RV How To: Black Tank Sensor Cleaning
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มี.ค. 2021
- We're testing out the Camco Swivel Stik to see if it can really clean out the black tank well enough to get the sensors to read empty.
**I found an even less expensive fully flexible option here!!!**
Valterra Flexible Tank Wand: amzn.to/3uZZc1P
*and here's a link to the original one I used in the video:
Camco Rv Flexible Swivel Stik Stick: Camco Rv Flexible Swivel Stik Stick
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Hey an honest and positive review! Glad it worked. If your toilet drops directly as is with many RVs, Camco makes a similar product with a non-flexible shaft and right angle nozzle that really puts out the pressure. I call it a magic wand because it sounds better than poop stick. Usually my black tank flush will take care of the problem but it depends on how long the sensor has been pooped up.
Thanks for the tip! Love the “dreams really do come true” lol keep the videos coming! I’ll have I get that one! I hate those stupid sensors!
I like you as a person but my speech teacher always said create your video, cut the content in half then cut it in half again. Then you will have about 5 mins of good to the point content that people will enjoy and subscribe because you didn't waste their time. Thanks for the demo!
At the time this was created TH-cam wouldn’t monetize anything under the 10min mark.
Or you can just watch someone else’s video?
Why don't you make a video and then go watch it?
Ya i agree, “lets get to it” at 9:00….good video though
I laughed several times through the video because you said it like it really is in real life. I was actually debating on buying that to try. So you answered my question 🤣.
Black tank conversations are what campfires are for...
If you look in the description, I added a link to a less expensive option that is fully flexible.
I just used a small flexible water holes input a piece of PVC pipe on the end and drill holes in it and stick it down
We’ve had our swivel stick for 4 years, and have never had a problem with sensor 🤞🤞…one of the best accessories we have.
Wow! That’s impressive! I don’t think I know anyone with consistently working black tank sensors!
@@ProjectTrek , I’ve only used RV tissue up until this week as well…I’ve just switched to the Walmart “Great Value” , so we’ll see how it goes. We dumped today, and swiveled the tank, and it cleaned and sensors still good😊
I smashed the LIKE button. 😁👍🏻
Thanks for making the video and keeping it real.
Helpful to know why our indicator says FULL! 😉
Now we are going to have to go and buy one of these special hoses
I have one of these and it works amazingly. I am certain the previous owners of my rv did not clean the black tank regularly or properly before I bought it. However, I noticed my black tank sensor was not showing empty, even when nothing was coming it. So I bought this and it did the job. I recommend using your black water flush hose and disposable gloves. I also keep spray disinfectant close by and use dawn dish soap dustheap cleaning process to help clean the spray nozzle as it does it’s work.
“Even when nothing was coming it”???? “Dustheap cleaning”????? WTH? Hint, after you type your comments READ THEM!!!!!
I used this device on a larger RV trailer years ago. It worked, but as noted, the issue returned rapidly. We recently bought a Forest River Wolf Pup. We use a Bidet at home and purchased a portable bidet for the RV. Not putting tissue down the commode will make a huge difference in cleaning and should improve the accuracy of the sensor. Wish they made RV toilets with built-in bidet.
I’ve used calgon beads with pine sol. Helps keep black tank clean
Great Video! Thanks for sharing with us!!
You betcha!
New full time RV’ers here. Tried this out and it works very well and easy to use as well. Much thanks for the video 🤘🏼👍🏼 #Subscribed
Besides you having good information on the subject, I liked the humor you put in it 👍
Everybody’s shit stinks. Gotta laugh about it.
We’ve had a lot of luck using liquid fabric softener in the tanks and it helps to keep the inner walls of the tank slickety smooth so things don’t stick as bad…. Usually filling it up with clean water just to dump it out again will rinse it clean if it ever does start reading full in error.
Just don’t forget another dose of fabric softener along with a couple gallons of water in the bottom when you close the valve and start over again.
Dude! Awesome video! Very helpful! Thx!
