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rockintom · 11-22-2015, 08:10 AM

Well, after 11 years of full timing I finally started getting a goofy reading on the SeeLevel gauges on the black tank (had lots of issues on the grey tank readings-another story). Seems about 6 months ago, when I'd empty and do my 3 tank flush and then add back in some base water, I'd get a reading of like 25-35%. Then after adding some more water and waste the reading would go back down to the proper reading of 15% and worked correctly all the way to full. At first I just chose to ignore it, hoping that more flushing it'd get better. Then came the chemicals and numerous power flushes. Then I filled the bowl with water several times and flush with an empty tank. Nothing was changing the situation. I finally thought that maybe the rear wall of the tank, which contains the factory installed flusher and also the tank gauge sensor, may have some paper or ? on it giving me the false reading. Apparently the factory flusher can't get that wall very well. Anyhow I got a toilet wand by Valterra from CW ($12.59). I also made a toilet ball valve guard to hold the valve open while I worked on spraying down the inside of the tank good. CW wanted $9 for their version of the tool. I made one from a 2" PCV coupler ($.86) and then installed a couple of 1/4" carriage bolt to keep the piece from falling into the tank. Worked like a charm. After 45 minutes of flushing with the wand and tank flusher, it appears the problem is fixed. Yay!!!!

Don't forget to "sanitize" your equipment after use! rockin'

Hope this will help someone facing this condition in the future. rockin'

Pullin' Chocks · 11-22-2015, 08:24 AM

good post. we had a similar situation with our black tank. finally the wire connection broke at the sensor... we have a clean black tank now :-)

CARLnJANIS · 11-22-2015, 02:05 PM

Smart idea, Rockin'. You're my improvising hero.

My SeeLevel gauges are not that accurate at the lower readings. Seems the adding of water after the flush seems to confuse the sensor. The grey tank gauge never reads below 4%. Could be a problem with the drain valve not letting out all the water. So I add a lot of antifreeze to the grey tank when winterizing.

We do not add paper to the black tank. When I grew up in East Texas the toilet paper would clog up the septic tank and require a costly visit from the sewer suckers. So my dad said no more TP in the toilet. Back then we used a diaper pail with plastic bag linings to dispose of the soiled paper. The wife and I use a Diaper Genie in the trailer. Works great with little odor.

rockintom · 11-22-2015, 03:40 PM

Carl,

If your grey sensor has done the 4% thing when empty since new, I'd guess they sensor was installed incorrectly. If the sensor is set too low and starts to make the turn on the tank it'll give that kinda reading.

Yeah, I hear ya on using paper in the black tank. We only do what you do (get it....do-do! Ha!) when in a place with no sewer. It amazes me of how long the black tank last when no paper is introduced. We can go a week on it with no paper! But Ms. Donna doesn't like to do it on a regular basis. She tells me "I didn't do this lifestyle as a camper"......I want to RV!!!! Later, rockin'

Still Working "NOT" · 11-22-2015, 04:24 PM

Rockin, I think you know your sh**.

rockintom · 11-22-2015, 05:01 PM

Thanks still, that's the nicest thing said to me today!!!

D and J · 12-13-2015, 09:48 PM

Sensors??

Tom, weren't you the one who told me you just reach down the drain, and when your hand gets wet it's time to dump the tanks??

rockintom · 12-13-2015, 10:01 PM

D&J!!!! Long time no hear from!!! We think about ya often. Yes, I still have my halon extinguisher on the refer!!! Thanks to you! rockin'

D and J · 12-15-2015, 08:22 AM

Right back at you, Tom ( as far as the thoughts go)

We just signed contracts on our house in WA, moved into a 40 foot class A, and are re-locating back to the east coast.

We hit the road tomorrow, but too late in the season to just go east, so we have to go south then east. Too much of that white stuff in the passes

Doug

RET FF · 12-18-2015, 05:12 PM

Soooo......Rockin and CarlnJanis, after reading the post about inaccurate sensors, etc., and no paper in the black tank, (a practice we adhere to) and after thinking about it for awhile ( color me slow), it occurs to me in that situation it makes no difference which type/brand of paper you use. Tree leaves if it floats your boat.

CARLnJANIS · 12-19-2015, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RET FF

Soooo......Rockin and CarlnJanis, after reading the post about inaccurate sensors, etc., and no paper in the black tank, (a practice we adhere to) and after thinking about it for awhile ( color me slow), it occurs to me in that situation it makes no difference which type/brand of paper you use. Tree leaves if it floats your boat.

Tree leaves, too rough. Water soaked corn cobs would work, but they are rough on the diaper genie. So we use the same TP in the trailer as we do at home. I like my TP soft, not like that 80-grit TP the Army supplied. I think it could take auto paint down to the sheet metal.

RET FF · 12-19-2015, 01:11 PM

Amen on the 80 grit! I think the navy had the same supplier/contract. As Rock'n said, the black tank last longer with no paper and I have noticed it empties and flushes faster and " cleaner "( maybe, who knows?).
It gives me cold chills when I see someone pull in, make hookup's , then open BOTH gray and black and walk away. Can you say " headache in the making" ?

CARLnJANIS · 12-19-2015, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RET FF

It gives me cold chills when I see someone pull in, make hookup's , then open BOTH gray and black and walk away. Can you say " headache in the making" ?

That's what I call, "Making a mountain out of a poop hill".

jerichorick · 12-19-2015, 01:46 PM

The above comments are too funny for a subject that touches all of us.

We have been using the cheap Walmart brand dishwasher power for years. Up until recently it has worked well. Now the tank tends to stick at 1/4 after dumping. I think part of the problem is that we move ever 2 to three months instead of monthly as in the past. The tank can't slosh the cleaning solution.

I am going to use a (dissolved in hot water) coffee mug of the power now, just after dumping, and again in a week. We also use a mug of dissolved backing soda to control odors.

I hope you get good results with this method.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Trails to all.

Rick Y