Black Tank Sensor

[sheridany]

@redbaron is that a go forward change into new production coaches being built?

 

[redbaron]

@redbaron is that a go forward change into new production coaches being built?

Yes, 2021+ have pressure sensor for both sides---BUT the deal is the 2019 and prior have a 1.5" pipe for the gray, where the black is a 3".

The sensor requires a 3/8" hole to be drilled in the pipe. I think this is the reason why they do not approve it for the gray tank.

2020+ upgraded the drain pipes to 3" for the gray tank, and allows the sensor to be put on both.

 

[MapNerd]

I wonder how difficult the retrofit is. Could a buy a sensor and retrofit it myself onto grey. It defies logic that a sensor could only work on black but not grey.

@redbaron which 1.5” pipe are you referencing in grey? I’m thinking it’s the drain pipe leading to the gate valve from the tank? If so, that could easily be changed to a 3” pipe. I think @Neal did it when he installed his electric dump gates. Is that right @Neal

 

[redbaron]

I wonder how difficult the retrofit is. Could a buy a sensor and retrofit it myself onto grey. It defies logic that a sensor could only work on black but not grey.

@redbaron which 1.5” pipe are you referencing in grey? I’m thinking it’s the drain pipe leading to the gate valve from the tank? If so, that could easily be changed to a 3” pipe. I think @Neal did it when he installed his electric dump gates. Is that right @Neal

The sensors are labeled per signal for the tank they apply to. There are 2 different black tank sensors (primary / alt), 2 different gray (primary / alt) and 1 fresh water sensor.

The 1.5" pipe is from the bottom of the gray tank to the Y that connects the 3" bayonet to sewer hose.

Yes, you can replace that entire pipe and then use a grey - primary sensor. The wires are the same wires connecting to the strip on the tank side. You just cut those wires, and attach to the new sensor.

I personally don't think it is worth the effort involved for the gray tank, but very much possible to do.

 

[Neal]

Yes, I changed my gray from 1.5 to 3 inches. I would imagine you could request Newmar to do this for you (safest) and add the sensor.

 

[ARD]

I’m sure it works detecting contents and empty. My concern is it knowing levels or when full. My hunch is it could detect 100% when only 40-50%. No way to know unless paired with a secondary system such as SeeLevel. Someone should reach out to the manufacturer and ask about use in a sewage scenario.

No that's what I'm saying. I don't how the gauge works. I understand how the sensor works, but it is very accurate as it moves to 5%, 10%, and so on. I am so happy that I can for the first time I can actually determine how long it takes me to fill the black tank.

 

[ARD]

Newmar is performing my sensor upgrade. They told me the upgrade/retrofit is ONLY approved for the black tank, and they do not offer a retrofit for the gray tank. The gray tank often shows issues, but is not near the problem with a false reading as the black tank is, so I am fine with this solution.

It is AWESOME!

 

[J&JD]

It is AWESOME!

Amazing how knowledge of the black tank fill percentage can make your day??

 

[ARD]

Amazing how knowledge of the black tank fill percentage can make your day??

So true....?

 

[JimBob]

Can I just say Hallelujah! Newmar is done with KIB. As many of you know, I, as many others, have had issues with my black tank sensors reading properly from year 1. I've had new sensors, water pump relocated, new board, software updates, tons of recalibrations to no avail. This past visit to Newmar has taken care of my problem. Newmar unplugged the KIB pad on the tank and installed a a sensor by the gate valve that works by pressure (gravity). The higher the water level, the more pressure you have. It is working so far. No red lights, no showing 100% full when empty. It's the little things! Oh and the floater is still in the tank, so IF you do get a full tank reading when you think it's not full, you can pull the famous yellow wire and if it is still red, you know you are full. ?

Guess I'm not up on the "Famous Yellow wire." Can you enlighten me?

 

[Chuggs]

Guess I'm not up on the "Famous Yellow wire." Can you enlighten me?

I believe it’s the one that disables your macerator toilets, due to FULL holding tank...frustratingly when the tank isn’t necessarily FULL.

 

[NWIP]

Yellow wire removes the signal from the KIB control board indicating tank level is full. Removing yellow wire will allow you to flush toilets when tank level is FALSELY indicating full.

KIB control board is located in bay compartment with shore power cord.

 

[ARD]

Guess I'm not up on the "Famous Yellow wire." Can you enlighten me?

So thanks to "@10 Fan" who helped me out way back when (his photo, btw). This board is located to the right above power reel. The orange wire on the right is Toilet 75%. Next one to the left of orange wire is the smaller yellow wire for toilet 100% and you can pull that wire when your tank is falsely reading 100% so you can use your toilet. The next one to the left is the larger yellow wire which will kill the monitor panel. Hope that helps. ?

 

[ARD]

Yellow wire removes the signal from the KIB control board indicating tank level is full. Removing yellow wire will allow you to flush toilets when tank level is FALSELY indicating full.

KIB control board is located in bay compartment with shore power cord.View attachment 4454

LOL. You are FAST, Bill. I was a typing away when you must have posted. ?

 

[NWIP]

Your picture is better?

 

[JimBob]

So thanks to "@10 Fan" who helped me out way back when (his photo, btw). This board is located to the right above power reel. The orange wire on the right is Toilet 75%. Next one to the left of orange wire is the smaller yellow wire for toilet 100% and you can pull that wire when your tank is falsely reading 100% so you can use your toilet. The next one to the left is the larger yellow wire which will kill the monitor panel. Hope that helps. ?
View attachment 4453

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LOL. You are FAST, Bill. I was a typing away when you must have posted. ?

Thanks for the photos and explanation. I will keep this handy if I have an issue.

 

[Calpop45]

Just emptied my tank and it says 0%. Is this sad that this makes me so happy? ?

View attachment 3723

ARD: I have received this setup from Newmar, but without installation instructions. Would you take a pic of the connection to the existing black pipe showing how it is done? Any info you can provide before I drill a hole is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[ARD]

ARD: I have received this setup from Newmar, but without installation instructions. Would you take a pic of the connection to the existing black pipe showing how it is done? Any info you can provide before I drill a hole is appreciated! Thanks!

Sorry @Calpop45 that I haven't responded sooner. Been traveling a lot of one nighters. I'll take another photo backing away a little farther so you can see location. I'm sorry I don't have any information on how to do this modification. The techs did tell me that they lowered one side of coach to do the job. I'm guessing they manually dumped the drivers side of coach so it would be a less messy job. ?

 

[Blackcloud]

August 2021 I had the new pressure sensitive sensor installed on my 2018 Dutch Star. First time out it failed. 50%=100%. I tried recalibration with no luck. Then it quit reading altogether. I shut down all power to the coach. When I turned power back on I had readings but they were inaccurate. Does anyone know where I can start trouble shooting?

 

[NWIP]

When you say it quit working, can you elaborate? Just wondering if your experience is like mine

I have had and still have issues with mine, worked great for about 6 months then the LCD screen locked up and I could do anything. Removed power from monitor and I then got control again but tank was no longer calibrated (tank empty=0%, one flush of toilet=50% but would then take 2 days to get to +75%). I had it looked at in Sep at Newmar Service Center and they said they just did factory reset and recalibrated. I asked for procedure in case it happened again and they said they could provide it to me.

Shortly after leaving Nappanee screen locked up again and removed power from monitor and was back to square one. I just had Newmar techs at Tampa RV Show do factory reset again, thinking I would do the zero/full calibration and be good. Not so much, now it reads zero all the time. I am looking at getting a mobile tech to come out.