Tanks are supposedly “full”

[Grif76040]

I know my tanks are empty but the monitor is saying otherwise.

Any thoughts, suggestions, and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[CedarCreekWoody]

Disregard the gauges. They are rarely accurate.

[AbdRahim]

Fill tanks 2/3 full. Add 1 cup Dawn Dish Liquid and 1 cup Calgon water softener. Some use Borax. Drive a hundred miles. Maybe let it sit for a day or two. Dump and rinse. That often cleans my sensors and they work perfectly for about six weeks. Then I repeat.

[dbledan]

The ones that come with the RV are usually just screws sticking out in the tank. A little TP and they show full even when not. Grey water is not much better. The only one that sort of works is the fresh water.

If you want something more accurate this would do it but requires getting into underbelly and proper placement outside the tank and then stealing a wire to send to the updates panel. Since it requires dropping chloroplast and maybe even the tank I have not done it yet...

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/RV-Ta...stem-s/164.htm

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Disregard the gauges. They are rarely accurate.

X 2

[TitanMike]

The only way I have found to make the factory gauges accurate more times than not it to make sure the tanks are clean when emptied.

To help this process I use a tank chemical that for me has proven very effective over the years. Odorlos brand not only keeps the odor down but also has pretty much dissolved the "solids" in the black tank.

Unless I'm in an RV park for an extended period of time (rarely) I dump my tanks after driving down the highway, usually dumping at a Highway Rest stop or when I get home and dump at the local waste treatment plant. Before I start out on my dump run or homeward bound trip I add as much water as I can to the black tank so things are well diluted and mixed.

Also essential is a good "rinse". If there is a built in flush system, use it. I bought an extra adapter with quick disconnect that is used to blow out water system when winterizing. Screwing it into the black tank flush inlet allows me to just press the hose at Rest Area dump stations on the "nipple" and then push the button for flushing. Works great but it takes several pushes of the timer button to really flush.

If no flush system hopefully the bathroom has a window that you can snake the flush hose in and flush through the toilet valve.

For the Gray Tank I use some citrus smelling tablets, placing one in the kitchen sink drain and flushing in with a quart of water. It cuts down any odor from the gray tank and also dissolves the soap and grease that fouls the gray tank sensors.

Transitioning from flush toilets and sink drains that go directly to a sewer system, to a holding tank system with finite storage capability, can be enlightening to many but in time everyone learns the ropes.

Lots of water, a little chemical designed for the purpose, and a good cleaning after dumping (flush), will keep things working as well as possible.


When frustrated just think back to what it was like when camping in a tent.

[bob5560g]

Changing to the SeeLevel system is absolutely, positively the best upgrade I've done to my RV. No more false readings, no more guesswork. They accurately report in 1% increments.

They come with 3M double stick tape and go on the OUTSIDe of the tanks. They only need one pair of EXISTING sensor wires for the whole system. I installed it myself and couldn't be happier!

[McCormickJim]

x2 on what AbdRahim said.

You might also add a cup of Ridex liquid to the other products.

After each emptying, I add a cup of Palmolive liquid dish detergent, a cap full of Calgon water softener, and occasionally a cup of Ridex, when the first two additives need a little help.

[Grif76040]

Thank you for all the advice. I’m going to try the chemical route. I would hate trying to gain access to the tanks.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by bob5560g

Changing to the SeeLevel system is absolutely, positively the best upgrade I've done to my RV. No more false readings, no more guesswork. They accurately report in 1% increments.

They come with 3M double stick tape and go on the OUTSIDe of the tanks. They only need one pair of EXISTING sensor wires for the whole system. I installed it myself and couldn't be happier!

For the price it better be good.

For only $32 (set of four) one could put these sensors in the black that have a "roof" over the sensor wire that keeps toilet paper from shorting them out. Fits the same holes as factory "probes" if in 3/8" holes. If only screws through the side, drill a 3/8" hole (pilot hole is already there when screw is removed).



BTW, one method that takes no "sensors" is to just turn the water off, lift the lid of the toilet, press dump valve to open, then just look down the hole. You can "See Level" for yourself.

[grumpyer]

we never use the gauges either. If they work fine, if not oh well!

[MT Biker]

Our Black tank shows full when empty and empty when full, our grey tank will register what ever it feels like on any given day.

[PokieandBill]

Right out of the gate our level gauges are carrying on the long tradition of being crap. I like the look of the SeeLevel, but wondering how hard it is to access the tanks? Any tips? TIA

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by PokieandBill

Right out of the gate our level gauges are carrying on the long tradition of being crap. I like the look of the SeeLevel, but wondering how hard it is to access the tanks? Any tips? TIA

Since you don't have your RV listed in your profile nor in your post, kinda of hard to advise.
Does it have a covered underbelly or not?

[PokieandBill]

Hi BikenDan, Sorry it's my first post on this forum. I just filled in model info in my profile. In my defense, I did list the model in subject line. Flagstaff 2109DS MicroLite. The bottom is covered.

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by PokieandBill

And now that I've realized I have to save changes, more info in my profile. How do I get a signature in there?

Click on User CP (upper left on this page), then click on Edit Signature.

[PokieandBill]

Thanks, Boondock! I eventually made it to FAQs, maybe my sig will work now.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by PokieandBill

Hi BikenDan, Sorry it's my first post on this forum. I just filled in model info in my profile. In my defense, I did list the model in subject line. Flagstaff 2109DS MicroLite. The bottom is covered.

The subject line/Title of this thread Is "Tanks are supposedly full" and your model is not listed in the title.
So I'm confused as to what subject line you're referring to.

[NMWildcat]

He is new and trying, give him a break!

Originally Posted by bikendan

The subject line/Title of this thread Is "Tanks are supposedly full" and your model is not listed in the title.
So I'm confused as to what subject line you're referring to.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

He is new and trying, give him a break!

I'm trying to understand so I can help by moving their posts to its own thread or a better sub-forum.