Black grey tank indicators

[eagle10]

Need ideas on solving this issue. The lights on the sewer tank say full all the time even when empty. I assume the probes are dirty. Any ideas on getting it to work correctly?

[JackConrad]

Are your tanks metal or plastic?  If plastic, you can get a sensor that uses metallic tape attached to the outside of the tank.  Do you have any access to spray the existing probes to clean them. Jack

[luvrbus]

I gallon of cheap vinegar per 20 gals of water cleans those puppies also freshens the tank I do that to the fresh water tank also JMW 


good luck

[Joe Camper]

If the probes are in a easy place to get at they are pretty easily removed cleaned and replaced if the vinegar treatment is not enough. A new set is about 10 bucks if they are the old style. They are rubber and expanded to fit the hole they are in by tightening the screw where the end terminal attaches pretty simple stuff.

I recently installed the external style like Jack described in a bus where they were not easy to get at and they were inexpensive easy to install and IMO a great product and idea.

[rv_safetyman]

Dirty sensors in the black tank are a common problem.  I have heard that you can put ice cubes in the tanks and they will scrub the sensors.  If that works (have my doubts) I think would have to do it with the tank drained of the solids first and then filled with fresh water.

I have heard mixed signals on the tape on the outside of the tank.  At least one report talked about build-up on the inside of the tank causing reading problems.

The "modern" sensor approach is to use a pressure transducer installed close to the bottom of the tank.  That measures the "head" pressure and is said to be pretty darn accurate.  Takes a sophisticated monitor system. 

Along the same lines, the modern fuel tank measuring is done with a sonar type device mounted in the top of the tank.  Again takes a special monitor.  SilverLeaf makes the monitors for some of the new coaches using these technologies.  Tons of dollars.

Me, I use the simple approach.  I can see the liquid level gray and fresh tanks (plastic).  However, it is not easy, so I have added clear plastic tubing with a connection in the bottom and the top of the tank.  At a glance, I can see the fluid level in the tank.  I used the same method on my auxiliary diesel tank (generator and AquaHot).  In that case I had to go to vendor that furnishes the "retro" red see through tubing that we used to use on our race cars.  Works like a champ.  I put valves right at the bottom connection so that a tubing failure will not cause a problem.

Jim

[JohnEd]

My grey tank is only about 15 or 20 gal max.  It doesn't last long.  Fortunately, my grey water backs up into my bath tub.  I usually let the grey water back up to 10 or 12 inches deep so the grand kids can play "boats" and not waste any fresh water.  Orher wise, I dump the grey when I see 3 or 4 inches of grey in the tub which I usually notice while sitting in there with little else to do than inspect the fixtures.  Then its outside, at a leisurely gate, to punch the dump valve( wherever we are).  Its the sanitary thing to do considering the tub is inside the home and the grand kids aren't there.

See if you can figure the parts where I'm joshing.

John

[gus]

If the tank is plastic and you can get to it a cheap stud finder from HD will work.

[Bussman84]

Had a similar problem on a motorhome we previously had. Toilet paper had gotten stuck on the sensors and had them shorted together giving a false reading, dumped the tank, put in about 15 Gallons of fresh water and drove around the block several times till it finally washed off! Were putting a spray nozzle in the tank of our new coach to wash out the Black water tank after dumping hopefully this will eliminate this problem Billy

[JackConrad]

put in about 15 Gallons of fresh water and drove around the block several times till it finally washed off!

I have also heard of putting water in the tank long with several bags of ice and going for a drive. The ice bouncing around "scrubs" the tank then melts and can be drained.  Jack

[eagle10]

I have metal tanks. I think I can get a hose in the side by the probes and clean them. I may take them out to clean. Where can I find new replacements if needed? Thanks for the ideas.

[JohnEd]

I would think Camping World could get them for you but direct from the mfr is best.

FINALLY!  This has bothered me for years...since I first saw it.....that wand that squirts inside the black tank.  That always seemed just nuts to me but here we have a bonofide reason to do it.  Clean the level sensors so they work.  This relieves a burden

I can tell you that a complete failure is the only thing that can get me wrenching in that area of the "house".

Thanks,

John

[Joe Camper]

Eagle10 if you have the little round rubber expanding type usually 4 to a set that fit into about a 3/8 hole, any decent camping supply should have um set of 4 were less than 10 bucks last time I got um.