Black Water Tank Readout July 11, 2018, 07:13:20 pm I know that the default holding tank readouts are not very accurate but I'm still wondering and would like some input from more experienced people.I emptied my gray (35 gallons) and black (28 gallons) water tanks at the end of my last (= first) trip. After that I put some "Odorlos" liquefier and some water into the toilet. Now I'm on my second trip and have used the toilet probably around 15 times for big business and another 20 to 25 times for small business. Yesterday the black water tank readout changed to "2/3 full." I just emptied the black water tank again and had the impression that it took much less time than the first time. Both times when I emptied the tanks I also used a "Rhino Blaster" (which I think is a good device) and shot after emptying the tank a lot of water back into it through the valve with all the pressure the hose could deliver until for at least 20 seconds nothing but crystal clear water came back out of the tank (see attached picture). Can I more or less safely assume that this means that I really emptied the tanks and that no sticky stuff is still in there? Is this normal that the black water tank readout shows "2/3 full" after the toilet use that I described before? If the tank readouts are very inaccurate - how can I know when the tanks are really getting full?Nick 2 Likes
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #1 – July 11, 2018, 08:00:31 pm When the readout says 2/3 full, it means OVER 2/3 full, but not yet up to the toilet bowl. For me, that is un-useful information, even if accurate. Our SeeLevel gauge reads to 4% resolution, which means 2/3 occurs at a reading of 68%, which I know to interpret as from 68% up to 71%. This is useful.Steve 1 Likes
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #2 – July 11, 2018, 08:20:41 pm The holding tanks form coatings on the inside which can short out or cause the indicators light to indicate prematurely or not at all.An external flushing device does not do a good job of cleaning the inside walls of the tanks, it only flushes.Amazon.com: Valterra A01-0184VP Master Blaster Tank Wand: AutomotiveA typical flushing stick, inserted down the toilet, doesn't work with a MB, with its remotely mounted toilet.Your best choice would be to install tank-mount flushers, below are that I have used for 15 years.Amazon.com: Valterra Products, Inc. A-70 No Fuss Flush with Check Valve:... Holding tank flusher | FlickrUse them regularly to keep the tanks clean and to avoid blockage of the nozzle's jetsTo help control and eliminate the coating problem, once a year, during the hot weather, the tanks are flushed and filled with fresh water. A packet of septic tank enzymes is added to each tank and then allowed to sit for a week or more, before dumping.Give it time to do its work. The enzymes digest the buildup on the tank's inner walls.https://www.homedepot.com/p/Green-Gobbler-Septic-Saver-Enzyme-Pacs-GGSSEP/206337694?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-100010585-_-206337694-_-NTo eliminate the shorted sensor issue, a SeeLevel tank sensor can be installed, it is not effected by normal coatings.The SeeLevel reads out in percentages and is a nice upgrade.Garnet 709 SeeLevel II Tank Monitoring SystemLarry 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #3 – July 11, 2018, 08:33:36 pm Quote from: Larry W - July 11, 2018, 08:20:41 pmTo help control and eliminate the coating problem, once a year, during the hot weather, the tanks are flushed and filled with fresh water. A packet of septic tank enzymes is added to each tank and then allowed to sit for a week or more, before dumping. Give it time to do its work. The enzymes digest the buildup on the tank's inner walls.I thought to do something like that. However, I am leaving the RV park where I am staying right now in two or three days. That is probably not enough time to let the enzymes do the full work. But since I have not more to loose than some of the enzyme product that I have with me right now (Odorlos) I will do it anyway because the dumping is so easy here.
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #4 – July 12, 2018, 08:15:36 am Quote from: Nick R. - July 11, 2018, 07:13:20 pmI know that the default holding tank readouts are not very accurate but I'm still wondering and would like some input from more experienced people.I emptied my gray (35 gallons) and black (28 gallons) water tanks at the end of my last (= first) trip. After that I put some "Odorlos" liquefier and some water into the toilet. Now I'm on my second trip and have used the toilet probably around 15 times for big business and another 20 to 25 times for small business. Yesterday the black water tank readout changed to "2/3 full." I just emptied the black water tank again and had the impression that it took much less time than the first time. Both times when I emptied the tanks I also used a "Rhino Blaster" (which I think is a good device) and shot after emptying the tank a lot of water back into it through the valve with all the pressure the hose could deliver until for at least 20 seconds nothing but crystal clear water came back out of the tank (see attached picture). Can I more or less safely assume that this means that I really emptied the tanks and that no sticky stuff is still in there? Is this normal that the black water tank readout shows "2/3 full" after the toilet use that I described before? If the tank readouts are very inaccurate - how can I know when the tanks are really getting full?NickMine always says 2/3 full but the good part is you can just look down through the toilet with a flashlight and see exactly how full you are. The low tech work around. Or I guess another way would be a dip stick but that could get a bit messy.
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #5 – July 12, 2018, 08:27:44 am We have an 89 LD and the tank sensors were “no longer working†before we got it a year ago.I used Amazon.com: Valterra V22011 'Sensor Power' Level Gauge Cleaner - 16 oz....We followed bottle instructions and we used the toilet as the enzymest worked.And voila they work fine almost a year latter. Note the sensor cleaner product is different than the regular enzymes we use.Amazon.com: Valterra V23128 'Pure Power Blue' Waste Digester and Odor...I need to do the gray tank as it is now getting stuck showing fuller than it is. 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #6 – July 12, 2018, 08:29:41 am We have long accepted that a reading of 2/3 full is normal when the tank is empty.We don't pay it any attention. Since we always use fresh water from the tank, it about impossible to fill either the black or grey.Do the math.Now relax and enjoy life and forget about those lights.
