I just installed one of these on my Van as well. So happy to finally know exactly how much water is left, Pretty important when you are remote and conserving water, it's our most constrained resource.
Wow, when I first saw the unsealed pipes to and from the pump I assumed it was because you had relocated them, can’t believe they’d send a van out like that! FYI I used to build caravans….
To be fair. they are one of the best guages out there, but.....the accuracy can be anything from up to 10% either way. Not the end of the world but be aware. Tested using taps on slow flow and fast flow filling up known marked recepticals. heck you dont accidentally push buttons and mix up the match between sender and guage. The guage setting is H22.
Hi Team I have one of these as well. Disappointing to see that it does not count down (show) water use in real time. Have to refresh the screen every time to use how much water is left in the tanks. Cheers Eddie
I've looked at a few water tank gauges on the market and it seems to me the only ones that can be usefully accurate are the type that measure the water flow in litres like the Topargee.
Nice one Cam. How do you reset if you don't fully refill the tanks? For whatever reason. Wouldn't happen too often I suppose. Just work around it. Crappy setup originally. The Setec system in our Jayco is fairly good, sometimes takes a while to give an accurate reading - especially after refilling
I am always amazed at the spaghetti of wires and pipes under the floor of most caravans and in cupboards. Yours looks no different Cam unfortunately. On my van all the pipes and wires run through a dedicated path leaving the underneath clean and clear of pipe and wires. The Topargee gauges are a great idea except mine calculate one litre for every two litres of actual flow. I checked by catching the discharged water in a 10 litre container over and over until the tanks were empty. Thus I could calculate the total discharge and then compare that to what the Topagee gauges stated. I haven’t been able to work out why this is the case. Enjoy your adventures and videos.
@@artystamo5641 the unit is installed in a straight piece of pipe. I actually have two units. One for potable water and one for non potable and the both behave exactly the same way.
Interesting. I installed mine the other week, filled my tanks all the way up before a weekend away. I have 2 tanks giving a total of 180l. I ran a tap via the pump once home to check usable volume and found I only had 146l usable which seems lower than I expected. Will measure what goes in when I next fill up.
Cheers James. I’m finding out It’s the wiring and the plumbing that you can’t see that’s even more of a concern on this van unfortunately… If you havnt already, have a chat to topargee about your issues. I’ve found them to be really helpful - there may be a simple solution!
In the mining industry we use flow meters regularly, the basic rule is they must be in a full line running horizontal or vertical on the pump discharge and you must have at least 10D (10x the diameter) b4 and after the instrument for laminar flow
Thanks for the video Cam! We have the same van - any tips for drilling the penetration through the floor and avoiding cutting any wires/pipes (did you drill from the inside down or the other way)? & what did you use for the sealant? Was contemplating routing additional pipe in the under-bed area to allow me to mount the sensing unit inside the van, but your method is much neater!!
great video as usual, thank you very much. just watched a similar video (aussie) and the install was very much the same as you did, ie, fitting the flow valve before the pump. Difference was that he used a non return / anti flow return valve in the intake line. In your opinion, do you think that is necessary? thanks again
Cheers Jon. You haven’t seen the worst of it mate… the way the water lines are routed are causing me a bit of concern too. It’s something I’m keeping an eye on.
Hi Cam, I remembered watching this video years ago and just recently found it again after not being happy with our gauges. 🤔What’s your thoughts on the system now after using it, and do you know if there’s any other monitoring systems to put in the mix? Currently on the road so I’ll need to pickup from a store🤔
Still really happy with our Topargee. It’s just recently starting beeping at me because batteries need changing. Really should hardwire it- but it’s been working well!
@@WildTouring One other question mate, is there a reason you didnt mount the bluetooth unit underneath the caravan (mounted to the chassis) so that you could avoid drilling through the floor? Disappointing that they didnt even seal your plumbing, i just checked our Boab and its all properly sealed with black sealant (although it doesnt look the neatest).
@@gregpolynatsammy3614 The bluetooth unit isnt waterproof, so needs to be mounted somewhere it will be out of the elements. Glad to hear yours is sealed properly!
We don’t bother, we very rarely have to hold greg water - but you can always look at how much fresh water you’ve gone through via the Topargee system, to work out how much is in your Greg water tank.
Really good! Also installed one on the car for the canopy water tank. Using it right now travelling from Alice Springs to Darwin off grid for a few days 👍🏼
So if you don't fill your tanks to overflowing each and every time, how do you know how much is in your tank? Presumably you reset the app counter when refilling, but that assumes completely full tanks. Do you measure water going in too?
