This method of tank cleaning works well with both black and gray water tanks. Adding a cleaner after each dump is an excellent way to stay on top of things. The first step is to dump your tanks. Start at the bottom and work your way up, with the cleaning wand continually running. 
Because struvite adheres very firmly to the walls of your tank (like a barnacle attached to a piling), the most effective solution is to have it physically removed. I think most folks use liquid dish-washer soap in the both black and gray tank to remove grease and gunk. Considering this tank only holds clean drinking water, you wont need to clean this tanks sensors. var sl_result_color = "#333333";
Remember to wear gloves to prevent the spread of disease and general yuckiness! The cleaner breaks down waste into smaller pieces. Regularly using an enzymatic tank cleaner is a straightforward way to prevent tank buildup from occurring in the first place. *Our product uses some naturally occurring elements that are not biodegradable. We used DHMO or Hydric acid- MSDS HERE, HEED WARNINGS AND AVOID BREATHING VAPOR AND PROLONGED CONTACT IN SOLID FORM . We prefer the liquid dishwashing detergent ourselves, which is luckily still available. You're just going to dirty it back up immediately. Sorry about that looks like Amazon sold out of the Happy Campers Extreme. 
I use the standard Happy Camper with every tank full to break down the solids and keep the odor down. Our tank sensors were giving us trouble and not reading correctly, no matter what we tried.
I learned something newabout dishwasher detergent. Display as a link instead, My Industrial Engineering degree came in handy for all of it. 3) Lastly Add 1 more gallon of water and you're good to go. When this happens, the tank will read fuller than it is. Posted on Published: February 14, 2021- Last updated: July 14, 2022, Categories Cleaning, Water & Sewer, Water & Sewer. 2) We recommend using a bucket or container to pre-mix by slowly sprinkling one scoop of HC while stirring into 1 gallon of water. I am now following up with with regular Happy Campers and have not had a single issue. And when you do click the notification bell so youll get alerted when we upload new videos! Hi John! After that, simply drive to your next destination.
I suspect you're getting a calcium "soap scum" buildup. The full sensor is found closest to the tanks bottom while the full sensor is at the top. As mentioned previously, regular use of an enzymatic cleaner can also help prevent buildup. So we had our tanks professionally cleaned. . You can watch the video here: Watch our video about having our RV holding tanks pressure washed by HYDRO CLEAN in Lake Havasu City, AZ. When your tank reaches a particular level, that sensor is activated. 
In addition to subscribing above, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, too (if you havent already)! Started Wednesday at 03:11 PM, By *Our product uses some naturally occurring elements that are not biodegradable. Check out our: Watch us every Saturday morning at 8AM Eastern/Pacific, 7AM Central, 9AM Mountain on Discovery in the USA. The drives motion will agitate the detergent mixture to clean off your gunked-up sensors. Tank sensors stop working when gunk builds up on, or over, the sensor. 5) A great product for an annual clean out, especially when winterizing. Got to see a different side of you.lol. Upload or insert images from URL. You quickly learn how long you can go between dumps. MrSeas My sensors happen to be fairly accurate and all I use is lots of water and do a few cycles of flushing every time we leave. I have been using the Happy Camper Extreme ever since I had the Seelevel gauge installed. 
Here is the website for DHMO research: http://www.dhmo.org/. Copyright 2022 TheRVgeeks | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Options for Cleaning Your RV Holding Tank Sensors, Valterra A01-0184VP Master Blaster RV Tank Cleaning Wand with Power Nozzle , White, HAPPY CAMPERS Extreme Cleaner RV & Marine Extreme Tank & Sensor Cleaner, test your favorite brand of toilet tissue to see if it will work. Started Friday at 09:29 AM, By The wand sprays high-pressure water in a circular motion to clean the sidewalls of your tanks. I crosstrained out of medical fields in the Air Force after I found a better way to draw blood with no aids risk . Heres one example of a simple RV tank cleaning wand: Cleaning your RV tank sensors with a cleaning wand is quite simple. We recommend paying attention to what comes out of your tank. The Amazon product advertised is "currently unavailable". If they dont work correctly, its anyones guess when theyre full. Barbaraok: Both tanks drain and work fine. That. and water . works.
