|
|
Post by cruppy on Sept 16, 2018 9:37:56 GMT -5
When I empty my tanks, the black water and grey water tanks never show empty on the meter reading.
I always wait till nothing else comes out.
My question is, is there a way to replace the sensors or do I have to replace the tanks?
Thank You.
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on Sept 16, 2018 11:50:52 GMT -5
cruppy Senors are notorious for not working properly, there are aftermarket senors that you can buy an install without replacing your tanks but even those from what I have read are off after period of time ... What i have done over the years is just get a sense of how much is in your tanks, ie with only the two of us we can go sometimes four days without dumping are tanks depending on the weather ...
Hot days were you sweat allot you take more showers, cold days you do not, if you have a dish washer an use it daily then tanks fill quickly .... When we have the grand-kids it's more like ever other day on
the gray water tank it seams ....
So the answer to your question is you can buy new sensors, no you do not have to replace your tanks ... Safe Travels  Chuck |
|
|
|
Post by Edd505 on Sept 16, 2018 14:21:06 GMT -5
Don't think I ever had sensors that worked. Fresh water & battery levels all I watch. Dump tanks as needed, "honey I'm standing in water", black can go weeks.
|
|
|
|
Post by lynnmor on Sept 16, 2018 15:05:10 GMT -5
Just so you know, the "sensors" are nothing more than a bolt stuck thru the side of the tank. Cleaning those bolt heads will do exactly nothing because stuff stuck to them will simply conduct even less than a clean bolt head. The real issue is that scum on the tank wall conducts electricity between the sensors, so the only good answer is cleaning the tank wall. A black tank flusher might help and some cleaners can also reduce the scum, but the problem returns.
I took a different route and made a device that compensates for the conductivity of the scum.
|
|
|
|
Post by cruppy on Sept 16, 2018 18:59:14 GMT -5
Just so you know, the "sensors" are nothing more than a bolt stuck thru the side of the tank. Cleaning those bolt heads will do exactly nothing because stuff stuck to them will simply conduct even less than a clean bolt head. The real issue is that scum on the tank wall conducts electricity between the sensors, so the only good answer is cleaning the tank wall. A black tank flusher might help and some cleaners can also reduce the scum, but the problem returns. I took a different route and made a device that compensates for the conductivity of the scum. How did you make the device and how does it work? |
|
|
|
Post by lynnmor on Sept 16, 2018 19:40:19 GMT -5
The gauge levels depend on a certain amount of resistance for each lamp to be illuminated. I add resistance to compensate for the easier electrical path thru the scum layer. It is something that I wanted to market, and still may, but there is little acceptance for a device that takes calibration.
|
|
|
|
Post by cruppy on Sept 16, 2018 19:49:32 GMT -5
The gauge levels depend on a certain amount of resistance for each lamp to be illuminated. I add resistance to compensate for the easier electrical path thru the scum layer. It is something that I wanted to market, and still may, but there is little acceptance for a device that takes calibration. Oh I see. Maybe you should market it if it helps with these problems. |
|
|
|
Post by nvguy on Sept 16, 2018 23:12:56 GMT -5
The sensor system in RV tanks is crummy, it always has been and will continue to be. They are really nothing more than an estimate.
What I find interesting is both tanks aren't showing empty, it's unusual that both tanks have scum, so the question I have for the OP: Did the level gauges ever read empty? What do they show? Do they both read the same all the time? Depending on what you say, some diagnosis may be needed, as you might have an issue rather than scum. If they did show empty at some time, then it is most likely scum, then post here, I bet someone here has a method that will work.
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on Sept 17, 2018 11:09:29 GMT -5
Ever so often I will put a couple of bags of ice in the black water tank between camp grounds when traveling, seems to help ... I also use tide packets, a couple down the hole ever time I emty along with the sanitizer that keeps the smell down ...
Safe Travels
Chuck |
|
|
|
Post by cruppy on Sept 17, 2018 15:35:18 GMT -5
The sensor system in RV tanks is crummy, it always has been and will continue to be. They are really nothing more than an estimate. What I find interesting is both tanks aren't showing empty, it's unusual that both tanks have scum, so the question I have for the OP: Did the level gauges ever read empty? What do they show? Do they both read the same all the time? Depending on what you say, some diagnosis may be needed, as you might have an issue rather than scum. If they did show empty at some time, then it is most likely scum, then post here, I bet someone here has a method that will work. I will check this weekend when we go camping and I empty both tanks and let you know. |
|
k0vwa
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 47 
|
Post by k0vwa on Sept 25, 2018 11:38:36 GMT -5
We just winterized our Escape 196. Tanks never show empty in summer due to the scum effect. I dumped the black tank once, filled with water and added Calgon and borax, then let it sit overnight. Next morning I dumped it again, filled it with fresh water and dumped again. Both tanks show empty on the gauge. The bag of ice in the toilet before you go home trick is a good one. |
|
