Jayco 213EXP Tank Levels never accurate

[chlinthi]

I have an '09 Jay Feather 213 EXP.
I purchased this used in 2010.
The gray and black water tanks have never reported the accurate levels of the tanks. When I'm completely empty it already reports that its 3/4 full on each.

Is this a common issue?
Is there something I can check to fix this?

Thanks,

-Chip

[Crabman]

This is a very common issue, The sensors in the tanks become dirty with TP or other undesirable debris and register false readings. You can clean the tanks but I find this to only be a temporary fix and simply do not rely on the readings. Even my fresh tank reads 2/3 full when it is completely full, and there better not be any TP on that!

[edatlanta]

Mine regularly reads empty when I first empty it. After an hour or so, even before it has been used again, it will read 1/3 or 2/3 and within 24 hours it will read full when I know it is empty. I just wait until I get an air bubble during a flush and then empty it. I know this will be about 2 1/2 weeks for me.

[clutch]

The only half way reliable gauge would be the water tank. The grey and black never seem to work for long.

[Gma-n-Gpa]

2011 31ss and my "indicators" (refuse to call them gauges) are at best a guess. My work so intermittantly I do not rely on them. Going in for other warranty work next week - indicators are at the top of the list. Another hint - someone suggested a bag of ice cubes in the black tank (through the toilet) will help clean it up. Have no suggestions for the fresh tank. Good luck. If Jayco service can't fix - I will investigate replacement with a different technology.

[clutch]

The black tank sensors get coated with toilet paper. The grey tank gets grease from washing dishes. You might try putting some Dawn dish washing liquid in with about 5-8 gallons of water and driving around. Short of a sight gauge I really don't see any other system that will work.

[jim44646]

I replaced my probes with Horst Miraicle Probes in gray and black water tanks. Now my guages are reading reading correctly. Old probes get a build up of crud which is hard to remove. After replacing probes I keep my tanks well rinsed. This vidieo explains it better than I can.

www.horstmiracleprobe.com/how.php

[clutch]

Originally Posted by jim44646

I replaced my probes with Horst Miraicle Probes in gray and black water tanks. Now my guages are reading reading correctly. Old probes get a build up of crud which is hard to remove. After replacing probes I keep my tanks well rinsed. This vidieo explains it better than I can.

www.horstmiracleprobe.com/how.php

That was an interesting link. Thanks

[JPBeck]

Originally Posted by Crabman

This is a very common issue, The sensors in the tanks become dirty with TP or other undesirable debris and register false readings. You can clean the tanks but I find this to only be a temporary fix and simply do not rely on the readings. Even my fresh tank reads 2/3 full when it is completely full, and there better not be any TP on that!

Ooops-- :hihi:
We've had three trailers and all of their sensors stopped working within the first year.

[Seann45]

fresh water sort of works most of the time... for gray I go by when I have water in the bottom of the shower it needs dumping... and I just look down the toilet when flushing to see how full it is....

[RVhiker]

These gauges work accurately all the time: SeeLevel Gauges. I installed a system on my Jayco. These gauges read from the outside of the tanks, and detect a change in capacitance to measure the level of the fluid inside the tanks. But they ain't cheap.

[jim44646]

Originally Posted by Seann45

fresh water sort of works most of the time... for gray I go by when I have water in the bottom of the shower it needs dumping... and I just look down the toilet when flushing to see how full it is....

I really don't like standing in dish washing water when showering. :blah: I like a llttle advance warning.

[Duckogram]

The theory is sound for low iron content fresh water use. Since you are not likely to find that in your black and gray, forget about it. Fresh is more likely to be accurate as long as you are using softened, filtered water, also unlikely.

If you must... try non-formaldhyde additives for the black and gray. Ice cubes down the commode just before towing. Liberal flush king usage for black and gray. Calgon in the gray(s). Dawn in the gray(s). That should work for a day or two.

After you give up, and you will, try this... leave the gray cracked open. Flush the black 3 or 4 times after dumping so you know its empty and look down the pipe to determine when its full. Repeat till you sell it then start over the week after you get your new one.

[Murphie]

The RV industry have been using these lousy sensors for years. Even though there has been technology to measure the fluid in the tanks without using the metal probes the companies have been slow to adopt. Same with led lighting. The last RV show I was at in Feb. this year, Open Range was the only trailer I went in that came with led lighting. It comes down to money and what they think the consumer will be willing to pay for. Did you notice how fast the industry adopted to the drawers that are able to fully pull out. They push this really hard as a selling feature but the upgrade cost to them was negligible. Probably had no choice. I truly think the roofing system could be made to better withstand the chance of having a leak after some time. But then would you ever have to buy another trailer.

[ecchamberlin]

Really like the Horst Probe link video. Very good info to know when problem solving tank issues. Thanks a lot!

[tinlizzie23]

X3 on the Horst probes. Know someone who had them installed, and never had another false reading. I will be putting these in sometime before the next camping season.