I’ve only ever filled my water tanks to full, so that’s not an issue for us. If you were only partially filling your tanks then topargee alone is not really suitable for that application. Unless you are counting the litres in, then manually adjusting the volume on the app every time. In that case you’d need a flow meter to work out your full volume, like this; www.topargee.com.au/product-page/digital-water-flow-meter
Caravan filled with water. App set to 200litres but when emptying water liters did not go down and stayed at 200litres even after refreshing. Any ideas 😮
I installed two one for water imto a water bladder tank and one to show water out, they are far from accurate I measure water in using a measured bucket and when I added 95 ltrs the meter stated 76ltrs in. When I measured with the measuring bucket 90 ltrs oit the second meter said 67 ltrs out, so these are not accurate at all - try running ten ltrs out of a tap and the meter will be way out - your better off just guessing what you used There is no way to calculate the meter only fill the tank and let it tell you what it thinks there is in there but it’s wrong
Too early for me to say at the moment. Mines been running off the batteries for the last few months and the app shows that the batteries are full. Not sure how accurate that is.
And this is why your my go to for tech and gadgets!! We will have to get one of these, the one on the van is about as much use as tits on a bull!! We never know how much water we have. Would love to know how accurate this is after a bit of use…
Hey mate thanks for the video. Sorry for the dumb questions I am about to ask. You mentioned that the app showed the battery level of the Bluetooth receiver unit on your phone, where does the BT get its power from please, and what happens to the current projector water level gauge? I have a projector gauge and don't care if it doesn't show anything just curious. About to buy so again thanks Mark
The Bluetooth module has 2x AA batteries in it. There is an optional wiring harness to hardwire it to your 12v system if you want to though. Fitting this has no impact on your existing factory fitted water gauges, they’ll continue to operate as normal!
Hey Cam, I bought the same unit after watching this but when I tried to download the android app, a message came up that is is not compatible with latest android phones, bugger !
I don’t think it’s really the best solution for your situation but It could be done. Topargee sell another type of meter with hose attachments that would allow you to count the litres going into the tank whilst filling. And then you’d have to manually adjust the fill volume on the EFlow app to represent true volume. www.topargee.com.au/product-page/digital-water-flow-meter
Unbelievable that you pay a large amount for a van get rubbish gauges. Couldn't you get the dealer to fix the problem? Seems the caravan industry is taking folks for a ride. Look up your rights under consumer laws, not under the so called 'warranties'.
Honestly this is the least of my dramas…. I’ve had a heap of issues with the van. Some have been covered by the dealer under warranty and others I’ve had to sort myself.
We brought this issue up at first service and they blamed it on the gauge getting dirty or something. Said they cleaned it and it was a bit more accurate for about a week before it went back to being completely useless. We don’t even look at ours now.
@@WildTouring same, we bought a Titanium, got it signed off at the start of COVID so although we waited 14 months we didn’t get any cost rises and I have to say have had very few minor issues. Feeling very lucky. Hope you get everything sorted soon
I just installed one of these on my Van as well. So happy to finally know exactly how much water is left, Pretty important when you are remote and conserving water, it's our most constrained resource.
Totally agree, I also really like being able to see exactly how much water things are using (showering, washing dishes, washing machine ect).
Wow, when I first saw the unsealed pipes to and from the pump I assumed it was because you had relocated them, can’t believe they’d send a van out like that!
FYI I used to build caravans….
😂 no I didn’t know you use to build caravans!
What a great unit. You've explained it perfectly for the uneducated likes of me...
Cheers Mark...
Thanks Cam, we'll be doing this with our van!
Well thanks for that! I think we’ll give that one a go!
No worries! 😊
Great share! Many thanks
To be fair. they are one of the best guages out there, but.....the accuracy can be anything from up to 10% either way. Not the end of the world but be aware. Tested using taps on slow flow and fast flow filling up known marked recepticals. heck you dont accidentally push buttons and mix up the match between sender and guage. The guage setting is H22.
Hi Team
I have one of these as well. Disappointing to see that it does not count down (show) water use in real time. Have to refresh the screen every time to use how much water is left in the tanks.
Cheers
Eddie
I've looked at a few water tank gauges on the market and it seems to me the only ones that can be usefully accurate are the type that measure the water flow in litres like the Topargee.
Yeah totally agree. Going to fit one to the water tank on my vehicle next!
