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04-30-2017, 06:40 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Arizona
Posts: 16
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Black water indicator lights
Does anyone know what would cause my black water indicator to show 2/3 and 1/3 full when it's empty? I was stuck on 2/3 and I secured all power to the unit including the battery cutoff switch and when I reapplied power and pushed the button the 2/3 lit and changed to 1/3 no it's back on 2/3. I know the only thing in the tank is the small bottle of tank smell good and about 1 gallon of water. The unit is level. Is there a float in the tank that could be stuck? Thanks in advance.
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04-30-2017, 06:52 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 370
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Those are inherent in not reporting correctly. Most all RV's have this problem. Some have tried the tank cleaner to clean the contacts others have tried putting ice in the tank with water and driving around. Not much else you can do to fix sometimes the contacts in the tank have trash adhere to them giving a false reading.
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04-30-2017, 06:56 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Arizona
Posts: 16
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Thanks for the information!!!
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04-30-2017, 06:59 PM
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#4
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,355
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If you have the black water flush use it and and redo several times. I do this and mine will go to empty. Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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04-30-2017, 07:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Warsaw,NC
Posts: 7,184
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Mine has not worked right from the first camper I ever brought.
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05-01-2017, 09:03 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 967
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The false readings are usually caused by something sticking to one of the sensors. I imagine toilet paper is a common culprit. If I understand correctly, the sensors are little probes that protrude into the tank. I imagine the bottom sensor to be the ground and the 1/3, 2/3 and full sensors to be positive. In any case, there has to be a connection between the bottom and one above it to show a reading other than empty... and wet piece of toilet paper caught on a higher sensor and also touching the bottom one could do that.
We are big fans of The Geo Method. We have used it for years and our sensors continue to behave as expected.
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2012 Rockwood Ultra-Lite 2701SS, Goodyear Endurance LRD, ProPride 3P 1400 hitch
2013 F-150 FX4 7700# GVWR SuperCrew 3.5L EcoBoost 157" WB Max Tow 3.73:1
John, Dawn and Emily... and Bella the camping kitty
visit our website at www.restcure.ca
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05-01-2017, 12:16 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: L\Anywhere and everywhere
Posts: 263
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Don't worry about it, they all so it. We have been on the road for fouteen years, two adults. I can go for about ten days before it gurgles when flushed, but I dump once a week.
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Kayo
2014 Primetime Sanibel 3051 pulled by a 2013 Chevy Silverado 3500HP dually diesel. Full timers wince 2003 with DW of 53 year. NPS Park Ranger
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05-01-2017, 12:17 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Arizona
Posts: 16
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Thanks
Thanks for all the great replies. I love this site and the willingness of others to help out.
Safe travels, Gary
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05-01-2017, 12:18 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 25
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We have had the same problem. Nothing seemed to work until we found this stuff: Welcome to TankTechs where we solve holding tank problems, GUARANTEED!. It's and enzyme similar to what is used in septic systems. It's a little pricy but, it after two uses out black tank indicators work well. I've introduced it to some of my friends and they all like it. Give it a try.
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05-01-2017, 01:00 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Valencia Pa
Posts: 602
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The sensors are full of crap .you need to flush you system very well each time .next time you travel try filling the waste tank 1/3rd full. The sloshing will help clean the buildup off.
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05-01-2017, 07:46 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Hoffman Estates Il.
Posts: 239
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There is a great video on the RV Repair Club site for this problem.
Fill your toilet bowl at least 1/3 full between flushing. It's good to make sure that the user toilet paper is not dry when you flush. If you have a back flush hook up use it. We used to have this problem. Buy yourself a clear elbow for your drain hookup, so that you can see what's coming out. I hook up a grey hose from the city water to the back flush connection (using 1way valves on both ends to prevent possible contamination). I turn the water on when I pull the drain valve. When it appears, through the clear plastic elbow, to be running clean, I close the valve and fill black tank full, then drain it again.
That usually does the trick. Repeat if necessary.
I always add a fresh dose of destink and at least a gallon of water for the trip home, or next camp site. The ice trick does not work. There is a video on YouTube showing why.
Hope this helps.
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05-02-2017, 05:52 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denny B
There is a great video on the RV Repair Club site for this problem.
Fill your toilet bowl at least 1/3 full between flushing. It's good to make sure that the user toilet paper is not dry when you flush. If you have a back flush hook up use it. We used to have this problem. Buy yourself a clear elbow for your drain hookup, so that you can see what's coming out. I hook up a grey hose from the city water to the back flush connection (using 1way valves on both ends to prevent possible contamination). I turn the water on when I pull the drain valve. When it appears, through the clear plastic elbow, to be running clean, I close the valve and fill black tank full, then drain it again.
That usually does the trick. Repeat if necessary.
I always add a fresh dose of destink and at least a gallon of water for the trip home, or next camp site. The ice trick does not work. There is a video on YouTube showing why.
Hope this helps.
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We do the exact same thing and it works great!
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05-02-2017, 05:55 AM
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#13
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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This is how I fixed my tank indicator problems permanently.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ion-16089.html
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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05-11-2017, 09:42 AM
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#14
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Global Nomad
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: In my 36CKTS 5th Wheel
Posts: 811
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I also have a Cedar Creek with the same problem on all my tanks. I tried different methods, including GEO, which did not work and was expensive. I now use Pure Power Blue (https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-V231...ure+Power+Blue). I repeatedly back flush black tank. Now, I can get black tank and bath to show empty, but not the kitchen. I use a mesh strainer in the kitchen sink which prevents a lot of food particles from going into the tank.
Nevertheless, after the first flush or first use of shower the tanks show 3/4 or full.
Now, when water does not drain out of the sink or shower, I know it is time to empty the tanks.
When the toilet begins to "burp", I know that tank is full. Don't worry, you will definitely know when it is burping.
__________________
Steven J. Scheinin
2015 RAM 3500 4X4 6.7L CTD Dually pulling a
2016 Cedar Creek 36CKTS (Center Kitchen Three Slides)
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05-12-2017, 06:18 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 638
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Haven't looked at mine in years. I usually just hold the toilet valve open and stick my arm down in there to see how full it is.....
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2015 Chev Silverado 3500 dually D/A
2016 Cedar Creek 36CK
B&W Patriot 18K, Trail-Aire pinbox,
Level up, dual panes & all that stuff...
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05-12-2017, 06:29 PM
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#16
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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05-12-2017, 06:31 PM
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#17
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scheinin
Nevertheless, after the first flush or first use of shower the tanks show 3/4 or full.
Now, when water does not drain out of the sink or shower, I know it is time to empty the tanks.
When the toilet begins to "burp", I know that tank is full. Don't worry, you will definitely know when it is burping.
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Seems sad that you have an expensive rig like that and have to deal with a hassle that is so easy to fix.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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05-15-2017, 11:47 AM
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#18
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StepanFetchit
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 43
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I've owned a Class C motor home, travel trailers, and 5th Wheels, and never had any of those piece of crap tank sensors work accurately for very long, if at all to begin with. So I just rely on common sense to know when to dump.
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