d
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