Black/Grey Water Sensor Problems

[Texas FlyBoy]

Howdy From The Texas Hill Country!

New kids on the block here! We have a 2020 Relection 312BHTS. I drained the Grey Tank from our last camping trip... but the panel is showing "Full". Surprising since this rig is less than a year old. Anyone else had this problem? Any Suggestions?

Thanks!

Corey & Julie

 

[Second Chance]

If you use the search function on the forum, you'll find this is an oft-discussed issue. The tank sensors are notorious for having "stuff" stick to them and giving false readings. You can Google "Geo method" for cleaning RV tanks and sensors.

I see this is your first post - welcome to the forum! You can create a signature block with your RV and tow vehicle information (see mine below). That way you won't have to repeat that information whenever you post or ask a question. You can create a signature by going to:

Forum Actions (on menu bar) -> Edit Profile -> Edit Signature (under My Settings on the left)

Happy camping!

Rob

 

[traveldawg]

Howdy From The Texas Hill Country!

New kids on the block here! We have a 2020 Relection 312BHTS. I drained the Grey Tank from our last camping trip... but the panel is showing "Full". Surprising since this rig is less than a year old. Anyone else had this problem? Any Suggestions?

Thanks!

Corey & Julie

ditto - what SecondChance said.....

fwiw...... I just dumped about 12 ounces of Camco Probe Cleaner in my grey water tank in hopes of cleaning up the readings; they've been on full for months. Sometimes this cleaner works, sometimes not.

 

[Michigan_Dreaming]

I’ve had very good luck with a cup of white vinegar and add 1/3 tank of water after draining for each of gray tanks.

 

[Texas FlyBoy]

Awesome! I think I got my new signature right! But how do you add those little pictures? - C

 

[traveldawg]

Awesome! I think I got my new signature right! But how do you add those little pictures? - C

Setting; Edit Signature: then insert pictures using the formatting icons just as you would in a post.

 

[Wicked ace]

Howdy From The Texas Hill Country!

New kids on the block here! We have a 2020 Relection 312BHTS. I drained the Grey Tank from our last camping trip... but the panel is showing "Full". Surprising since this rig is less than a year old. Anyone else had this problem? Any Suggestions?

Thanks!

Corey & Julie

You will get a bevy of tricks and solutions to clean the ever problematic tank level indicators. I only have the black tank as a concern, the grey seem to function more consistently with the bath sometimes reading 1/3 after draining.
There are a few things I have found that work to stay on top of them.
Experience is the best teacher. From use you will learn to anticipate when things are getting close to full, sometimes the hard way.
The only way that works to clear the black tank sensors is a thorough black tank flush at the dump station. Often this takes three or four fill-ups and flushes from the hose. Once I have dumped I've learned over time how far I can go, usually three to four days. Because the flush is somewhat labor / time intensive I now save it for the last dump before heading home to insure the tanks are clean / empty.
A side note is never leave the black tank completely dry for an extended period and avoid the temptation to put harsh chemicals / deodorants in it. Allowing solids to do their biological function helps to keep the tank from getting build-up.
As a preventive measure for the grey tanks I'll periodically dump a couple buckets of water in with a strong solution of Ajax or Mr Clean leaving them to agitate on the first leg of a trip out. These are alkaline cleaners that will break down soap and grease in the tanks.
FWIW, Just my 2 cents.

 

[huntindog]

I am in the minority, in that the sensors have always worked well fo me in all of my RVs over 30 years....I think it is because my usage is different than most others. I always boondock,usually in remote locations. I always dump at home, immeadiatly after arriving. The the trip home is always at least 150 miles with some rough roads along the way. I only use bacteria based holding treatments.
All of this together gives the TP the best shot at disolving, and not getting caught on the sensors.

Compare this to typical campers usage. They go to campgrounds and dump there. The TP has no real opportunity to disolve.
This is a perfect recipe for sensor trouble.

 

[Tgunter5]

I am in the minority, in that the sensors have always worked well fo me in all of my RVs over 30 years....I think it is because my usage is different than most others. I always boondock,usually in remote locations. I always dump at home, immeadiatly after arriving. The the trip home is always at least 150 miles with some rough roads along the way. I only use bacteria based holding treatments.
All of this together gives the TP the best shot at disolving, and not getting caught on the sensors.

Compare this to typical campers usage. They go to campgrounds and dump there. The TP has no real opportunity to disolve.
This is a perfect recipe for sensor trouble.

From day 1, we have always disposed of TP in the trash instead of the tank. Occasionally there is a slip up I admit, but no my thoughts were that this would give me the best result for the sensors to work. But NOPE!!!! They still work 50/50. Most of the time the black shows 3/4 even after dumping!!! Just something we have learned to live with

 

[Second Chance]

From day 1, we have always disposed of TP in the trash instead of the tank. Occasionally there is a slip up I admit, but no my thoughts were that this would give me the best result for the sensors to work. But NOPE!!!! They still work 50/50. Most of the time the black shows 3/4 even after dumping!!! Just something we have learned to live with

The reason being that septic-safe TP disintegrates in water and doesn't stick to things until it dries out again while solid human waste is greasy (nice image, isn't it?). It's most likely the grease that coats the sensors. That's why the "geo method" with water softener (borax crystals) and detergent with agitation has proven itself in the long run.

