Holding Tank Sensors

[Ross from Canada]

Hi,

I am new to this group, so I apologize if this has been answered before. I searched, but did not find anything. I have a 2022 Montana 3781rl and the grey and black holding tanks always read 2/3 full after they have been emptied. I also flush the blank tank after emptying every time. Any one else have this issue?

[Carl n Susan]

The sensors soon get gunked up and fail to report the level accurately. Here is a current discussion on the this topic:
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=89273
You will learn how your habits affect the filling of the tanks. The black tank "burps" when it is close to full, the kitchen and shower tanks back up into the sink/shower to say they are full.

Some use a special concoction to help keep the sensors clean, others replace the sensors with an external See Level gauge system.

[Ross from Canada]

Thank you so much!

[Robokatz]

As Carl states, super common problem, and mine do exactly the same thing. I have a 2022 and did everything correctly out of the gate and they still started reading incorrectly within weeks, even hired a professional company at the rally last year to super clean the tanks…no difference. Super frustrating.

I am now seriously considering adding Sea Level gauges (just need to find someone that knows how to properly drop underbelly material and install, I hoped to have Affinity do while I’m at rally this year but called them and they have never done before!). Since we plan on doing a lot more boondocking accuracy of guages more important.

If anyone has a good recommendation for installation please let me know.

[mlh]

Bottom line after the first month the sensors don’t work.
Lynwood

[RMcNeal]

Originally Posted by Robokatz

As Carl states, super common problem, and mine do exactly the same thing. I have a 2022 and did everything correctly out of the gate and they still started reading incorrectly within weeks, even hired a professional company at the rally last year to super clean the tanks…no difference. Super frustrating.

I am now seriously considering adding Sea Level gauges (just need to find someone that knows how to properly drop underbelly material and install, I hoped to have Affinity do while I’m at rally this year but called them and they have never done before!). Since we plan on doing a lot more boondocking accuracy of guages more important.

If anyone has a good recommendation for installation please let me know.

Dropping the coroplast and re-installing is actually an easy task.
Here's a thread with pretty good detail and pictures. I do not have the sea level guages but have read they are simple to install as well.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=88760

[Jay Merritt]

I have been using this Mopeka tank sensor for a few weeks now, on our fresh tank. It seems to be doing what it's supposed to do. It's wireless. Uses a Bluetooth app on the phone. I use sensors for the propane tanks made by the same company, and use the same app.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BX21WPCH

[RMcNeal]

Thanks Jay! I had watched a video of someone who installed that and it looks pretty easy. I had forgotten about that sensor until you mentioned it.
I have the propane tank sensors already from Mopeka too. I may look into just installing that for the fresh tank.

[Jay Merritt]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

Thanks Jay! I had watched a video of someone who installed that and it looks pretty easy. I had forgotten about that sensor until you mentioned it.
I have the propane tank sensors already from Mopeka too. I may look into just installing that for the fresh tank.

I installed a round hatch into the underbelly material so I can access the sensor. The battery has to be changed periodically. I did have issues getting the device to stick using their stock adhesive. After trying epoxy, I finally found old school contact cement

[RMcNeal]

Yeah, one of the videos I watched the person used a round hatch in the coroplast like my bass boat has to access the sensor about 6-8" in diameter.
I found one on Amazon for around $14.00
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L4Z24TX...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[Jay Merritt]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

Yeah, one of the videos I watched the person used a round hatch in the coroplast like my bass boat has to access the sensor about 6-8" in diameter.
I found one on Amazon for around $14.00
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L4Z24TX...v_ov_lig_dp_it

I used this hatch

Hoffen Bay-sun 4 inch Hatch White... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PQ7C1R7...p_mob_ap_share

[Rhortie1]

I took someone’s advice on here and empty all my tanks before leaving a campsite, then add about 2-3 minutes of clean water to them all while traveling to the next Rv park. My tanks sensors are still working after 3 yrs of full timing but we move almost weekly. No chemicals added just clean water. No magic just routine

[Doug Brown]

I recently bought a new to me 2018 arctic fox. A box of happy camper tank treatment was already in it. I figured I would use it up. This is great stuff. No odors once so ever out of the tank it cleans nice you can also use it in your gray tank to get rid of the stink. Too bad it’s not allowed to be sold in California.

[Kfinnert]

Good morning -

I agree with Carl on every point he made to include how to tell when the tanks are getting full. I have success with the cleaning of the sensors, but it last until the next trip. The product I use is Tethford Tank Blaster, and I use it once a year. I follow the instructions, except, I do leave the product in the tank a bit longer than recommended. Works great for that one flush, but I am satisfied the tanks are completely clean!

I have considered the replacement of the sensors, but I have yet to find any that I believe will work well. And, I always as myself the question, Why Bother? I know when my tanks are filling up based on my observations, the sounds I hear - burping, and past experiences.

Cheers