Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Fleet | Keystone RV Models > Fifth Wheels
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-10-2014, 12:22 PM   #1
dcotton4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Oregon,MO
Posts: 9
Holding tank sensors

I have a 2000 montana 2850RK that I purchased recently and have trouble with the black water and Galley water tank level sensors reading full when I know they are empty. I have tried the method of adding dishwasher soap and water softner and then pulling the camper and draining the tanks but this did not help. So whats my next move now? Do I need to check the sensors in the tank and how difficult are they to get at. All advice appreciated
Thanks, Dave
dcotton4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2014, 12:38 PM   #2
Jim & DJ
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Morgan
Posts: 223
I have the same problem and was told to put a couple of bags of ice cubes in the toilet, flush it and tow the rv a few blocks or miles and then drain. I have not tried that method as yet but also was told the tank sensors may not be serviceable. Good Luck.

By the way, welcome








Jim
Jim & DJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2014, 01:30 PM   #3
WaltBennett
Senior Member
 
WaltBennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Haymarket, VA
Posts: 382
I've used dishwasher soap powder with some water softener and three five pound bags of ice cubes in the past successfully. Add about five or ten gallons of water and drive about a hundred miles or so, then dump & flush. This worked for our black tank. I'd try everything but the cubes on the galley one & see if that works. These gauges are really pathetic anyway, but any kind of dried 'stuff' on them will make them read full.
__________________

'06 F350 Lariat turbo diesel dually, Curt 20k, Softopper, Aerosheld, coolant filter, air bags
'10 3665RE Hickory, wet bolts, Trimetric battery monitor, 4 100w panels & Morningstar TS-45, still tweeking!
WaltBennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2014, 03:37 PM   #4
hankaye
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Arrey,
Posts: 2,368
Howdy All;

It's my belief that tank level indicators were designed
to give you something to worry about, as if there wasn't
enough already ... pay attention to your tanks they will
give you indications for when they need dumped...
My indicators are hidden from view behind a coat. Never look at'em.
Haven't had any problems yet ... touch wood.

hankaye
__________________
Striving for a less complicated life since 1949 ...

Home: 2008 Cougar 278 RKS
T.V.: 2004 F-250 4X4, Level III BulletProofed , Detroit Tru-Track Differential (915A550)
Dog: 2006 Border Collie (Rascal) aka Maximum fur dispersal unit. (08/04/2006 - 12/16/2017) RIP.
hankaye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2014, 07:44 PM   #5
Bill & Deb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 120
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcotton4 View Post
I have a 2000 montana 2850RK that I purchased recently and have trouble with the black water and Galley water tank level sensors reading full when I know they are empty. I have tried the method of adding dishwasher soap and water softner and then pulling the camper and draining the tanks but this did not help. So whats my next move now? Do I need to check the sensors in the tank and how difficult are they to get at. All advice appreciated
Thanks, Dave

Dave

I found an interesting site with info on the sensors.

http://www.dmbruss.com/zTige/Tige_SeeLevel.htm


Here is a previous archive

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/arc...php?t-782.html


Cheers

Bill
__________________
2014 Keystone Laredo 329RE
Mor/Ryde Pin Box
2002 Ford F250 SD with 7.3 PS
Pullrite Superglide 15K Hitch
Bill & Deb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2014, 02:32 PM   #6
dcotton4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Oregon,MO
Posts: 9
Ok so here is what I came up with. On the black water tank I brought home some heavy duty degreaser from work and put about 2 quarts down the stool. Then I filled the tank almost full and then put a air hose down through the toilet and turned it on to agitate the solution for about 5 minutes. I then dumped the tank and refilled and dumped again and PRESTO! My black water monitor now reads correctly. Now if I can get the galley holding tank flushed I will have it whipped! Thanks, Dave
dcotton4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2014, 03:46 PM   #7
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,836
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcotton4 View Post
Ok so here is what I came up with. On the black water tank I brought home some heavy duty degreaser from work and put about 2 quarts down the stool. Then I filled the tank almost full and then put a air hose down through the toilet and turned it on to agitate the solution for about 5 minutes. I then dumped the tank and refilled and dumped again and PRESTO! My black water monitor now reads correctly. Now if I can get the galley holding tank flushed I will have it whipped! Thanks, Dave
Dave,

You'll have it whipped until the next time a piece of toilet paper or solid waste gets hung on the sensor and your troubles will start all over again. Unfortunately, anything you do to clean them will only last as long as you don't use your black tank. It seems that as long as you introduce "stuff" into the black tank, some of it has the likelihood of getting wrapped around the sensor and causing the problems with inaccurate tank readings all over again. That's why so many of us have just stopped worrying about even pushing the button on the wall.

Also, you might want to be careful what type of cleaners you put down the toilet. There are some rubber and synthetic rubber seals on the toilet flush valve and on the black tank drain valves that might not "like" the degreaser/cleaner solution. If they deform or "melt" you can create problems that aren't easy to fix.
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2014, 06:53 PM   #8
chuckster57
Site Team
 
chuckster57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,234
I must be the exception to the rules. Every one of my trailers have had ZERO problems with proper sensor operation.

Maybe it's because I use lots of water, and dissolving paper. Never had a black tank rinser until this unit. And I tend to "over medicate" when charging the tank.
__________________

2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
chuckster57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2014, 04:12 PM   #9
thewhitehat
Member
 
thewhitehat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Central Texas Hill Country
Posts: 95
All these 'solutions' seem to be based on the premise that something is stuck in the tank. What if the sensors are broken or defective? Has anyone encountered this?
__________________
2011 F250 6.7 Powerstroke Diesel
2013 Keystone Cougar Xlite 30fkv
Holding steady with a Hensley Arrow Hitch
wife, son, new dog, me

thewhitehat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2014, 05:12 PM   #10
GaryWT
Senior Member
 
GaryWT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 3,153
My belief like others is once it is cleared/cleaned it is only one or two trips from nor showing empty again. When I had the park model for 11 years, there was no sensor or anything, we just had to learn when it was time to dump, not big deal. Gray tank stays open as it would fill in a day anyway.
__________________
2013 Premier 31BHPR
2014 F350 6.2L
Soon to be just DW and I
GaryWT is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.