Dishwasher detergent for black tank

[harryjr]

Like everyone else, the level sensors in my black tank show it full all of the time. I've flushed, used cleaners, tried the GEO solution
(H2O softener, Dawn detergent, & water). Nothing has worked.

Tonight in the grocery store, I noticed all the dishwasher detergents. No suds, breaks down the nasty's. Why wouldn't it work?

Anybody tried it?

[Fr8Train]

I’ve heard of others using it.

[norty1]

It's worth a try if you care or have no other way to determine your usage.

I never look at my black tank gauge. I know we can stay 6 days before it needs to dump because we are the only ones using it.

Spent lots of time trying to get it accurate, now I use that time for other more productive tasks.

[RedHorse1]

I’ve had good results using Dawn. I travel with about 1/4 to 1/3 in the tank and a healthy shot of Dawn, 1/4 cup or so. I think the detergent and the sloshing turns the tide. I also store the 5th with the Dawn and water in the tank. The dishwasher stuff will probably do the job too. Did you buy it pre-owned, something left for you by the PO?

[harryjr]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Did you buy it pre-owned, something left for you by the PO?

2011 purchased 2 yrs ago. The black tank sensors have never worked properly. Fresh water, grey tanks (2) all work fine.

[Fr8Train]

Have you tried a tank wand? Works best when you are somewhere with excellent water pressure

[harryjr]

Originally Posted by Fr8Train

Have you tried a tank wand? Works best when you are somewhere with excellent water pressure

Used the black tank flush connection many times. I thought a few times wetting the sensors down, letting the crud soften, and then blasting them would work, but so far no luck.

[Fr8Train]

Originally Posted by harryjr

Used the black tank flush connection many times. I thought a few times wetting the sensors down, letting the crud soften, and then blasting them would work, but so far no luck.

Our rig has a tank rinse, but I also use a wand every so often.

[RedHorse1]

When the trailer is in storage I’d fill the black tank and drop in some chems and give them a chance to work. It’s also possible the wiring is faulty or damaged. Does it always show full or empty? I’ve found if I have fouled sensors it will read full if they are damp but may show empty after the rig has sat still for a day or two (not in use).

[BigJohnD]

Try RVDigestit. Follow directions on bottle. I haven’t needed it, but I’ve done it to others and it fixed all of them.

I’m like norty though. I never look at the gauge. I know how long we can go before dumping.

As for what I use in the tank, any home brew I can think of. I always use calgon softener, but then add multiple things that all work. Dawn, purple power, laundry detergent etc. They all work.

[cabinetmaker]

Pinesol works for us...and it lubes the seals on valves!

[BigJohnD]

And makes everything smell pretty good. Used that before too.

[mjlaupp]

Dishwasher detergent requires really hot water to activate properly. It is also more caustic than dish soap and can tarnish aluminum, brass etc. I would not use it.

[WeRJuliian]

Originally Posted by Fr8Train

Have you tried a tank wand? Works best when you are somewhere with excellent water pressure

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever tried using a pressure washer, with a 90-degree nozzle on the wand, to clean out the inside of the tank and the sensors?

(touch wood) we don't have that problem, but I'm sure it will happen some day, so it would be nice to know.

[Fr8Train]

Originally Posted by WeRJuliian

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever tried using a pressure washer, with a 90-degree nozzle on the wand, to clean out the inside of the tank and the sensors?



(touch wood) we don't have that problem, but I'm sure it will happen some day, so it would be nice to know.

I haven’t, to many elbows in my plumbing. I’m sure it would work great in some rigs!

[Tunce the traveler]

[QUOTE=WeRJuliian;631042]Out of curiosity, has anyone ever tried using a pressure washer, with a 90-degree nozzle on the wand, to clean out the inside of the tank and the sensors.


This is what you need for a clean out.

[BigJohnD]

I have one of those, but only for washing under Truck as we live on a dirt road. Keep a little water softener in the tanks plus whatever chemical you prefer, and nothing sticks, thus not needing to pressure wash. 15 years of doing this and never had an issue that required a pressure washer. If sensors aren’t working, try the RV digest it I mentioned earlier. Never had it fail on a tank. It eats everything in the tank if you follow the directions.

[Roy W.]

I still haven't figured out why Jayco installs the tank flush and the sensors on the same tank wall. You would think the sprayer would be on the opposite wall pointed toward the sensors to clean them. One more time......designers don't use the trailers!!

[RedHorse1]

I think the “digester” route might be the best. Your issue is old deposits, they’ve had time to solidify and will hold on tight. Adding the digester chems and filling the tank and then let it sit (the more time the better, a month maybe).

[BigJohnD]

The last guys I did the RV digestit on had been 2-3 years since sensors worked. After letting a full tank of the stuff (1 bottle I think plus tank at 95% or so) sit for a day or 2 then flushing, all sensors worked.