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Old 01-15-2007, 03:35 AM   #1
illapah
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probe cleaner

Saw this on Camping world site:

Description

Restore accurate sensor readings to your grey and black water tanks. TST™ Probe Cleaner is a super concentrated liquid that attacks the residue on probes that cause them to malfunction. 32 oz. USA.

Anyone had any experience with this product? If it works, maybe I will have to try it.
 
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Old 01-15-2007, 10:59 AM   #2
Okie Guy
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I bought a bottle last fall. Unfortunately it didn't get the built up gunk off of the sensors. I am still optimistic someone will find us something someday to keep those sensors clean.
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Old 01-15-2007, 11:09 AM   #3
Ozzie
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I would love to share your optimism Okie Guy, but from what I've read here at these forums, those sensors are a lost cause. Even brand new units don't work as they should.
There is nothing I would like better than to learn of something to make that system snap to. Until then, I just do the best I can and once in a while they surprise me and function correctly.
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Old 01-16-2007, 08:16 AM   #4
ggranch
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Ditto to Ozz. Altough when mine work right, I am not aware of it because they are known liars.
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Old 01-16-2007, 11:42 AM   #5
ols1932
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My advice: Just forget about it. I don't know of any manufactured rv where the sensors work. We live with it and don't have a problem.

Orv
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Old 01-16-2007, 01:00 PM   #6
Ozzie
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It's probably best to learn your usage habits while enjoying a full hookup. Then you'll have an idea how long things last and how best to conserve if you need to. You'd be surprised how much more you can go when the sensors tell you they're full.
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Old 01-16-2007, 02:40 PM   #7
lasater
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First, I fully agree that the sensors are a lost cause. They lie when they work and they lie when they don't work.

Second, hear is a remedy that was posted on this forum 2 or 3 years ago: A. fill your holding tank about half full (dump then add about 15 gallons of water). B. Add 2 bags of small cube ice to the tank. C. Add 1/4 cup of dish detergent to the tank. D. Drive to your next CG, dump and check the sensors. The ice acts as scrubbers to help get the gunk off the sensor. Sometimes this works....
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Old 01-16-2007, 03:20 PM   #8
DonandJudy_12
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I saw a commercial for Winnebago that said they use an exterior sensor system which is supposed to be superior to the normal ( cheaper) system that is the norm - Don
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Old 01-16-2007, 04:14 PM   #9
Native Tex
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As Don mentioned and external hardware system, it may be great, but how would it work? Something to attempt to diagnose.
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Old 01-20-2007, 10:33 AM   #10
EagleRunner
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I had an old Northland slide in pick up camper at one time that used these external sensors on the tanks and they seemed to work great. There were two foil strips positioned about midway up the outside of the tank, each having a wire that fed back to a circuit board and then back to the indicator panel. Somehow between those two strips and the circuit board the wires were attached to the level of the liquid in the tank could be determined. Anyone have a clue how this worked? Like I said it worked without failure. Never had a problem not knowing what level my tanks were.

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Old 01-20-2007, 11:08 AM   #11
EagleRunner
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Did some digging on the internet and found this type of sensor uses capacitive theory. The level of liquid in the tank changes the capacitance being measured by the two metal patches on the exterior of the tank. That level of capacitance then can be used to determine the level of liquid in the tank.

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Old 01-20-2007, 11:13 AM   #12
BillyRay
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I don't place much faith in them either.
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Old 01-20-2007, 02:56 PM   #13
wileecoyote985
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There's an Acu-gage tank monitoring system for sale on eBay right now. It's item # 190074263791

That's one of the capacitance types that sticks to the outside of the tank and is supposed to be accurate.

Gary

edit; BTW I have no personal connection to the eBay listing
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Old 01-20-2007, 04:28 PM   #14
Native Tex
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I was in Camping World today in Nashville. I saw this same chemical and read the label. I agree with the other, it is just as well to use the gages only as an estimate. I use the calgon/borax/pine oil mixture and it seems to work as well as anything and is much cheaper in the long run.
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Old 04-07-2007, 07:35 AM   #15
David and Jo-Anna
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Can anyone tell me where to purchase Calgon? We've checked the local supermarkets, Target and Walmart here in Northern VA and haven't found it.

Thanks!

Jo-Anna
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Old 04-07-2007, 08:39 AM   #16
nailbender
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Jo-Anna, Try one of the Dollar Stores, that is where we found it.
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Old 04-07-2007, 10:08 AM   #17
Cat320
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by David and Jo-Anna

Can anyone tell me where to purchase Calgon? We've checked the local supermarkets, Target and Walmart here in Northern VA and haven't found it.

Thanks!

Jo-Anna
Lots of the stores you mentioned carry it. We got ours at Walmart.
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Old 04-07-2007, 10:46 AM   #18
Searchers
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Any brand of water softener will should work.
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Old 04-07-2007, 03:44 PM   #19
Mrs. CountryGuy
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David and Jo-Anna

try this link, this is what you are looking for

http://www.calgon.com/

it is not in the personal items area of stores, but rather in the LAUNDRY section.

If you live in an area with soft water, you might have trouble finding it. They sell it faithfully in areas of hard water, like Goshen.
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Old 04-08-2007, 12:49 AM   #20
gojodo
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Native Tex, can you give us the proportions of calgon /borax/ and pine oil. I assume you use this as a substitute for the more expensive black water chemicals.
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