Holy sh*t! It ACTUALLY WORKED! I bought one today at Walmart for $27, and came back and niw my sensor reads 1 dot!
Nicely done keeping it real as always love yr vids 👌
Thanks Lee
Excellent video and humorous. 😂Loved it. We’ll definitely watch your other videos. And most importantly, it was helpful.
We’ve been using the swivel stik for about 4 years & it works great. I stand at the clear elbow outside & let my husband know when it runs clean. Makes me feel good to know it’s really clean
Yeah, I was skeptical, but it worked really well!
Thanks for your videos
Thanks so much for this video. I getting me. one too. Also you are quite funny. Loved seeing you two having fun. Best of luck for both of you two. bom viage
You’re so welcome! Have fun! 🤣💩
Great Video....Kinda funny that this is the first video I came across of you guys but will be watching more LOL
Hey nice to meet you, now watch me talk about pooping in an RV 🤣
Great info smart and funny...."well there ya ho folks dreams do come true"
I mean, they do sometimes...
FIRST!!!, and also, you have great coconuts. Thanks for the video and your channel! Travel safe!
Winner winner!!! 🤣❤️
My experience after 4 years on the road full time is that the best solution to black tank sensors is simple. Go to home Depot and buy 1 gallon Zepp Acidic toilet cleaner and add to your empty black tank. Leave the solution in the tank and use as normal. When your black tank is full Drive your RV a few miles to splash the solution around and drain as usual. This treatment works in one application and will leave your tank clean and odor free. And don't worry the "acid" in this toilet cleaner is a very mild organic acid and won't harm your tank or sensors.
Be careful if your toilet is plastic as it may damage the finish. Use a funnel. My used 20 year old class A RV had sensors that read full all the time until I used this method. Treatment lasts quite a while you don't need to do this unless your sensors are stuck reading full when empty.
I’m going to look into this. My concern is that over a year ago I rinsed out my tank with bleach (not understanding that it would kill all the beneficial bacteria). The stench that followed was awful, and took nearly 6-8 months to get the tank back to a healthy state. I wonder if the acid treatment will do something similar?
Enjoyed your video. Won't be going to all the trouble to have clean sensors. I know when my tank is full and needs dumping. When the toilet 'burps', I know that it's time to dump-n-flush. After that, a scoop of Happy Camper followed by 3 gallons of water, and good to 'go'!
Every RV that I’ve ever had that had a stuck black tag sensor are use the toilet one that shoots out a solid stream and rotating it and having the black tank sensor on you’ll see the sensor move from one to three or whatever that means you’ve got that solid stream on that sensor and you’re knocking all the debris off this works better than the spray toilet wand
Nice job I didn't know that now I do thank man
I have the swivel stick. Works just like you used it. When done with the tank i shove it down the drain tube starting at the camper to the opposite end and clean out drain tube. Be very careful if the weather is cold, warm the clear end of the swivel stick before you will bend it. In cold weather it will get brittle and break
Funny guy, enjoy your videos.
I have the swivel stick also and it work's awesome but I was thinking of making a small hose for it so I could connect it to my bathroom faucet and use hot water. 👍👍
Thanks for the informative video. I just bought one and haven't tried it out yet. Oh yeah, and wear gloves!
Have had one for a few years had to put new on off valve on it but other than that good product, great video
Thanks Tim!
Not gonna lie....you had me at the coconut!!
Hold on, I think I’ve got an affiliate link for coconuts!
The thing is awesome tool. My clear rubber peace unfortunately broke. So I cut the spinner nose aloft hose clamped it on to a regular hose. And I just shoved that thing down in the tank back-and-forth back and forth. And it does extremely awesome job of cleaning
Cool we just bought a 1994 Winnebago Adventurer and sadly the previous owners didn't empty it so I took it to an RV park to dump both. Mine also has both tanks in grey plastic not grey and black like newer. Maybe time for a new tank? Water tank looks beat a little as well. Runs and drives great so well worth purchase.
Are you thinking gray and black refer to the actual color of the tanks??? Black water is what comes out of a toilet. Gray water is what comes out of the sinks. Although the handles for dumping are typically color-coded black and gray.
