Black water guage

dvitale300 wrote:

tropical36 wrote:

dvitale300 wrote:

tropical36 wrote:

dvitale300 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Why are folks so captivated over tank level indicators?

Serious question......

Trying to understand/see reason why.
TO me they are one of the worst accessories provided.

I would speculate that folks are concerned that if the black tank gets too full the RV will be full of poop. I've found myself getting into that same mindset - checking the tank a couple of times a day while camping, etc. So - and a serious question - let's say you don't have a black tank gauge, how can you tell when you're tank is full?

Again and as I indicated in my other post, why would one want to fill it anywhere full, in the first place?
I can understand it for some who are trying to survive out in the desert somewhere for an extended period, with no dump station in sight for miles, but this isn't usually the case for most.

We often rv at events like dog shows where we may have electricity but nothing else. After 4 or 5 days, I get concerned about the black tank (we have a 25 gal tank). Since we have dog pens and crates set up outside, it's a major pain to break camp and go find a dump site. The lot is usually cramped and somewhat tight to drive around in.

I can well understand your concern with having only a 25 gallon tank, but then, you're not really boondocking when at these events and they surely provide rest rooms for day use, at least. Now, where is the grey water going all this time and most must be releasing it on the ground?

No, we store it in the grey tanks. Have 2 - one for the galley and one for the shower/bathroom sink. Personally I wish they were connected.

How to tell waste tanks are full w/o gauges....

First.....experience. We know we can go 7 days easy and 10 if we stretch.

Black tank..toilet will 'burp' when nearing full
Grey tank bathroom sink/shower will start to drain slower
Galley tank will start to drain slower

As for combining waste tanks.
That is a modification I do to my trailer waste drain line.
Real easy when all three tanks use common drain line.

I install another drain valve on that line close to end.
With it closed I can open both grey/galley so that they equalize and fill together. (gives me 70 gallons capacity)
I can open black and grey and galley---120 gallons of waste capacity.

ALL stink, ALL are waste and ALL have stuff be it body oils/skin/scum/food/poop and ALL get dumped into same place (sewer/septic)

So no need for those cheap gauges mfg. add as bells/whistles

Your problem is there will be a sludge film that forms overthe contacts.
This completes the electrical circuit that indicates the level.
Brake the scum and it will read correctly.

Dawn liquid detergent and a dish washer detergent with "sheeting action"
will cause the scum to slide off the side of the tank. If you can find Calgoine
water softener, that will work well also, as that has sheeting action.

Keep those in the tank after a good cleaning and it will register reasonably accurate and stay clean.

tropical36 wrote:

dvitale300 wrote:

tropical36 wrote:

dvitale300 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Why are folks so captivated over tank level indicators?

Serious question......

Trying to understand/see reason why.
TO me they are one of the worst accessories provided.

I would speculate that folks are concerned that if the black tank gets too full the RV will be full of poop. I've found myself getting into that same mindset - checking the tank a couple of times a day while camping, etc. So - and a serious question - let's say you don't have a black tank gauge, how can you tell when you're tank is full?

Again and as I indicated in my other post, why would one want to fill it anywhere full, in the first place?
I can understand it for some who are trying to survive out in the desert somewhere for an extended period, with no dump station in sight for miles, but this isn't usually the case for most.

We often rv at events like dog shows where we may have electricity but nothing else. After 4 or 5 days, I get concerned about the black tank (we have a 25 gal tank). Since we have dog pens and crates set up outside, it's a major pain to break camp and go find a dump site. The lot is usually cramped and somewhat tight to drive around in.

I can well understand your concern with having only a 25 gallon tank, but then, you're not really boondocking when at these events and they surely provide rest rooms for day use, at least. Now, where is the grey water going all this time and most must be releasing it on the ground?

No, we store it in the grey tanks. Have 2 - one for the galley and one for the shower/bathroom sink. Personally I wish they were connected.

dvitale300 wrote:

tropical36 wrote:

dvitale300 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Why are folks so captivated over tank level indicators?

Serious question......

Trying to understand/see reason why.
TO me they are one of the worst accessories provided.

I would speculate that folks are concerned that if the black tank gets too full the RV will be full of poop. I've found myself getting into that same mindset - checking the tank a couple of times a day while camping, etc. So - and a serious question - let's say you don't have a black tank gauge, how can you tell when you're tank is full?

Again and as I indicated in my other post, why would one want to fill it anywhere full, in the first place?
I can understand it for some who are trying to survive out in the desert somewhere for an extended period, with no dump station in sight for miles, but this isn't usually the case for most.

We often rv at events like dog shows where we may have electricity but nothing else. After 4 or 5 days, I get concerned about the black tank (we have a 25 gal tank). Since we have dog pens and crates set up outside, it's a major pain to break camp and go find a dump site. The lot is usually cramped and somewhat tight to drive around in.

I can well understand your concern with having only a 25 gallon tank, but then, you're not really boondocking when at these events and they surely provide rest rooms for day use, at least. Now, where is the grey water going all this time and most must be releasing it on the ground?

tropical36 wrote:

dvitale300 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Why are folks so captivated over tank level indicators?

Serious question......

Trying to understand/see reason why.
TO me they are one of the worst accessories provided.

I would speculate that folks are concerned that if the black tank gets too full the RV will be full of poop. I've found myself getting into that same mindset - checking the tank a couple of times a day while camping, etc. So - and a serious question - let's say you don't have a black tank gauge, how can you tell when you're tank is full?

Again and as I indicated in my other post, why would one want to fill it anywhere full, in the first place?
I can understand it for some who are trying to survive out in the desert somewhere for an extended period, with no dump station in sight for miles, but this isn't usually the case for most.

We often rv at events like dog shows where we may have electricity but nothing else. After 4 or 5 days, I get concerned about the black tank (we have a 25 gal tank). Since we have dog pens and crates set up outside, it's a major pain to break camp and go find a dump site. The lot is usually cramped and somewhat tight to drive around in.

dvitale300 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Why are folks so captivated over tank level indicators?

Serious question......

Trying to understand/see reason why.
TO me they are one of the worst accessories provided.

I would speculate that folks are concerned that if the black tank gets too full the RV will be full of poop. I've found myself getting into that same mindset - checking the tank a couple of times a day while camping, etc. So - and a serious question - let's say you don't have a black tank gauge, how can you tell when you're tank is full?

Again and as I indicated in my other post, why would one want to fill it anywhere full, in the first place?
I can understand it for some who are trying to survive out in the desert somewhere for an extended period, with no dump station in sight for miles, but this isn't usually the case for most.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Why are folks so captivated over tank level indicators?

Serious question......

Trying to understand/see reason why.
TO me they are one of the worst accessories provided.

I would speculate that folks are concerned that if the black tank gets too full the RV will be full of poop. I've found myself getting into that same mindset - checking the tank a couple of times a day while camping, etc. So - and a serious question - let's say you don't have a black tank gauge, how can you tell when you're tank is full?

Why are folks so captivated over tank level indicators?

Serious question......

Trying to understand/see reason why.
TO me they are one of the worst accessories provided.

There are alternatives to giving up on tank sensors. I posted about it here.

Flush the tank 4 or 5 times by filling full then dumping. Then after the tank is empty leave the valve OPEN and the dump cap off for 24 hours. The tank will then show empty. IF NOT, then the probes are corroded so bad they need replaced. Doug-