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05-25-2011, 01:59 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: The Dalles
Posts: 166
M.O.C. #11255
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Galley holding tank sensors
My new to me 2006 2955RL shows the galley tank full. I tried dumping it today but nothing came out and it still shows full. I assume I just have to pull the lever in front of the left front wheel. I actually pulled both the gray water lever and the galley tank lever. Probably faulty sensors unless I did something else wrong. Is it possible to clean or check the galley tank sensors?
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05-25-2011, 02:15 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dillon KOA
Posts: 1,291
M.O.C. #7445
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Sensors--one of the greatest works of fiction known to RV owners (in most cases). Ours have never worked since the day we bought our brand-new unit. With time, you'll get a feeling for when you need to dump the galley and other tanks. My galley sensor has read 1/3 full since day one. The black tank occasionally reads empty after we clean it, but the next time it might read 1/2 full (when it's actually empty). The gray water tank sensor seems to be the most reliable; it usually tells the truth about when it's full and when it's empty.
There have been lots of comments regarding sensors on the MOC board. You might try searching "sensors" to see some of what's been posted.
Welcom to the forum!
Carolyn
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05-25-2011, 02:36 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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Georgeguy,
Most likely it is simply a gunked up sensor as you suspect. You can try putting a lot of water in the tank and let it soak for awhile. Some folks have compiled simple to complex cleaning schemes to keep the tank clean and the sensor working. But many of us simply let the tank fill up and then dump it. Actually we leave the drain valve open on the Galley tank. We often do the same with our gray water tank. But we NEVER leave the black tank open. We simply let the black tank fill up to the point that we can tell it is almost completely full. Then we dump and rinse until only clear water exits the tank. Of course we have the clear see-thru elbow connection so we can see.
Other than learning when to dump from experience the only answer would be to put some non clogging internal sensors or even better (but more expensive) some external sensors. Good luck, Dennis.
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05-25-2011, 03:41 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,751
M.O.C. #7560
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There are many threads on here about the tank sensors! There was one thread that someone said they put some Rid-X or something like that into the tank and let it sit a bit then dumped it but I don't remember who it was or how long they left it in the tanks before dumping it! If you go the the Search engine at the top of the page and type in tank sensors or cleaning tanks you should come up with plenty of threads that on the subject. It sounds like it is the sensors but are you sure the one handle rod for the galley tank hasn't come loose from the valve attachment? This has happened also.
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05-26-2011, 09:27 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,783
M.O.C. #10246
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We shop for and use holding tank chemicals that advertise cleaning sensors....most of the time they seem to work, but depending on how much (relative to the gray tanks) soap/shampoo goes down the forward drains and how much dish liquid/grease goes down the galley drain, we frequently get false readings...usually showing 1/3 full after dumping. When this happens, we up the amount of treatment and we soon get back to more accurate readings. Another issue we have noticed with the galley tank is that we think that after dumping the galley tank, there may still be enough dish liquid suds in the tank to confuse the sensors...true or false, don't know.
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05-26-2011, 09:38 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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Something else to consider, I don't know about your model, but several rigs from that era had the hidden galley tank lever. On our 3400 the gray water (shower and sink) and the black water levers were together. The galley tank lever was hidden beneath the tire fenders between the tires. Are you sure you are pulling the galley tank lever??? As others said, the sensors are practically worthless. A quick check is to run the kitchen sink with the galley lever open, and see if it is indeed draining.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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05-26-2011, 10:10 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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I have the external sensors they work real well, I recommend them.
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05-26-2011, 02:44 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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Ozz,
About how much did those things set you back (just ballpark is OK) and were you able to use the existing wiring and panel? Thanks, Dennis.
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05-26-2011, 03:00 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Choctaw
Posts: 530
M.O.C. #6364
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Sensors are as accurate as my truck's mileage computer. If you really need working sensors keep some liquid fabric softener at the ready. Calgon water softener also works.
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05-26-2011, 04:26 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 330
M.O.C. #8078
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How much would you use? And after each empty or every two or three?
__________________
Deets
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05-26-2011, 04:27 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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I think it was around $160 IF I remember correctly.
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05-26-2011, 05:52 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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Ozz,
OK. Thanks. So it comes with its own monitor. What about the wiring? Did you pull new ones or did you use existing? I see propane on the monitor.. Is that an EXTRA or does a sensor come with the system?
Sounds like you are just about ready to hit the road. Not a moment too soon! Dennis
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05-27-2011, 01:01 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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Dennis, it was an ordeal. I had to string wires to all the tanks after dropping the bottom cover. I was very careful to clean the area on the tanks for the install. The calibration was a 'Bear', actually they stopped making them because it was so difficult to calibrate them, took me two days. I love mine, there are similar units out there now on the market.
I tried to get a sensor for the tank, but as I understand it only the horizontal tanks will work. The sensor is extra.
Sue and I are exhausted, there are so many things we have done already, and many to do.
I have been 'Baby-sitting' my service guy integrating him into my customer base and fielding calls on service problems. HVAC service is a tough business to learn. So many aspects of the trade, then you have to throw in the business side. Not hard to see why so many of these business fail in the first year or two. I think he will do fine, but it will not be easy for him.
We are looking at leaving Tuesday or Wednesday... who hooo...
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05-29-2011, 06:58 AM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: The Dalles
Posts: 166
M.O.C. #11255
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Good news, I found out why my galley tank would not drain. It had apparently sat quite a while and some of the crud that was in the tank dried into a plug just upstream from the valve. A plumber's snake and a mess later, it drains like it is supposed to. Also the sensors are working better (shows 2/3 full instead of full), I think as I use it there is a good chance the other sensors may get cleaned off enough to be somewhat usable.
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