What is? (solved) /Now tank level sensors

SalemPT39 · 03-13-2023, 06:31 AM

Some type of sensor? It's on the outside, by the glass door, above the fold out handle a bit. Tyring to attach two pictures - hope it works.

**Flybob** · 03-13-2023, 07:06 AM

Possibly a motion activated light?

kenandterry · 03-13-2023, 08:01 AM

I’m guessing this is a new to you trailer. Therefore we’re just guessing what a previous owner might have installed.

However, I agree with Flybob. I’ve seen similar items with those mini optic lens on them and they ARE motion activated lights.

SalemPT39 · 03-13-2023, 08:20 AM

Thanks! Was hoping it was the septic tank meter, since there's three little windows on the bottom :-) sensor light makes sense. Yes, totally new to me and my first time having anything to do with an RV.

5picker · 03-13-2023, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalemPT39

Thanks! Was hoping it was the septic tank meter, since there's three little windows on the bottom :-) sensor light makes sense. Yes, totally new to me and my first time having anything to do with an RV.

The tank indicators will never be mounted outside.
That is a solar light that someone added. It isn't factory.

Rhumblefish · 03-13-2023, 08:25 AM

three'd.

Aftermarket sensor for motion and lights.

https://www.amazon.ca/Trisales-Marketing-SBOD-MC6-Brite-Lighting/dp/B07NNQSZ68

5picker · 03-13-2023, 08:34 AM

Here's a screenshot of a video on a 392FLFB showing the tank indicators location.

SalemPT39 · 03-13-2023, 08:50 AM

Thanks! I don't have that, so it must have not come with one.

Chuck_S · 03-13-2023, 08:54 AM

No septic tank or system in an RV.

There are usually two (2) or more waste holding tanks. One for toilet sewage called the "black water" tank and one for kitchen sewage called the "grey water" tank.. Unlike a septic system where the sewage is digested in the tank the waste here just sits in these tanks until you drain them.

Two major camper sub-hobbies are (1) sewage and (2) batteries/solar. It never gets boring and it never gets cheap.

-- Chuck

Bill and Gail · 03-13-2023, 09:02 AM

Congratulations on your purchase.
If you're in a campground, don't be afraid to ask one of they neighbors for help. If you find someone with a similar rig, they may be able to help you find and operate systems.

SalemPT39 · 03-13-2023, 09:03 AM

Yes, i have black, grey and fresh water tanks. Guess I will have to find out the hard way when it's full. Yuck! Lol! I will be hooked up to septic to empty them every few days. I'll have to put it on my calendar so i don't forget!

5picker · 03-13-2023, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalemPT39

Yes, i have black, grey and fresh water tanks. Guess I will have to find out the hard way when it's full. Yuck! Lol! I will be hooked up to septic to empty them every few days. I'll have to put it on my calendar so i don't forget!

Maybe you have a tank(s) monitor located elsewhere. That photo is just one I snagged off the internet. Your model year may be different.

I'd be surprised if you have tanks that you don't have a monitor. Regardless the indicator lights are often inaccurate and you'll need to get a feel for how often they need dumped. The toilet often "burps" when flushing when the tank is getting full and the grey tank can back up into the shower when full.

Be sure to use LOTS of water when flushing the toilet. R/V systems are not like home systems and in a R/V, water is your friend and LOTS of it. Do not flush, flushable wipes either. Big no-no!

One other thing... the tank(s) monitor often has a switch on it to light the water heater on gas... and sometimes a switch for the water pump... do you know where that is?

Looks like this... (but there are other variations as all R/Vs are not the same!)

SalemPT39 · 03-13-2023, 10:24 AM

Thanks! I am on private property, so no friendly RV neighbors. Everyone here has been very helpful though :-)

SalemPT39 · 03-13-2023, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

Maybe you have a tank(s) monitor located elsewhere. That photo is just one I snagged off the internet. Your model year may be different.

I'd be surprised if you have tanks that you don't have a monitor. Regardless the indicator lights are often inaccurate and you'll need to get a feel for how often they need dumped. The toilet often "burps" when flushing when the tank is getting full and the grey tank can back up into the shower when full.

Be sure to use LOTS of water when flushing the toilet. R/V systems are not like home systems and in a R/V, water is your friend and LOTS of it. Do not flush, flushable wipes either. Big no-no!