I purchased this to get my sensors in the black holding tank to work but it didn't help. Below well show you four options for cleaning your RV tank sensors. I do note, however, that the same company sells a sensor cleanerhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T3BXP3X/?coliid=I1SM45FJ7E21N9&colid=XYN4Z4HQXODB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it I don't know anything about it but I'd be inclined to give it a try. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. 
A third option for cleaning your RV tank sensors is to use an enzymatic tank cleaner. the M-16! You dont want to use a soap/detergent that is going to get sudsy, as it will likely foam up in your tank during the next step. OP: Regarding your gauges. they are notorious for not working all the time. Recommended for use in 30-60 gallon tanks. We're with you on the idea of getting our tanks cleaned on a regular schedule. First, dishwasher detergent wont foam up. How Much Does It Cost to Transport an RV? And overflowing tanks are not something you want to deal with, ever! One of the things that can be blocking your tanks sensors, even the non-penetrating kind that sense tank levels right through the tank walls, is a mineral called struvite which is a mineral crystal composed of magnesium, ammonia and phosphate that forms in wastewater. Luckily, high-pressure water can do it. Were happy to report that, after this tank cleaning, our sensors are back to reading normally! But you should smell it in your rig if everything is working as it should. PLEASE NOTE: We're handy RVers, not professional technicians. You can expect to know when the tank is empty, , , , or full on most RVs. Very good video on pressure-washing the tanks. Thanks for your all your reply's. You, like everybody else, drained the tanks and had clear water running before the powerwash. Thanks for the article! We stopped using waste tank chemicals more than 15 years ago while we were fulltime. GlennWest Any task you perform or product you purchase based on any information we provide is strictly at your own risk. Your previous content has been restored. JBH, if you are getting odor in your rig then you need to look at the toilet seal and/or tank vents. As it builds up, it can block your tanks sensors, causing false/inaccurate readings. Not for Sale or Shipping to California. Might be a vent problem (we put rotating tops on both the black and grey tank vents) or build up of grease in a pipe (do you pour boiling water down kitchen sink (draining pasta) on a routine basis - if not, do so. 4) You just bought your RV & want to super clean the tanks for a fresh start. Although not sold as a sensor cleaner it may work. Dishwasher detergent is an effective cleaning agent for your black and gray tanks. Package Dimensions: 27 L x 2 H x 3.75 W (inches). I havent relied on waste tank gauges in 13 years. Whether this is your first time on the road or youre a seasoned expert, wed love for you to geek out with us! But our opinions are our own and we only link to products we personally use, love and can recommend to friends with complete confidence. In addition to your grey and black tank sensors, youll likely have a sensor for your fresh water tank. If you are stationary and can NOT drive, then we recommend filling tank and adding the Extreme Cleaner and keeping it in your tank 24 hours. 
I don't think RVers have enough time before dumping for bacteria to really work as one hopes. Give each one a try to see what does the trick for you. Whenever the gray or black tank starts reading eradicate I use the Happy Camper Extreme. I then was wondering about whether to use a liquid or those pouches. It works well for that, but not to clean the inside of the tank. Maybe filling the tank 1/3 or so plus a big glug of Calgon and Dawn on travel day would help. We got our tanks done the next day. Adding a food trap will keep food out of your tanks, and tossing grease in the trash before cleaning the pan will help prevent buildup. There are a few ways to go about this. February 18, 2020 in General RV Information. Too much of that stuff will kill a human. For extremely gunked-up tanks, you may need something even more powerful, like Happy Campers Extreme. Waste water treatment plants struggle with it, too. 
var sl_width = "1000"; 3) If your present tank treatment has quit working. Youll also want to make sure you keep your RV black water tank closed unless youre dumping the tanks contents. The problem, now is the gray tank, so lots of water is not the answer. We recommend using this method when you are en route to a camping destination with full hookups. 
