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Old 03-08-2020, 10:35 PM   #1
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Tank Levels Show Empty

After almost a week of use, all the tank levels (fresh, gray, and black) on our brand new trailer have only shown "E". I filled the fresh tank up, and the gray and black tanks were quite full when I dumped them so they should have registered more than empty.

Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, what was the fix?

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Old 03-09-2020, 12:23 AM   #2
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The usual complaint is that the gray and black tank sensors get fouled and show full (or partly full) even after dumping.

If your problem is that all tanks show empty, even when you know they are not, then I would suspect a wiring problem at the display panel.
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Old 03-09-2020, 04:43 AM   #3
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Yes, I agree, does the panel display "fun" on your battery and fresh tank when filled?
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Old 03-09-2020, 05:12 AM   #4
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Ron, aside from the so-called “usual complaints,” I would ask has the display shown proper levels in the past? If it has, something has recently malfunctioned. The fact that you dumped two tanks reading empty that were almost full points to the monitor itself. It is likely that its circuit board has “filled the bed” rather than the black tank, in street talk.
If it is under warranty, contact the parts department at ETI. If not, call the manufacturer of the monitor, most likely KIB electronics. They sell replacement boards for around $15. It is much easier to replace the board than the entire monitor as full replacement requires splicing, whereas board replacement only involves disconnecting an automotive type plug from the circuit board itself.
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Old 03-09-2020, 08:17 AM   #5
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All three of our tank gauges are giving erroneous readings
( Fresh water read low —black / grey read high )
I called ETI and they thought it was the probe leads .
They sent me a new set of leads for all three tanks at N/C
I am waiting for the weather to improve before installing

I would call / E-Mail ETI’s service dept and see what they say
It may be a simple and inexpensive fix
Since all three gauges are not working I would think that it is a part or wiring common to all three probes .
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Old 03-09-2020, 10:55 AM   #6
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I've never trusted those guages. I do know that when I'm standing in water when taking a shower we need to dump the grey water tanks. OTOH, this hasn't happened since 1999 when our Aerolite's grey tank was full.

Last summer we were camping with our 5 y.o. granddaughter and I ran out of water rinsing in the shower on day 2. We explained to her that it is perfectly OK to have dirty hands when camping, and she loves dirt! I dumped and refilled the camper, and lasted five more days camping. She flies to Phoenix the end of the month to be with Oma and Opa for six days at Lost Dutchman. She's pumped!

Enjoy,

Perry
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Old 03-09-2020, 11:15 AM   #7
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I see a future Escape owner......
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Old 03-09-2020, 02:03 PM   #8
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I've never trusted those guages.
Yes a crude estimate at best even when they are working. Better bet is kneeling down and looking at the side of the freshwater tank as it is translucent, gray tank has an overflow in the passenger side wheel well, and you can peak down into the black tank through the toilet for general level indication. Battery voltage is checked on my Doc Wattson battery monitor (soon to be Victron).

On edit: I realize looking at the fresh tank doesn't work for those with underside foam and to the best of my knowledge only early 19's have the gray tank overflow in the wheel well.
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Old 03-09-2020, 02:23 PM   #9
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On edit: I realize looking at the fresh tank doesn't work for those with underside foam and to the best of my knowledge only early 19's have the gray tank overflow in the wheel well.

I have no foam and I still can't tell the fresh water level by examining the tank. I've rocked the trailer and tried a flashlight to no avail.
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Old 03-09-2020, 02:54 PM   #10
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I have no foam and I still can't tell the fresh water level by examining the tank. I've rocked the trailer and tried a flashlight to no avail.
Interesting. We must have different tanks. On ours you can see an obvious water level if there is decent light.
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Old 03-09-2020, 03:11 PM   #11
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Here's mine. Opaque for the most part.
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Fresh water tank.jpg  
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Old 03-09-2020, 03:17 PM   #12
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Here's mine. Opaque for the most part.
Our tanks look pretty similar. Maybe I've just gotten lucky and caught it in the right light.
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Old 03-09-2020, 03:46 PM   #13
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Here's mine. Opaque for the most part.
Did you try shining the light from the bottom while holding the flashlight lens in direct contact with the tank? That is the only way I can tell the level in my lawn tractor’s fuel tank.
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Old 03-09-2020, 03:49 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by steve dunham View Post
All three of our tank gauges are giving erroneous readings
( Fresh water read low —black / grey read high )
I called ETI and they thought it was the probe leads .
They sent me a new set of leads for all three tanks at N/C
I am waiting for the weather to improve before installing

