Black Water Take Level Indicator

[Cardinals]

Our TT is 4 years old and has been used quite a bit over the years. The level indicator light for the black tank is not working as it should. Even when tank is empty, after our trip this past week, the light still shows 1/3 full. When it was probably 1/3 full it showed 2/3 full.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this? I clean the tank every time we empty.

Thanks

Mike

[Timtation]

Sensors have been a problem ever since inception, no matter what they are intended to measure. I have a spin washer in the black tank and have recently installed a clear plastic elbow in the tank discharge. It must be the most wonderful thing to use campground water and septic tank capacity ever invented. I am not sure how much water is used to get clear flow but it takes a while. I do notice the sensors for the black tank seem to go toward empty much better now. I have used the toilet stick wand but really dislike dragging a water hose through the camper just to super-flush the toilet.

[ralph_day]

I use a multi led stud sensor to check tank levels (well, i did once). If the trailer doesn't have a coroplast covering over the bottom hiding everything that is.

[BrentB]

PacNWChris wrote:
I don't know why there isn't some more accurate way of measuring the tank levels. I HATE the 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 indicator lights. I wish there was something more like a gas tank gauge in a car that would give you more precise readings than fractions of 3.

Maybe something like that already exists but it's just not used due to cost, but I don't get why some kind of float switch couldn't work. It wouldn't be reliable if the trailer was rocking around (ie. in motion), but while stopped, it should work fine.

I'm not an engineer though, so I don't know ... but there HAS to be something better than what's standard.

There is!

https://www.garnetinstruments.com/rv-shop/

https://tankedge.com/products.html

[time2roll]

Cardinals wrote:
Any suggestions on how to deal with this? I clean the tank every time we empty.

Apply some forgetaboutit.

Only the 3/4 and full indicators even matter. Actually just the full matters and probably indicates 80% so dump the next day and start over.

[PacNWChris]

I don't know why there isn't some more accurate way of measuring the tank levels. I HATE the 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 indicator lights. I wish there was something more like a gas tank gauge in a car that would give you more precise readings than fractions of 3.

Maybe something like that already exists but it's just not used due to cost, but I don't get why some kind of float switch couldn't work. It wouldn't be reliable if the trailer was rocking around (ie. in motion), but while stopped, it should work fine.

I'm not an engineer though, so I don't know ... but there HAS to be something better than what's standard.

[BrentB]

skripo wrote:
Being anal about accurate metrics I ordered an iSeries system. Actually quite reasonable. I'll report back when I install it.

How did it go?

[tenhorsun]

We never trust our sensors either. We'll use the toilet like 3x and it'll show 2/3 full.
By the way, we're new TT owners this season and we've been using the Geo method with great results. Once empty, we add some water softener and laundry detergent and some water (just a few flushes). Sometimes while washing dishes, I'll pour some of the soapy water down the toilet as well. We've never had an odor. I don't get how some people would rather use public restrooms rather than their own toilet.

[mosseater]

The only time I look at my sensors anymore is to verify they are still not working. They gave up several years ago and I just have too much other stuff to worry about.

[skripo]

Being anal about accurate metrics I ordered an iSeries system. Actually quite reasonable. I'll report back when I install it.

[Scooter86]

My first tt would always give false readings until I flushed it real good and stayed doing the geo method. While it was never truly 100%, the readings were much more reliable. 2nd year with the new tt, no issues with readings so far and on go method from day 1. When I am using the rv, I am on vacation, trying not to sweat the small stuff!

[rbpru]

If you are going to use the toilet you will have to dump it. Everybody else does also.

I dump the tank and flush with the fresh water, add about 5 gallons and drop in the toilet packets. Good to go.

After all it is a temporary septic tank, how clean does it have to be?

[campigloo]

I used to worry about that too. Years later, I have a pretty good idea of how long I can go before hitting "critical stage". Now I rarely even look at the indicator unless I want something to amuse myself with.
(I'm easily entertained)

[myredracer]

Holding tanks come in many different dimensions and profiles and the outlet can be at the end, side or bottom. Some tanks are very easy to dump & flush and some are difficult to dump & flush. We've had both and currently have the latter. If only #1 (and use a CG toilet for #@), we can get around 10 days use from the tank, but with #2 also, maybe only 3 days due to the pyramid of p**p.

False readings occur because of slime buildup on the sidewall of the tank covering the standard OEM button sensors. If you don't use a flusher, wand or back-flush elbow that can reach the sensors, you will have on-going false readings.

We have a built-in flusher and these can be added. I use the flusher 5-10 minutes to get it clean and while it gets the bottom of the tank spotless, I don't think it hits the end wall good enough. We still get a false reading though. We even have Horst Miracle probes installed. We had these installed on our first TT and NEVER had false readings.

First thing is to use 3-5 gallons of water before you use the toilet. When dumping, do whatever it takes to flush the tank as well as possible. May take more than one type of flusher. Try filling the tank to near full before dumping and repeat one or two times (unless in a drought area).

You might want to try getting the tank back to factory new and fresh by using Liquid Drano. Doesn't harm the tank or components as long as you use the correct one. Then do a thorough flushing/cleaning each time after that (water). We used liquid drano a couple of months ago but it wasn't long before we were getting false readings again, pffft.

Sometimes you just need to go by experience or ESP to tell when the take is ready to dump. RV cleaning chemicals are an option and also the GEO method.

[ralph_day]

My trailer doesn't have tempermental probes in the grey and black tanks (or fresh water for that matter). I've found that a stud sensor will tell you exactly where the fluid level is in the tank. It requires sliding or reaching under and running it up and down the tank wall.

Not a big help if you have an enclosed bottomed trailer. Have found that dishwater (done in a basin) dumped down the toilet saves capacity/use on the grey tank. 18gal grey, 20gal black...tough to fill that black to full if travelling/dumping at campgrounds as you go.

Ralph