

| Subject: | Re: Water reservoir level sensor float? (87 Westy) |
| From: | harald_nancy |
| Date: | Wed, 29 Aug 2001 17:52:51 -0700 |
Only for westfalia owners or those with interest in magnetic switches: I have the same float water level sensor in my '90 westfalia water tank. (the plastic stick with the magnetic sliding float) Fixed it once before like 4 years ago, but now it's broken again. What happens is: there are 2 magnetic reed switches inside the plastic tube, and 2 resistors. The lower reed switch has a tendency to break from vibration etc. You can buy a new float level assembly, but they are pretty pricey. The reed switches are about $4.50, and can be easily soldered in. You just have to find a similar micro reed switch in an electronics shop. The upper switch is normally open, the lower switch is normally closed. To get to the reed switches: Unscrew the 3 little screws that the plastic tube is attached with, and then pull the tube from the tank cover. Then gentley pull on the 2 wires, one green and black, and pull the switch resistor assembly out. You'll see what I'm talking about. It's a long copper stick with one magnetic micro reed switch and resistor at the top, and one at the bottom. What is a micro magnetic reed switch? It's 2 metal contacts in a tiny glass tube, surround by some gas. The contacts are activated by a magnet in its proximity. That's what make the lights go on and off, when the magnetic float goes past the reed switches. Harald '90 westfalia Dave wrote: > When I move it up and down the tube, the Green and Amber LEDs > alternate; have to troubleshoot why the Red one doesn't work, and how > it's supposed to float... > > Dave
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