One other thing... the tank(s) monitor often has a switch on it to light the water heater on gas... and sometimes a switch for the water pump... do you know where that is?

Looks like this... (but there are other variations as all R/Vs are not the same!)

Lots of good info here! burps.... haha. i have looked everywhere but underneath on the tanks themselves. I do not have anything with lights/switches anywhere that i can find. It's older (2007), so maybe it just doesn't have those things. I have emailed with Forest River and they have tried to help, but have not really been able to.

When you say "lots of water", do i just hold the handle down for a bit when i flush or something? are we talking 30 seconds, 30 minutes?

MillMitch · 03-13-2023, 10:43 AM

I use a 7 count when flushing. Did your rig come with a sewer hose so you can dump the tanks? My wife and I can go about 10-14 days before filling the black tank. Maybe 5 days to fill grey.
Enjoy your rig.

5picker · 03-13-2023, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalemPT39

Lots of good info here! burps.... haha. i have looked everywhere but underneath on the tanks themselves. I do not have anything with lights/switches anywhere that i can find. It's older (2007), so maybe it just doesn't have those things. I have emailed with Forest River and they have tried to help, but have not really been able to.

When you say "lots of water", do i just hold the handle down for a bit when i flush or something? are we talking 30 seconds, 30 minutes?

When doing #2 we fill the bowl about 2/3 full before starting and then when finished, flush the toilet and count to 5 or 7 while leaving the water run. You may need to use more water initially depending on the circumstances.

When doing #1 you can use less water.

You indicated you are on private property... do you have sewer hookups and how is it plumbed?
(Slinky hose or hard pipe?)

Chuck_S · 03-13-2023, 11:39 AM

Never seen a camper without a tank level display inside. Even my popup had one very similar to the photo above.

-- Chuck

SalemPT39 · 03-13-2023, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillMitch

I use a 7 count when flushing. Did your rig come with a sewer hose so you can dump the tanks? My wife and I can go about 10-14 days before filling the black tank. Maybe 5 days to fill grey.
Enjoy your rig.

Very helpful, thanks! It came with a hose, but it is being piped directly into a 500 gallon septic and then drained off underground or something - not positive of the mechanic's of it.

SalemPT39 · 03-13-2023, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

When doing #2 we fill the bowl about 2/3 full before starting and then when finished, flush the toilet and count to 5 or 7 while leaving the water run. You may need to use more water initially depending on the circumstances.

When doing #1 you can use less water.

You indicated you are on private property... do you have sewer hookups and how is it plumbed?
(Slinky hose or hard pipe?)

to "fill the bowl" do i just hold down the handle part way? It's not hooked up yet to the septic so I don't even have the water on right now - i assume i don't have to bring a hose in to the toilet tank to "fill the bowl" ? Lol Once it's hooked up, i am going to dump some of the chemicals in it and let it sit a good 24 hours and then triple flush it. I am not sure how he's doing it - says there's a 500 gallon septic and he's going to pipe the RV directly to it (hard pipe).

5picker · 03-13-2023, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalemPT39

to "fill the bowl" do i just hold down the handle part way? It's not hooked up yet to the septic so I don't even have the water on right now - i assume i don't have to bring a hose in to the toilet tank to "fill the bowl" ? Lol Once it's hooked up, i am going to dump some of the chemicals in it and let it sit a good 24 hours and then triple flush it. I am not sure how he's doing it - says there's a 500 gallon septic and he's going to pipe the RV directly to it (hard pipe).

Depends on the toilet as to how you fill the bowl but yes, on most you push the foot lever or pull the lever part way to fill the bowl but not open the flush ball.

You need to understand how your sewer/septic is going to work.

Plumbing into a septic tank is ok and using hard pipe is ok but you still need to treat your system as being mobile. You CANNOT have the black tank dump valve open all the time. You also need to be somewhat cognizant of the chemicals you use in the black tank and whether they will be ok for this persons septic tank when you dump.

R/V toilets are not like home toilets where the water will flush the solids all the way to the septic tank. Even though we've said use lots and lots of water, there is no water tank on a R/V toilet to "swoosh" the solids from the toilet through the black tank, through the hard pipe and to the septic tank. You are going to need to keep the black tank dump valve closed and only open when the black tank gets full. You'll also need to start back with some water in the black tank after dumping so the solids don't stick to the bottom of the black tank.

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