Gray/black tank gauge issues?

SoundGuy wrote:

stlsailorrv wrote:
But I don’t want to be stuck with a gauge that malfunctions occasionally. Are random weird readings normal?

You may not want to but you will, just like pretty well everyone else does, and the reason is simple - monitor probes stick into the tank and clog from tank content. Tank treatments are available that claim to solve this issue but rarely do completely ... if it's such a concern for you then you want a better monitoring system with external tank sensors, otherwise just live with it as all the rest of us do. ;)

Well, I got a chuckle from this, because after reading all the comments (thanks everyone) I can see that you are right. It's far from my most pressing concern for the time being, but perhaps next year I'll look into the external sensors if time permits. But it probably won't, and I'll likely live with it. But at least I know the lay of the land.

SidecarFlip wrote:

The ugly duckling wrote:
My old tank monitors had rusted and failed so I replaced them with SeeLevel Tank Monitoring System for 3 Tanks with Pump Switch. What a big difference. The sensors mount on the outside of each tank so their not effected be what's in the tank. They give very accurate percent readings. Easy to install, but expensive. I guess you get what you pay for.

Only way to fly. Inductive, external tank sensors from SeeLevel. Easy to put on (so long as you can access the tank side and very accurate.

The reason why OEM's don't use them is the expense. Again like every other facet of RV building, it's about what is cheapest, not what works the best.

From cheap plastic fixtures to low end electronics that fail.

SeeLevel indicators are a one time install.

Sounds like this is pretty well the consensus. Since the trailer is still under warranty, and I've got other non-camping pressing issues, I won't do it now, but it sounds like the plan for perhaps next year. At any rate it seems as if I'd be wasting my time trying to get this repaired under warranty.

stlsailorrv wrote:
But I don’t want to be stuck with a gauge that malfunctions occasionally. Are random weird readings normal?

You may not want to but you will, just like pretty well everyone else does, and the reason is simple - monitor probes stick into the tank and clog from tank content. Tank treatments are available that claim to solve this issue but rarely do completely ... if it's such a concern for you then you want a better monitoring system with external tank sensors, otherwise just live with it as all the rest of us do. ;)

The ugly duckling wrote:
My old tank monitors had rusted and failed so I replaced them with SeeLevel Tank Monitoring System for 3 Tanks with Pump Switch. What a big difference. The sensors mount on the outside of each tank so their not effected be what's in the tank. They give very accurate percent readings. Easy to install, but expensive. I guess you get what you pay for.

Only way to fly. Inductive, external tank sensors from SeeLevel. Easy to put on (so long as you can access the tank side and very accurate.

The reason why OEM's don't use them is the expense. Again like every other facet of RV building, it's about what is cheapest, not what works the best.

From cheap plastic fixtures to low end electronics that fail.

SeeLevel indicators are a one time install.

I think tank sensors reliably work only 1 time, and that is the very first time. After that, anything goes. This is just the normal for every RV.

What happens, "stuff" clings to the sensors when you dump causing a false reading. It just that simple. Nothing wrong with the sensors or the electronics behind it.

I have found that dumping the tanks before traveling from one location to another, and then adding about 5 gallons of water to the tanks before traveling works very well to keep the sensors clean and operating the best.

So, before leaving your campground, dump your tanks completely. Flush the black tank if you have a tank flusher. After dumping add a few gallons of clean water back in the tank. I also add a couple ounces of Dawn Dishwashing liquid. Then hit the road.

The sloshing of the water will pulverize anything stuck to the sensors, and when you use them the next time, they will work pretty good.

My current camper is now 4 years old and I've been doing this since it was brand new. My sensors on all my tanks are still working. How accurate? Well, at least I know when they are full.

However, I have learned to NOT rely on the sensors or the read-out with the push buttons.

I can estimate my water usage and here's how I do it.

First, I never hook up to city water. I always fill my fresh water tank and pump water from there. Why? Because I don't trust pressure regulators and I don't trust campground water sources for constant steady pressure, especially when they tell you the average water pressure is 70 psi. I decided early with my current camper to never hook up to city. I fill my fresh tank. It's worked perfectly fine for us, and we don't mind hearing the water pump come on and off.

Now, using ONLY the fresh water tank, I know that tank holds 50 gallons of water. I have 3 other tanks, 2 grey and 1 black. All three of them are 30 gallon tanks.

We have just learned over the years, we can take 6 showers, and use the toilet for 2 days before that 50 gallons is gone. We do most of our cooking outside and washing dishes outside. The water used outside is harder to estimate usage, as it draws from the fresh water tank and depletes the 50 gallons. But definately, when the water pump begins to spit air, we know it's time to (1) add more water (2) dump the tanks. When camping, I dump the black and shower water grey every day. I use the shower water to back-wash into the black tank. Usually, it works out just perfect. My 32 gallon Barker blue tote is not quite full, full enough to over fill.

Between filling a 50 gallon fresh water tank, and dumping into a 32 gallon blue tote, it doesn't take long to just "know" when it's time to dump. Practice, time, and patience makes perfect.

Now, when we first got our current camper, I did hook up to city water, and several times fill the shower tank, enough water was standing in the shower pan around our feet. It's MUCH harder to estimate when attached to city water, especially if you travel from campground to campground where water pressure is different at every place.

These are my "tips" for the day.

Dump, flush, add water and a bit of laundry or dishwashing soap, go for a drive and sensors are almost always clean and work.

Over time, you will develop a 6th sense at your water usage and just "know" when it's time to dump.

When you return home ... you'll find yourself taking "Navy showers" almost all the time. Don't be surprised!

Horst miracale probes electrodes were completely eaten away after a few years. Never did work well on black tank. Replaced with the old well nut probes.

My old tank monitors had rusted and failed so I replaced them with SeeLevel Tank Monitoring System for 3 Tanks with Pump Switch. What a big difference. The sensors mount on the outside of each tank so their not effected be what's in the tank. They give very accurate percent readings. Easy to install, but expensive. I guess you get what you pay for.

IMHO the only long term solution to the factory sensors is to replace the system with a Sealevel or similar sensing system that uses tank capacitance to determine level. Next best is the Horst miracle probe which is a teflon insulator and a shroud on the pin, but it can also be erratic.

Most tank level indicators that the OEM installs are the immersion / contact variety are are woefully inaccurate or quit working after a period. The way it is.

I prefer looking down the commode to ascertain how full my black tank is. Far as grey, when the black is 2/3rds full I empty both.