When I flush the black tank (we have a tornado flusher installed) I will usually close the valve while the water is running so the black tank will fill. This allows the swirling action of the water to help pull out solids when I re-open the valve. Its a little risky, you have to avoid getting distracted while the tank valve is closed etc.However, I have to keep asking my wife to check the tank display to insure I don't overfill the tank. What I am planning to try is to set up a second tank display on the outside near the flush valves in a small waterproof enclosure so I can monitor the tank levels myself when flushing.Has anyone else ever tried this?

Never tried it but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I'll bet you can use the same sensors and just add the second set of wires to them.Another idea would be next time you use the Tornado to fill the tank have your wife time how long it takes. Then subtract a minuter two from that time and set a timer on your phone. As long as you have a decent charge in the phone and you remember to start the timer things will be good. The timer won't get distracted and when it goes off you just pull the dump valve.

If you have a SeeLevel external sensor tank monitor system, they sell an add-on display panel for use at the valve location.

One reason for flushing a tank is to keep the gauge working. I would never depend on the unreliable gauge to tell me the water level when filling.

opnspaces wrote:Never tried it but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I'll bet you can use the same sensors and just add the second set of wires to them.Another idea would be next time you use the Tornado to fill the tank have your wife time how long it takes. Then subtract a minuter two from that time and set a timer on your phone. As long as you have a decent charge in the phone and you remember to start the timer things will be good. The timer won't get distracted and when it goes off you just pull the dump valve.This^^^^^ I use the timer method!

No need to fill the tank. The solids are on the bottom. I run my flusher while watching what comes out through a clear fitting at the start of the hose. I may close the valve briefly during the process but only for a minute or so. Been doing it this way for many, many years. Never a problem. As far as the gauges go, I never pay any attention to them as they never work. B.O.

Adding a second tank sensor display near the tank valves

mitchmitchell16
Explorer
Oct 02, 2019
camperdave wrote:
mitchmitchell1616 wrote:

I've tried timing it but the time varies depending on the available water pressure. It can take as long as 10 minutes at our storage area, but at some parks it will take just over 1 minute to fill.

I'm picturing you in camp hooked up to a 4" fire hydrant. :B

Its probably more than a minute certainly but the difference in times has me not comfortable just 'timing it' - we always have to watch the indicators as its quite variable depending on the location.
camperdave
Explorer
Oct 02, 2019
mitchmitchell1616 wrote:

I've tried timing it but the time varies depending on the available water pressure. It can take as long as 10 minutes at our storage area, but at some parks it will take just over 1 minute to fill.

I'm picturing you in camp hooked up to a 4" fire hydrant. :B
drsteve
Explorer
Oct 02, 2019
Cummins12V98 wrote:
mitchmitchell1616 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
" Its a little risky, you have to avoid getting distracted while the tank valve is closed etc."

Next time you flush your tank turn off water to it and let it drain. Leave valve open place bucket under the outlet. Set timer for one minute turn on water to tank and then at one minute turn it off. How much water did you add to the bucket??? I set mine for 10 minutes and I guarantee I am not adding more than 30-40 gallons to a 50 gallon tank.

Set your phone timer for the appropriate time based on gallons.

I've tried timing it but the time varies depending on the available water pressure. It can take as long as 10 minutes at our storage area, but at some parks it will take just over 1 minute to fill.

I think you may be exaggerating just a bit. Filling 50 gallons thru some spray nozzles in just one minute???

That's what I was wondering too. I have excellent pressure and volume at home, the hose bib on my house puts out 4 gpm, and that's with no hose attached.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Oct 02, 2019
Making this WAYYYY too complicated. Bottom line set a TIMER!!!
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Oct 02, 2019
mitchmitchell1616 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
" Its a little risky, you have to avoid getting distracted while the tank valve is closed etc."

Next time you flush your tank turn off water to it and let it drain. Leave valve open place bucket under the outlet. Set timer for one minute turn on water to tank and then at one minute turn it off. How much water did you add to the bucket??? I set mine for 10 minutes and I guarantee I am not adding more than 30-40 gallons to a 50 gallon tank.

