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rjsttee's avatar
rjsttee
Explorer
Aug 27, 2025

2010 Scotty HiLander help

Hey Everyone,  New to the site / group and the travel tailer life in general.  Recently acquired a 2010 Scotty Hilander and have a couple questions and was hoping someone could help / knew the answer.  

The first thing that is strange is that the Trailer has a grey tank and a sewage tank (black water), however the water "Test Gauge" has the following labels: Fresh, Holding, Grey.  I just emptied the Grey water and can confirm that Grey water = Grey tank = sink and likely shower water. (I believe Holding is connected to the Water Holding tank from when i was cleaning everything.  I am currently connected to a water supply coming from my house. but both Holding and Fresh are at empty) However there does not appear to be a black water gauge (just emptied and it was fairly full with no indication on the gauge).  Anyone have any experience with this?  Is there a good way to gauge blackwater fullness?  Is the only way to just look in the toilet and guess? Using this as an Airbnb while we aren't actively traveling / camping, so the blackwater gets used a decent amount, but i don't necessarily want to / need to empty after every person.  Using happy camper deodorizer, and it has been doing a great job so far with no noticeable smell after sever guests.

Second question, the manual says to leave the battery in the ON position while plugged in.  This seems weird to me.  Further on in a different section it says it trickle charges the battery when plugged in, but I'm unclear if it is doing that while the battery is in the ON position or if it also works in the OFF position.  I had assumed that if you are plugged in you turn the battery OFF since its unneeded.  I turned it on bc of the manual, but am wondering if everything is running off the Battery now, and my AC connection is just charging the battery?  would love to know how the circuits work a bit better so i can manage the camper better and not blow through my battery / wear it out.

Thank in advance everyone!

RJ

3 Replies

  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    Aug 27, 2025

    You answered your own question about the tanks/gauges. Holding = black water= toilet. Likely toilet only. Haven’t run across a camper where any gray water goes to black tank. Defeats the purpose of separating grey and black water. 
    Battery question. 
    converter provides DC power when hooked to shore power. Generally dc fixtures can run off of the converter only up to the output of the converter. 
    The converter also charges the battery which also provides headroom for dc power draw when on shore power. 
    if you have a smart charger converter you’re not in any danger of cooking the battery by leaving it ON even if you don’t technically “need” the battery being onshore power. And it’s also easier on the converter to not be pumping out as much power as often without battery storage. 

    • rjsttee's avatar
      rjsttee
      Explorer
      Aug 29, 2025

      Ok, thanks for the help.  I think my sensors may be bad then, as the holding (black) tank is only 8 gal as per specs, and i def had at least 3-4 gal in there, but the LED gauge was reading empty / <=25%.  

      Ahh interesting on the battery! appreciate the insight.

      • Grit_dog's avatar
        Grit_dog
        Navigator II
        Aug 29, 2025

        Sensor(s) aren’t necessarily bad. You alluded to the fresh and grey sensors working properly. Black water sensor gets gummed up easily. Either a semi regular maintenance item (clean and flush real well) or deal with it like 90% of RVs. 
        Fresh tank won’t be full unless you fill it. City water hookup doesn’t fill tank. It shouldn’t. 
        Battery/converter is just basic principle. Like you could remove your car battery after starting and the alternator would supply power to run. (Newer cars are different story but the principle applies )

        Idk how you’re handling draining tanks, assuming it’s not on a sewer hookup. Seems like a pain to have dinky little tanks in a rental unit….

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