Any ideas as to the best way or cleaner to keep my Sensors clean and not show incorrect readings. I sometimes empty the black or grey tanks and still get readings of anywhere from 1/3 full to 2/3-full.I have a macerator so ice cubes will not work plus I longterm camp and do not want to break camp to drive around juggling the tank contents..I'm looking for a really good cleaner and dissolver that will do the job..

We can tell when ours is getting full, so don't worry about the tank sensors/gauges anyway. We have tried various things suggested on here and some worked for a couple weeks. I think most methods suggested are for weekenders who drive, dump and flush their tanks every few weekends.

Happy Camper seems to do a good job, use plenty of water. I’ve cubes do zip, nada, zilch.

No one successfully 100% is able to keep the sensors clean. Even external tank type appear to be unreliable.

I've had very good luck with Dish Washer soap. It's made to break down grease...which helps clean the gunk off the sensors. However, I've always put it in with about 1/4-1/2 tank of water when traveling, no sure if it would work if you don't slosh it around. Good Luck !

I use one of those wands with the spinning head. Open my toilet and rinse up and down. Rinses out the black tank and cleans the sensors. Available at Walmart or rv place

RV Tank Maintenance | Good Sam Community

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2019
If you want REALLY clean holding tanks give these folks a call.
http://allprowaterflow.com/
They can also often be found at some of the major RV rallies. We had the service done and what came out was really quite amazing. Much of it was actually hard water buildup that no chemicals would have had an effect upon. It was well worth the money paid. That was a number of years ago but I will have it done again should we be in a convenient area with a nearby dealer.
HighwayJunky
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
I'm going to try the Calgon and Dishwasher soap to see if it cleans the sensors. If not, we'll try the Happy Camper method..Thanks for all your responses!!
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jul 18, 2019
I have used regular TP for nearly 20 years and HC is not necessary. With sealed connections at the RV and the dump there is NO smell. I rarely sniff my hose! I have not found that HC does anything to help with sensors. Clearly my mileage differs.
DFord
Explorer
Jul 18, 2019
When you're dumping and it stinks, you need Happy Campers. If you want to use regular TP, you need Happy Camper. If you want your tank level sensors to work reliably, Happy Camper will help with that too.
For all those reason, I'm a happy camper using Happy Camper tank treatment.

Your mileage may differ.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jul 17, 2019
DFord wrote:
MetalGator wrote:
DFord wrote:
By adhering to recommended practices with every RV I've owned over the past 45 years, I've never had any issues with my sensors not reading properly.

So what are the recommended practices?

Read my previous posts in this post. Keep you dump valve closed till your tanks are at least 3/4 full. Never leave the dump valves open while your camping - sure recipe for problems. When you do dump, use the flush to refill the tank for a couple of minutes and repeat till the water runs clear. Twice a year use the wand to blast the sides of the tank. Use Happy Camper tank treatment in both the grey and black tank. I installed a flush kit on my grey water tank and it helps.

This is all excellent advice. However, Happy Camper is not necessary if you follow the rest of the steps. Happy Camper is the best odor killer I have ever used but it's not "necessary" to properly maintain your tanks.
DFord
Explorer
Jul 17, 2019
MetalGator wrote:
DFord wrote:
By adhering to recommended practices with every RV I've owned over the past 45 years, I've never had any issues with my sensors not reading properly.

So what are the recommended practices?

Read my previous posts in this post. Keep you dump valve closed till your tanks are at least 3/4 full. Never leave the dump valves open while your camping - sure recipe for problems. When you do dump, use the flush to refill the tank for a couple of minutes and repeat till the water runs clear. Twice a year use the wand to blast the sides of the tank. Use Happy Camper tank treatment in both the grey and black tank. I installed a flush kit on my grey water tank and it helps.
BillyBob_Jim
Explorer
Jul 17, 2019
MetalGator wrote:
DFord wrote:
By adhering to recommended practices with every RV I've owned over the past 45 years, I've never had any issues with my sensors not reading properly.

So what are the recommended practices?

What I would like to know is if the folks who insist on having squeaky clean poop tank after dumping and before taking the next dump also pull one of these through their sanitary lateral at the sticks and bricks on a dedicated schedule?
MetalGator
Nomad
Jul 17, 2019
DFord wrote:
By adhering to recommended practices with every RV I've owned over the past 45 years, I've never had any issues with my sensors not reading properly.

So what are the recommended practices?
sgfrye
Explorer
Jul 17, 2019
DFord wrote:
The best holding tank treatment available is "Happy Campers"
It's available from better RV supply stores, Amazon, Ebay and several dealers websites. Here's a link to one of those dealer's websites where you can learn more about it: https://www.happycampersworld.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Campers-Organic-Holding-Treatment/dp/B007S0H5DU

x2 on happy camper. about once every 3 months or so after dumping and backflushing i will use 1 scoop in black tank and 2 grey tanks. fill and let sit overnight. next day dump and flush again. works for us.

One scoop per tank is all that's needed. Fill your toilet 3/4 full of water after flushing your tank, swish it around with your bowl brush, flush the toilet and fill it again with enough water to rinse the brush.

It was recommended to me by some Trek friends and I've been hooked ever since. We use Charmin Ultra tissue and don't have any problems with out tank sensor. It does a great job of killing the odors too.

Disclaimer - I have no connection to the company but when I find something that works, I share it with others.

With all that being said, nothing will ever be any better than flushing your black tank with a wand hooked to a hose and stuck down through the toilet. Blasting a good stream of water around the tank a couple times a years is a good practice that should be followed no matter what tank treatment is used.
DFord
Explorer
Jul 16, 2019
By adhering to recommended practices with every RV I've owned over the past 45 years, I've never had any issues with my sensors not reading properly. On the hand, if you get lazy and sloppy and don't follow those recommended practices, sensors are useless. It's one of those pay me now or pay me later scenarios.

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