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #7 – July 12, 2018, 09:53:21 am Quote from: Don Malpas - July 12, 2018, 08:29:41 amWe have long accepted that a reading of 2/3 full is normal when the tank is empty.We don't pay it any attention. Since we always use fresh water from the tank, it about impossible to fill either the black or grey.Do the math.Now relax and enjoy life and forget about those lights.Well how much beer you drink and deposit in the toilet must be taken into consideration when doing the math. 1 Likes
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #8 – July 12, 2018, 10:14:04 am Quote from: Nick R. - July 11, 2018, 07:13:20 pmIf the tank readouts are very inaccurate - how can I know when the tanks are really getting full?With experience, you'll notice a difference in sound when flushing when your tank is near the full level. We never pay any attention to the readout...just go by the sound when flushing. 1 Likes
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #9 – July 12, 2018, 11:52:46 am Quote from: Linda Hylton - July 12, 2018, 10:14:04 amWith experience, you'll notice a difference in sound when flushing when your tank is near the full level. We never pay any attention to the readout...just go by the sound when flushing.This is what we do too. Ignore the read out when it says 2/3, pay attention when it gets to full, and listen when flushing to determine when you're really out of space!Rich'03 MB in NC
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #10 – July 12, 2018, 12:02:42 pm One thing that has work for me when flushing the black tank is to use my 3-Stage Flush stratagey. Connecting the Flush King and Flojet Macerator I first dump the tank. After back flushing the tank partially, I use the Flush Wand through the toilet as I run the Flojet. This allows the wand to more completely force waste out of the tank. Using this method, I have little trouble reaching the bottom led on our OEM monitor.As Larry has said, it’s advisable to allow a cleaned tank to sit full of water with the enzymes for about a week. Doing this and using my 3-Stage process easily cleanses the walls of the tank and dislodges the “sheets” of buildup on the tank walls and sensors.Having a RB is nice too. This allows me to see directly to the tank bottom from the toilet bowl. When in doubt of the black tanks sensors accuracy while camping, I simply “take a peek”. 🧐Works for me.Kent
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #11 – July 12, 2018, 01:21:49 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - July 12, 2018, 12:02:42 pmHaving a RB is nice too. This allows me to see directly to the tank bottom from the toilet bowl. When in doubt of the black tanks sensors accuracy while camping, I simply “take a peek”. 🧐With the Mid-Bath, this "different" way of monitoring the black tank method isn't possible, due to the offset toilet.A dip-stick won't work. There is no way to see its actual level.I installed a SeeLevel years ago when my wife thought she had plenty of fresh water to wash her hair....and didn't.The cost and work to install it was nothing compared to dealing a upset wife, with a head full of shampoo .YMMVLarry 2 Likes
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #12 – July 12, 2018, 01:57:45 pm If you install a SeeLevel II where have folks installed the faceplate? I'm also assuming that the installed LD unit remains active?TIABill
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #13 – July 12, 2018, 02:10:55 pm The Seelevel is entirely separate for the three tanks, but uses the same propane monitor as the oem panel. I don't trust THAT reading, so I double check the tank gauge, if concerned. 2 Likes
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #14 – July 12, 2018, 04:46:00 pm "If you install a SeeLevel II where have folks installed the faceplate?"All coaches are different but when Mike Sylvester installed my SeeLevel way back in 2005 he found an empty space for the monitor panel to the left of the OEM monitor panel. I'm unaware of how its wired but his comment at the time was the location would facilitate an easy install. And the OEM system was not disturbed and is still functional, if not accurate. Incidentally, if you download the Owners Manual for the SeeLevel II system (pdf) you will find that there is a very comprehensive diagnostic procedure therein which is helpful by telling you the condition of the system and very important when troubleshooting. 2 Likes
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #15 – July 13, 2018, 09:19:51 am I removed the original LD panel and built a replacement from black ABS sheet. I mounted the SeeLevel readout/control panel on that. I wired the SeeLevel panel with a connector that matched the original, so it was plug-and-play.In tribute to the LD barometer mounted on the original panel. I mounted our weather station's wireless receiver on the upper part of the ABS sheet, above the SeeLevel panel. The whole thing looked pretty "up-to-date" for a seventeen year-old LD.I may have the original monitor panel about, somewhere.Mark H. 1 Likes
Re: Black Water Tank Readout Reply #16 – July 13, 2018, 11:41:02 am Thanks for all your answers. I'm pretty relaxed about this issue now. I filled the black water tank with water and enzymes until showing "Full" and let the water continue to run until it was visible in the pipe below the bowl. Then I dumped about one or two gallons. The readout still says "Full." I used the toilet only for small business and drove around a little. Later this morning I will have to empty the tanks as I am leaving the place where I am right now. Next time when I go on a trip and know that I can dump where I'm going I will do the same with the Valterra power cleaner.This is all precautionary anyway. The previous owner of my RV (who by now is probably enjoying her new Lazy Daze) took excellent care of this rig, and I'm sure that included the holding tanks.
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