Community Forums

FLORIDA FRED · 06-13-2010, 10:03 AM

Hi All --- I'm having a problem with the "Black Tank " gauge --- When I empty it the "dark " waste water comes out then a WOOSH and clear water comes out but the gauge still reads 2/3 full ? -- So I refilled the tank and emptied it and the gauge read 1/3 so I repeated the process and then it read empty, so to be sure I refilled and drained it again -- The reading went back to 2/3 and now every time I drain the tank ( every day ) it reads 2/3 ??? What am I doing wrong ??

Vegasdan · 06-13-2010, 10:38 AM

The main problem with the black tank and even at times the grey tank monitors is something will cling to the in tank sensors and will show the tank full or partially full after the dump. If you have a rinsing wand or built in black tank rinse, try using it to clean off the side walls. You can also use Calgon water softener (buy it in the laundry section of the grocery store, this is not the same as Calgon water softener salt). Dissolve 2 cups in a gallon of hot water and pour the solution down the stool. Also use a cup of liquid laundry detergent down the stool at the same time. Partially fill the tank with water. Then go for a drive, the agitation will slosh this mixture around and up the sides of the waste tank. Then dump.

Hooligan · 06-13-2010, 10:41 AM

Fred- Those gages are notoriously inaccurate. Most errors seem to be from a build up on the sensors....There are tank and sensor cleaners, (chemicals), there are cleaning wands that spray inside the tank and a search of the board here will yield several discussions on tank cleaning and maintenance..
(also what vegasdan sez...)

skigramp · 06-13-2010, 12:19 PM

you are experiencing a common problem ...

We have been RVing for about 15 years ... I use the calgon and laundry treatment before we drive ... that helps ... but does not cure the problem ...

My experience is that our gray tank fills way before the black tank ... so my observation (on our rig) is that I am not going to have a severe problem with the black tank ... and when the gray tank is 100% full the water backs up in the shower ...

The bottom line is that I have quit worrying about the gauges ...

When we are parked with full hookups ... I leave the black valve closed ... the gray valve open for about 5 or 6 days ... I close the gray valve for a day ... dump the black tank ... then open the gray valve and leave it open until a day before the next black tank dump ...

Theberrys · 06-13-2010, 12:26 PM

Before you go for the Drive add a bag of Ice, this will help the cleaning action while sloshing.

Dick

CD · 06-13-2010, 04:57 PM

Florida Fred
I use the GEO method which is the water softener & detergent mentioned above. It has been posted before on this forum so if you do search for it you should find the whole story. I have used it for about 2 years and the gages work much better than before. I don't just put it in and drive around & dump. I put in in before using and leave it until dump time. You should use it in the grey tanks also.

Lindsay Richards · 06-15-2010, 06:52 PM

Put a piece of black electrical tape over the gauge readout. Keep track of what you think might be in it and go by that. It will just as accurate and life will be much easier.

Sammie · 06-15-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay Richards

Put a piece of black electrical tape over the gauge readout. Keep track of what you think might be in it and go by that. It will just as accurate and life will be much easier.

I keep a roll of black tape handy by the drivers seat so that I can fix those pesky lights on the dash while I'm on the road.

Sammie

jemma112 · 06-21-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegasdan

The main problem with the black tank and even at times the grey tank monitors is something will cling to the in tank sensors and will show the tank full or partially full after the dump. If you have a rinsing wand or built in black tank rinse, try using it to clean off the side walls. You can also use Calgon water softener (buy it in the laundry section of the grocery store, this is not the same as Calgon water softener salt). Dissolve 2 cups in a gallon of hot water and pour the solution down the stool. Also use a cup of liquid laundry detergent down the stool at the same time. Partially fill the tank with water. Then go for a drive, the agitation will slosh this mixture around and up the sides of the waste tank. Then dump.

What a great idea. I also love the ice addition. When I decide between a Class A or a Class C, I'll be ahead of the game. Thanks Sue

tedward1555 · 06-21-2010, 02:30 PM

Hey Florida Fred. Also with not dumping every day the bacteria can build up and clean/disolve the solids in the black tank too. Makes it dump easier and gauges able to read more accurately. In my experience.

LindaH · 06-21-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLORIDA FRED

every time I drain the tank ( every day )

Why are you dumping your black tank every day? Unless you have an EXTREMELY small black tank, or a LOT of people using it, there's no reason to do so. In fact, the black tank should be at least 2/3 full before dumping. That allows for enough volume of liquid that the solids can be flushed out.

As others have said, the internal tank probes that most manufacturers install in the black and gray tanks are notorious for getting fowled and making the monitors read full or partially full when they're actually empty. We never even pay attention to the monitors since we can tell by the sound when we flush that the black tank is getting full.