Community Forums

bljl · 03-11-2013, 10:31 AM

I have a 5th wheel with two gray tanks. One for the kitchen and one for the bathroom sink and shower. After our last trip the tank for the bathroom gray water reads 2/3 full and I know its empty. what is good to clean the sensors in the tank. I do use some camco TST in the gray tanks,but that's for odor and Idont think that cleans the sensors. Need some ideas

Thanks

JayC · 03-11-2013, 11:05 AM

All of the tank sensors are very innacurate after normal use. I have used all kinds of additives, cleaners, sensor cleaners and snake oil and NOTHING WORKS!!! I have done the Geo method, added ice to the black water tank when moving, added soaps and a small amount of water when moving, and NOTHING WORKS!! At least not permanently.

The easiest way for me, as a full timer, is to use the "burp" method on the black tank. I generally leave the grey tank valves open until a few days before I will need to dump the black tank- experience tells me that it will be about a week- just to rinse the sewer hose.

I added a Valterra valve between the trailer and sewer hose to prevent the little "surprises" when you take the cap off the sewer line. Then buy yourself a clear fitting to go between the trailer and sewer hose to see what is being dumped, then keep a close watch as I dump the tank, then use the built-in tank flusher and then finally, use the soapy water in the grey tanks to final rinse the hose.

Use a toilet paper that is septic safe and use plenty of water when flushing the toilet.

Bottom line is that I ignore the gauges and have been doing so for years. Its an exercise in futility to try to clean the sensors and keep them clean.

Good luck.

BFlinn181 · 03-11-2013, 11:49 AM

As JayC says, the sensors are notoriously inaccurate. Here's a link to the GEO method of cleaning the tank.
https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/
The sensors can sometimes also be adjusted at the display. If you don't have the manual for your display unit, Google the manual and it might explain how to adjust the readings. Experience is the best tank monitor, the display is just a reminder.

BarryD0706 · 03-11-2013, 01:54 PM

If you want a real fix, consider capacitive tank-level sensing. See this: https://tankedge.com/ or this: http://www.rvgauge.com/.

NUWA is/was using the second of these and I was very impressed. The first is available from Camping World.

Some people also change to these Horst Miracle Probes for Wastewater Tanks in Recreational Vehicles RVs, but I think that's only a step in the right direction at best.