Black tank - Always indicates full

newrvguy68 · 06-16-2016, 10:38 AM

Hello all...I haven't posted in here for quite some time now but had a question regarding the black tank. Even after having the tanks dumped, it will often read as being full...I know from past poster's that it can happen when the sensor in the tank is blocked. My question is this...what is the best way to try to unblock the sensor when my trailer is at a seasonal campsite and does not move?

I have heard people suggest adding a few buckets of ice to water in the tank and as you move around it cleans the inside of the tank or a few other ways to try to clean it out. My dilemma is that in this case the trailer is not moving.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

borninblue · 06-16-2016, 10:45 AM

How about putting a few cleaning agents in there, fill it up by monitoring it, and let it sit for some time. Flush and repeat until it breaks free. If nothing rent camera and see what's going on in there.

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TWP723 · 06-16-2016, 11:02 AM

I do an initial drain then fill the tank again with water (almost full) then dump again. Keep doing this until it reads right. Works for me.

TWP723 · 06-16-2016, 11:04 AM

You can also use a tank wand.

bankr63 · 06-16-2016, 11:20 AM

Haven't tried it personally, but several people have posted that adding liquid fabric softener to the black tank seems to help "things" slip off the sensors. Personally planning to get a tank wand in my next Amazon parts order. I'm a gadget sucker...

octane · 06-16-2016, 11:29 AM

my tank is pretty small, so results might vary with bigger tanks, I tried the wand with 4 stationary holes, didn't do much, then I tried the one that spins and that fixed my problem.

Dustdevil · 06-16-2016, 01:39 PM

I have the same problem on the Seneca. I will fill the tank about 3/4 full with fresh water and drive around a bit. Maybe some dishwashing detergent as well. Let it slosh around real good for a bit, then go dump it again. Fill and dump several times ought to do the trick.

glsimms · 06-16-2016, 01:54 PM

You can do all of the above..... Or get a set of these Horst Miracle Probes and be done with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXdZgFLO4hY

jloco · 06-16-2016, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWP723

You can also use a tank wand.

+1 (I'm assuming there is no built in black tank flush?)

Coldfusion · 06-16-2016, 02:28 PM

Several buckets of hot water down the toilet with a couple of dishwasher soap packets....let sit for about 4 hours then fill black tank completely with regular water. Drain tank. Fill black tank again with fresh water and drain. Works on mine every time and the water on second rinse is always clear and sensors work great after that

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BuddyRay · 06-16-2016, 07:29 PM

I put Horst "Miracle Probes " on my previous TT and had them for over 10 years.
Don't waste your money. I had just as many false readings after I put them in as before. And when 'stuff' did get hung up on the probes it was MUCH harder to get it clear due to the shields.

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edatlanta · 06-17-2016, 02:25 AM

I gave up even looking at my black tank indicator. It has shown full for over 5 years. When I get a burp when flushing the tank is full and I empty it.

I have tried all of the "fixes" and none of them worked so I just don't worry about it anymore.

TWP723 · 06-17-2016, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jloco

+1 (I'm assuming there is no built in black tank flush?)

Yeah, I have one but it doesn't do as well as advertised. It'll push a little more through than just normal dumping but you still need to do some extra washing. That's why I fill the tank with water again to help loosen crud on the sensors and sides. I have a clear elbow so I can monitor it. No, it's not pretty but it is effective. I've done this 3 times at the CG. I've noticed that even after "black tank flushing" with the factory fitting, there's still TP and other stuff flowing out when I fill the tank again and drain.

Edd505 · 06-17-2016, 02:16 PM

I use the fabric softener and a dish washer pill and so far it seems to be working. Dump, flush, add.

geezerbob · 06-17-2016, 04:15 PM

I use a spinning wand cleans it out good. I look down in through the toilet to check it out. Even then I don't trust the sensors ever.
We make sure that there is plenty of water in the black tank. Sometimes we put the dish water down the toilet.
Bob

ttavasc · 06-17-2016, 04:22 PM

I've tried a few of the things already mentioned with varying results. What's worked best for me is using the Camco Rhino Blaster which is a clear elbow with a tank rinser on it. I think it will depend on how the pipe is run from the black tank as to how effective this would be. Ours is a straight and very short run to the black tank. After dumping I turn on the tank rinser port and leave for 1-2 minutes then let it drain and repeat. It always ends up cleaning out stuff that didn't make it in the initial dump.

**Crabman** · 06-17-2016, 04:33 PM

Like Edatlanta I never rely on the black tank sensor anymore or even attempt to keep it working for it is a losing battle.

glsimms · 06-17-2016, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuddyRay

I put Horst "Miracle Probes " on my previous TT and had them for over 10 years.
Don't waste your money. I had just as many false readings after I put them in as before. And when 'stuff' did get hung up on the probes it was MUCH harder to get it clear due to the shields.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yet mine are doing fine.... YMMV I guess

Jagiven · 06-17-2016, 04:51 PM

Being at a seasonal, the solution could be a.bit.more challenging. I use fabric softer with a few gallons of water and drive around. This works great. However you do not have this option.

With a seasonal, mostlikely you have full hookups. I think a wand down the toilet and spray, a lot of water is your best option. If it is really stubborn before leaving for the weekend. Full it up with clear water and a cup of liquid fabric softner and let it sit for the week. Following week dump, and spray it out again.

newbold1 · 06-17-2016, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edatlanta

I gave up even looking at my black tank indicator. It has shown full for over 5 years. When I get a burp when flushing the tank is full and I empty it.

I have tried all of the "fixes" and none of them worked so I just don't worry about it anymore.

Me too. After a while you just know and don't need the sensor anyway. It seems like a never ending fight that you can't win with the sensors. I gave up on it so I would stop being frustrated with it.

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