Gray/Black Tank Gauges way Off

[tommybill]

Finally after continually complaining about our Galley/Gray/Black tanks filling up way too quickly for the umpteenth time, I decided it was time to confirm my suspicions about tank levels being way off. Simply amazing how far off the gauges are at 1/3 and 2/3. Who would have thought it?
Galley Gray Black Fresh
Empty 0 gal 0 gal 0 gal 0 gal
1/3 1 gal 2 gal 2 gal 3 gal
2/3 8 gal 8 gal 13 gal 14 gal
Full 24 gal 24 gal 30 gal 25 gal
Capacity 30 30 30 38

This is ridiculous. My 8 year old grandson could come closer to knowing where to put a sensor for 1/3 and 2/3. When will the RV industry start building quality into their products??

 

[aceinspp]

Not so much as where the sensor is but if it gets tt paper hung up and a lot of crud from gray water that they get covered which cause erroneous readings. Maybe some day they come up with a better idea but then cost more to do. Later RJD

 

[Flybob]

On at least some of the tanks, the issue could be that there is some liquid in the tank after the drain stops draining. You are assuming that when the tank stops draining, there is "0 gal" in the tank. For the FW tank this is many times not the case. Ie. If there is 8 gals in the FW tank when the drain stops, then the readings are very close to correct.

 

[TURBS]

Some day you'll not even look at those worthless gauges and just "know" when it's time to dump.



2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"
2016 nights camped "14"

 

[Oaklevel]

I wish they would stop putting gauges on the tanks ...... The few years that they have been used on the tanks they have been problematic. I know how long ours takes to fill so I don't use the gauges. The tanks are usually smaller on one end and deeper on the other to drain so its is not an easy task to get them right.

 

[Mr Havercamp]

Get this


https://youtu.be/-kttyNVuVEI

 

[tommybill]

Thanks for the replies. I tipped the camper every which way to make sure they were empty, then when I filled them, I was able to add as much water as the tank capacities were. So, fairly sure there was no residual liquid in the tanks. Just amazing that for 1/3 full, it only took a couple of gallons in a tank, even the fresh water tank. I'm posting a small chart by my indicator lights for reference. Normally we would never get to the max, but heading out for 30 days in September so, will be dumping along the way.

Tom

 

[Bama Rambler]

The issue is that they measure 1/3rd as distance, not volume. 1/3rd the way up a sloped bottom tank isn't very many gallons. Especially when the sensors are on the tall end.

 

[Hamilton]

Not so much as where the sensor is but if it gets tt paper hung up and a lot of crud from gray water that they get covered which cause erroneous readings. Maybe some day they come up with a better idea but then cost more to do. Later RJD

Once a year Usually befor a longer trip, I fill my black tank with ice and a scoop of powdered laundry soap. As the ice melts it sloshes around in the tank and cleans the sensors. It does not make them correct but it dous clean the tank and sensors good.

 

[wildcatmlm]

OMG! How much ice does it take to fill your black tank?

 

[Hamilton]

I normally put 2 or 3 20 pound bags in it. I also put a couple gallons of water in with it.

 

[DouglasReid]

Every cloud has a Silver lining

Finally after continually complaining about our Galley/Gray/Black tanks filling up way too quickly for the umpteenth time, I decided it was time to confirm my suspicions about tank levels being way off. Simply amazing how far off the gauges are at 1/3 and 2/3. Who would have thought it?
Galley Gray Black Fresh
Empty 0 gal 0 gal 0 gal 0 gal
1/3 1 gal 2 gal 2 gal 3 gal
2/3 8 gal 8 gal 13 gal 14 gal
Full 24 gal 24 gal 30 gal 25 gal
Capacity 30 30 30 38

This is ridiculous. My 8 year old grandson could come closer to knowing where to put a sensor for 1/3 and 2/3. When will the RV industry start building quality into their products??

The good news is you won't be overflowing any of them and THAT would be MUCH worse. Overfilling an lead to burst tanks, broken straps, all of which cost to have repaired.

It could be worse, MUCH worse!

 

[aceinspp]

Once a year Usually befor a longer trip, I fill my black tank with ice and a scoop of powdered laundry soap. As the ice melts it sloshes around in the tank and cleans the sensors. It does not make them correct but it dous clean the tank and sensors good.

Yes I do this also. At least they show emty after the ice trick.
From what I've seen at the factory where the Rockwoods are built and V-Lites the tanks are pretty much look flat and no taper that I could see.
Later RJD

 

[pdqparalegal1]

Tank sensor

On at least some of the tanks, the issue could be that there is some liquid in the tank after the drain stops draining. You are assuming that when the tank stops draining, there is "0 gal" in the tank. For the FW tank this is many times not the case. Ie. If there is 8 gals in the FW tank when the drain stops, then the readings are very close to correct.

I'm lucky to live in the country and have enough land to dump at home in a pasture. Sitting still tank will "empty". pull forward and hit brakes, a lot sloshes out Can do that many times to get tank empty. There is no way to get empty sitting still.

 

[Steveanddianne]

flushing and more flushing Question

We just started using our sun seeker this year 3 trips to date, I have only flushed the Black water tank at 2/3 think it was accurate - Each time I used the black water flush ran it for about 2 minutes. then the gauge shows empty - then after that without using the toilet it shows a 1/3 - I flushed again showed empty. Today I went out and ran the black water flush for a few minutes, then stuck the wand in the toilet opened the valve showed empty - then per comments in the forum i put in about 1 gallon so nothing drys out, shoed 1/3 - I now realize the gauges may not be right but how long should you run the black water flush to clean out the tank - just to be safe?

 

[NorSnrub]

Black tank

https://www.tankedge.com/
This is a way that tank might read right, it is capisitive. And also

Blue Sea Systems Vessel Systems Monitor VSM 422

Brand:
Blue Sea Systems

Blue Sea Systems Vessel Systems Monitor VSM 422
Blue Sea Systems Vessel Systems Monitor VSM 422
Item # : 242260