Another water sensor question

[dljs1941]

I have a 2020 Bullet 273BHS. The Black Tank Sensor has registered empty since I purchased the TT. This TT has a sealed underbelly so access is limited. I know that these sensors are historically incorrect, so I'm holding off on travelling the 100 miles back to the dealer for this issue. Just wondering if anyone can offer "top of mind" things I might check first.

[chuckster57]

Common issue with this is a bad ground. If you can remove just enough nails to look in the underbelly, there are 4 wires attached to the tank. The bottom one (white) is ground, and if you run a jumper from that to the frame it will probably start working.

[GMcKenzie]

If it didn't show empty all the time, it would show full right after dumping....

Only one of mine that shows reasonable is the fresh water.

[JohnP]

This seems to be a common complaint from many that is never dealt with by the manufacturers. It is funny that millions of vehicles fuel guages work very well in a toxic fuel element but travel trailers with water base work very poorly. Why can't they use the same sensers as the car manufactures ?

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by JohnP

This seems to be a common complaint from many that is never dealt with by the manufacturers. It is funny that millions of vehicles fuel guages work very well in a toxic fuel element but travel trailers with water base work very poorly. Why can't they use the same sensers as the car manufactures ?

IMO there are a lot of reasons the gauges aren't accurate/don't work. For some they do if different measures are taken to try and keep them "kind of" operational.

Many folks, like myself, never heard of a "tank sensor" when we started using an RV. You didn't need one; the RV WILL tell you when a tank, of whatever kind, is full. After a few "what the heck" episodes you learn to "listen" to the tanks, or, as in the case of the bathroom gray tank, "gauge" it. I've never had any luck with the gauges in newer RVs and don't even look at them. I know how long my shower tank will last by trial and error, I dump just before that. I know that all the rest of the tanks won't be completely full but close so dump them all at the same time. The battery monitor light is useless to me because I don't want it to be anything but full so I stay on top of it. Oh, did I mention the questionable quality and install of those sensors? I'm not pulling the underbelly off to work on something I've done without for most of my camping career.

Taking it to the dealer will result in 2 things; loss of use of the trailer for.....a long time and sensors that don't work in the future.

I'm sure some that have had luck will chime in and tell you the procedures they have used to keep their sensors working and hopefully that will help. I would suggest doing what I mentioned above so you don't become dependent on that little light telling you if you're about to have that "oops" moment. JMO

[chuckster57]

And again, I seem to be the only one that keeps his tanks clean and sensors working.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

And again, I seem to be the only one that keeps his tanks clean and sensors working.

I truly wish I had your gift and fortitude.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by sourdough

I truly wish I had your gift and fortitude.

I can not reveal the ways of a Jedi.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by JohnP

This seems to be a common complaint from many that is never dealt with by the manufacturers. It is funny that millions of vehicles fuel guages work very well in a toxic fuel element but travel trailers with water base work very poorly. Why can't they use the same sensers as the car manufactures ?

The sensors on your tank rely on the liquid to provide a path between the sensor inserted into the side and the ground; idiot light then lights. The fuel tank in a vehicle has a pivoting arm that floats and essentially as it changes height the electrical resistance changes and causes a guage to register varying levels based on the position of this arm. This type system would be in trouble in a tank with solids and semi solids. The way that OEMs do tank sensors is the cheapest that can be done and are not real effective in many cases.



If you are unhappy about the performance of the OEM tank gauges, there are a bunch of aftermarket solutions. Here is one:
https://www.garnetinstruments.com/rv-shop/
Not endorsing or have any special knowledge of the one above; just turned up first in a google search.

[flybouy]

When my father taught me how to drive he said never trust the fuel gauge. Know what your mileage is and be aware of how far you've gone.

When I bought my first boat, experienced boaters told me to know the boat's fuel consumption per hr and keep track of your time, don't trust the gauge.

When I learned how to fly the flight instructor echoed these edicts.

So, no, I don't "trust" or "rely on " a cheap sensor in a plastic tank full of poo.

YMMV

[dljs1941]

Thanks for all the comments. I recognize that the sensors are inherently incorrect and will use experience and time with this rig to gauge when the black tank needs to be dumped.

[chunker]

Just for grins I would suggest you take "chuckster57" suggestion and see if that works. Then if they are working start paying attention to fluid use and sensor reading in order to track a usage and get experience with them. Proper tank cleaning will help give you some reliability to the readings. With a new RV it may take some time to develop that experience.

[NH_Bulldog]

Based on our tank sizes and experience we can go 2-3 days on gray water and no more than 5 days on black water when connected to city water (a little longer running off the fresh water tank). We are two adults and a 7 year old girl.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by NH_Bulldog

Based on our tank sizes and experience we can go 2-3 days on gray water and no more than 5 days on black water when connected to city water (a little longer running off the fresh water tank). We are two adults and a 7 year old girl.

Old people (like me) generally flush more often than a 7 year old and the young parents of a 7 year old. Trust me. We know our black tank is full when the shower starts to fill as the shower is connected to the black tank. This is NOT the way you want to learn to dump tanks more frequently!

[NH_Bulldog]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Old people (like me) generally flush more often than a 7 year old and the young parents of a 7 year old. Trust me. We know our black tank is full when the shower starts to fill as the shower is connected to the black tank. This is NOT the way you want to learn to dump tanks more frequently!

Like I said, it’s all individual experience. We are in our mid-fifties and our 7 year old is our second go ‘round in life (our other daughters are 30 and 32). We had forgotten how much kids love to use the bathroom!

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

We know our black tank is full when the shower starts to fill as the shower is connected to the black tank.

Ouch! That has got to be the worst of all possible designs. What model is this?

[tech740]

Originally Posted by LHaven

Ouch! That has got to be the worst of all possible designs. What model is this?

I am just guessing, but a 2002 Keystone Cougar 278 is in his signature.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by LHaven

Ouch! That has got to be the worst of all possible designs. What model is this?

Proudly display model in my signature! 2002 Keystone Cougar 278EFS. Another design head scratcher. HEY! LHaven, Go up to the black bar on the top/left of each page and click of UserCP and put a signature to your posts! SHAME bwhahahaha over 1K posts and no sig!

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by tech740

I am just guessing, but a 2002 Keystone Cougar 278 is in his signature.

I did look before I posted, but I guess I didn't realize before now that the mobile version of the form doesn't show any signatures.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Proudly display model in my signature! 2002 Keystone Cougar 278EFS. Another design head scratcher. HEY! LHaven, Go up to the black bar on the top/left of each page and click of UserCP and put a signature to your posts! SHAME bwhahahaha over 1K posts and no sig!

Everything I've posted today has been from the mobile version, so if that's what you're reading, my guess is that the mobile version doesn't post the signature any more than it displays them.