Grey holdimg tank reading 1/4 when empty

[tom chelbana]

Our 04 Essex grey holding tank indicator has started reading a 1/4 tank when the tank is empty. Always emtpy when tank is 1/2 or higher and have used cleaning agents to try to clean when driving the last 2 times when we are traveling but still reading 1/4 tank when empty. A service person wants 175$ to clean both tanks and if this will fix the problem willing to do it. Any other ideas?

[wildtoad]

I would not pay $175 just to clean the tanks especially if it's due to the gray reading 1/4 full. Now if the tanks were reading 3/4 or full then perhaps. But the gray reading 1/4 to me is a not an issue.

[GaryKD]

Hi tom chelbana,
Yep, it happens to all of us. My black tank does this. I just ignore it. Every once and a while the tank will read empty after a dump. Most of the time the 1/4 light remains on. As long as I know when it is 3/4 to full, I'm good.

[footdoc]

You might want to recalibrate the sensor in the tank...different methods to do this depending on the type

[cutrell01]

Most RVs with the internal monitors for black and grey tank eventually will start reading 1/4 when you know they are empty. As long as they still tell you when they are 1/2 and 3/4, I would not worry. I have not tried this yet, but plan to the next time I use my RV. Put 2 cups of Pine Power (purchase at Dollar General stores) and 5 to 10 gal of water in empty tank, drive to your next destination, empty tank and rinse. Several posts have said this works to clean your tanks and sensors. Pine Power is not the same as Pine Sol. A 48 oz bottle cost me $2.00 at Dollar General. Most grey tanks do not have a rinser system like the black tank.

[jzick]

Normally, I ignore readings from tank monitors since they are so often wrong and we have used our coach long enough to figure pretty closely how full the tanks are without gauges. Once in a while, though, I get aggravated and try to eliminate the false grey tank readings. If cleaners and driving do not fix it, I add some wetter/defoamer like denatured alcohol or carpet cleaner defoamer and that normally helps for a while. I assume that residual soap is causing bubbles that affect the sensors.

[fansill]

I broke down and had the tanks professionally cleaned a few weeks ago. I was appalled at what I observed coming out of my tanks...!!! Paper towels, and lots of other yucky stuff that would never have broken down,,,,, It was worth the small money to have the tanks cleaned out and now my meters are reading much more accureately... And being the neat freak that I am, I feel better knowing that the tanks are cleaner than when I purchased it as a second owner....

Faith

[macantic]

camping world sells gauge cleaner.

[wa8yxm]

And the gauge cleaner does not work, HINT, I can tell you what it is,, Salt.

Fact is that is normal operation, the standard sensor shows empty when the RV is new, never again less you get very very lucky.

Install SEE LEVEL sensors, Those are calibrated (There is no calibration on the standard sensors, I mean, how do you calibrate a nail?) and they work well.

[cutrell01]

Tried Camping World gauge cleaner and it did not work. Other methods may not work either--ice cubes, special cleaner, etc.

[clyon51]

The grey tank needs the same cleaning as the black, even more so because of FOG (fat oil and grease) that effects internal sensors.

[Luv2go]

Originally Posted by tom chelbana

Our 04 Essex grey holding tank indicator has started reading a 1/4 tank when the tank is empty. Always emtpy when tank is 1/2 or higher and have used cleaning agents to try to clean when driving the last 2 times when we are traveling but still reading 1/4 tank when empty. A service person wants 175$ to clean both tanks and if this will fix the problem willing to do it. Any other ideas?

Tom, after you give it a good cleaning (try the GEO method) you should be able to calibrate the sensor. Look at page 11-1 of your manual to find out how (if link does not work navigate to this page at Newmar, access Comnet and navigate to the Technical Reference - Owners Guides section).

[charlie hamby]

The holding tank sensors are part of the eplex system.You probably have a sensor going bad.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by charlie hamby

The holding tank sensors are part of the eplex system.You probably have a sensor going bad.

Eplex was not used by Newmar until 2006.