Black & Grey

[EscFmHere]

All, this is my first post. I have been screening since we got our new coach in May.

We are about a month in to what will be a six month full-time period of use.

We have lost all faith in our holding tank sensors. The usually say full, but never drop below 2/3, regardless of how full they are.

Are we needlessly concerned? Any veteran advice would be appreciated.

[f1100turbo]

its common to not trust the sensors partly due to the fact that in the black tank toilet paper and debris cover the sensors and they read wrong .
as far as the grey same thing soaps and scum from dishes and what not cloud the sensors readings .
there was an excellent post on here a few weeks ago about using water softener and laundry detergent in the tanks to help keep clean.
im sure someone will post this .


by the way WELCOME to the forum!

[Bill_C]

Originally Posted by EscFmHere

All, this is my first post. I have been screening since we got our new coach in May.

We are about a month in to what will be a six month full-time period of use.

We have lost all faith in our holding tank sensors. The usually say full, but never drop below 2/3, regardless of how full they are.

Are we needlessly concerned? Any veteran advice would be appreciated.

Welcome to the 'stock tank level indicators are crap' club. We have had 5 fifth wheel trailers. Not one of them had a dependable tank level indicator. You will find the same consensus with about everyone here. In fact, I would like to hear from someone that has a dependable stock indicator.

[Boyd]

This mid-level veteran says, "I gave up on using the sensors first trip out." There are ways to clean them and they'll indicate accuratly for a short time. Don't get too happy, they'll soon foul again. My guess is you'll get tons of advice on how to clean them and what favorite products to use to accomplish the cleaning. Or---You can do a search here on this forum and find enough material for an afternoon's reading.

[EscFmHere]

Turbo, Bill, and Boyd,

Thanks for the prompt replies. You all kind of confirmed my suspicions. We will go with the current "wow, the are actually full" method of gauging the tank levels.

[Ovair]

Well let me be just one more.
The sensors aren't very useful.

[f1100turbo]

Originally Posted by EscFmHere

Turbo, Bill, and Boyd,

Thanks for the prompt replies. You all kind of confirmed my suspicions. We will go with the current "wow, the are actually full" method of gauging the tank levels.

at least you can have some comfort knowing there are better sensors out there if you are willing to buy them and or have them installed .

[Dave_Monica]

After a while, you'll get to know the normal amount of days use you're able to get with each tank.

Gray tanks' easy...when water stays in the shower base, it's full. For us, that's about 5 days normal usage.

With the black tank you can usually see the level looking down through the toilet valve with a flash light. For us, that's about 10 days normal use.

I don't worry about the indicated tanks levels as they're seldom correct.

Dave

[bclemens]

Even the "expensive" senors have their issues. We used a "sonar" type digital sensor (no internal probes) at the request of a dealer. They still pick up interference from surrounding areas. If you solve that issue, they still only last about a 2 years or so before the electronics give out.

[Pilotdaddy1]

I am a member of the "when the shower doesn't drain, it's full club" and the "look in the crapper with a flashlight" club.