Black holding tank sensor reads 1/3 full always

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teresa1232013

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Feb 20, 2013
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Hello,
I am new to RVing and live in it full time. And currently having a problem. I purchased a new Jayco Flight travel trailer almost 2 months ago and for some reason the black holding tank reading sensor continues to read 1/3 full (it did not do this the first couple of weeks). I bought some RV toilet treatment for digesting waste and paper and that hasn't helped. I have checked the flow of waste water outside when dumping and it runs out fast. I don't know what to try?? Can someone help me? Thank you
 
I had the same problem for years.  I finally installed the Horst Probes.  I've used them for a year or so with no problems or mis reads.  They are fairly inexpensive too.
 
You may have what's referred to as "pyrmiding".  With your discharge hose hooked up, do you leave the slide valve in the open position all the time?  If so, they you may have pyrmiding.  It's where the liquid portion runs right out but the solid matter stacks in the bottom of your holding tank.

Do you have a "clear" elbow on your drain hose?  That helps to see if the drain is running totally clear.

Try closing your slide valve until it reads full.  Be sure that you put the tablets (or liquid....whichever product you use) in the tank to disolve the solids and toilet paper and leave it in there for at least several days to work it's magic.

Once the tank reads full then dump your black tank and go outside and look at the clear connection to be sure that it's draining totally clear.
 
Here's a You Tube video that explains it better......  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6sv4d3PsTo 
 
Your sensor problem is completely normal. just use the system as you would and don't worry about the level lights. you will soon know when you need to dump without them.

If it really bothers you, fill your tank half to 3/4 with clean water, dump in a cup or two of laundry soap and let it simmer for the day while driving.

That eve when you stop, dump as normal and the sensors should be clean and reading properly. (Doing this will also help to clean the icky stuff out of the tank.)

Steve
 
I am seriously considering changing to the Horst probes this summer.
 
mine is doing the same thing... this is my first time in it and it had to be in a cold place  :'(..... the rv guy here helped me set it up and told me to leave both valves open all the time, so i am guessing that i have the 'pyrmiding', is there any simple way to fix this?? also my valve is froze open now, i think i still havnt figured out which valves are which no lables and no manual..
 
lineman65 said:
mine is doing the same thing... this is my first time in it and it had to be in a cold place  :'(..... the rv guy here helped me set it up and told me to leave both valves open all the time, so i am guessing that i have the 'pyrmiding', is there any simple way to fix this?? also my valve is froze open now, i think i still havnt figured out which valves are which no lables and no manual..

To figure out which is which......have somebody pour a gallon of water down the shower drain (that's your grey water) or down the toilet (that's your black water) then just mark them accordingly.

You might be able to use a hair dryer to heat your valve enough to thaw it out and get your valve freed up.

You can throw a couple of the RV toilet treatement packets (tabs or what ever type you use) in the toilet.  Then add a couple gallons of water.....let it sit for a couple days (for the toilet treatment to do it's thing).  You can also use Calgon and put it in your toilet.

It may take several times before you have clear water running out of your tank.  Did you see the video link I attached above?  It's pretty much the same for trailers, 5th wheels, etc. as the motorhome in the video.
 
lineman65 said:
mine is doing the same thing... this is my first time in it and it had to be in a cold place  :'(..... the rv guy here helped me set it up and told me to leave both valves open all the time, so i am guessing that i have the 'pyrmiding', is there any simple way to fix this?? also my valve is froze open now, i think i still havnt figured out which valves are which no lables and no manual..

The first thing is to always keep the valves shut. dump only when above 3/4 tank and use lots of water.  Most RV'ers find that the chemicals will mess up your tanks more than they help. The natural biotic action in the tank will keep odors down and break down solids. If you do in fact have a poopie hill, fill the tank halfway and add a box of Rid-x. it is available at the grocery store. It will dissolve the hill in a few days. Then fill and flush the tank.

As far as which tank is which, The gray water tank usually has a smaller valve.

Steve
 
thanks guys, my trailer has an arctic package installed hole bottom is sealed and all that stuff, the switches for the tank heaters look like they oughta light up but dont, is there any way to tell if they are on?
 
lineman65 said:
thanks guys, my trailer has an arctic package installed hole bottom is sealed and all that stuff, the switches for the tank heaters look like they oughta light up but dont, is there any way to tell if they are on?

loosen the switch and check to see of there is power on either side of it, no power, look for an open breaker in the AC electric panel.  If power is there, on one side and not the other, move the switch and check for voltage on both sides.  If not there, bad switch.

Hope this helps.
 
thanks for all the help guys ill give these things a try...... starting to think i should ov waitd for summer to start living in this thing with all the freezing ive already had to deal with
 
I have read that if you fill the tank three quarters full and put dishsoap in the blackwater tank for a day will loosen grease type deposits in the tank as previously stated. The other thing I have read is to put a couple bags of ice down the toilet and take the trailer for a good hour tow on some bumpy, windy roads to get the ice to scour the sides of the tank. Have not tried this myself but it makes sense to me. The ice will melt in a few hours , then drain tank. Sounds like it might work. Anyone tried this method. Good luck
 
well switches have power atleast, i got a 12 v reading off of both of them... i also figured out which handle dumps which tank, my black is either froze open or is clogged up gonna go buy a hair dryer tomorrow when i go to get everything else i need, figured my butane torch might burn a little to hot on that black pvc
 
this is my answer to your problem:
lets assume that the previous owners never washed their tanks, or cleaned them out regularly. there is some dried up old piece of toilet paper stuck to and "glued" to the sensor inside your tank at the 3/4 level. it will always read 3/4 full even if it's empty. does this make sense?
 

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