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Old 12-20-2019, 02:03 PM   #1
ejerni
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Black tank sensors

Does anyone know if the sensors are inside the tank or on the outside. We have a 2019 3791RD. Thanks
 
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Old 12-20-2019, 02:04 PM   #2
mhs4771
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Inside and most likely covered with SH..
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Old 12-20-2019, 02:13 PM   #3
ejerni
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Inside and most likely covered with SH..
That's what I am thinking. Even after flushing 3 times, they are still wrong...lol
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Old 12-20-2019, 03:18 PM   #4
rohrmann
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It's easier to just forget they exist and just determine when the tank needs to be drained by listening for a burp. The two of us can easily run at least a full week before needing to drain the black tank, and most of the time maybe another 4 or 5 days beyond that. If you just want to spend the money, there are tank sensor systems that have the sensors on the outside of the tank, but you can't use the existing wiring to the panel, but must install the new indicator panel for it to work. We are full time and the sensors haven't worked since the rig was new, and after the first or second fill of the tank, were never reliable. The only sensors that work are from the fresh tank.
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Old 12-20-2019, 03:31 PM   #5
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We found that combining the tank flush and lifting the nose about an inch drains the black/gray tanks and keeps our sensors working just fine. For the galley we have to tilt about an inch towards the street side to get them to be accurate. Sludge can't make it over the lip of the tanks unless you tilt a bit.
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Old 12-20-2019, 07:10 PM   #6
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What Bob Rohrmann said! Don't know why they even install sensors in black tanks.
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Old 12-20-2019, 09:31 PM   #7
ejerni
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Sensors

I agree!!
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Old 01-01-2020, 03:21 PM   #8
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I usually notice a change in sound after the 3rd day then I start watching the water in bowl when I flush and once it burps then it is full
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Old 01-01-2020, 03:48 PM   #9
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The sensors for the black tank in our 2016 SOB still work like they were designed for as long as I use the black tank flush each time that I dump the tank. One time when I couldn't flush, the sensor didn't register empty but started working properly again after I had a chance to use the black tank flush.
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Old 01-01-2020, 03:58 PM   #10
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Mine stopped working after the first month no matter how much i flush the tank.
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Old 01-01-2020, 04:01 PM   #11
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I have good luck keeping the sensors clean and in good working order after I flush the tanks refill the tank with fresh water and add about one cup of dawn detergent and drive to the next stop then drain you cannot believe what comes out
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Old 01-01-2020, 05:19 PM   #12
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To answer the OPs question, the sensors are fastened through the tank side wall and are accessible once you pull the belly cover down. There are a total of 4 sensors in each tank with the bottom being the common and the other three showing the tank level in thirds. They are fastened in the tank with an expanding rubber plug and tightened with a nut, The electrical connection is a part of the assembly screw. They don't quit working by 'stuff' hanging on them as they are just a small nub in the tank but by 'stuff' clinging to the tank wall and completing the circuit. They are virtually useless in a black tank and not much better in gray water tanks. Horst (now Valterra) Miracle sensors are NOT worth the installation effort. Garnet SeeLevel, non tank content contact systems are great but are pretty costly and a bit of a hassle to install and why this 5er is without them after having an installation on the last 5er.


This is not opinion but from my experiences with this p@#$ poor tank system
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Old 01-01-2020, 07:49 PM   #13
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We have an ‘18 3791 RD and it has been on 3/4 ever since our 3rd trip. Luckily the full light still works so when it comes on it’s time to dump. I have tried the tank cleaner but with little result.
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Old 01-01-2020, 08:46 PM   #14
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Inside, and after you fill and empty the tank one time they will never work correctly again. They are useless, always have been, and probably always will be.
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Old 01-01-2020, 09:43 PM   #15
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Had our 5vr for a bit over a year and have been living in it since May. No problems with the sensors. Use Happy Camper most of the time but every 3 to 4 dumps I use RV Digest-It from Unique. If I wait longer to use the RV Digest-It the sensors start to act up and the stench gets too great from the bacteria and enzymes as they go to work munching on all that stuff.
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Old 01-02-2020, 08:13 AM   #16
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We have 2016 3791rd, sensors always work, always use dawn and calgon water softener, keeps tank slippery. Always add extra water to black tank.
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Old 01-02-2020, 12:03 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prk7 View Post
We have 2016 3791rd, sensors always work, always use dawn and calgon water softener, keeps tank slippery. Always add extra water to black tank.
I use this method and my sensors all still work after two years half timing.
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Old 01-02-2020, 02:27 PM   #18
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Have used every cleaner suggested, none have worked on our 2015 past the first fill
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Old 01-03-2020, 07:05 AM   #19
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Quote:
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We have 2016 3791rd, sensors always work, always use dawn and calgon water softener, keeps tank slippery. Always add extra water to black tank.
Question - How much of each?
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Old 01-03-2020, 08:24 AM   #20
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I add one cup of each. And a third tank of water, so it sloshes around on way home or next campground.
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