black water capacity

[captbanjo]

Can anyone answer this question: in a 3400RL, when the black water is completely full, is there an overflow valve that (lookout neighbor!)releases pressure or, in a worst case, does the water back up to the toilet bowl? Since we can't trust the meter, I was wondering what a worst case scenario might entail.

[foggyb]

HI our 3400 fills until it shows in the flush. Then we dump. Guage is worthless. Dan

[Bill and Ann]

When you can see the black water in the toilet bowl. IT IS FULL. The guages can be used as a guestimate only. We usually pump out once a week when we are setup for the winter.

[HamRad]

After a few trips you will learn how much you're using the tanks. As stated by Bill and Ann you can use the gauges as a "guestimate only". Enjoy your unit and dump often. HamRad

[Glenn and Lorraine]

To me, the gauges in the black tank are totally worthless. I rarely ever dump the black tank without a thorough flushing and still the gauges say the tank is full. Get to know the sounds the flush makes and you will know when to dump. When flushing I pay attention to the sound made as the load lands in the tank. I can tell by the sound as to how close to full the tank is.

[sreigle]

On our 3295RK, when the tank is just about full there's a "plop" splashback of the flush water when you trip the slide. That's my clue to dump. Usually I then close the gray valves and add shower water that night and dump the next morning. A couple of times the black tank has come up to just below the slide in the toilet. That's rather full so I try to dump when I see the splashback. I think that splashback is probably because the vent is covered at that point but that's just a guess. It's just flush water splashing back, not tank contents, by the way.

[Montana_2049]

I agree that the black water guage is basically useless. We have a 2004 2980RL and a cousin has a 2002 2955, and both guages read full all the time, even after repeated flush-outs. We just "look and listen".

[sreigle]

I think that's a general problem with those gauges. THey're the same one used in a majority of RV's, including all four of those we've owned. Surely there's a better way.