I would call / E-Mail ETI’s service dept and see what they say
It may be a simple and inexpensive fix
Since all three gauges are not working I would think that it is a part or wiring common to all three probes .
That could also be the problem. If it is, hopefully Ron doesn’t have the spray on foam insulation. If he does, then this becomes a major problem.
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Old 03-09-2020, 03:54 PM   #15
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I have no foam and I still can't tell the fresh water level by examining the tank. I've rocked the trailer and tried a flashlight to no avail.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
Here's mine. Opaque for the most part.
That's a pretty typical RV fresh water tank. It's probably not opaque; it's likely translucent. The trick with a flashlight it to put it right against the wall of the tank, so the light goes in and you have a glowing tank - the level is then apparent. It does work better at night... which is when the water runs out anyway, right?
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Old 03-09-2020, 03:55 PM   #16
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Thanks y'all. I've got a super bright LED torch to try next time.
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Old 08-31-2020, 07:07 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by KirkB View Post
The usual complaint is that the gray and black tank sensors get fouled and show full (or partly full) even after dumping.
...
After a black tank cleaning failed to convince the Full light to go out I broke down and ordered Horst "miracle" probes and installed them today. See the before&after photos.

But much to my dismay there was no change. Grey and fresh work well but the black tank shows all 4 lamps - ie, full. See monitor-after photo. This stays the same even when all the probe wires are disconnected, so the problem is unlikely the new probes.

Looks like I'm going to have to order a new monitor. I believe this is a KIB Electronics K21. Can someone confirm that for me?
Thanks!
Alan
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tank-before.jpg   tank-after.jpg   monitor-after.jpg  
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Old 08-31-2020, 07:30 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by alanmalk View Post
After a black tank cleaning failed to convince the Full light to go out I broke down and ordered Horst "miracle" probes and installed them today. See the before&after photos.

But much to my dismay there was no change. Grey and fresh work well but the black tank shows all 4 lamps - ie, full. See monitor-after photo. This stays the same even when all the probe wires are disconnected, so the problem is unlikely the new probes.

Looks like I'm going to have to order a new monitor. I believe this is a KIB Electronics K21. Can someone confirm that for me?
Thanks!
Alan
Yep!
https://www.amazon.com/KIB-K21-Monit.../dp/B007HRRARA

https://www.walmart.com/ip/KIB-K21-M...stem/180912149

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KIB-K21-Mon...-/322994512614
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Old 08-31-2020, 07:31 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by alanmalk View Post
After a black tank cleaning failed to convince the Full light to go out I broke down and ordered Horst "miracle" probes and installed them today. See the before&after photos.

But much to my dismay there was no change. Grey and fresh work well but the black tank shows all 4 lamps - ie, full. See monitor-after photo. This stays the same even when all the probe wires are disconnected, so the problem is unlikely the new probes.

Looks like I'm going to have to order a new monitor. I believe this is a KIB Electronics K21. Can someone confirm that for me?
Thanks!
Alan
Alan,

More likely than not, the circuit board in the monitor has malfunctioned. I had the same problem with the gray water; it showed full when it was empty. The bad news is that KIB is no longer marketing this monitor although they may still have the boards at $15 a pop. I was fortunate in that after ordering and installing a new board, I sent the defective one to my son (he designs circuit boards). He tested the board and replaced one of the chips diagnosed to be bad so I now have a backup. If you can get the board it is an easy fix (5 minutes). If not, there will be a lot of splicing in a very tight area. I’m beginning to think this is a pretty common problem.
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Old 08-31-2020, 10:32 PM   #20
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Thanks!
Ordered a new board for a measly $40 - yikes. With luck it will arrive prior to our Labor Day trip to Capitol Reef NP.
--
Alan


PS. Should anyone else be looking for this part, search for: KIB SUBPCBK2
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