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  1. #1
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    First trip out and black tank not reading right

    Very disappointed! Our very first trip in our NEW 2018 Reflection and our black tank is not reading correctly. We're not new at this so we had 2-3 gallons of water in the tank to begin with and used plenty of water with each use plus limited amount of RV toilet paper. We let all of the tanks read full before dumping to check out the monitoring system and were surprised that the black tank read full so fast. Obviously it wasn't actually full because it still read full after dumping the black tank. In our last unit the monitoring system worked good for the first 5 years or so. We use Calgon and dish soap in our tanks to help clean our sensors and sure didn't expect to have trouble from the beginning. Has anyone else had trouble so soon with the GD monitoring system?

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor livinthelife's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dennysbabe View Post
    Very disappointed! Our very first trip in our NEW 2018 Reflection and our black tank is not reading correctly. We're not new at this so we had 2-3 gallons of water in the tank to begin with and used plenty of water with each use plus limited amount of RV toilet paper. We let all of the tanks read full before dumping to check out the monitoring system and were surprised that the black tank read full so fast. Obviously it wasn't actually full because it still read full after dumping the black tank. In our last unit the monitoring system worked good for the first 5 years or so. We use Calgon and dish soap in our tanks to help clean our sensors and sure didn't expect to have trouble from the beginning. Has anyone else had trouble so soon with the GD monitoring system?
    Generally, the "idiot light" system doesn't work all that well. It's just a matter of learning what your tanks can handle. Our black water tank always reads between 1/2-2/3 full (but it's really not). Only time it wasn't was after one location that had extremely high water pressure that we used to clean the tank out. Got it down to less than 1/3 full).

    I think an actual level indicator would be a better option, but that's not what comes with the unit.

    2017 Reflection 26RL "Mili"
    2016 Ford F250 Extended Cab Gas Engine "Buck" (the truck)

  3. #3
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    you would think some kind of float attached to the side, just need to have it in its own niche so water can get to it but no solids....hmmmmm
    Jim and Belinda H. Pa.

    2018 337RLS- 2nd ac, dual pane windows, table and chairs, Kodiak disc brakes 12-28-17 (Thanks Ed!)
    720w solar, 100/50 Victron scc


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    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
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    Search the forum - dozens of posts (if not more) on this topic.

    Rob
    U.S. Army Retired
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  5. #5
    Big Traveler arhayes's Avatar
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    Our Momentum black tank has always read full since day 1, as does one of our grey tanks. We just know we need to dump every 10 days. More trouble than it is worth to fix it IMO, and I doubt the fix would last.


    Alan
    Alan and Kathleen
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  6. #6
    Seasoned Camper
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    Not being newbies to RVing, we've had fair success with our tank readings in the past in other units for at least two years but incorrect readings straight out the gate is just plain sad. Hope we have better service out of the rest of our unit.

  7. #7
    Site Sponsor sande005's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dennysbabe View Post
    Not being newbies to RVing, we've had fair success with our tank readings in the past in other units for at least two years but incorrect readings straight out the gate is just plain sad. Hope we have better service out of the rest of our unit.
    Apparently you've been very, very lucky in the past! This problem is one of the all time greatest hits across many, many manufacturers - and has been for years. Probably has to do with so many manufacturers buying the same thing from the same supplier.....

    For my prior Jayco, and now the Grand Design, we fought and fought over it. Now the RV and I just agree to disagree.
    2017 Imagine 2670MK
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    (Previous: Jayco 26.5RLS Fifth, Revolution Pinbox)

  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper
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    Quote Originally Posted by sande005 View Post
    Apparently you've been very, very lucky in the past! This problem is one of the all time greatest hits across many, many manufacturers - and has been for years. Probably has to do with so many manufacturers buying the same thing from the same supplier.....

    For my prior Jayco, and now the Grand Design, we fought and fought over it. Now the RV and I just agree to disagree.
    I suppose we’ll have to do the same. 🙂

  9. #9
    Site Sponsor sande005's Avatar
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    If you do some searching here or on RV.NET you'll find a bazillion recommendations on things to do to "clean" the sensors. Ice in the tanks to "scrub" them is a big one - which doesn't work. Jump over to YouTube and search for "The FitRV" - the guy there actually made up a clear "black tank" and spent time driving around with ice in it, to see if it did anything - nope! Some swear by "The GEO method", a concoction of water softener and detergent. No opinion on that. I've tried a few of the commercial sensor cleaners, which usually require adding the chemicals and soaking everything for a period of time. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But then again, sometimes just doing a LOT of filling and flushing using the spray port resolves it. For a little while. Then one or two dumps later the issue returns. There are a few after-market alternatives that claim to fix the issue, but between cost and labor to install they haven't been a compelling purchase for me....
    2017 Imagine 2670MK
    2012 F-150 SCrew, Eco, 4x4 6.5 box
    Max. Tow, HD Payload, Airbags, ProPride hitch
    (Previous: Jayco 26.5RLS Fifth, Revolution Pinbox)

  10. #10
    Seasoned Camper Flat top's Avatar
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    I have owned 3 different RVs all 3 different brands. None of tank sensors ever worked properly. Would spend hours cleaning and the next time out, they were off again. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment, that’s just the way they are.

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