Once youve identified a safe toilet paper youll be happy using, just be sure to keep the quantity of it down. The sensor which is on the outside of the tank, cannot read properly. 4) You just bought your RV & want to super clean the tanks for a fresh start. Yes, in warm weather you will get a whiff when flushing, which means your black tank has bacteria working on the biomass, which is good. I think most of it comes in the pouches these days but I don't do the shopping. I use this stuffhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T3BXP3X/?coliid=I1SM45FJ7E21N9&colid=XYN4Z4HQXODB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_itto replace Happy Camper in warm weather because Happy Camper is insufficient. I do the same as others have stated they do for their black tank, allow it to fill ~ 1/2 way and add liquid diswasher detergent (some folks have used premixed water and Spic N Span) before beginning the days drive. I am not a chemist, so I don't feel qualified to use things that could kill me if I breath them or could blow up. 
As Barb said, you can really get an accurate 'feel' for when the tanks are full by making note of your own use. Looking to find our personal choices for great RVing gear? Then when you dump your tanks, these smaller pieces flush out to prevent clogs and sensor issues. 
5) A great product for an annual clean out, especially when winterizing. We're happy with the techniques and products we use, but be sure to confirm that all methods and materials you use are compatible with your equipment and abilities. However, many people dont even realize they need to keep these sensors clean. Wash your hunting clothes (two scoops) in washer for odor free hunting - and enjoy a scum and odor free washing machine at the same time. var sl_map_frame_color = "#999999"; Do you think you've about beaten this bit of hilarity to death? A consistent cleaning regimen and regular maintenance will go a long way! It seems it is no longer available. That way you can empty your tanks as soon as you arrive. I then dump the tanks as soon as we arrive at the end of that trip. 
I trust her completely when it comes to this type of question. Did I skip the section on physically removing the sensors and cleaning or replacing? Its common for your RV tank sensors not to read correctly. Each one of these sensors is in, or on, the tanks sidewall. The video only showed a minute or two of debris, which is very little if what I witnessed at the rally to be 'normal'. Keeping the lever pressed down, insert the cleaning wand into the tank. Having a clean tank allows the Happy Camper treatment that they sell to do a great job keeping things clean.
We hope the internal cleaning works for you so you don't have to end up taking the sensors out! Please note: This product is guaranteed to thoroughly clean your tank. 
var sl_height = "800"; Back to your questions. 1) Prime holding tank by adding 1 gallon of water. 5 Awesome RV Staycation Ideas: Enjoy Your RV & Save on Fuel! We used dangerous chemicals and reagents daily including isolation of dangerous pathogens and tissues. Sensors are notoriously finicky. Paste as plain text instead, The solution to this problem is to clean the tanks. This will prevent you from having additional RV tank sensor problems in the future. Next, press down the flush lever on your RV toilet. If your sensors arent working, give these tips a try. The high-pressure water will power clean the inside walls of your tanks, blasting away any gunk/residue that has built up. After many other attempts to clean and deodorize my black tank HappY Campers Extreme did it in one try. Do not mix with chemicals it is reactive with as explosions, fires, and burns are likely with some lethal. I routinely put baking soda in all drains to help buffer the water and 'sweeten' the pipes. Brand new Season Four episodes of The RVersairing now. This is a great method to try if your sensors didnt get sufficiently clean using the cleaning wand method. Why use chemicals when plain water does the job? You want bacteria to dissolve things. 
You most likely have sensors for both your grey and black water tanks. Fortunately, its easier than you might think, and regular maintenance will keep your RV tank sensors working better for longer. . Youll know how much room is left in your tanks and when you should dump them by paying attention to these lights. are good to clean the tank walls. I like to use this product once a year to keep my black tank working well. Bought the Extreme cleaner for our grey tank because it worked 'extremely well' in our black tank. You want to be sure that youre using a detergent designed to be used in an automatic dishwasher. 
It's available at most RV parks if you are willing to pay for it. DHMO is best for human excrement dissolution of organic as well as many inorganics. I have had this problem in the past because of buildup on the inner wall of the tank. Sorry we neglected to mention in the video that our sensors are 100% back to normal! Posted by Michael Scritchfield on Oct 11th 2021. 
