Community Forums

Winnie 2000 · 03-28-2011, 08:58 PM

Hello all, having problems with the readings on my blackwater tank. I have pulled the sensors and cleaned them and the level readings were OK for the first fill and empty. After that back to the problem of reading half to three quarters full when tank is empty. I think I understand the waste film as it's called building up on the tank walls and creating a path for the electrical connection. Is there a remedy for this.

OneRVer · 03-29-2011, 10:36 AM

I have never done this but I have been told that if you put a cube of Cascade Dishwasher soap in you tank it will break down that film you are talking about.

Just drop it in during normal use and while you are going to be driving. Just a thought. Good luck.

Paul R. Haller · 03-29-2011, 10:51 AM

I empty my ice cubes in the toilet just before I drive away. The sloshing and the ice cubes will scrub off any debris and when you get home dump. All clean.
-Paul R. Haller-

sparkydog · 03-29-2011, 11:15 AM

Hi Winnie, your gonna hate this. I just read about this the other day, but I can't remember which thread it was. It's here somewhere, but what they said was sludge built up on the walls will short across the probes and give false readings. They also talked about replacements that are foolproof. I have the same issues with my MH, and am probably going to replace mine at least on the black water tank. As soon as I come across that info I'll post, otherwise someone will have better recall than I do

crumgj · 03-29-2011, 11:32 AM

I've used the Cascade dishwasher packets in my blackwater tank and it actually works! I filled the tank about 1/2 full and then went for a drive after dropping in 2 packets. The sloshing around helps to hit the whole tank. When I dumped the tank the sensors worked perfectly. I've also tried the ice cubes in a half filled tank but I've had problems with the toilet seal after releasing the foot pedal ever since. Perhaps the DW didn't understand that we didn't need to dump two ice bags into the bowl before flushing.......

sparkydog · 03-29-2011, 11:34 AM

Ok, Horst miracle probes is the website . the black water probes make sense with the hooded portion as described. Anyway good luck!

mel s · 03-29-2011, 04:03 PM

My gray tank recently began reading 2/3 to full, even when empty (15 years old).
I tried 7 1/2 cups (3/4 cup/gal) of TSP powder ($9.00) in 30 gal of water in my 40 gal tank. I drove 250 miles and dumped......No change. Time for a SeeLevel upgrade!
Mel

ischua · 03-29-2011, 04:25 PM

Seelevel

RV Tank Monitor System

Clay L · 03-30-2011, 01:11 PM

I have tried just about all of the many methods people say will clean the tank walls and have never found anything that works.
I even have a non-contact sensor system will sensors on the outside of the tanks and the black tank reads full all the time. The gray tank reads 2/3 full when empty.

A number of people have posted that they are having good luck with the Horst probes mentioned above. This is their site Horst Miracle Probes for Wastewater Tanks in Recreational Vehicles RVs

sparkydog · 04-04-2011, 01:46 PM

Hey everybody, just installed the Horst Miracle Probes in black and grey tanks. It took all of about 45 minutes to do. I Had to drill a 3/8 hole for each probe next to the original location, inserts the probe, tighten and put the wire on. Going out in a couple of weeks, will see how they work, check for leaks!

okmunky · 04-04-2011, 02:08 PM

Hi Y'all,

Is there any way to prevent gunk from building up in a new system?

Ray,IN · 04-04-2011, 02:37 PM

Some folks report success with tank/sensor cleaning using TSP (TriSodium Phosphate) heavy duty cleaner.

dons2346 · 04-06-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okmunky

Hi Y'all,

Is there any way to prevent gunk from building up in a new system?

Yep. Get some water softener and dissolve a cup of the powder in hot water. Add the mix to the black tank along with a couple of gallons of water. Do not dump the tank until it is at least 3/4 full. If you can't wait that long, then fill the tank up with water, then dump.

You can also install a tank flusher on the other side of the tank from where the sensors are mounted. Use the flusher during every dump.

My coach is an '02 and my sensors have never given me a problem.

JLodge · 07-29-2014, 05:05 PM

The best remedy may be to just replace your existing sensor with a new one. One plausible option would be the SeeLevel sensor, as it is designed specifically for this problem, and is actually located on the outside of the tank, so it can't get grime to collect on it. The only complaints that I have ever heard about this unit is 1: the price, and 2: the system isn't waterproof. Any water that comes into contact with it supposedly destroys the sensor.

If you are concerned about the price or the water issue, you may want to consider this alternative Water Level Sensor. It is cheaper than the SeeLevel, and it supposedly is watertight.