Holding Tank Level Gauges

[Cate&Rob]

All three of our waste tank level gauges seem to have become completely inaccurate. Reading 1/3 or 2/3 after a complete empty. How do these things work ? I have read about different tank cleansing processes to make them work. Are there more robust sensor systems out there that will give reliably readings without complex cleaning processes ? It would seem that somebody would have figured this out . . .

Rob

 

[LCBoyer]

I think they all fail

 

[gr8daggett]

Some people say these work well.
http://www.rvdoctor.com/2005/11/product-spotlight-real-rv-plumbing.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXdZgFLO4hY

I have a set but have not installed them yet.

 

[Cate&Rob]

gr8daggett,

Thanks for the info !
Since we are still in warranty, I will give the dealer a shot at solving this . . . should be interesting .
Then, I will look for a better solution.

Rob

 

[Paul & Deb]

I had to replace the black tank on my last 5th wheel and I added the Horst probes when I did it. They did work well. They are super easy to install, just pull out the old ones and insert the new ones and reconnect the wires. The issue is getting access to the tanks and that means dropping the belly cover. Not much fun. I won't be upgrading my probes unless I need to access the belly for something else.

 

[Dave and Monica]

I don't worry about the actual tank monitor reading...after you've camped in it for a while you determine the tank capacity in terms of # of days normal use.

Dave

 

[Paul & Deb]

I don't worry about the actual tank monitor reading...after you've camped in it for a while you determine the tank capacity in terms of # of days normal use.

Dave

Exactly

Paul

 

[Ditkitty]

D

All three of our waste tank level gauges seem to have become completely inaccurate. Reading 1/3 or 2/3 after a complete empty. How do these things work ? I have read about different tank cleansing processes to make them work. Are there more robust sensor systems out there that will give reliably readings without complex cleaning processes ? It would seem that somebody would have figured this out . . .

Rob

You will also find that they don't register "real time"......when you empty them they seem to need to dry off before they read empty

 

[IsaLei]

Anyone use cleaners or spray wands and do they help?

 

[TucsonJim]

I've owned four different RVs, and the gauges have never been accurate on any of them. And as mentioned above, you need to allow the sensors time to dry out after you dump in order for them to register empty.

Jim

 

[CWSWine]

This works for us. We put about 5 or 6 gallons and some product made to break down waste that's made for RVs then drive home and that acts like wash machines and usually cleans off the sensors.

If you have some time this is video good video and this guy has way to much time on his hands but he test different tank flushing options.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfTd0Slt_cU

Some people talk about the GEO method and this guy does a test to see how well it works

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH6acEmqvcw

This guy tackles the myth about RV toilet paper and with a little humor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-twQoVcZTaw

All good videos and I learned a lot.....

 

[offtohavasu]

I'm curious with the addition of the OneControl system if they moved away from the conventional sensors. Looking at the app, it shows tank levels by percentage and not fractions.

 

[mbaker]

Err, www.garnetinstruments.com/rv-shop/

 

[LCBoyer]

I had a Class A motor home, top,of the line. It had external sensors for tank gauges, I had to keep tanks real clean for them to work. I'd dump a cup of dish soap into a half tank of water, add a cup of Clorox and drive to my next destination, dump it when I arrived and rinse tanks. That would usually be good for a month. We spent a couple months in one spot. After first month I couldn't get them clean sitting still. I tried Calgon and dish detergent, hot water. Tanks still registered 30% or more

 

[Dalek20]

Err, www.garnetinstruments.com/rv-shop/

Yup this is the route that I am going. Just bought the See Level II. The system uses sensors that are installed on the outside of the tanks. It measures in the % of the fluid in the tank as it fills, or drains. I know people who have had this and they love it. I am tired and fed up with my 2/3 reading on the black tank monitor.

 

[Second Chance]

I don't worry about the actual tank monitor reading...after you've camped in it for a while you determine the tank capacity in terms of # of days normal use.

Dave

X2. Even the tank monitors on "high-end" units such as DRV get dirty and quit telling you a true story (and it's that they get dirty - not fail). Many long-timers/full-timers just learn how long they can go or how many showers they can take before needing to dump. It took us a while to get comfortable with it, but we've gradually gotten up to where we can go almost a week without dumping (showers and dish washing with the gray tanks are more of a problem than the black tank).

Rob

 

[VonGreg]

I had a Class A motor home, top,of the line. It had external sensors for tank gauges, I had to keep tanks real clean for them to work. I'd dump a cup of dish soap into a half tank of water, add a cup of Clorox and drive to my next destination, dump it when I arrived and rinse tanks. That would usually be good for a month. We spent a couple months in one spot. After first month I couldn't get them clean sitting still. I tried Calgon and dish detergent, hot water. Tanks still registered 30% or more

I just tried this while sitting still, black 1 would always show 2/3 full. I put the bleach and soap in and filled with the tank flush. Now it is reading 1/3 so a marked improvement. I am moving tomorrow so we will see what happens with the washing machine effect. Hope I don't go down the interstate blowing bubbles....


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