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01-21-2019, 02:31 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 17
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Grey water tank monitors
We have been having one of grey water tank monitors read full even after I empty them. How can I clean out tank to see if that is problem?
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01-21-2019, 03:00 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 190
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When I got my used 2014 Avenger last year both the black tank and the gray tank sensors read full, even when they were empty. Not unusual with the black tank sensors, but I hadn't encountered the problem with the grey tank before. The previous owners had it on a seasonal lot and I suspect they just left the valves open to their sewer connection.
After boondocking for five months I have the top black tank sensor "clean" and the top two gray tank sensor reading correctly. I put TST and a healthy squirt of Dawn dishwashing detergent (to break up any grease) in both tanks after I emptied them. Some people also recommend using fabric softener, but I haven't tried it yet. I allowed the gray tank to fill until there was water in the shower pan to get a good flush. The first few times I emptied them there were globs of soap scum that looked almost like Crisco that came out. After emptying the tanks 10-12 times I'm still getting some chunks, but not as big or as many. To minimize grey tank problems in the future I use a plastic dish pan and dump the dish water in the toilet. I also switched from Dove soap to Pears, which is a glycerin based soap and produces a lot less soap scum.
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01-21-2019, 03:10 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 17
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What is tst? We are new at this.
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01-21-2019, 03:37 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biolerdad
What is tst? We are new at this.
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It's a chemical that is usually used in black tanks to help break things down. But it seems to help with soap scum build up too from my experience. There are different versions, but here is the one I use:
Camco TST MAX Strength Orange Scent RV Toilet Treatment, Formaldehyde Free, Breaks Down Waste And Tissue, Septic Tank Safe, Treats 40 Gallon Holding Tanks, 32.oz (41192)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-TST-...-oz-4/14504342
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01-21-2019, 03:44 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biolerdad
What is tst? We are new at this.
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And since you are new to this, we've all been there and learn A LOT in the first year, if the top sensor is dirty it will always read full, so you have to fill the tank above that sensor reading to start working your way toward more accurate readings.
To be honest, many of us don't rely on the black tank sensors, they are just too difficult to keep clean given what is going in that tank. A visual check with the toilet valve open tells when when the tank is getting full.
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01-21-2019, 03:49 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,473
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KeithInUpstateNY
And since you are new to this, we've all been there and learn A LOT in the first year, if the top sensor is dirty it will always read full, so you have to fill the tank above that sensor reading to start working your way toward more accurate readings.
To be honest, many of us don't rely on the black tank sensors, they are just too difficult to keep clean given what is going in that tank. A visual check with the toilet valve open tells when when the tank is getting full.
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While the OP specifically asked about "grey water tank" sensors, I've found that my galley gray tank sensors are more often incorrect than are my black tank sensors. I've pulled a couple of the galley tank sensor buds and found them to be covered with what appears to be melted Hershey chocolate bars! I got some stuff in the mail today (recommended by members here) which I will use to try to clean off this gunk. I won't endorse the product until I try it.
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2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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01-21-2019, 04:25 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,670
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KeithInUpstateNY
Some people also recommend using fabric softener,
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FYI, Water softener like Calgon, not fabric softener
Edit: Even though it is generally a probe cleaning issue sometimes it isn't. I have had all sorts of inconsistent results since new on all 4 tanks, including the fresh water tanks. At the rally they replaced both parts of the control system and it may have helpd but still did not solve the issues.
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Almost not an SOB
Artic Fox 3018 5th Wheel - on order
Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW - on order
TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload
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01-21-2019, 04:38 PM
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#8
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Just as confused as you
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: south central Wisconsin
Posts: 5,108
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Welcome to the world of RV lifestyle, Biolerdad. Though it doesn't answer your question of the tank sensors here is a thread on these forums that contains a lot of information you will find handy.
New to RV's helpful hints by wmtire
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Richard & Jill
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS Classic Super Lite
2018 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4WD All Star Edition
Camping since 1989, Seasonal since 2000.
Car Shredder Op/Tech, Scrap Metal Recycling - retired
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01-21-2019, 05:17 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 17
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Great. Thanks for the help!
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01-21-2019, 09:08 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by llr
FYI, Water softener like Calgon, not fabric softener
Edit: Even though it is generally a probe cleaning issue sometimes it isn't. I have had all sorts of inconsistent results since new on all 4 tanks, including the fresh water tanks. At the rally they replaced both parts of the control system and it may have helpd but still did not solve the issues.
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I wondered about that, but the posts I saw definitely said fabric softener from the dollar store.
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01-21-2019, 09:57 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,670
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I'm not an expert but I have always heard water softener and that seems to make sense to me. The laundry detergent can be anything, dollar store, generic etc
__________________
Almost not an SOB
Artic Fox 3018 5th Wheel - on order
Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW - on order
TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload
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01-22-2019, 05:38 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Waukee, IA
Posts: 566
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For $238 I bought the Garnet Instruments SeeLevel II. The set I got is for Fresh, Gray, galley, Black Tanks (+Battery Voltage). Easy install and they read density through the tank walls. They have a lot of configurations depending on number of tanks, tank height, with or without pump and/or WH switches. Read 0-100%.
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'19 Chevy Colorado Z71 4x4 Crew Cab
'17 Salem Cruise Lite 232RBXL
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Days Camped: '17-39, '18-61, '19-64, '20-38
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01-22-2019, 06:42 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Waukee, IA
Posts: 566
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I was able to cut off the existing sensor and keep all my existing switches. Almost perfect.
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'19 Chevy Colorado Z71 4x4 Crew Cab
'17 Salem Cruise Lite 232RBXL
Mickey the Rescue Project Schnauzer
Days Camped: '17-39, '18-61, '19-64, '20-38
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01-22-2019, 07:26 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Quote:
Originally Posted by llr
I'm not an expert but I have always heard water softener and that seems to make sense to me. The laundry detergent can be anything, dollar store, generic etc
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You are correct. WATER softener, not fabric softener. Fabric softener is a whole 'nother animal.
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1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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01-23-2019, 08:30 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 146
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I'm a full-timer and my gray tank read 2/3 for months and I tried all sorts of chemicals. Finally a guy suggested I try borax so I dumped some in and about 3 weeks later my gauges work great. Must have some enzymes that take time to eat away the slug.
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01-23-2019, 09:11 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,670
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdkbrooks
I'm a full-timer and my gray tank read 2/3 for months and I tried all sorts of chemicals. Finally a guy suggested I try borax so I dumped some in and about 3 weeks later my gauges work great. Must have some enzymes that take time to eat away the slug.
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Borax is a water softening agent like Calgon but may do more, I am not sure
__________________
Almost not an SOB
Artic Fox 3018 5th Wheel - on order
Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW - on order
TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload
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01-25-2019, 11:11 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: New Lenox, Ill. (Home of Proud Americans)
Posts: 300
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Soft water
I see many posts in various forums about using Calgon or other water softening chemicals in your waste tanks. I have an "On-the Go" water softener installed in my RV which gives me softened water throughout. Would I still need to use Calgon in my waste tanks?
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2015 GMC Denali 3500 4X4 Duramax
2019 Cedar Creek 36CK2 (sold 4/21)
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