tank sensor accuracy

[Rmack1]

I'm a newbie, and after my fifth trip, I've noticed that my water tank sensors are different. At least I think they are.

What I mean is; the waste tanks tend to read high. In other words, they read being full a good deal before they actually are. On the other hand, the potable water tank seems to read low, just like a car fuel gauge. It reads low, indeed empty, a bit before actually being empty.

This would sort of make sense, so that the hapless RV owner would be prompted to correct the situation as it was developing, rather than wait until it was too late. I just want to make sure this is what I'm seeing.

I'm sure my black tank reading full just after I dumped it, RIGHT after doing a three day full sensor cleaning flush, with lots of fresh water is due to a chunk of toilet paper (marine only!) that has got stuck on the sensors.

Just shoot me now!

[JR45]

The Alpenlite 5er we have uses external sensors also when they read full they are full and when they read M/T they are M/T and the Country Coach we just got has the SeaLevel system also.
JR

[Jim-Linda]

We don't dump by gage, we do it by time. Since we full time there's no forgetting between dumps. With two of us, we dump every Tue. We will run a load of laundry to get a grey tank mostly full, dump the black, run the rinser, and dump grey. YMMV

Jim

[LynnandCarol]

If my water pump switch and Elec./Gas Hot water switch were not located in the sensor panel, I would have already taken it off and pitched it. Totally useless.

[Dutch_12078]

I replaced the non-functioning level monitor system in my Coachmen with a SeeLevel II system that uses external sensors. The sensors are relatively insensitive to tank crud, although a thick enough buildup can cause a misreading. The system reads the tank levels in percentages instead of the much less accurate "Empty, 1/3, 2/3, Full" system, with the battery level reading in volts of course. The installation is easy if the existing tank sensor area is fairly accessible. I used the 709-PH model that also has the water heater and water pump controls on the monitor panel.

[classicdude]

I AM obsessive/compulsive about those gauges. Therapy is helping me to get over it and learn to live with it! I've tried everything, and the results are temporary at best.

[HappyKayakers]

When you flush the toilet and it burps, your black tank is full. When water starts backing up in the shower or kitchen sink, gray tank is full.

[6_7_tow_rig]

I clean my black tank like im obsessive compulsive. The gauge still reads wrong. I dont care, you can look down the toilet and see what your status is.

[jetboater454]

Mine black tank sensor is 100% accurate. It's the tank contents that never matches the gauge. In about a week they match.:B:B

[NanciL]

They are useless, but make for a high tech. look on the wall above the counter.
If you have a new trailer, take a look at them at the dealers because that is the last time they have a correct level reading.

Jack L

[Oasisbob]

Sadly the guages lie like politicians at budget time. I have found after installing permanant sprinkler like tank flushers the readings are more truthful. Problem is they seem to get gunked up. best of luck.

[tkcas01]

Common topic on here. General consensus is that they are basically useless for the most part. I've been full timing for 7 years and just deal with it!

Mine you can take the control panel off the wall and there are little adjustment screws that you can fiddle with to some degree of success, but in the black tank the sensor design pretty much makes them inop, as you say they get TP and such globbed on them.