The RV shop I worked at took a few of those swivels out of stuck open dump valves every year.
Yes, the sensor issue will return after the next filling. I don't have to drag a hose into my trailer. After dumping, I close the valve, fill to above full and dump again two or three more times. It cleans the tank, and usually, the sensors are down to 1/3 full or empty. Sometimes, it takes a few hours after for the sensors to reset. It's a good thing to know that these sensors are not accurate. I ran a test by filling my tank with water and using a stopwatch. After 25 seconds, the 1/3 light came on. After 2:30, the 2/3 light came on. At 6:30, the full light came on. After 8:30, I could see water starting to enter the pipe from the tank. Doing the math for my trailer, 1/3 = 5%; 2/3 = 29% and full is really only 76%. It's just a safety factor to prevent a messy accident, but good to know. After emptying, I checked the level. If it says full, I would refill to the REAL (8:30 min.) Level. After emptying and it said 1/3, I'd fill it to 2/3 (2:30 min.). No sense wasting water, just submerge the stuck sensor. I'm picturing some toilet paper is hanging up(?).
My last use of the season, I make sure to achieve "E". After that, I put in a cup of Dawn and a couple gallons of water for the drive home. I don't drive erratic or jam on the brakes. Just the normal motion of the road acts like a washing machine. Then when I arrive home, I dump out the tank. The water that comes out is not too dirty but there's bit if confetti in it. Four years on, sensors are still working. No hose or special dirty hose/tool to store and haul.
Thank you!
Was thinking of using the Jetter Hose on my pressure washer just not sure if it will damage the tanks or not. Basically the same as the wand but with more pressure.
Thanks!
"dreams really do come true"....funny guy. The info I want to know is really where the sensor is located. enjoyed the video
Glad you enjoyed it 🤣
Bought one several years ago and it does not work in my fifth wheel. It does not make it to the tank due to stiffness of upper part. Have had many RV's during my RVing career and as you said in the beginning they don't work accurately after first few uses. Good luck to everyone.
Great test on this product. My one year old 5th wheel constantly reads 2/3 full, even after I winterized last year. I'll definitely give the Camco swivel stik a shot based on your review. (Yes, it did get kind of weird seeing your poo though). Keep up the good work!
Thanks Pete! Some others have suggested Happy Camper tank treatments. I’ve heard really good things.
Along with the sprayer you should also use an enzyme cleaner. Fill the tank with fresh water, let cleaner sit over night and spray.😊
put a 1/4 cup of dawn plus a gallon of water in the tank to slush aroung while driving. The swival thing is meant to be raised up and down so that the water can hit all three sides
I have one and you are correct, it’s not strong enough to make any difference. I took my sensors out and cleaned them and that lasted about a day
There was some kind of grate under my toilet that keep the stick from going down. I guess to keep a kid from dropping the dogs ball down and plugging the main tank drain.
But best advice I’ve heard is - “water is the solution” - add 5 gallons of water after each dump so the pyramid can’t build and it swishes everything due if transit..
Excellent poop info 😉.
Wait how did you have your poop scooter mounted under the RV? Is the mount store bought or homemade great video
I should show that, everyone likes how I have it stored. It’s literally two ratchet straps cinching it up against the bottom of the rig. The straps are hooked to the outer edges of the structural I-beams.
@@ProjectTrek oh nice do you travel at highway speeds with it up there or is it just a campsite storage idea
Traveled with it that way since day one, 5 years ago. Had it rigged the same way under our Class A Motorhome as well. It scraped the ground once leaving my parents driveway, but that was the only time it’s ever been an issue.
Is this similar to the black tank flush systems installed on newer RVs?
So newer rigs usually have a tank flush system installed, but they don't have a rotary head on them like this does.
I like the Swivel Stick, but be careful to not let the brass swivel make contact with the side of the toilet while spinning. My swivel snapped off upon contact. Fortunately it really just cracked but came apart after I withdrew it so the broken piece did not drop inti the tank.
what's the best chemical to use in your black tank to help break up waste. I just got a trailer last summer and have struggled with clogged grey and black tanks. bought it used.