Nice one Cam. How do you reset if you don't fully refill the tanks? For whatever reason. Wouldn't happen too often I suppose. Just work around it. Crappy setup originally. The Setec system in our Jayco is fairly good, sometimes takes a while to give an accurate reading - especially after refilling
Cheers Don. It will only works accurately with a compete fill, unless of course you have something to monitor exactly how much water you put in!
can you use it for grey water tank where to pump is used
I am always amazed at the spaghetti of wires and pipes under the floor of most caravans and in cupboards. Yours looks no different Cam unfortunately. On my van all the pipes and wires run through a dedicated path leaving the underneath clean and clear of pipe and wires. The Topargee gauges are a great idea except mine calculate one litre for every two litres of actual flow. I checked by catching the discharged water in a 10 litre container over and over until the tanks were empty. Thus I could calculate the total discharge and then compare that to what the Topagee gauges stated. I haven’t been able to work out why this is the case. Enjoy your adventures and videos.
Have you installed the unit in a straight piece of pipe and not too close to an elbow or tee?
@@artystamo5641 the unit is installed in a straight piece of pipe. I actually have two units. One for potable water and one for non potable and the both behave exactly the same way.
Interesting. I installed mine the other week, filled my tanks all the way up before a weekend away. I have 2 tanks giving a total of 180l. I ran a tap via the pump once home to check usable volume and found I only had 146l usable which seems lower than I expected. Will measure what goes in when I next fill up.
Cheers James. I’m finding out It’s the wiring and the plumbing that you can’t see that’s even more of a concern on this van unfortunately…
If you havnt already, have a chat to topargee about your issues. I’ve found them to be really helpful - there may be a simple solution!
In the mining industry we use flow meters regularly, the basic rule is they must be in a full line running horizontal or vertical on the pump discharge and you must have at least 10D (10x the diameter) b4 and after the instrument for laminar flow
Great system. Would be awesome if it sends data to my CERBO GX.
Yeah that would be handy!
Yeah i would love that too
Have you looked into the pressure sensons for the tank? Safiery sell them
@@boxheadmr I have them currently. While they work, they’re not 100% accurate and vary heaps with other factors, like altitude, angle etc.
Thanks for the video Cam! We have the same van - any tips for drilling the penetration through the floor and avoiding cutting any wires/pipes (did you drill from the inside down or the other way)? & what did you use for the sealant?
Was contemplating routing additional pipe in the under-bed area to allow me to mount the sensing unit inside the van, but your method is much neater!!
great video as usual, thank you very much. just watched a similar video (aussie) and the install was very much the same as you did, ie, fitting the flow valve before the pump. Difference was that he used a non return / anti flow return valve in the intake line. In your opinion, do you think that is necessary? thanks again
Love the channel but I'm worried your water lines will chaff on the chassis
Cheers Jon. You haven’t seen the worst of it mate… the way the water lines are routed are causing me a bit of concern too. It’s something I’m keeping an eye on.
Hi Cam, I remembered watching this video years ago and just recently found it again after not being happy with our gauges. 🤔What’s your thoughts on the system now after using it, and do you know if there’s any other monitoring systems to put in the mix?
Currently on the road so I’ll need to pickup from a store🤔
Still really happy with our Topargee. It’s just recently starting beeping at me because batteries need changing. Really should hardwire it- but it’s been working well!
Great video as always. I assume no issues if you have a separate drinking water tank and use two of these gauges?
Cheers mate! Nah no issues running multiple devices. I’m actually going to install a second one on the water tank in my car 👍🏼
@@WildTouring One other question mate, is there a reason you didnt mount the bluetooth unit underneath the caravan (mounted to the chassis) so that you could avoid drilling through the floor? Disappointing that they didnt even seal your plumbing, i just checked our Boab and its all properly sealed with black sealant (although it doesnt look the neatest).
@@gregpolynatsammy3614 The bluetooth unit isnt waterproof, so needs to be mounted somewhere it will be out of the elements.
Glad to hear yours is sealed properly!
How are you currently measuring grey water tank capacity? What type of sensor are you using?
We don’t bother, we very rarely have to hold greg water - but you can always look at how much fresh water you’ve gone through via the Topargee system, to work out how much is in your Greg water tank.
Do you have to reset after every refill🤔
👌 indeed u do.
Thanks so much for the video! How are you finding it now seven months on? Considering getting one for a sailing boat:)
Really good! Also installed one on the car for the canopy water tank. Using it right now travelling from Alice Springs to Darwin off grid for a few days 👍🏼
Not using the little red circlips, Cam?
Not yet, but I will be!
Does it give real time count down?
