Cleaning/Lubricating Tank Gate Valves

[travelin' texans]

The 14 days was at location w/o sewer & we were very conservative, typically dump & rinse every 5-7 days. Have rinsed with several different methods but still have no luck with sensors so have given up & just go by sound or just dump weekly. Pardon the pun, but the BW sensors are crap.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by travelin' texans

The 14 days was at location w/o sewer & we were very conservative, typically dump & rinse every 5-7 days. Have rinsed with several different methods but still have no luck with sensors so have given up & just go by sound or just dump weekly. Pardon the pun, but the BW sensors are crap.

The next chance you get.....go to Walmart and get some tank sensor cleaner. The next time you travel, use the cleaner with about 20 gallons of water. When you get to your destination, flush the tank again. This will clean up your sensors.

Also, I hold the button on my monitor panel for about 30 seconds to get an accurate reading. For some reason my gauge will read 2/3 full but when I hold the button it will change to 1/3.

[rcflame]

We fill the B/W tank before either of the other. This is because of a medical situation that I won't go into, but have been on the road for 5 years with it. Hasn't been a problem. I flush the tank well when I dump, and when traveling use a mixture of pine sol, ammonia and downy that seems to clean the sensors up fairly well.

[AlanN]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

The next chance you get.....go to Walmart and get some tank sensor cleaner. The next time you travel, use the cleaner with about 20 gallons of water. When you get to your destination, flush the tank again. This will clean up your sensors.

Also, I hold the button on my monitor panel for about 30 seconds to get an accurate reading. For some reason my gauge will read 2/3 full but when I hold the button it will change to 1/3.

Thanks, Dave ... I've read that a half bag of ice dumped into a partially-filled BW tank, while underway, will help knock off paper stuck on the monitor probes. Never tried that on my HR TT, but it sounds like it might work. I used a flushing wand pushed down through the throat of the head frequently, and this seemed to keep my probes clear. As with so many things RV, it'll be a trial and error adventure. I'm more concerned about keeping the cable valves working smoothly and not hanging up or breaking.

[Blenhardt]

On the subject of lubricating black tank valves, I add some valve lubricant by Thetford after I have thoroughly rinsed the tank. I always travel with a small amount of water in the B/W to provide a "scrubbing" action. Seems to work but my B/W valve is the hardest to open and close.

[Dave&Ginny]

AlanN,

I've heard about the ice treatment as well but my problem with that is.....until the ice melts I'll have something as hard as a rock rolling around a plastic tank. Not sure if that's a good idea. I did try it once on my old TT but didn't like the sound of the ice hitting the plastic when I poured it in.

So far my system works for me even though it's not perfect.

[travelin' texans]

I agree with Dave, all the ice did for me was give me nicely chilled blackwater.

[Blue Dogs]

I always dump the ice in my clean black water tank with chemical and water for the trip home. I have no clue if it has ever helped but it never hurt anything either.

[Dave&Ginny]

When I put a few cubes of ice in my jack.....I forget all about that black water tank! It works like a charm

[johnboytoo]

Not having an issue with our monitors nor the black water tank valves...
one of our grey water vavles must not seal because I had to put a manual valve on the end since it always fills my clear extension with the valves all closed...
(NOT with black water thankfully !)

[Blue Dogs]

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

Not having an issue with our monitors nor the black water tank valves...
one of our grey water vavles must not seal because I had to put a manual valve on the end since it always fills my clear extension with the valves all closed...
(NOT with black water thankfully !)

The next time you dump put some water in both gray tanks then add different color food coloring to the water in each tank. the color in the clear tube will tell you which valve.

[johnboytoo]

Thanks BD...
but having only spent about 12 nites in the rw the first 6 months of ownership - not into fixing valves ---
going to let it go back to the dealer for the 104th day or so maybe will get the microwave replaced while there and the refrigerator door dent repaired and....

Can you tell it's well past "lost it's luster" stage?

[Blue Dogs]

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

Thanks BD...
but having only spent about 12 nites in the rw the first 6 months of ownership - not into fixing valves ---
going to let it go back to the dealer for the 104th day or so maybe will get the microwave replaced while there and the refrigerator door dent repaired and....

Can you tell it's well past "lost it's luster" stage?

Trust me, I can relate. Not near as much but I do understand!

[AlanN]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

When I put a few cubes of ice in my jack.....I forget all about that black water tank! It works like a charm

Just to clarify, when we refer to BW, we're not talking about branch water, are we. :-)

[rcflame]

I guess that would depend on what your preferences are. They use to use whiskey as a disinfectant.

[0nTheRoad]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

When I put a few cubes of ice in my jack.....I forget all about that black water tank! It works like a charm

I'm with you Dave, I'll use my ice for adult beverages!!!

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by rcflame

I guess that would depend on what your preferences are. They use to use whiskey as a disinfectant.

Then I'm clean inside Rodger