I wish I could tell you. I have used so many without much success. The one I haven’t tried that I’d like to is Unique tank cleaner.
I've used Happy Camper since I bought my TT new 3 years ago and it does the job at breaking down solid waste and eliminating odor! Don't use any chemicals, detergent, soap or disinfectant in the toilet otherwise it will interfere with the black tank treatment's efforts at breaking down those solids. I couldn't care less about my sensors, my toilet will 'burp' when it's full.
@@ProjectTrekif you would use Happy Camper as your black tank treatment, you won't see poop coming out when you dump your tank! HC eliminates odor as it liquefies solid waste. Don't use anything else, no cleaners, no chemicals of any kind that would interfere with the black tank treatment's efforts at breaking down those solids.
Dose your unit have a one of them built in it already. Mine dose. And dose it work. On mine I’m emptying it and it shows a half a tank when I empty
Yes, it has a built in tank rinse, but it doesn’t hit every inch of the tank. Ask any RVer, the tank gauges just don’t work.
I suppose I am lucky, I don’t have any twists and turns on my black tank so I will give this a try
My camper has a black tank flush built-in. But it doesn't seem to clean my sensor. But maybe this stick has a stronger spray or maybe it will hit the sensor better. I guess for 23 bucks and change including tax
It’s definitely worth a try if you absolutely NEED that sensor to work. Ours doesnt work anymore and I’ve just learned to live with it.
I’ve been using this swivel for a while. It works great. I also make sure to always clean out tank when finished using it even when there is a line at the dump station. My gauges continue to work throughout my camping trip.
What is the link for the Swivel stick?
Put two cups of non sudsing dishwasher detergent into the black tank. Add 5 gallons of the hottest water that you can get, in there. Take the camper for a ride stopping and starting so that the liquid you just put in slashes around for about 10 minutes. Empty the tank. And your gauges should read properly.
Will that method work if my RV is stationary? My RV is at a private camp site from May till September?
Basically, we don't take it out of the camp site.
@@patigg33 I can't say , NO, However, the sloshing is what frees up the junk in the tank.
@@patigg33 The trick is this. Put the soap in at home, BEFORE you leave to go camping. When you get to the campground, Drain the tanks, and then park.
@@patigg33 hello we do the same thing we don't move our camper we camp from May to September also what we do is we take a 5 gallon bucket with water and liquid dishwasher soap pull the black tank handle to open when all the liquid is out we dump half of the bucket down the toilet wait like 10 seconds then dump the rest of the bucket down the toilet hope it helps it what we do on ours. You can do that all the time or once every other week.
My sensor reads empty even though the tank is full. Do you think this would help with that issue?
Thank you!!! Once again, a very informative video
You’re very welcome! Who doesn’t like a working tank level indicator?!
There are companies that come to your R/V and pressure wash the tank. You must get all struvite out!
how long should should I let the Camco RV Holding Tank Swivel run inside the toilet?
There’s really no set amount of time. Ideally you’ve got a transparent fitting on the sewer outlet, and you’re able to see what is being rinsed out. Run it until you’re satisfied with how clean your tank is. Hopefully it cleans off your tank sensors as well!
First video with you I've ever seen. Wanna hang out? Lmao
Another option is taking 5 to 6 foot of Pecks line and attaching it with Shark bits and hose adapters with a ball valve. This bends more easily and of course there is more pressure not being restricted by small jets. If you wish to rid your tank of caramelized debris you might consider calling "Kleen Tank" business where they clean and clear everything by accessing the black tank port. Watch there video and learn from the professional POOP masters.
He said “caramelized debris” 🤣
How is this different from the built in black tank flush?
Not much. Same concept, just different spray pattern, so hopefully it sprays areas of the tank that the flush isn’t hitting.
Where are you camping that there is fresh coconut available?
At the time we recorded this, we were in Orlando, FL, although I have a feeling that was bought at a grocery store.
