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Old 04-04-2016, 04:11 PM   #1
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Black & Grey water sensor accuracy

Just got back from the shakedown trip and came across a little issue I wasn't expecting. Cleaning dishes in the sink and it wasn't draining, thought to check the panel above the fridge with all the sensor buttons (Black/Grey/Fresh/etc) and while the black was still on empty the grey showed 2/3. So I went out and pulled the grey open to drain which quickly emptied the sink.

My question to everyone here is this, when your grey tank fills up is the kitchen sink your first place yours backs up? In my parents trailer their shower is where it backs up first as its the lowest point, I can't think of any logical reason the kitchen sink would have backed up and not the shower first as it's also the lowest point in the RV.

Secondly, do you find that while your sensor may be showing 2/3 that it's possibly full? I was expecting to see that sensor be at "Full" when the sink backed up, but it wasn't.

Starting to wonder if I have a clog somewhere...
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Old 04-04-2016, 06:08 PM   #2
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My "R" starts to fill the shower first. Fellow "W" owners will need to chime in, though.

Sounds like the wires could be crossed on your grey tank sensors, if it did not show full.

Mine had it on the black tank sensors, they were mis-wired.

Congrats on the new rig!
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Old 04-04-2016, 11:42 PM   #3
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The shower backs up first on my "W". Also, the gauge shows full.
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Old 04-04-2016, 11:52 PM   #4
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If it has two holding tanks for gray water then one should be for the kitchen sink water . I would say thats why it filled sink not shower.
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Old 04-05-2016, 04:33 AM   #5
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Sensors are notoriously inaccurate. A small piece of debris will make them read erroneously. Many times the false reading will correct itself. Some dish washer detergent added to the tank may help.
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Old 04-05-2016, 06:11 AM   #6
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Is there such a thing called a working sensor???
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Old 04-05-2016, 07:50 AM   #7
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Is there such a thing called a working sensor???
^^^^^^^^^^
LOL, so true Sye!!
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Old 04-05-2016, 07:55 AM   #8
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Everything drains slow and gurgles when nearing full in both the grey wolf and the cherokee. Sure beats the common shower filling up and spilling.
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Old 04-05-2016, 07:59 AM   #9
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Is there such a thing called a working sensor???
If a grand kid leaves the water running a trickle, our first indication is water running down the steps from the shower pan.

Absolutely. Mine have worked flawlessly since I replaced them with Horst Miracle Probes. Unfortunately I have no idea where to buy them now.
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Old 04-05-2016, 10:04 AM   #10
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Unfortunately I have no idea where to buy them now.
Here they are:
http://www.rvprobes.com/
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Old 04-05-2016, 10:46 AM   #11
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We're you parked level when you filled the sink? Twice while parked on the side of the road (listing to starboard) we've had the sink fail to drain. As soon as we pulled away, the problem resolved. Something about the venting and tilting to the passenger side keeps it from draining till you're level.
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Old 04-05-2016, 10:49 AM   #12
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Great call Eric! We were listing to starboard more than I would have liked... Discovered I need to carry more than just one set of those leveling lego blocks. I really hope this is the reason, thank you for sharing!
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Old 04-05-2016, 10:50 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Herk7769 View Post
If a grand kid leaves the water running a trickle, our first indication is water running down the steps from the shower pan.

Absolutely. Mine have worked flawlessly since I replaced them with Horst Miracle Probes. Unfortunately I have no idea where to buy them now.
I'm glad someone who has used this product has spoken up! I'm also glad to know that you have had success using them, because it seems like a very simple but clever fix for a very common and annoying problem.

Cheers!
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Old 04-05-2016, 11:56 AM   #14
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Just my wife and I so I use a visual on the black water, flashlight over toilet after the flush and visual in the shower pan.
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Old 04-05-2016, 12:10 PM   #15
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In the past 5yrs, I have only checked the levels maybe a dozen times. I still have a bit of a learning curve on the Georgetown yet, but a couple more times out and I'll know when to dump on instinct. I never put any faith in sensors, and just pull the valves every few days.
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Old 04-05-2016, 12:30 PM   #16
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When referring to RV holding tanks "sensor accuracy" is an oxymoron.
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Old 04-05-2016, 01:22 PM   #17
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Newer 'digital' sensors

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Originally Posted by milvet33 View Post
When referring to RV holding tanks "sensor accuracy" is an oxymoron.
I know that there are better and much more reliable sensors available - they look like 1.5" strips that are 8"-16" long with adhesive on one side, and two connectors. They are much more accurate, as they do not touch the liquid - they detect the density change in the tank on its outside wall. I think they will work with existing wiring, but you would have to replace the display unit. ANOTHER UPGRADE unfortunately.
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Old 04-05-2016, 01:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Santos1060 View Post
Just got back from the shakedown trip and came across a little issue I wasn't expecting. Cleaning dishes in the sink and it wasn't draining, thought to check the panel above the fridge with all the sensor buttons (Black/Grey/Fresh/etc) and while the black was still on empty the grey showed 2/3. So I went out and pulled the grey open to drain which quickly emptied the sink.

My question to everyone here is this, when your grey tank fills up is the kitchen sink your first place yours backs up? In my parents trailer their shower is where it backs up first as its the lowest point, I can't think of any logical reason the kitchen sink would have backed up and not the shower first as it's also the lowest point in the RV.

Secondly, do you find that while your sensor may be showing 2/3 that it's possibly full? I was expecting to see that sensor be at "Full" when the sink backed up, but it wasn't.

Starting to wonder if I have a clog somewhere...
When mine are showing 3 lights I start watching shower.
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Old 04-05-2016, 02:11 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by ChateauV10 View Post
I'm glad someone who has used this product has spoken up! I'm also glad to know that you have had success using them, because it seems like a very simple but clever fix for a very common and annoying problem.

Cheers!
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ion-16089.html

My old thread showing how I installed them.

Note to anyone contemplating an install.
USE THE BLACK TANK PROBES in the GRAY TANK, too.

Long daughter hair will wrap around the coiled ones (which work great in the fresh tank BTW).
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Old 04-05-2016, 04:11 PM   #20
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Is there such a thing called a working sensor???
:roflb lack:
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