Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.
Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
RV Black Water Sensor Cleaning: Best Operation Methods
The RV Black Water Sensor Cleaning: Best Operation involves a systematic process to maintain and enhance the longevity of your recreational vehicle. It is an essential component in the RV maintenance routine.
Key Takeaways:
-
- Importance of Cleaning: Regularly cleaning the RV’s black water tank sensor is crucial for accurate readings and preventing potential damage to the RV’s plumbing system.
- Common Issues: Blackwater sensors can malfunction due to debris buildups, such as wet tissue or waste, or a broken sensor, leading to incorrect readings.
- Effective Cleaning Methods: The most effective cleaning methods include using ice cubes with dishwashing detergent, a tank cleaning wand, a RhinoFLEX Rhino Blaster with a gate valve, and a bleach/chlorine solution, with each method offering unique benefits.
- Cautions: Care should be taken when using bleach, as it can damage the rubber components if not rinsed thoroughly. It’s essential to follow proper procedures to avoid long-term damage.
As the name suggests, the black water tank sensor indicates the level of waste in your black water tank. Over time, this sensor can become dirty, causing inaccurate readings.
By engaging in regular RV Black Water Sensor Cleaning, you improve the accuracy of the sensor readings and prevent potential damage to your RV’s plumbing system. This process incorporates best practices such as timely flushing, usage of appropriate cleaning agents, and routine inspections.
RVs hold water in two types of tanks: gray water tanks and Black water tanks. As the name suggests, a gray water tank keeps water from the kitchen or bathroom sink after use. Similarly, black water contains water containing toilet debris, hence the name.
Cleaning the gray water tank is simple. However, there are a variety of steps involved in cleaning the black water tank.
What if you’re done dumping the black water tank but it still shows it’s somewhat full? It means the sensor on the black water tank is malfunctioning.
Below, I’ve discussed everything you need to know about RV black water sensor cleaning.
What is an RV Black Water Sensor? How Does it Work?
RV black water sensor shows the approximate quantity of water in the tank. The sensor has three metal nubs connecting to LED light blinkers, which turn on to indicate the water level when it touches it.
The indicators usually show the water level up to one-third, half, and three-fourths of the tank.
What Causes a Black Water Sensor to Malfunction?
There are usually two reasons a black water sensor malfunctions:
- Firstly, the sensor in the tank could be broken. It’s relatively common
for the sensor to break down. Nothing you do to clean the tank would matter in such a situation. You need to replace the sensor with a new one. - Secondly, if something is stuck on the sensor, it can malfunction and show incorrect readings. This causes the metal nub to indicate that the tank is being filled to a certain level.
We know the black water tank holds the waste from the toilet, including liquid and solid waste. If the sensor shows a wrong reading, it means either wet tissue or wet debris is stuck on the feeler.
How Do We Know if The Reading Is Wrong?
Generally, two ways indicate the sensor is malfunctioning.
1st Method: When the LED indicator shows a two-thirds or half-full water level while the blinker below it is off, it means a tank can’t be two-thirds full if it isn’t half full, thus indicating the sensor’s malfunctioning.
2nd Method: If you’ve just dumped your black water tank, but it still indicates the water level has reached a certain limit, it’s a clear sign of a faulty sensor.
What to Do If a Black Water Sensor Shows Wrong Readings?
I recommend you follow the techniques discussed below to clean your black water tank and the sensor. However, if nothing works, I recommend you get it checked and replaced if it’s broken.
All about RV Black Water Sensor Cleaning
There are various ways to clean your RV’s black water tank and sensor. However, these three are the most effective, and RVers swear by them.
-
Using Ice Cubes and Dishwashing Detergent
For this method, you need to dump half a cup of dishwashing detergent, either liquid or powdered, in the toilet. You can also take a bag of ice and drop it through the bathroom.
Make sure you use detergent specific for dishwater use. Regular dishwashing liquid soap can cause a messy episode full of bubbles.
After pouring the detergent and ice into the toilet to reach the black water tank, you need to go on a drive. You can drive for half an hour or until your next destination.
The ice and detergent mixture thrashes along the inner walls of the black water tank while you drive. This causes the debris stuck on the walls to loosen up and ultimately mix with the liquid.
Afterward, dump your tank water in a dump station, fill it with clean water, and dump it again. Repeat the process until it runs clear.
-
Tank Cleaning Wand
The procedure involves using a tank cleaning wand, which is easily available online. Buy a quality product for this purpose.
You need to drag a hose from the window or RV door to the toilet, attach your tank cleaning wand to one end, and feed the wand through the toilet into the black water tank.
Open water connects after you feel you’ve reached enough into the tank. The wand’s design allows it to spray water sideways instead of in one direction only. The sideways spray, with full pressure, cleans the tank.
Ensure the tank’s valve is open so you know when the water runs clear. After you’re done with the cleaning, take out the wand after some time with immense care.
It’s better to wear gloves and glasses and keep your mouth closed, as the wand may drip a little after it comes out of the reservoir. You don’t want any of that water on you.