What do you do when you buy a used RV (2020) and the people obviously did not take care of it ? I had all 4 lights lit up and was able to get it down to 3 but cannot clear it!! I have used backing soda, vinegar and bleach tabs. And of course this Valterra Flexible Tank Wand.. Anyone have anymore ideas ? Thank. 2020 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS .
Black Tank indicator lights rarely work, regardless of maintenance. It’s just something that you’ll have to get used to. Now fresh and grey tank light should work.
What I’ve learned, is that enzyme tablets work well, but you have to stick with one type/brand and be consistent.
You can also pay for a service to come pressure wash the inside of your tank. It’s messy, but one of the only ways to get the build-up out of your tanks.
Thank you 🙏
Got one fifteen years ago.
You would think that there would be a way to attach that hose to the bathroom sink or even the shower head hose.
Yes, but I wanted the GPM and pressure from the street.
I actually didn't think they worked well because the spray is a spray, not overly powered jet action to break up the hard stuff. Interesting!
Wait a sec the item that in the link bio is not the item you were just useing 😪
Yes the item I used was found at a Walmart. The item on Amazon is the closest I could find.
@@ProjectTrek okay thanks
We had our black tank sensors replaced under warranty. LOL, Still shows full.
Yeah, we’ve learned to live without them. They’re helpful for our fresh and grey tanks, but the black tank sensors are notoriously bad.
Nice touch with the "drinking out of a coconut" line! 😆😆😆👍
Mine goes down my toy toy easy , and my switch still doesn't work .
Everyone keeps talking about driving it around and sloshing it around I don't drive my fifth wheel I actually live in it I've only been living in this for 2 months and my black tank already is reading full after I empty it so other than the stick I will probably call a company to come clean the sensors however if two weeks later they're blocked again I'm saying oh well I know how often I empty it and I know when it needs emptied
10 gal. Water, 1/2 cup Borax, 1/2 cup Dawn got to next destination. After a few times, Dawn is optional.
Mind you, it might take a minute, but have patience
It will read empty until the tank is filled again. I know when the toilet starts to burp that it needs dumping. Why bother with all that work when you can figure out when the black tank needs dumping.
We frequently move from spot to spot with no dump station between stops. Its nice to know to be able to "budget" out your tanks.
Nice but your fubarbed if the flex section breaks off
Happy Camper powder…….it’s magic.
I’ve heard great things. As soon as we are in a spot long enough to order some things on Amazon, we’ll order that.
@@ProjectTrek if they mean happy camper extreme, it's like $30 for a 1lb container which is one treatment for one tank. It turns out it is just TSP which is $5 a lb at Lowes or home Depot. That way you can do all your gray and black tanks for much cheaper.
@@clutchcargo666
I have to admit this is the first time with all the comments I have read that anyone is talking about using TSP.
Can you please elaborate on how to use it and how much to use. I've been using the Dawn and borax solution and I'm thinking about adding Calgon because I'm still getting quite a bit of odor
@@cj303 just use it like you would Happy Camper.
Coconut poop flavor YUM
Dawg your hilariousthe shit tht chills there between the hole an the black tank is fucked
I was taking a shit one time I open it up literally yacked it smelled so bad
isn't this what the black tank flush connection is for? also, don't touch your face when making a video like this. LOL
Good job on the video just a bit too long getting to the point
Yeah, at the time TH-cam was making content be at least 10min long to be monetized, and they only push monetized content. Sucks, but it’s the cost of doing business.
Slow down with the ah
LOL to make it less awkward stop talking about it :)
I was not looking to entertained. This could have been more to the point. Skip to 10:10 (you'll miss the coconut) to actually see the product being used.
Dude...your video could've been 3 minutes or less if you didn't love to hear yourself talk...and no you don't want a yellow tinge coming out of your black tank...you want the water to be clear.
Dude…10 minutes is the cutoff for ads. Thanks for watching.
these youtubers with a lot of unnecessary over explanations or lames jokes ...get to the point already!
Thanks for the watch and engagement.