Tank Sensor Cleaning

The_Breeze · 12-31-2018, 10:32 PM

Hi,
I read here or somewhere that some Gain dishwasher detergent does a good job cleaning black and grey tank sensors.

Problem is, I forgot how much to use. Can anyone attest to its effectiveness and how much you use? I guess the tanks have to have some liquid in them. What's the ratio?

Thanks

Bob Denman · 12-31-2018, 10:45 PM

Give your tank probably five or six gallons of water, four or five bags of ice cubes, and probably a good cupful of the detergent...
The mix isn't nearly as critical as the next step...

Then: take the rig out for a real good sloshy-bumpy-jouncy ride, and get that soapy mixture nice and foamed-up. Let the ice cubes beat the sensors into getting the idea that this'll clean them out really well!

Good luck!

The_Breeze · 12-31-2018, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

The mix isn't nearly as critical as the next step...

Then: take the rig out for a real good sloshy-bumpy-jouncy ride, and get that soapy mixture nice and foamed-up. Let the ice cubes beat the sensors into getting the idea that this'll clean them out really well!

Good luck!

Thanks Bob. I know how to make 'sloshy'. I just hope I don't get pulled over for it. If you see someone doing the slalom down the interstate, that would be me. Be sure to wave

Hope all is coming along well with your new rig.

Bob Denman · 01-01-2019, 01:40 AM

Hook up a dashboard camera, and record the festivities for us!

10scDust · 01-04-2019, 09:35 AM

Just come and drive our road to the house!
It's a private mountain road here in TN.
Complete with rockiness, gravel, wash-out ruts (will it ever stop raining?), chuck holes, and a creek you need to ford!
That should jostle it up good for you!
I even have a dump station installed, and we can have a coffee, too!

wrapped · 01-04-2019, 03:25 PM

Any way to clean grey sensors when your not planning to move for awhile?

Bob Denman · 01-04-2019, 03:27 PM

I'm not as knowledgeable about the various tank cleaning chemicals that are available.
If you're sitting still: it'll have to be done by something strong...

10scDust · 01-06-2019, 03:10 AM

Have you climbed underneath and checked the grounds to the sensors?
I was below ours for other things, saw them, and took them apart, cleaned them with steel wool, then used some de-oxidizer grease putting them back together.
Did that as a preventative measure.

Bob Denman · 01-06-2019, 03:02 PM

Just loan your RV to the Army: They'll be sure to clean those sensors!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J86hrRi7jmQ

Beau388 · 01-06-2019, 04:49 PM

It depends on how cruddy the tank really is. If you don't clean the tanks regularly "Happy Camper" probably is the best for deep cleaning and it doesn't destroy septic tanks. For occasional cleaning, any liquid laundry detergent will remove the scum. Just before you leave the campground dump and add about five gallons of water and a cup of detergent in both tanks the tanks will be clean when you get to the next campground. It doesn't hurt to leave the solution in the tanks for several weeks in between trips.

The_Breeze · 01-07-2019, 02:16 PM

Thank you. Sounds like detergent and bags of ice would work well together.

Safe Travels.

K0LCB · 01-07-2019, 02:19 PM

My experience with various RVs is none of the sensors are reliable. I use a flashlight to check black tank, look into tank with flush valve open. Grey tanks will refuse to accept more when full.

jabrabu · 01-10-2019, 03:14 PM

I tried various tank cleaning chemicals with some slight improvement but not total success. I've also used the San-T-Flush without it making much of a difference. The black tank indicators would maybe go from 2/3 to 1/3 full when the tank was actually empty.

Recently, though, my toilet had a pile of toilet paper visible down below the flush valve. I worked it loose with a stick and then dumped several 5-gallon buckets of water down it. I poured the water as quickly as possible to thoroughly flush it out. Now the indicators are working great.

Bob Denman · 01-10-2019, 03:42 PM

Does anyone in here remember the "Gas Gauge" that came with a Model T?
It was just a stick...

Perhaps any rig equipped with tank sensors; should also come with a stick...

10scDust · 01-10-2019, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Does anyone in here remember the "Gas Gauge" that came with a Model T?
It was just a stick...

Perhaps any rig equipped with tank sensors; should also come with a stick...

I'd say you are showing your age on that comment!

Bob Denman · 01-11-2019, 11:42 PM

Actually: I'm showing my Grampa's age...

He always kept the gas gauge from a "T" in his workshop. He'd use it to give us a switching: when we needed one!

Laco · 01-12-2019, 01:19 AM

No matter what you do, those sensors are notoriously inaccurate. After awhile, you get to where you know how long you can go without dumping.

ComputerChips · 01-12-2019, 01:00 PM

There's some other posts with a different style of tank sensor that uses sensors mounted to the exterior of the tanks. It reuses the same wiring and provides a complete takeover of the readout panel that we have showing all measurements on a new display.

Golfbum18 · 01-12-2019, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10scDust

Have you climbed underneath and checked the grounds to the sensors?
I was below ours for other things, saw them, and took them apart, cleaned them with steel wool, then used some de-oxidizer grease putting them back together.
Did that as a preventative measure.

You can get to the sensors from the outside? Or were you just talking about the ground connections? Have an ACE and the black always registers 1/3

Cason61 · 01-12-2019, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Does anyone in here remember the "Gas Gauge" that came with a Model T?
It was just a stick...

Perhaps any rig equipped with tank sensors; should also come with a stick...

Yeah, couple years ago on a first camp after winter, camp guy gave us a 4 ft. length of Bamboo for just this purpose. Works pretty good.

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