Tank monitors one of the most common complaints?

[Creek Jenkins]

It seems like everyone has a problem with tank monitors, both the black and the gray. It’s crazy it has been going on this long. There are solutions out there, why don’t they use them? I would pay a few extra bucks for a working monitor system. I’m sure most customers would, especially on the upper end coaches.

It’s not rocket surgery, what about incorporating the monitor sensor with the black tanks flush nozzle? It would be self cleaning and less holes in the tank.

Problem solved. Now on to world hunger.

Cheers
Creek

 

[Lantley]

Yes there are tank monitor solutions (aftermarket replacement systems) for those that really want them. However my belief is experienced campers don't need the monitoring system at all.
The whole idea of tank monitors are a gimmick devised to give new campers peace of mind that their new RV won't explode in a mountain of poo!.
I never use my monitors because the plumbing system lets me know when tanks are getting full.
First off a 40 gallon black tank will last 2 people at least a week if not 2 before it gets full. You can tell the tank is getting full by visually looking at the water level via the toilet. Or simply listening to the sound of the water going into the tank as the tank approaches full you can hear the water going into the tank. It sounds different, the splash is louder. Since I seldom camp in one spot longer than 2 weeks I simply don't worry about the black at alll and just dump when I depart. However if one were in the same spot for multiple weeks you just plan to dump once a week or whatever interval works for you. You will develop a feel for full capacity.
The grey tank is the real concern, but again the plumbing system will let you know when it's getting full. The system gurgles and make noises when it get full. Once you hear the gurgling you know it's time to dump. My 40 gallon grey is generally ready to dump after 4 showers. But I don't count showers, I simply listen and I hear when it's time to dump.
While I agree the typical OEM tank monitors are notoriously inaccurate and faulty,I typically ignore them anyway.
I have no idea how well my tank monitors work simply because I never look at them. I have no need for a solution or better system simply because tank monitors are not necessary. An experienced camper can easily hear and observe the signs when the tanks are full

 

[Oregon_Camper]

First off a 40 gallon black tank will last 2 people at least a week if not 2 before it gets full. You can tell the tank is getting full by visually looking at the water level via the toilet.

FYI...a lot of the Alliance toilets are not straight down.

 

[Lantley]

Even if the toilet is not straight down. You will hear the difference in flushing as the drain pipe fills with water.
A black tank is not really a challenge because it fills slowly. You don't have to watch it that closely.
It will not fill in days but will take weeks to fill. You could simply dump on a weekly basis without issue.
No monitors required

 

[Todd F]

I guess the hearing impaired would be SOL. There are far to many factors to consider( frequency of use, how many users etc.)to say you could just dump on a weekly basis without issue! What about the folks out there that are new to rv camping life and haven't acquired 20 years experience yet? What about folks that only use their rv camper a couple of times a year and may never quite learn the feel and the sounds that you speak of?

I agree that for most experienced campers out there, non working monitors are not an issue. However I agree with Creek Jenkins that are are better solutions out there that they don't use and should.

I am team working sensors!

 

[Lantley]

I get it. Working sensors give many peace of mind that a great poo explosion is not about to take place.
I also agree there are better systems out there than the OEM systems.
But when it actually comes to spending $$$ upgrading or swapping out the system tank sensors are a low priority item on my list.
Once one gains experience they will realize tank sensors really are not that important.

 

[bhidalgo]

Black tank full = toilet "burps" when you flush it.
Our black tank indicator has been stuck at 1/4 full for over a year after it is dumped. And that is before I put 5 gals of water in it after dumping/flushing it out.
Grey tank, I never really worry about much.
We always keep 30 gals of water in the fresh tank so we can use the facilities if needed when the rig is parked at the storage log.
Just my 0.02...

 

[Creek Jenkins]

Our present camper only has a 40 gallon black tank so for the two of us it lasts 3-5 days. We double flush to avoid the Pyramid. Not sure why they even bother putting the sensors on as the erratic performance makes them somewhat pointless. Would be nice to have the option of having a system that works. I would pay extra for it. I’m sure others would as well. It’s a well known issue, I just can’t figure out why they don’t do something- either eliminate it or find something better. All you hear from sales or service staff is “yeah those never work”. That should be a clue.
Cheers
Creek

 

[RockDr896]

In addition to what others have said here, I also ignore the black tank sensors, but use my gray tank sensors. The gray ones work, but black tank do not and I am guessing toilet paper is the cause. I use a water flow meter at the connection point and now have a good idea as to how much total water I am using per day. It also allows me to fill the tanks without the concern of over filling and use head pressure to clean my tanks. My blank tanks run clear after the second flush. It ultimately depends how OCD a person wants to get..LOL

 

[Creek Jenkins]

My black tank ran clear after flushing and running the flush thingy for 10 minutes the water was sparkling clean. But when I ran the camera down into the tank there was a shocking amount of material still there. So that’s not a good indicator of what’s left. I had to apply three or four cycles of Happy Camper before the camera showed a clean tank.
Cheers
Creek

 

[RockDr896]

Watching youtube videos, I doubt everything gets out. Primarily because the tank is level. I just have more faith in head pressure than I do the spray jets they install. I also subscribe to the approach of putting no tank treatment products in the system. The tanks are storage and not a septic system. The guys who clean tanks and obstructions, speak to the slime it creates at the bottom of your tank. Even if I was a full timer, I think I would make my tank maintenance a every 2 to 3 day thing. My OCD is of course my own problem! Having been a sewer contractor, it is one battle worth the effort for me. I also travel with about 10 gallons of water in my black tank to help break up or further break down, whatever is left over.

 

[Lantley]

"My OCD is of course my own problem"
The whole OCD thing is the root of the whole issue.
For some the tank can never be clean enough! Having that monitor display the tank is empty is a must for some.
In my early days I was a bit more concerned about my tanks condition. But I have learned the tank is never totally empty. There is always residuals in the tank.
I have also learned it is important to keep tank functional but it does not need to be spotless. It is a waste tank designed to hold waste until you can dump it! You want to use plenty of water when you flush. Use chemicals in hot weather when necessary to eliminate odors.
Periodically when convenient Back flush with "Flush King" or grey water technique to flush out debris and avoid forming a pyramid.
Tank sprayers provide some peace of mind but are mimminaly effective.
In the end there is no need to obsess over tanks. There job is to hold waste. They will give you signs when they are full.
Don't waste your effort attempting to get them spotless there will always be residual waste.
Why try get them spotless today when you are just going to fill them with crap tomorrow?
Work to keep them odor free and functional not clean and spotless.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

I would HIGHLY recommend moving away from a time limit (some were saying 10 mins) to run your black tank flush and instead use a device like this to monitor the actual amount of water going into the tank. I will allow the flush system to add 35-40 gallons of water, then flush. For the most part this ends with mostly clean water coming out, but if not, I will do it again. I feel this is better, due to some sites having lower water pressure and therefore using XYZ mins, isn't always the best way to gauge the amount of water going in. I also have one for my fresh tank, so I can tell exactly how much water I am putting in for our Boondocking trips.