Set your phone timer for the appropriate time based on gallons.

I've tried timing it but the time varies depending on the available water pressure. It can take as long as 10 minutes at our storage area, but at some parks it will take just over 1 minute to fill.

I think you may be exaggerating just a bit. Filling 50 gallons thru some spray nozzles in just one minute???
rk911
Explorer
Oct 02, 2019
mitchmitchell1616 wrote:
rk911 wrote:

yes. we did that a year or so ago. the only downside is that if we check the tanks on the inside panel we have to wait until that panel resets before we can check levels on the exterior panel. otherwise the exterior panel simply duplicates what is showing on the interior panel.

Awesome! Did you simply splice into the existing tank wiring? Also, how did you protect the exterior panel from weather (rain etc.).

Thanks!

i didn't do the work...my shop did. the panel is flush mounted (no punntended) in the wet bay. i may be seeing the tech this weekend. if so i'll see about getting some answers for you.

i had the remote panel installed not so much as to help with dumping....i use a clear elbow section during the dump and flush to monitor when the flow changes to clear. the panel is there to enable me to monitor the fresh tank level while filling it.
mitchmitchell16
Explorer
Oct 02, 2019
RCMAN46 wrote:
I agree I would never trust a tank level indicator.

The morning before I plan to drain the black tank I fill the toilet several times and watch as I flush the toilet. If the tank is near full you will notice the toilet draining different or slow.

Then with the black valve open and the flush valve open I watch the clear adapter for material coming from the black tank.

Also while dumping the black tank I have the wife fill the toilet to maximum and flush the toilet. This will help dislodge solids in the black tank. I have her continue the process until I do not see any thing except water in the clear adapter.

I have the flush routine down and the sensors work fine as long as nothing is stuck to them -- so when they indicate the water level is below them they are cleared of debris. The reason I want to add the additional set of gauges is to avoid having to involve my wife in the flushing process so she can be doing other things.

Our sensors are quite reliable for showing the presence of water, its getting them to indicate the absence of water that requires them to be cleaned off. But when I am finished flushing the tank, ours always read empty so keeping them clean is the key to reliability.
RCMAN46
Explorer
Oct 02, 2019
I agree I would never trust a tank level indicator.

The morning before I plan to drain the black tank I fill the toilet several times and watch as I flush the toilet. If the tank is near full you will notice the toilet draining different or slow.

Then with the black valve open and the flush valve open I watch the clear adapter for material coming from the black tank.

Also while dumping the black tank I have the wife fill the toilet to maximum and flush the toilet. This will help dislodge solids in the black tank. I have her continue the process until I do not see any thing except water in the clear adapter.
mitchmitchell16
Explorer
Oct 02, 2019
rk911 wrote:

yes. we did that a year or so ago. the only downside is that if we check the tanks on the inside panel we have to wait until that panel resets before we can check levels on the exterior panel. otherwise the exterior panel simply duplicates what is showing on the interior panel.

Awesome! Did you simply splice into the existing tank wiring? Also, how did you protect the exterior panel from weather (rain etc.).

Thanks!
rk911
Explorer
Oct 02, 2019
mitchmitchell1616 wrote:
When I flush the black tank (we have a tornado flusher installed) I will usually close the valve while the water is running so the black tank will fill. This allows the swirling action of the water to help pull out solids when I re-open the valve. Its a little risky, you have to avoid getting distracted while the tank valve is closed etc.

However, I have to keep asking my wife to check the tank display to insure I don't overfill the tank. What I am planning to try is to set up a second tank display on the outside near the flush valves in a small waterproof enclosure so I can monitor the tank levels myself when flushing.

Has anyone else ever tried this?

yes. we did that a year or so ago. the only downside is that if we check the tanks on the inside panel we have to wait until that panel resets before we can check levels on the exterior panel. otherwise the exterior panel simply duplicates what is showing on the interior panel.

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