So if you don't fill your tanks to overflowing each and every time, how do you know how much is in your tank? Presumably you reset the app counter when refilling, but that assumes completely full tanks. Do you measure water going in too?
I’ve only ever filled my water tanks to full, so that’s not an issue for us.
If you were only partially filling your tanks then topargee alone is not really suitable for that application. Unless you are counting the litres in, then manually adjusting the volume on the app every time.
In that case you’d need a flow meter to work out your full volume, like this;
www.topargee.com.au/product-page/digital-water-flow-meter
Hi Cam did you wire into your 12 volt or just using double A batteries 👍
I’ve just been using the battery pack. Still havnt had to change batteries yet!
Thanks mate great vid👍
Caravan filled with water. App set to 200litres but when emptying water liters did not go down and stayed at 200litres even after refreshing. Any ideas 😮
First thing I’d be checking is that the sender is fitted in the correct orientation.
I installed two one for water imto a water bladder tank and one to show water out, they are far from accurate
I measure water in using a measured bucket and when I added 95 ltrs the meter stated 76ltrs in.
When I measured with the measuring bucket 90 ltrs oit the second meter said 67 ltrs out, so these are not accurate at all - try running ten ltrs out of a tap and the meter will be way out - your better off just guessing what you used
There is no way to calculate the meter only fill the tank and let it tell you what it thinks there is in there but it’s wrong
How long do they AA batteries last? Is it worth getting the 12v adapter?
Too early for me to say at the moment. Mines been running off the batteries for the last few months and the app shows that the batteries are full. Not sure how accurate that is.
And this is why your my go to for tech and gadgets!! We will have to get one of these, the one on the van is about as much use as tits on a bull!! We never know how much water we have. Would love to know how accurate this is after a bit of use…
🤣 🤣 🤣 haha cheers guys.
So far it seems to be really accurate! But I'll keep you posted.
Hope ur gonna fix up ur water lines rubbing on the caravan chassis. Is that how they sell customers near on 100k of van?
Yeah it’s on my increasing list of things to sort out on this van…. 😔
Yep ours is the same we’ve raised it twice and they don’t seem to think it’s an issue.
@@Biglap_Biglife_Aus wow that's ridiculous
Hey mate thanks for the video. Sorry for the dumb questions I am about to ask. You mentioned that the app showed the battery level of the Bluetooth receiver unit on your phone, where does the BT get its power from please, and what happens to the current projector water level gauge? I have a projector gauge and don't care if it doesn't show anything just curious. About to buy so again thanks Mark
The Bluetooth module has 2x AA batteries in it. There is an optional wiring harness to hardwire it to your 12v system if you want to though.
Fitting this has no impact on your existing factory fitted water gauges, they’ll continue to operate as normal!
@@WildTouring thank you thats great
Hey Cam, I bought the same unit after watching this but when I tried to download the android app, a message came up that is is not compatible with latest android phones, bugger !
Oh bugger!! Shoot them an email, they’re really decent folks. Hopefully they can give you some advice to get it working!
@@WildTouring Yep emailed them yesterday, not fitted yet
How does it go if not completely filling tanks to save weight?
I don’t think it’s really the best solution for your situation but It could be done. Topargee sell another type of meter with hose attachments that would allow you to count the litres going into the tank whilst filling. And then you’d have to manually adjust the fill volume on the EFlow app to represent true volume.
www.topargee.com.au/product-page/digital-water-flow-meter
Just time how long it takes to fill a 10l bucket, if 10secs then 100l will take 100secs
Very simple
Unbelievable that you pay a large amount for a van get rubbish gauges. Couldn't you get the dealer to fix the problem? Seems the caravan industry is taking folks for a ride. Look up your rights under consumer laws, not under the so called 'warranties'.
Honestly this is the least of my dramas…. I’ve had a heap of issues with the van. Some have been covered by the dealer under warranty and others I’ve had to sort myself.
It’s an unregulated industry that is out of control
See John Cadogan’s recent “shit box” review
We brought this issue up at first service and they blamed it on the gauge getting dirty or something. Said they cleaned it and it was a bit more accurate for about a week before it went back to being completely useless. We don’t even look at ours now.
Pretty disgusting that you have to do all the alterations/repairs when you spend a huge amount of Money, Caravan industry needs a huge shake up.
Totally agree! We didn't expect that spending nearly 100k on an Australian made van!
@@WildTouring same, we bought a Titanium, got it signed off at the start of COVID so although we waited 14 months we didn’t get any cost rises and I have to say have had very few minor issues. Feeling very lucky. Hope you get everything sorted soon