By Dustin Simpson
An RV owner in one of our Facebook groups wrote, “We had the unfortunate experience of our black tank being full when we were at a site. Figured we’d just hook up, go dump and resume our stay… Unfortunately, the gremlins blocked up our black tank sensors, and we couldn’t dump, so we figured the weekend was over and took our baby home. Once it’s cleaned out, is there anything I should be treating the tank with besides the normal chemicals?”
I replied, “So, basically your black holding tank sensors are not reading correctly?” The owners replied, “Yes.” So I explained that I have been using Thetford’s RV Level Gauge Cleaner for years. It is specially formulated to dissolve tissue, waste, sludge and soap scum buildup. It is a 100% biodegradable liquid that works with both black and gray water tanks. The level gauge cleaner prevents buildups and restores level sensor operation quickly.
Here are examples of the sensors that are commonly used:
I recommend that you use this once every 4-6 months, depending on your use.
Join me in this video to learn more about this product. This is what I have always used and what I sell in the store to my customers.
Thetford RV Level Gauge Cleaner for black tank sensors
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Thank you,
Dustin
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RVDT2835
I can’t understand why sensors not reading correctly prevents anyone for emptying their holding tank. I must have read that incorrectly. But, bear in mind, for the short term campers, these are holding tanks, not septic systems like you might have at your home. They’re not designed to breakdown sewage but simply to hold until you empty the tank. Expensive chemicals are not required – simply a good rinse once it’s emptied.
Yeah, I didn’t follow that either but I’m guessing the sensor for their macerator toilet was reading full so it prevented the macerator toilet from flushing. At least that’s what mine does. My macerator sensors are sonic and act up occasionally. I just disconnect the wire and continue on. I can look down the throat of my Dometic toilet to confirm my black tank quantities if I don’t trust my sensors.
As for chemicals, I’m with you. Chemicals strong enough to clean patina off sensor probes don’t strike me as good for blade seals. Plus, they do absolutely nothing for sonic probes.
That still doesn’t explain why they couldn’t dump their tanks. I’ve never heard of any type of sensor that would prevent that, as it’s a simple mechanical procedure.
We have been using thetford tank cleaner as mentioned in the above article for two months and have not noticed any improvement.
We don’t flush TP and fill toilet bowl every time before flushing any solids.
We still get sensors not reading correctly in both tanks and blockages.
Has anyone used happy camper?
What are ur thoughts on that product?
Thank you
We’ve been using Happy Camper since the RV was new. There’s no stinky fake perfume, citrus, disinfectant, aircraft lav, etc, cover-up smell. Actually, no smell at all. Sensors still work fine. No dubious mad-scientist-kitchen-table-top mixing of numerous industrial, and kitchen chemicals and having to drive around mixing for miles and miles as one can find all over the internet. Happy Camper, it’s simple, and that stuff just works.
A lot – if not most – RVs use external tank sensors now, so sensor cleaning chemicals added to the tank have no effect. You can easily tell by looking at them; external sensors are pads or strips that are adhered to the outside of the tank, and don’t look anything like the sensors pictured above. External sensors can misread levels due to buildup on the tank walls or electrical issues.
I’d like to know what OTC product I might be able use to help the system (tank and sensors) out. I give it a good spray flush after dumping. I imagine that product contains about $ .50 of tsp or some such thing.
As others have mentioned, there is absolutely NO reason to put any of these so-called black tank chemicals in your tanks. Drain and add about 5 gallons of clean water and add about a cup of liquid laundry detergent and drive to your next destination. Once there, drain and rinse out and then add more water for your needs. Very simple and inexpensive. No stoppage, no odors, no sensor problems. Why don’t people understand this? As John mentions below these are just temporary holding tanks ….. they are NOT septic tanks that require you to add harsh chemicals to dissolve the contents. Just use lots of water…..that is the key and forget the chemicals.
Dawn Dish soap!….All of those quackers can’t be wrong.
What do the sensors have to do with pulling the magic lever open?
I don’t get it….