Rob

 

[huntindog]

The reason being that septic-safe TP disintegrates in water and doesn't stick to things until it dries out again while solid human waste is greasy (nice image, isn't it?). It's most likely the grease that coats the sensors. That's why the "geo method" with water softener (borax crystals) and detergent with agitation has proven itself in the long run.

Rob

The bacteria based tratments I us also digest grease. The catch is they need time to work. Most of my outings are extended stays, so that also is in my favor.

Bottom line, understanding why they misbehave is the key. Then one can determine if doing something differently (if possible) may solve the issue.

 

[MachWun]

I used to use the GEO method until I tried the below. Works like a champ! It is way cheaper than those gel packs. I copied it from somewhere verbatim....

Calgon water softener (and not Borax), for sure, but also the addition of Pine-Sol disinfectant/cleaner. It doesn’t break down oils as much as the Dawn detergent does, has a stronger, more pleasant smell (you can use any scent), and has a disinfectant property.

Here’s how to make your own:
Purchase or find a clean, one-gallon (128-ounce) bottle
Pour in 40 ounces of Pine-Sol (generic or alternative pine-based cleaners can also be used)
Pour in 4 ounces of Calgon (we like the bath beads)
SLOWLY pour in water to fill the one-gallon bottle (it will foam like crazy and take time to fill completely)
Gently shake
For most holding tanks (both black AND gray; 30-50 gallons in capacity), pour in four ounces (1/2 cup) EVERY time you empty your holding tanks. A one-gallon bottle of this solution will give you about 50 tank treatments, all for a cost of roughly ten dollars.

 

[Bradnailer]

Since the gray tank is mostly soapy water, when I had a sensor problem, I just filled the tank with clean water, let it set a couple of days then drained. That took care of it.

Welcome!! We are in Boerne.

 

[Michigan_Dreaming]

Not quite sure I understand the statement… “It doesn’t break down oils as much as the Dawn” I was wondering why the Pine-Sol is preferred over the Dawn? Strictly for the odor killing?

I used to use the GEO method until I tried the below. Works like a champ! It is way cheaper than those gel packs. I copied it from somewhere verbatim....

Calgon water softener (and not Borax), for sure, but also the addition of Pine-Sol disinfectant/cleaner. It doesn’t break down oils as much as the Dawn detergent does, has a stronger, more pleasant smell (you can use any scent), and has a disinfectant property.

Here’s how to make your own:
Purchase or find a clean, one-gallon (128-ounce) bottle
Pour in 40 ounces of Pine-Sol (generic or alternative pine-based cleaners can also be used)
Pour in 4 ounces of Calgon (we like the bath beads)
SLOWLY pour in water to fill the one-gallon bottle (it will foam like crazy and take time to fill completely)
Gently shake
For most holding tanks (both black AND gray; 30-50 gallons in capacity), pour in four ounces (1/2 cup) EVERY time you empty your holding tanks. A one-gallon bottle of this solution will give you about 50 tank treatments, all for a cost of roughly ten dollars.

 

[Ynot4me2]

Not quite sure I understand the statement… “It doesn’t break down oils as much as the Dawn” I was wondering why the Pine-Sol is preferred over the Dawn? Strictly for the odor killing?

You prefer to have the black tank kinda oily as opposed to sticky.
Here's a good short article https://kleentank.com/the-geo-method/

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

 

[MachWun]

What Ynot4me2 said. Looks to be where I got the receipe. Been using it and works great. Used to use pods ($$$) and kept smell away for awhile. Then geo but switched.

 

[OurNewEra]

Ran across this new video on YouTube from the NRVTA. Provides a good basic explanation of the tank and the sensors. How the sensors work and what can cause false readings. Disclaimer: I wanted to provide this purely as education on tank sensors and do not support or recommend any particular product or method for cleaning tanks and sensors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYJetxLMtsI

 

[wannabervin]

I had trouble with the sensors in my first tt. Then got a brand new. 5th wheel. Black tank sensors continued to read full after 1st dump. I decided not to fight that fight. I ignore the black readout and dump when the grey tanks are full and thoroughly back flush the black tank. We use the gel packets and marine/RV tp. No problems in 3+ years.

 

[MachWun]

I had trouble with the sensors in my first tt. Then got a brand new. 5th wheel. Black tank sensors continued to read full after 1st dump. I decided not to fight that fight. I ignore the black readout and dump when the grey tanks are full and thoroughly back flush the black tank. We use the gel packets and marine/RV tp. No problems in 3+ years.

Check out septic safe TP. Better quality TP, less $, same breakdown.

I used to use gel packs to. They help with smell...that's about it. GEO method or the one I use... no more sensor problem. Never a poop mound. Not much flushing needed.

 

[caswelld]

Lots of good advice here.

Using a good black tank treatment like "Happy Campers," and then every 4th dump or so using Calgon & Dawn will keep the black tank and the sensors clean. With every dump we did several good black tank flushes until clear water ran out of the sewer hose. We refilled the black tank with several gallons of water after each dump & used plenty of water with each toilet flush. Also, we always use RV or sceptic safe toilet paper.

Our Rvs were seldom stationary for more than 2 weeks. Before hitting the road we did a couple of good black tank flushes, then did the Calgon/Dawn treatment. A few hours of sloshing around seemed to do the trick! The sensors worked most of the time & we didn't have odor issues either.

There are some cautions with using Clorox in the holding tanks. There's been concern regarding what bleach does to good bacteria & enzyme based treatments.

Happy camping.

Dave