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05-13-2022, 05:47 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Effort
Posts: 4
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Black tank sensor
We bought a used 2018 springdale 311re
The dealer says the black tank is empty but may have a build up on the sensors. When we check with the push button read out it says 2/3 full. Ive used stuff to brake down any "media" inside but it's still saying g 2/3 full. Any way to physically spray these tanks out?
I'm new to this.
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05-13-2022, 05:56 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Shreveport
Posts: 64
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I have a "wand" with a rotating spray nozzle on the end. I got it at WalMart I think. You connect it to a water hose and hold the flush valve open on the toilet. Stick the wand in and turn it on (it has a little valve on the wand). Move it all around and see if you can clean some of the goop off. However, in most cases, you can pretty much bet the gauges will never be very accurate. Some people put a bag of ice down the toilet and drive around a bit to try and let the ice dislodge the poo.
Good luck and welcome.
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05-14-2022, 04:04 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Norwood, CO
Posts: 667
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Those gauges are notoriously bad. Most likely you will need just develop a "feel" for when it needs emptying. Remember to only empty when it is near full, even if you are in a campground with full hook-ups. That is so you do not develop "build up" inside the tank. You might try filling the tank about 2/3 full with water and a little dish soap and driving around so that the motion acts as an agitator to clean it.
Welcome to the forum.
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German Shepherd Guy
2018 Keystone 26RBPR
2014 Suburban 2500, 6L with 3.73 rear
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05-14-2022, 04:56 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,014
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Typically it is due to paper products caught on the sensor pins, probably like cement at this point. I would suggest filling the tank partway, adding Borax detergent, and then go for a drive, then drain, rinse and repeat. The longer the soak, the more likely you are to get the build-up off the sensors. Moving forward, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure….
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Rob & Amy
2019 Passport 240BH SL (current)
2024 Cougar 29BHL (on order, due early May)
2022 Ford F250 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab 4x4
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05-14-2022, 05:04 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Suwanee
Posts: 414
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I try to add 5 gallons of water, borax, and zep concentrate to both tanks, then drive to our destination camp ground. Works really well for smell and sensors. I've used the "swizzle stick" from Walmart as well. I think the reason both worked for us is because the paper on the sensors didn't have a chance to turn to cement. The measurements for the borax are on you tube. Look for the "poo pyramid" from the rv guy. Looks like a 1960's Berkeley resident but really knows his stuff.
https://www.trbowlin.com/bio-geo-method/
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___________________
2017 Keystone Springdale 2600TB - Summerland Series
2016 RAM 1500 Express 5.7L Hemi
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05-14-2022, 08:38 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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I've NEVER owned a rv that the sensors were worth the stuff they were suppose the indicate. There are a handful the say there's are accurate or "right on", not sure how they can possibly know for sure without physically measuring the level & comparing to the sensors. Mine were ALWAYS "right on", right on 1/3 or 2/3 EVERY time you looked at the sensors even when the shower or kitchen sink is standing full of water. And I've tried every magic potion or method ever mentioned with exact same 1/3 or 2/3 readings afterwards when the tanks are empty.
If your sure you have build up in the black tank I'd work diligently to get it as clear as possible, but wouldn't spend to much time, $$ or effort on the worthless sensors
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Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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05-14-2022, 12:42 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Effort
Posts: 4
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Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I'm going to try them all. My fear is since it's a used camper that there may be dookie coral like build up. Never know if it was properly emptied either when traded in. Ive been looking for a reason to buy a plumbers camera so I may do that and take a look inside 🤢
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05-14-2022, 12:58 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximilian
Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I'm going to try them all. My fear is since it's a used camper that there may be dookie coral like build up. Never know if it was properly emptied either when traded in. Ive been looking for a reason to buy a plumbers camera so I may do that and take a look inside ��
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There really shouldn't be a need for a camera. Just turn the water pump and city water off, step on the toilet flush pedal and shine a bright flashlight "down the hole". The bottom of the black tank is only about 7-8 inches below the trailer floor and you can easily see the plastic tank bottom or, if there's a "poo buildup" you'll see the "crusty evidence".... If you see what looks like a dark gray/black plastic surface, the tank is "relatively clean without buildup".
If you have a black tank flush system, you can turn that on, again step on the toilet pedal and visualize the spray patter as the nozzle sprays water into the tank.
Don't expect a lot from your black tank flush. This video will give you some idea of just how "pitiful" the pressure stream is and just how "ineffective" the cleaning capability really is: Take a look at about the 4:30 mark and you'll see the "high pressure cleaning capability".... And remember, in your trailer, the pressure is "reduced further by flowing through the anti-siphon valve" on its way to the spray nozzle.
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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05-14-2022, 01:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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One good thing, mine has never showed full when it’s empty. Pretty common for 1/3 or 2/3. The nice part about that is if it ever shows full, there’s a pretty good chance it actually IS full.
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Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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05-14-2022, 04:03 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bsmith0404
One good thing, mine has never showed full when it’s empty. Pretty common for 1/3 or 2/3. The nice part about that is if it ever shows full, there’s a pretty good chance it actually IS full.
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That's how mine works. I don't pay any attention to those idiot lights in the panel. Let my eyes and ears be my guage.
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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