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Old 08-09-2014, 08:19 AM   #1
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black water tank sensors

Hi we have a new used 2005 Cruiser 28' and it's been great so far. I've been treating and cleaning the tanks ever since we bought it (last fall).. The grey water tank registers fine. The black water wouldn't register empty or register full since we bought it but it does drain well. I have filled it up about 4 times and let it sit for about 4 or 5 days before emptying it and follow up with the cleaning wand that spins around thru the toilet opening. The sensor now reads empty when draining but it wont register full - only 2/3. I have to watch it fill up thru the toilet. It has the under belly wrap so i can't see the wire leads. Any suggestions? Thanks
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Old 08-09-2014, 10:33 AM   #2
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Here's something on that subject:

http://rvmaintenancetips.com/i-cant-...to-read-right/

Having said that, this is our third 5th wheel and we have just given up completely on all the sensors. We have a pretty good idea of how long we can go with our tanks. The black seems to go a long time, and that would be because there is not a lot of water going in there. You can get very stressed out over that sort of thing, or you can just live without sensors.

On another note, it is not a good idea to totally fill up your black tank with water to clean it out. My husband has done this in the past with not very good results a couple of times. Now he no longer does that. We have a clean-out thingy for the black tank - you put the hose to it.
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Old 08-09-2014, 10:33 AM   #3
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Normally the sensor will light up the indicator panel if there is wet "debris" on the sensor in the tank. Getting no light tells me the sensor is either faulty, the wire is loose or the display is faulty. I had loose wires on the back of the indicator panel which gave the same lack of indication as you have. You can try and lower the membrane on the opposite side of the rig as your dump valve. I believe (not positive) that is the side where the wires connect to the 4 sensors.
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Old 08-09-2014, 11:20 AM   #4
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thanks, i will check behind the panel 1st. at least i have it so it registers empty when i drain it. i'm on my 5th flush and fill. smell is getting better too after each one.
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Old 08-09-2014, 11:45 AM   #5
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My sensors are on the same side as the dump valve. It does create a problem because the toilets on the same side and "pyramiding" on that side gives me false full readings.

I agree above about not filling your tank with water to clean out as mine dropped down after too much weight. What a mess as you can imagine. Not a fun repair but I can assure you that it won't happen again with some additional bracing.

I do have the san i tee water hook up and use it carefully. I know many talk about Calgon, ice cubes, Dawn soap and the like to help keep things moving, but those sensors measure resistance and can easily get coated and give you false readings too.
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Old 08-09-2014, 01:25 PM   #6
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Try the GEO method to clean the tanks. Works for a lot of people.
https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/
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Old 08-09-2014, 11:08 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark5w View Post
Try the GEO method to clean the tanks. Works for a lot of people.
https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/
X2 on this. Hearing that your tank smell is improving with flushes sounds like the previous owner allowed a stone mountain to build up. Try using the geo method and always keep 3-5 gallons of water in the tank to help prevent that build up.
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Old 08-18-2014, 05:35 PM   #8
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Quote:
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Try the GEO method to clean the tanks. Works for a lot of people.
https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/
My black tank has not read empty for a while. I think it only read empty maybe once after using the camper. Yesterday I dumped some calgon in the tankthen added some soap and water. When I got home the tank read empty. May have to stick to this method.
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Old 08-18-2014, 08:49 PM   #9
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x2 on Geo method. I rarely use any chemicals unless I'm setup for a week in hot weather.
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