You can post now and register later. Your RV tank sensors are a straightforward way to know when to empty your tanks. The sensors impacted will determine how full to fill your tanks, but we dont recommend much more than halfway full. I am going to approach this 1st using the splash and spray methods followed by sensor removal, cleaning or replacement. Join our newsletter to learn about all things RV-related. RV tank sensors usually give you five different readings. We participate in the Amazon affiliate program, which provides a means for us to earn a small commission by linking to products there.
There are two reasons for this. Its not just RV holding tanks that can become clogged with struvite. 3) If your present tank treatment has quit working. 
EXTREME CLEANER forRV & Marine black/gray waste holding tanks:USES:1) Cleans poor working sensors.2) Softens & removes solid buildup.3) If your present tank treatment has quit working.4) You just bought your RV & want to super clean the tanks for a fresh start.5) A great product for an annual clean out, especially when winterizing.
Not all toilet papers do. Soon, there will be no more guessing if your tanks are full! That why most of us use blue Dawn. 4403 42 Ave, Rocky Mountain House , AB. Absolutely positively the best tank cleaner ever made. Your link has been automatically embedded. If you dump your tanks and the sensors say they are still partway full, a deep clean is in order. RV tank sensors let you know how full your holding tanks are. Some are sold as RV Safe, but dont waste your money on these often-inferior brands. Waste water treatment plant pipe clogged with struvite. One is to flush your tanks with plenty of water. Click here to see our step-by-step tutorial on how to sanitize your RVs fresh water system! Simply add to the tank after each dump. It workseven in cold water. 
How to Protect Your RVs Decals & Keep Them From Fading. Pasted as rich text. RV tank sensors offer important information about how full your tanks are. T4T 1A6, Flat rate shipping $15 OR Free Shipping On Qualifying Orders Over $99*. Regardless of what we recommend, consult a professional if you're unsure about working on your RV. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Also, I believe his comments about your tanks being 'not too bad'. Dump black when it burps, dump grey after black or 7 days if using lots of water. We understand how frustrating it is when your RV tank sensors dont work. You need to use toilet paper thats going to break down quickly. Since I likely let too much "material" build up during the camping season, it is nice to have this product at the beginning and end of the season to do a thorough cleaning. 2) We recommend driving for 45 minutes prior to emptying tank. Started 9 hours ago, By 
GarySD22 By Happy Campers RV Holding Tank Treatment - 18 treatments, Happy Campers RV Holding Tank Treatment - 64 treatments, Happy Campers RV Holding Tank Treatment - 130 treatments. 
Hi Drew! Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. Once product is suspended in water, then flush that down the toilet or pour down sink. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Additionally, dont hesitate to use an enzymatic cleaner in your gray tank. If it doesn't come back in stock, you could try using NoFlex Waste Digestor (also available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sfvjIG) instead. 3) Do not leave Extreme Cleaner in your tank longer than 4 days. Sorry we sidetracked your questions, it's the fun side of us I think. 
Used alone it is considered a universal solvent when used properly. The black tank now runs clear and the sensors work! 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! We used a lot of hydric acid (DHMO) daily. Good luck! These will help to break down grease and oils and get other residue softened so it comes loose from the sensors and tank sidewalls. According to the Facebook page, they no longer make it. RV Campers LLC The Online Retailer for Happy Campers Holding Tank Treatment, Increase Quantity of Happy Campers Extreme Cleaner for Holding Tanks, Decrease Quantity of Happy Campers Extreme Cleaner for Holding Tanks. Javascript is not enabled on your computer. Like Barb, we only use generous amounts of water when we flush and no chemicals of any kind, but because I do know that there is often some residue left behind on the walls and sides of the waste tanks, I do like to do some preventive removal of that material and have found a pretty easy way of doing so. Before your next road trip, add about a cup of dishwasher detergent, like Cascade. Why do you need a spotless tank? 
Clear editor. Tips for New RV Owners: How to Avoid the Worst Mistakes! I used the Happy Campers Extreme product and then the regular Happy Campers. CALL FOR PRICING . The material, including waste, grease, food particles, and toilet paper can get caught on the sensors (if they are through-wall sensors that actually penetrate into the tank) or on the tank walls (which blocks sensors mounted on the outside of the tank).