Holding tanks

[GHOST1750]

I'm frustrated, :)When I dump my black tank and flush it my sensor reading on the wall indicates empty which is green. Then I dump in two stools of fresh water and chemicals it is in the red again. This is nothing new but I'd like to know if there is a reason why.

[down_home]

Our gauges work well. We keep the tanks cleaned. Water softener in the tanks helps. We have, as most do, I think, rinsing systems, to flush out the tanks after emptying.
Keeping them clean seems to be a key, reasoning by all the posts on sensors, in the tanks over time.
How a couple buckets could get high enough to indicate full well.....

[wallynm]

Fill it half full of fresh water, add a couple bags of ice cubes and drive 50 or 100 miles. The ice cubes will clean the probes. We always use Redix - cheaper and works well.

GHOST1750 wrote:
I'm frustrated, :)When I dump my black tank and flush it my sensor reading on the wall indicates empty which is green. Then I dump in two stools of fresh water and chemicals it is in the red again. This is nothing new but I'd like to know if there is a reason why.

[cochise49]

Never had indicators that didn't show full all the time for black water after a few months and even gray water after a few more months. Even after using the factory installed flush system when dumping. Thought about replacing the sensors with ones that supposedly aren't susceptible to TP blockage but seemed like a real PITA to get to the sensors on my tanks. If you see a bubble when flushing the toilet or water backs up inb the shower...you're full. Time to empty. New rig has external sensors. I'll let everyone know in a few months if they work any better.

[BobsYourUncle]

I gave up on the sensors a long time ago and developed my own thing.

For my FW, I pulled the panel off the front of my sofa and installed magnet catches. So I just pull the thing down and look at the level.

Grey water, if I'm ankle deep, it's full.

Black water, turn the pump off, grab a flashlight, step on the flush valve and peek down the hole. If it's up to the neck, it's full.

Works perfect every time, very accurate.

[Tinstar]

I switched all of my sensors about 3 years ago. I bought Horst brand and haven't had any trouble since.

[RayChez]

I never have any problems with the proper reading of the gray or black tanks. Never have had any problems since I started using Happy Camper in them. That stuff works great. This Happy Camper has enzymes in it and they eat up all the solids. I dump about once a week and in that time the enzymes have done their job. You can get it through the internet. I discovered this stuff at a FMCA rally.

The problem with a lot of RVers is they do not want to spend the money on chemicals. They believe that by using lots of water and some kind of dish soap that it will take care of those problems. The answer is NO. There is build up on both the gray and black tanks and that is why you need enzymes to clean them out.

I hardly have to use the sprinkler system in the tanks anymore with Happy Camper.

[J-Rooster]

Don, sorry to hear about your troubles. It might be worth dumping some RV Digest into your tanks and let it sit in your tanks for 24 hours. It worked for my sensors last time I used it. RV Digest has enzymes in it that eat up everything inside your tank. Cleans all your sensors. If you choose to go with the RV Digest you will have to use your search engine on your computer to find your nearest dealer. Good Luck, and I've enjoyed your posts for a long time.

[RE_Todd]

Like ex's, they lie!!

[fcooper]

I'm lucky that my original tank level monitor still works well on my coach. I did install a See Level unit on a houseboat years ago, and it worked great.

This article explains the operation of the see level unit. As the previous poster indicated, your mileage may vary.

explanation of see level unit

I'd try to clean the tank real good as a first step before spending money on a different solution.

Horst Miracle Probes is another possible solution, but I have no experience with them.

Fred

[JimM68]

I put seelevel gauges in mine. They read good for about a year. After working on them a bunch, I replaced all the sensor strips. The new ones read bad too.

They do tell me when the tanks are full or near full, but not when they are empty or near empty.

Pretty much saying Uncle here...

[Passin_Thru]

There was a forum on here last year about replacement and something on YOUTUBE.

[hmknightnc]

sremsing wrote:
Most tank gauges do not work properly. You learn to judge yourself when they need to be dumped.

x2. All OEM tank gauges suck except for possible the FW tank due to corrosion and other products interfering with them. Don't know of any reputable replacements that this forum has experience with to recommend replacements. Experience is your friend.

[sremsing]

Most tank gauges do not work properly. You learn to judge yourself when they need to be dumped.