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Old 03-07-2010, 10:30 AM   #1
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Clean holding tank

How can I clean my holding tanks? I have a 1996 Hi-Lo and the tank indicator lights showed 2/3 full when the tank was empty. After setting a few months, after winterized, I went into the trailer and checked the tank level lights again and now they show empty. What's up with that? Some months ago, someone told me how to clean the sensors, but I accidently deleted that information. H-E-L-P please.
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Old 03-07-2010, 11:02 AM   #2
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The gunk on the tank walls dried up enough to stop fooling the sensors. The tank walls are what need to be cleaned.
There are many ways out there that are supposed to be surefire ways of cleaning them and I think I have tried all of them at one time or another and nothing has worked.
Ice in the black tank did nothing. The geo method did nothing. Various detergents, commercial "sensor" cleaners, and TSP did nothing.
My problem is that I don't have a flushing system and no way to install one where it will hit the wall where the sensors are mounted on the outside of the tanks (I have a non-contact system where the sensors are on the outside of the tank).

A flushing system along with adding a detergent and a few gallons of water while traveling seems to be the only thing that works at all.
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Old 03-08-2010, 06:42 AM   #3
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I have a sure fire way to know when the grey tank is full. there is water in the shower. The black tank doesn't fill that quick but a flashlight down the open falp shows the level.
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Old 03-08-2010, 12:12 PM   #4
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I have tried the ice in the black tank on my old TT and on my inlaws MH. to varying degrees of success. I have used the wand down the toilet and all that did was make me grumoy on having to run a hose through the camper and when the wand broke imagine the steam from the jakes then! I have seen some after market flush kits and some people swear by them I don't really know I use a flash light and look method and dump some ice down the toilet just before driving. These sensors are notorious for being wrong. Good luck!
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Old 03-08-2010, 12:46 PM   #5
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Apart from the initial soaking of your tank in an attempt to dissolve the deposits on your tank wall, you could possibly install a very simple tank flush system like this: No-fuss flush.

Obviously you will need access to you tank wall but if you can get this, this device is so easy to install. At the moment this is keeping our tank gauges working. You will also need to flush your tanks on a regular basis - not only when things have stopped working.

I have seen a video of a guy installing on of these gismo's, but I can't remember where that was (a link on IRV2 as I recall). This showed you how easy the installation is. I think it took me less than 5 minutes once the tools was out.

Good luck. I hope you get your problem solved.
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Old 03-09-2010, 06:13 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by V8Square View Post
How can I clean my holding tanks? I have a 1996 Hi-Lo and the tank indicator lights showed 2/3 full when the tank was empty. After setting a few months, after winterized, I went into the trailer and checked the tank level lights again and now they show empty. What's up with that? Some months ago, someone told me how to clean the sensors, but I accidently deleted that information. H-E-L-P please.
I have tried them all also. The ice in the tank does absolutely nothing but melt the ice as soon as it goes in. I use a 1/2 cup of dish soap and at lease 5 and maybe 10 gal of water in the tank. Drive down the road for a hr. or so. I do it when I am moving from one spot to another. When you get to the next destination, put some more water in and dume then. I bet you will be clean then. It works for me.
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Old 03-10-2010, 10:43 PM   #7
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I have tried them all also. The ice in the tank does absolutely nothing but melt the ice as soon as it goes in. I use a 1/2 cup of dish soap and at lease 5 and maybe 10 gal of water in the tank. Drive down the road for a hr. or so. I do it when I am moving from one spot to another. When you get to the next destination, put some more water in and dume then. I bet you will be clean then. It works for me.
Bill
wouldn't dishwahing detergent be harmful to rubber seals????
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Old 03-11-2010, 04:35 AM   #8
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wouldn't dishwahing detergent be harmful to rubber seals????
?????
If so, about 100 million american homes are about to be in trouble! A dishwasher uses that soap and has lots of rubber seals.
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Old 03-11-2010, 05:58 AM   #9
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wouldn't dishwahing detergent be harmful to rubber seals????
You also use dishwashing soap to clean your dishes in your RV. I don't mean dishwasher soap but dish soap like dawn or joy or whatever.
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Old 03-11-2010, 04:34 PM   #10
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Thanks

Guess the easiest is the "use the flashlight" option in addition to keeping the system good and clean.
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Old 03-11-2010, 04:43 PM   #11
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You also use dishwashing soap to clean your dishes in your RV. I don't mean dishwasher soap but dish soap like dawn or joy or whatever.
Bill O
We have tried this but it doesn't work for us. The paper goes all soggy very quickly
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Old 03-11-2010, 06:24 PM   #12
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Some folks report success with using TSP cleaner. Add appropriate amount to 1/2 tank water before departure for next destination.
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Old 03-12-2010, 06:43 AM   #13
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10 gal. of water and 1 qt. of PineSol. Drive for 3-4 hrs. and drain.
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Old 03-12-2010, 06:52 AM   #14
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Thanks. Surely one of these options should work.
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