black tank monitor

[caheaton]

Just a quick question regarding our black tank level monitor. I know these are notorious for being inaccurate, and ours seems to never get beyond 1/3 full (though that could just be the way it is....in our popup it took us nearly a week to fill a 5 gallon black tank).

On our last trip I ran the toilet for a while in an attempt to increase the level. This resulted in managing to light the next led (2/3 full). On the first press, all was normal, the led lit and stayed lit. I ran a bit more water and this time when I checked the level, the 2/3 led would light, but then slowly fade and go out. Has anyone experienced this behavior before? Seems strange.

[ Good to have the forums back....I missed reading the posts! ]

 

[CaldJourney]

How long has it been since you last cleaned the tank?

 

[caheaton]

Haven't flushed it yet, but we've only made three trips so far and rarely do number 2 or paper into black tank. Still, we will probably flush it come spring or during our next trip in December. Full hookup site which should make it easier to flush.

 

[DT6]

If I'm understanding correctly, you have a fairly new Escape that you have only used the black tank sparingly, and is still under warranty?
One of the tools I use is called a "Flush King", there is a similar model made by Camco (I think). I added a water meter to it (easy to get on Amazon) so I could track the water going "IN" and for my 21C I stop it at 20 to 22 Gallons, but usually closer to 20. I usually do 4 to 8 fill/drains every time I empty the tank, but always do at least one, even if I'm in a hurry. It really helps get the black tank clean. Then you only need to hire someone once a year or even every two, to use a wand and clean it really really well. Of course you can get your own wand and do it yourself as well.
It's a great tool to keep your black tank clean and you also use it to fill up your black (and grey) tank and when full you can pause and check your instrument panel to see if it reads "full".

I get that you just want to fill and check if the sensors are working properly. I'm recommending the Flush King and a water meter as a way to accurately "fill" the black tank, but also give you a great tool for keeping your tank clean down the road.

If you are still getting false readings and the trailer is under warranty, I would call Escape.

Good luck!

 

[Lanark Camper]

I like to empty my tank often. If it’s not full I top it off with water to flush it out each time it’s dumped. If you leave the black tank with sewage in it for long periods it’s going to be very difficult to clean. And you will probably be able to smell it in the trailer. I never store the trailer with anything in the tanks.

Bob

 

[ChuckBC]

I have a flush wand and occasionally will rinse black tank. We don't flush toilet paper into tank so just addressing any odds or ends. Another on the road trick to address buildup is to place some cubed ice in black tank and drive to scour interior of tank. Ice melts so no problem.

 

[Rockhead]

For a deep cleaning of the black tank, I bought an extra wand for my power washer, put a bend in it and use the washer to throughly clean the black tank. Been doing this since we got our 21 back in 2018

 

[MrLynn]

Unless we are on the road for a long time, we wait until getting home to dump the black and grey tanks. We don't have a septic tank at home, but do have a holding tank with pumps that go up to city sewage, so we can dump into that.

Back when we had our Casita, I got a 'Wonder Wand' from Little House Customs; it's a plastic tube with a spray end that attaches to your garden hose. When I dump, my wife sprays the inside of the black tank with the wand. Seems to work pretty well. I then put a gallon or two of water and some Odorlos in the tank. No problem so far with build-up or odors.

 

[Fast31]

Great video RV Black Tank Cleaning, Maintenance, Tips & 7 Mistakes To Stop Doing NOW!

 

[Thane-ESC]

Flush King is a great tool. After multiple fill and dumps I add powdered water softener and detergent for the drive home and dump it in the grass. I then use a wand to spray it out and leave the drain open for a few days to air out.
After 18 years I have no smell or build up and the original valve and sensors still work.

I added an external monitor to watch the water level in the tanks while standing outside and using the Flush King.
This saves the running back and forth to monitor the tank levels while back filling and flushing my waste tanks. I can also monitor the water level in the fresh water tank during filling. Please see this link to FiberglassRV.com for details.

Escape Trailer External Tank Monitor - Fiberglass RV

I added an external monitor to watch the water level in the tank while standing outside. This saves the running back and forth to monitor the tank levels while back filling and flushing my waste tanks

www.fiberglassrv.com