RhinoFLEX Rhino Blaster with Gate Valve
Many RVers don’t like handling a wand that’s been to almost a sewer-type reservoir. Moreover, dragging this cleaning wand along with the hose through their RV turns them off.
In such a situation, you can invest in a RhinoFLEX Rhino Blaster with a Gate Valve. The product allows you to connect it to your RV’s septic from the outside.
You can fill your tank through the hose attachment on the rhino-blaster, rinse it, and then dump it. This particular product comes with a gate valve, which makes the direction of the flow easy to control. You can also flood the tank from outside and dump it.
Moreover, when you close the gate while filling in the tank, the water stays there until you open the valve and let it out. Without the valve, there is no point in shooting water in the tank that’s coming out simultaneously.
-
Using Bleach/ Chlorine with Water
Another way to clean the RV black water tank and its sensor is to use bleach with water. For this method, you need to use half a cup of bleach, pour it into the toilet, and flush it so it reaches the black water tank.
Make sure the tank is half full. Let it sit for some time. Drive around for five minutes or so. The movement will allow the solution to splash and clean the inner walls, killing the odor and thoroughly cleaning the tank.
After the drive, immediately dump the water with bleach or chlorine solution. Fill in the tank and flush it with clean water. Dump the water after rinsing.
Repeat the rinsing process twice or thrice.
Concerns Involving the Use of Bleach Solution
Many RVers do not use bleach or chlorine solutions to clean their black water 
tanks. Bleach can cause the rubber holdings to warp.
If you don’t follow the proper procedure and thoroughly rinse your black water tank with clean water twice or thrice, some residue could remain.
Bleach is harsh and can cause your rubber holdings to warp in a month. As a result, the water may start dripping, compromising the product’s life.
Thus, only clean your tank with bleach or chlorine solution if you follow the protocol. Rinse it thoroughly, and then be on your way.
The Ideal Way I Recommend
If you follow the above methods to clean your RV’s backwater tank, I’m sure you will get the desired results.
However, if you don’t find the sensor working after following one of the ways, I recommend following all three ways in the same pattern I’ve mentioned.
It involves adding dishwasher detergent with ice cubes through the toilet into the black water tank. Afterward, go on a drive and dump the tank water. Rinse it by filling it through a hose, pouring buckets, or using a rhino blaster with a gate valve.
Then, pour the bleach solution through the toilet. Let it sit for five to ten minutes, and drive around to splash the solution in the tank. It would kill the odor and germs in the tank.
Lastly, rinse your tank thoroughly with clean water twice or thrice. The procedure sounds like a lot of work, but it promises results.
Check your sensor after dumping the black, and I’m sure it will be working fine. If you still find the sensor malfunctioning, I recommend you get it checked and replaced.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to RV Lifestyle & Repair
Few Tips to Follow
Here are some tips for maintaining your black water tanks and their sensors.
- I recommend cleaning your tank every time you dump the black water. This prevents debris from forming on the walls.
- Invest in a suitable holding tank treatment to avoid any residue build-up.
- Invest in a clear elbow that connects to the septic hose. So you don’t have to drag the hose through your RV’s window or door,
- A clear elbow with a water hose attachment allows you to see if the water is clear or still dirty.
- Even if you have a dump station facility on a campground, I recommend keeping your dump valves closed unless you plan to dump.
- If the valves are open, all the liquid will flow through, leaving the solids behind, which can lead to an even bigger mess. Let the bacteria in the liquid break down the solid, so the process is relatively hassle-free when you dump it.
Wrap Up
Cleaning and maintaining the RV Black Water Sensor is an essential practice for every RV owner. Although seemingly mundane, this task is crucial in ensuring the longevity and functionality of your
RV’s waste management system. The RV Black Water Sensor Cleaning: Best Operation Methods are straightforward and can be conducted by the RV owners, saving professional services costs.
The first step in the RV Black Water Sensor Cleaning operation involves emptying the black water tank. Next, a high-pressure spray cleaner is used to dislodge any solid waste matter that may be stuck inside the tank. To ensure a thorough cleaning, special attention should be given to the sensor probes, as they are the principal components of the system.
The cleaner should be able to dissolve any waste materials that could interfere with the sensor’s functionality.
Once the cleaning process is complete, it is essential to rinse and sanitize the tank using a suitable tank sanitizer. This step eliminates all residual waste matter and bacteria, maintaining a clean environment for the sensor to function correctly.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of the RV Black Water Sensor can significantly improve its performance and lifespan. Following the RV Black Water Sensor Cleaning: Best Operation Methods, you can avoid costly damages and repairs to your RV’s waste management system.
There is no better way to maintain your RV’s black water tank than by keeping it routinely. A thorough cleaning now and then would not only maintain the tank but also kill any foul odor that is building up.
If the tank is clean, there is less chance of a black water sensor malfunctioning. However, you know how to clean your sensor and the tank if it happens.
Home page
Back to the top of the page
