R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Black Tank Sensor Problem
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedBlack Tank Sensor Problem

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
3ofUs View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 12 Jul 2014
Location: TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 99
Direct Link To This Post Topic: Black Tank Sensor Problem
    Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 7:38am
After another week of camping, we dump the black tank and it still registers 3/4 full. There is nothing in the tank. So is this a tissue on sensor again??? I'm ready to bag bathroom tissue. We just got it cleared two weeks ago when warranty work was performed on Black Tank Flush. I've made sure plenty of water was in bowl before dropping paper in and I don't try to flush dry paper. This use to happen frequently in a motor home we owned. Any suggestions? I guess at some point it will free itself. Just curious if this is a common problem.
Back to Top
HuronSailor View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 10 Jun 2009
Location: Owosso MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 704
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 7:43am
This is a common problem. Mine hardly ever reads right. 
.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :.
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 8:15am
The factory installed  tank monitor using internal probes will never work. The solutions are: totally disregard the monitor or replace it with something like  the SeeLevel system using external measuring pads. They work very well. 
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4508
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 8:15am
Have you tried a bag or two of ice cube into the black tank then take it for a ride up and down a bumpy road, that should bounce around and brush up against the side enough to clear the problem.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
Back to Top
3ofUs View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 12 Jul 2014
Location: TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 99
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 10:33am
I think my husband will use the wand he bought from Camping World and spray down in the tank and see if that releases it. Glad we came home yesterday. It's pouring rain today.
Back to Top
Budward View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 21 Apr 2014
Location: SC/NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 438
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 11:56am
I wish the black and grey tanks were translucent like the fresh water tank..would be much more reliable to simply kneel down outside and glance at them now and then.
 I have owned RVs where the toilet dropped straight into the tank, was simple to just look down the hole to see how full.
2014 179
Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel
Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!
Back to Top
3ofUs View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 12 Jul 2014
Location: TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 99
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 12:04pm
Yes, Budward, we had motor homes like that.
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 1:28pm
Yup, the black tank sensors usually don't work within days or weeks.  The gray tank tends to still work, and the fresh water tank sensors.  The battery indicator is trash from the start for multiple reasons.

I rely on seeing water with my own eyes.  When the water starts backing up into the shower pan, I've waited too long to dump it (only an issue when boondocking since you can leave that tank open when you have hookups).  When I see water starting to fill the tube when I flush the toilet, I have 1-2 more flushes before it is at the max.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
Grayotter View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 06 Aug 2014
Location: Morro Bay
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 60
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2014 at 11:16am
When I had my previous trailer I made a blackwater cocktail for my tank by gently (afraid they might chip or scor the toilet) dropping ice cubes down the toilet occasionally and when I was about 20 miles from a dump site.
I believe the problem is caused by toilet paper sloshing around, getting hung up on the sensors and drying in storage. By putting ice cubes in the tank, they will emoulsify (sp) the t.p. and also bump into the sensors keeping them cleaner. 
Love2 1der
Back to Top
ahefner View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 03 Aug 2013
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 63
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Aug 2014 at 11:32pm
I almost always double flush the black tank, if there is a line then I do a single flush on the black tank. My sensors still work correctly for now...
2014 rPod 178
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz