sticking indicator

There are basically 3 or 4 types of tank indicators.

THE MOST COMMON is basically.. A nail (A metal rod that protudes into the tank, if the rod is underwater then electricity is conducted, Theory is when the tank is empty it is no longer under water. but SLIME on the side of the tank... Conducts as well). I can describe the operation in detail but.. Why bother.

Another type is a pneumatic sensor. (I wish I had a couple) these work better, they test for pressure.

Yet another is a different kind of pressure or weight sensor.

Finally we have See Level sensors.. They work, Much better, not quite sure how but they work (Capacitive coupling? mass sensors? one of those).

The nail. Well when the tank is new, or freshly steam cleaned. .They work.

See this thread for an idea. Idea
I asked for a bit of help and got the usual nonsense. Oh well, my monitor works correctly now and we'll see if the idea pans out over the summer.

Mr. Dan wrote:
... I still use the "look in the hole" method described by BobsYourUncle.

I do to, but because I am typicaly trying to wait and dump until the morning I leave. The day before the top sensor may be covered (and therefore reading full) when I still have a little more room. I am going to pay for that one day, however. :E

rseymour21 wrote:
Whats wrong with backflushing??:h

Takes too much time, extra equipment and extra water. I have zero problems from not doing it, so it would accomplish nothing; that I can notice anyway. I really don't want to waste that much water, esp. here in CA when I won't get any benefit from it.

AO_hitech wrote:
I only dump when the tanks are full. I NEVER backflush, rinse, etc. Just dump each tank and add some water back to the tanks after I am done dumping. That's it. I use Happy Campers in the black tank (and once in the gray tank). https://www.5starhappycamper.com/order.html

Whats wrong with backflushing??:h

BobsYourUncle wrote:

boingram wrote:
...can i just wait till its full and the toilet wont flush anymore then dump...we will be on sewer in the rv park...thx...bo

Black tank:
Turn the water off, open the toilet lid, step on the flush pedal and look down the hole. There is a neck in the pipe that extends down a bit into the tank. Watch that closely and when you see the contents nearing the bottom of the neck, time to dump. Flashlight may help to see better.
Don't let it get too full or you could have a mess on your hands.

My tank sensors work much better now that I've used Happy Campers for a couple of seasons... but I still use the "look in the hole" method described by BobsYourUncle.

My sensors did not work when I purchased the my MH used. It is an old MH (1985) and certainly does not have "fancy" sensors. Just the type that many here will tell you wont work. Well, mine work and have ALWAYS worked since I "fixed" them. All I have done is use the GEO method minus the bleach. I only dump when the tanks are full. I NEVER backflush, rinse, etc. Just dump each tank and add some water back to the tanks after I am done dumping. That's it. I use Happy Campers in the black tank (and once in the gray tank). https://www.5starhappycamper.com/order.html

Howdy, I go with the burp thing. You'll know it when you see it.
Yes indicators are garbage.
One thing that is over looked is to make sure your black tank is well above half before dumping. I know hooking up and then dumping after 2 days is fun and exciting but WAIT. With just the 2 of us it takes a full week to be near full and that's using it a lot.
We stay in an RV park for months some times and generally (except Texas) leave the grey water open. A day or two before dumping the black I shut it off for a day so that we will have adaqute water to flush out the sewer after a black dump.
One other thing I buy some Pine sol for a buck at the Dollar store and dump about a third of it in the hose after a black dump, shake it a bit to make sure it is in the entire hose, wait a few then dump the grey. It isn't fresh as a daisy but better then if I didn't.

Happy trails.
K.I.S,S is always the rule of the day. Been doing this stuff for 45 years. am 67 now and has worked why fix it.

beemerphile1 wrote:
Many will sort of burp when flushing if nearly full. Once that happens it is time to find a dump station.

X2

boingram wrote:
...can i just wait till its full and the toilet wont flush anymore then dump...we will be on sewer in the rv park...thx...bo

Not a good idea on that one. It could cause an internal leak. (Ask me how I know that....)

I use a very simple method for mine:

Black tank:
Turn the water off, open the toilet lid, step on the flush pedal and look down the hole. There is a neck in the pipe that extends down a bit into the tank. Watch that closely and when you see the contents nearing the bottom of the neck, time to dump. Flashlight may help to see better.
Don't let it get too full or you could have a mess on your hands.

Grey tank:
When I am ankle deep in shower water, time to dump.

Fresh tank:
I do a visual on this one. Mine is under the jackknife sofa. I lift the sofa base and look at the tank. A flashlight helps here.
I actually removed the front kick panel of my sofa and installed magnetic catches. So I grab the panel and pull it down to reveal the tank so I can see the level better.
If you are hooked up to city water, no problem on supply.

Make sure you dump the black first followed by the grey so it washes your hose out.