Black water guage

[luggnutts]

I have a problem with my black water guage. So I'm here for the help i know I'll get . My guage reads 2/3rds full even though the tank is empty. This has been confirmed by others (rv owners) who say they have had the same problem. Done the suggested remedies IE; 5 lbs ice 10lbs ice 20lbs ice down toilet, then drive around to agitate the ice in the tank and clean the sensor.Having done the ice thing with no luck. I tried a tank scrubber that was loaned to me by a fellow rver. tried this method twice, with no luck. I can't be the only one with this problem !!. OH I've also been told to replace one or both units ( sending unit or or the panel unit). THANkS IN ADVANCE, FOR THE HELP I KNOW IS COMING.

[Old-Biscuit]

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

[Oldme]

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.

[dvitale300]

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.

[tropical36]

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?

[dvitale300]

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.

[tropical36]

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.

[dvitale300]

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?

[Old-Biscuit]

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.

[Koop]

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

[dougrainer]

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-

[Wishbone51]

I use the GEO method. Black tank sensors work all the time. Gray sensors most of the time.

[Dutch_12078]

If you really want to monitor accurate tank levels, look into upgrading to an external sensor system such as the various SeeLevel II models. The sensors and monitor can be installed using your existing wiring, and the levels are displayed as percentages rather than the inaccurate steps the led lights show on other monitors.

[tropical36]

luggnutts wrote:
I have a problem with my black water guage. So I'm here for the help i know I'll get . My guage reads 2/3rds full even though the tank is empty. This has been confirmed by others (rv owners) who say they have had the same problem. Done the suggested remedies IE; 5 lbs ice 10lbs ice 20lbs ice down toilet, then drive around to agitate the ice in the tank and clean the sensor.Having done the ice thing with no luck. I tried a tank scrubber that was loaned to me by a fellow rver. tried this method twice, with no luck. I can't be the only one with this problem !!. OH I've also been told to replace one or both units ( sending unit or or the panel unit). THANkS IN ADVANCE, FOR THE HELP I KNOW IS COMING.

First, forget the worthless gauge with it's always dirty sensors, with no matter what you might do, to permanently correct it.
Second, use a lot of water for flushing, dump every 3 - 4 days and save yourself not only the use of chemicals, but combating unwanted smells from time to time.
We only use chemicals for storing and have less problems than most.

[Clay_L]

The culprit in general is dirty tank walls where fluid holding crud builds up and fools the sensors into thinking there is fluid in the tank.
Whatever you can do to clean the walls may help.
I have tried everything recommended over the years - ice, TSP, various solutions, Happy Camper, etc - and nothing worked.
Some things that do work for weekend warriors don't work for full timers and that may be why some methods work for some people and not for others.
I know I have to dump the black tank every 10 days so I just mark the calendar and dump according to it.