Janss
Sedona, AZ
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Joined: 04/29/2010
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Recently bought this new to us motorhome (in signature). I've had tank sensor lights work on and off in all other motorhomes, sort of randomly. Maybe they work for awhile and then not accurate for awhile. But this one is persistent and bugs me. The gray tank monitor lights always show 2/3 full (E, 1/3, and 2/3 are lit), even right after we empty the tank. The "F" light does come on when the tank is full, after two showers and a bunch of dishwashing, etc.
I've read about lots of ways to clean the black tank (Dawn, Calgon, ice cubes, geo method, etc.) but nothing about cleaning the gray tank. We already use Dawn to wash our dishes. Have tried to empty the tank right after hot showers hoping the hot water will whoosh the sensors clean. Should I try Calgon down the sinks and let the tank fill as usual? I have a Hydroflush. Should I shoot water up the dump pipe into the gray tank? I've only used it for the black tank before.
Can sensors go bad?
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 32V
2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara
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krev
Victoria, BC, Canada
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Joined: 04/21/2004
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Ignore the sensors, they rarely work properly. Try some baking soda down the drain if it's really bugging you. Basically when the water starts coming up the shower drain it's time to empty the tank!
1 husband 2 grown kids
2010 F-350 Lariat King Ranch, CC, diesel, short box
2009 Arctic Fox 27T
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RayChez
Barstow, Ca. USA
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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If the gray tank is empty and you know that the tank is clean then maybe it needs to be calibrated. On mine when it was new I had to calibrate the lights and again on mine. not sure exactly what you have, but I removed the light panel off and in the back you can adjust the lights to match what ever it should be reading.
Hope that helps.
2002 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser
330 HP Caterpillar
3000 Allison Transmission
Neway Freightliner chassis
2013 Honda CR-V EX
Aventa II
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GPWayne
Lake Stevens. WA
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Joined: 02/03/2005
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One thing that may work is to drive with the tank more than 2/3 full. This will keep the area where the sensors are wet and may wash off the scum on the tank wall. (baking soda or TSP will help) I don't think you can get a Hydroflush up past the gray tank valve as most Winnebagos have a smaller valve there.
The best advice is to ignore the lights.
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chuggs
Florida
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Joined: 06/16/2010
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Ultrasonic sensors
Upgrade if you feel the need.
I would if the price ever comes down...
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Joined: 08/03/2008
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krev wrote:Ignore the sensors, they rarely work properly. Try some baking soda down the drain if it's really bugging you. Basically when the water starts coming up the shower drain it's time to empty the tank!
x2
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Monaco Montclair
Virginia
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Joined: 08/01/2008
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i guess the systems need more thought put into them.but i have an idea,i try to watch every use,that works pretty good for me, happy-camping
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wa_desert_rat
Central Washington State
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Joined: 01/27/2012
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x3 on sensors not working. Our DP has 90 gallons of fresh water, 85 gallons of gray water and 40 gallons of black water. The fresh water sensor works and that's good enough; when we get down to 1/4 on the fresh water we dump tanks and fill up with water.
Craig
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RayChez
Barstow, Ca. USA
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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gbopp wrote:krev wrote:Ignore the sensors, they rarely work properly. Try some baking soda down the drain if it's really bugging you. Basically when the water starts coming up the shower drain it's time to empty the tank!
x2
This is the worst advice I have ever read. The reason is when the gray tank water starts to come up the shower it stinks terrible. Best thing is to solve the problem the right way. Many people are just too tight to use the proper chemicals that will keep the gray and black tanks clean. We use enzyme type solution. An organic substance that is produced in plant and animal cells and causes changes in other substances by catalytic action. We use Happy Camper. It is a bit expensive, but it keeps the sensors clean all the time and when you dump does not smell at all to where sometimes people that do not use anything run the neighbors out of the campground.
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Effy
MD
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Joined: 07/26/2011
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Still think black and grey tanks should be old school with a small linear window so you can visibly see in the wet bay what the levels are. Also you could see if they are clean. But I guess despite the fact that waste is only millimeters away inside a hose, if you can't see it it's not nasty. Personally I'd rather see what the levels of my tanks are than hope they are accurate.
2012 Thor ACE 29.1
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