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03-11-2014, 03:38 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 134
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This black water tank guage drives me nuts...
Basically my black tank monitor is always saying it's 75-100% full even when I know it's completely empty. I've talked to a few people at various campgrounds and they have also experienced it. Is this just one of those to be expected things where accurate black tank monitoring is nearly impossible?
If so, how does one know when it's nearly full without any reliable guage? Will the toilet basically back up? Thank the Lord that hasn't happened to me yet but with a family of five, I'm dreading that day.
Any special cleaning at the beginning or end of the season that may get that guage functioning better? So far I've flushed it out using a hose and shooting water down the toilet but to no avail.
Thanks,
Chris
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03-11-2014, 03:49 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,772
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I look at the black tank gauge like I look at those who hope for peace in the Mid East or the ones who always worry about global warming.
It's never gonna be accurate unless you invest in another sensor. I quit thinking about it.
A family of 5 will need to dump the tank every 3 days or so.
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03-11-2014, 04:41 PM
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#3
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Lost in the Woods
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 567
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When you flush the toilet it goes straight down into the black water tank. You can look straight down into the toilet when you are flushing and into the tank and see what the level is. When it is full you will see it is right at the top of the tank. If it is over full your flush will go no where. I try and empty my black water tank at no more than 75% full.
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03-11-2014, 06:39 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NW AR (God's Country)
Posts: 2,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StarGazer
Is this just one of those to be expected things where accurate black tank monitoring is nearly impossible?
If so, how does one know when it's nearly full without any reliable guage?
Chris
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I'm on my second fifth wheel and neither black tank sensor worked accurately. There are only two of us and we've been RVing long enough to know that we can go exactly one week between dumps. I've heard people say that you will hear a "burp" when the black tank is nearly full but I've never gotten it full enough to hear that. It probably doesn't sound right but after awhile you will know how many days you can go before dumping. Good luck and try to relax...
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Skip
2012 Eagle Super Lite HT 26.5RKS
2005 GMC 2500 SLT HD D/A
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03-11-2014, 06:46 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
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The stock black tank sensors are almost useless.
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2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
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03-11-2014, 08:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 1,326
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2017 Some Other Brand (SOB)
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Gerard
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03-12-2014, 03:57 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,588
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We have used our trailer numerous times and the black tank sensors still work perfectly (for now). I attribute this to proper black tank use, including proper chemicals, sewer juice (do a search), lots of water, proper RV toilet paper, and extra care and effort when dumping and flushing the tank at the end of a trip. We'll see what this next season brings!
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03-12-2014, 09:26 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 67
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Before you hit the road, almost fill the tank with water, add some DAWN dish soap and/or RIDX. A good sloshing going down the road usually rids the sensor of whatever has stuck to it. I have the same problem right now because we've been in the same spot for 4 months. I will do the above before we start to head for home. And I always use the back wash when I empty, but sometimes things just seem to get 'stuck'.
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03-12-2014, 05:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, West Michigan
Posts: 1,817
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken&Ruth
Before you hit the road, almost fill the tank with water, add some DAWN dish soap and/or RIDX. A good sloshing going down the road usually rids the sensor of whatever has stuck to it. I have the same problem right now because we've been in the same spot for 4 months. I will do the above before we start to head for home. And I always use the back wash when I empty, but sometimes things just seem to get 'stuck'.
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What he said but also throw in 2 of the JUMBO bags of ice from Wally Mart or equivalent. Dump when you arrive at your destination.
Oh, and try not to sweat the readings too much! The best way to really get a grasp on how full your black tank is to have your wifey step on the toilet gas pedal and then you stick your hand down there to see how deep it is. Anything much past the distance from your middle fingertip to your wrist and I'd dump it soon.
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03-12-2014, 07:06 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DeWitt, MI
Posts: 1,212
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcfarmall
What he said but also throw in 2 of the JUMBO bags of ice from Wally Mart or equivalent. Dump when you arrive at your destination.
Oh, and try not to sweat the readings too much! The best way to really get a grasp on how full your black tank is to have your wifey step on the toilet gas pedal and then you stick your hand down there to see how deep it is. Anything much past the distance from your middle fingertip to your wrist and I'd dump it soon.
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2007 Jayco Feather 19H
2008 Ford Explorer SportTrac
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03-12-2014, 09:01 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Winston Salem
Posts: 272
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3 of us takes about a week, I just look down when I flush. Mine has never worked. I can tell by the sound of the flush if it's full now heh heh.
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2011 32bhds
TV 2002 Excursion 7.3 Few mods ;)
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03-12-2014, 10:22 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Salt Lake City- Utah
Posts: 107
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcfarmall
The best way to really get a grasp on how full your black tank is to have your wifey step on the toilet gas pedal and then you stick your hand down there to see how deep it is. Anything much past the distance from your middle fingertip to your wrist and I'd dump it soon.
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03-13-2014, 12:22 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,207
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcfarmall
Oh, and try not to sweat the readings too much! The best way to really get a grasp on how full your black tank is to have your wifey step on the toilet gas pedal and then you stick your hand down there to see how deep it is. Anything much past the distance from your middle fingertip to your wrist and I'd dump it soon.
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Absolute funniest thing I've read in WEEKS!
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03-13-2014, 07:55 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 550
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i installed the horst probes as well and have not had a problem since...
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03-14-2014, 06:58 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,772
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I may put them on the black tank some day. Not at the top on my list.
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Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
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Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search
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03-14-2014, 07:40 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Dale Hollow Lake Tn/Ky
Posts: 2,525
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The standard gauges almost never work or they fail soon after the first few trips. Just push the toilet peddle and look down with a flashlite. It will tell you all you need to know.
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03-14-2014, 04:37 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Fraser Valley British Columbia
Posts: 767
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Yardstick?
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2010 Jayco Eagle Superlite 256 RKS
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03-15-2014, 10:44 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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a dipstick!!!
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Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
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03-15-2014, 11:57 AM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 69
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I use one of those wands and spray the tank after a few trips. It keeps the stuff off of the sender.
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03-19-2014, 05:45 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 70
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Basically the gages on rvs do not work well. You can buy see level gages for a price. They go on the out side and I am told work well. Pricey though. Greyhawk885
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