Black water tank light says 2/3 full after draining

[Alberta_Born]

2007 Jayco jayflight 29 foot travel trailer. Gone out twice so far and after use I drain the tanks but the light on the black water tank shows 2/3 full and after hearing the sewage water go down the hose it seems empty but the light shows 2/3 full I'm afraid to go out this weekend and get set up to find a nearly full tank.. Anyone have that problem?

[TexasChaps]

Alberta Born wrote:
2007 Jayco jayflight 29 foot travel trailer. Gone out twice so far and after use I drain the tanks but the light on the black water tank shows 2/3 full and after hearing the sewage water go down the hose it seems empty but the light shows 2/3 full I'm afraid to go out this weekend and get set up to find a nearly full tank.. Anyone have that problem?

welcome to the world of cheap re tarded RV fixtures..
I'm quite sure 99% of owners have this problem.

It's almost always caused by waste sticking to the sensor and fooling the system.. a good wash with a wand should fix it..

I personally don't bother, I just peek down the potty and eyeball the level...

oh and what's with the bbs censoring the word "re tarded" ?
seriously ?

[rbpru]

I always keep in mind that we are talking about a sewage holding tank. It will never be squeaky clean.

The few times I have had an odor, it came from the roof vent pipe and an unfavourable wind.

I tried the ice because it's was cheap, it worked until the next trip.

We do a lot of sight to sight camping and find it best to let the tank slosh and dump when it is nearer to full. We do use the typical tank treatment elixir.

We also have no issue with using the CG wash house to save water and tank space.

[drsteve]

5thwheeleroldman wrote:
Similar to lanerd, I put a half box ridex and a gallon of vinegar into the black, bathroom and kitchen tanks; divided according to capacity, before the last dump. The ridex knocks things loose, and the vinegar dissolves calcium deposits (most rv destinations have very hard water). My last overnight is about 100 miles from home, so I drain and clean as well as possible. If the rv has been sitting for a few months, I do the same before leaving on a long trip and drain when tanks are full. Works for me!

Rid-X is meant to encourage bacterial action, which is of no use in an RV black tank. It is not a detergent.

[NanciL]

So what's new?

Any one who has been RV'ing for twenty years and has gone through a couple of trailers knows that after the first few uses those gages are useless.
like the rest of the Rv industry, the manufacturers are too cheap to put anything that is quality but will cost a few bucks more.

my background is electrical and instrumentation and we used to specify and install electronic measuring devices in every type of slurry and solid that exists that worked perfectly, but that is asking too much in the RV industry.

jack L

[5thwheeleroldma]

Similar to lanerd, I put a half box ridex and a gallon of vinegar into the black, bathroom and kitchen tanks; divided according to capacity, before the last dump. The ridex knocks things loose, and the vinegar dissolves calcium deposits (most rv destinations have very hard water). My last overnight is about 100 miles from home, so I drain and clean as well as possible. If the rv has been sitting for a few months, I do the same before leaving on a long trip and drain when tanks are full. Works for me!

[Mark_and_Linda]

I have never seen mine work like they should. We can go almost a week before dumping the black tank. We sometimes wash the dishes in a pan...then dump the soapy water in the black tank. If you pull the handle and nothing comes out...then it must be empty.

[Lynnmor]

I have seen the video where the producer claimed no benefit from ice cubes. The test rig and the testing was much different than real life operation. While he did provide much usable information, the idea that ice cubes are worthless is something that I don' t agree with. While it may not do great things, I'm sure that there is some benefit.

The idea of not using chemicals to reduce odor, because you don't smell it in your rig, perhaps others don't appreciate the stink when you dump. In a crowded campground we have to be respectful of others.

[lanerd]

The trick to having accurate sensors is to keep the black tank "clean". Here, "clean" is a relative term. What I mean is to keep the tank free of toilet paper and feces after dumping. The best way to do this is when you get ready to break camp and travel, empty the tank the best you can.....then add about five gallons of water plus a cup of liquid laundry detergent (I use Oxy-Clean....some use Dawn dish washing soap). Travel to you next destination and once there empty the tank once again and add a couple or three more gallons of water back into the tank prior to using the toilet. You may have to do this several times before you really get the tank "clean", but it will definitely work and your sensors will read accurately.

As mentioned, a tank rinse device really helps and a clear connector will keep you informed of not only what is coming out of the tank but also when it is empty. Also, in spite of many people posting about putting ice in the tank....it's been proven that this is a fallacy and does nothing constructive. Another fallacy is the very common use of tank chemicals. If you have an odor inside the rv, you have a problem with a seal, gasket or vent and needs to be repaired. Chemicals are like a band-aid...temporary fix. Use plenty of plain ol water prior to using the toilet, during the use of the toilet, and when dumping the tank.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Ron

[cyntdon2010]

when ever your at a campground with sewer. fill and dump, use your wand to loosen
the Heavy materials. attach a clear neck to view the goodie.

[rbpru]

When we use the dump station I have a clear elbow to see when the black tank stops running. Then I completely fill and flush the toilet bowl twice (about four gallons) and check that the water is running clear. The tank is as empty as it is going to get.

Same with the gray tank; dump, fill sink twice and look for clear water. Then I know that it is empty also.

The gauges rarely read empty, especially the black tank.

I also like to keep 5 gallons or so in the tanks so they do not dry out once they are dumped.

[Trackrig]

A month ago when dumping the black tank, the gauge went from close to full down to 50 percent, then up to 55 percent and then down to 0 percent about 20 minutes later after I'd closed everything up.

You might try this. If the TT is at home, or close by, go see what the gauge is reading now. If it's not reading empty, then when hooked up, pull in someplace, fill it half full of water, and then drive a ways and dump it. The water sloshing around will take care of it. If you don't know where there's a dump station, use of one of the several apps - and I'm making the assumption they work for Canada?

Some people will tell you to dump ice cubes in there, and they should help, but if you're going to do it, dump two 10# bags in there so there's enough in there so they don't all melt before you get out on the highway.

Bill

[rbpru]

The shape of the tanks do not lend themselves to accurate readings.

They are broad and shallow. The distance between the probes is small and easily bridged with toilet paper or other crud.

There are numerous compounds you can add to the tank to improve the situation but I have found these to be short lived.

I had as good, albeit temporary, results with a bag of ice dump down the stool before driving to the next camp ground.

Like most folks you just learn how full it is, or you look down the toilet. We know when our gray water tank is full because it will back up into the bath tub. 🙂

[Alberta_Born]

No. What is Black Tank Tuesday?

[stickdog]

After I run dump and run the flusher it says E and F. 1/3 and 2/3s are clear. History tells me once a week is time to dump. Ever hear of Black Tank Tuesdays?

[korbe]

Mine works........when I keep it "clean". My rinsing process continues (maybe up to 3 fill & dump cycles) until the light indicates empty. It's at that time my visual of the tank is squeaky clean. 🙂