Wiring your RV holding tanks is a necessary evil. You have to do it, but it’s not always fun. However, following are simple steps can make the process much easier – and even a bit fun!
Here, will walk you through basics of wiring your RV holding tanks. We’ll also provide a handy wiring diagram to help make the process as easy as possible.
Contents
How Do You Wire An RV Holding Tank Sensor?
Assuming your RV has a black water holding tank, you will need to wire the sensor to the 12-volt DC power supply in your RV. Most RVs have a power supply panel somewhere near the holding tanks. Once you have located the panel, use a voltmeter to test the DC voltage output. It should read between 11 and 14 volts. If it does not, you will need to troubleshoot the RV’s electrical system before proceeding.
Assuming there is power at the panel, use a drill to make a small hole in the panel. Run the sensor wire through the hole and strip 1/2 inch of insulation from the end of the wire. Use the Philips head screwdriver to loosen screw on the side of the power supply terminal. Insert bare end of wire into the terminal and tighten the screw.
Repeat this process for the other end of the sensor wire. If necessary, you may need to use wire strippers and butt connectors to splice additional length onto the sensor wire.
Once both ends of the sensor wire are attached to a power source, test the system by flushing your black water holding tank. The sensor should trigger an alarm when waste levels reach approximately 2/3 full. If it does not, check all connections and ensure that there is power at the panel. If you still have trouble, consult your RV’s owner’s manual or a certified RV technician for assistance.
How Do RV Water Tank Level Sensors Work?
RV water tank level sensors are installed on the side of the RV holding tanks. The sensors form a low-wattage open circuit. As long as no liquid or something else completes the circuit from the inside, it stays open.
Along comes liquid levels above each sensor, and that liquid completes that circuit, lighting up the corresponding LED on the panel. If your RV has 4 holding tanks, you will have 4 different LED lights for each tank. The illuminated LED displays the level of liquid in your holding tank.
For example, if the first LED lights up, then it means that the first holding tank is 1/4 full. If the second LED lights up, it means that the second holding tank is 1/2 full, and so on. Using these RV water tank level sensors, you can easily see how much water is in each holding tank without manually checking them. This makes it very convenient and helps you to avoid running out of water while on the road.
How Do You Fix An RV Holding Tank Sensor?
RV holding tank sensors are an important part of any RV and are used to indicate the level of waste in the tank. While these sensors are designed to be durable, they can occasionally break or become inaccurate.
When this happens, it’s important to know how to fix the problem. Several ways are there to fix a broken or faulty RV holding tank sensor. The first way is to replace the sensor simply. It is a straightforward way to fix the problem, but it can be expensive. Another way to fix the problem is to clean the sensor.
It can be done by using a small brush or cotton swab to remove any debris that may be blocking the sensor. Finally, you can recalibrate the sensor. This involves resetting the sensor so that it produces an accurate reading. While it may take some trial and error, recalibrating the sensor is often the best way to fix problem without spending any money.
Where Are Sensors Located In RV Holding Tanks?
The holding tanks of an RV typically have sensors installed in several places. These sensors are used to help determine how full the tank is and when it needs to be emptied. In most cases, the sensors are located inside the tank, but some models have sensors mounted on the exterior. The sensors are typically situated in several places on the wall of your tank to indicate holding tank levels by thirds or by quarters.
This helps you to know when the tank is getting full so that you can empty it before it becomes overloaded. Knowing where the sensors are located on your RV holding tanks can help you better maintain your RV and avoid any problems from overloading the tanks.
Can I Put Dawn In My RV Black Tank?
Many people ask the question that, can I put Dawn in my RV black tank? The answer is yes, you can. One of the good parts about using Dawn dish soap in black tanks is that it’s an environmentally-friendly soap. It doesn’t contain phosphates and can be easily broken down by bacteria. It means that it’s a safe and biodegradable soap to use, even if you’re cleaning/dumping your tank in a strict or natural environment.
So, the next time you need to clean your RV black tank, don’t hesitate to reach for some Dawn dish soap. It will get the job done safely, and quickly.
Why Are My RV Tank Sensors Not Working?
If you have an RV, then you know that the tank sensors are important. They help you to know when the tanks are getting full and need to be emptied. However, sometimes the sensors stop working correctly. This problem is usually fixed by cleaning the debris off the sensors.
This cleaning process varies between black tanks and gray tanks, but if you’ve applied our recommended cleaning techniques a few times and your sensors still don’t read correctly, there is a good chance they are broken and need to be replaced.
Replacing the sensors is not difficult, but a qualified RV technician should do it.
The Bottom Line
RV holding tanks can be a bit of a mystery, but with the help of this wiring diagram, you should be able to troubleshoot any issues that come up. We hope you found this post helpful and that it answered all of your questions about RV holding tank wiring diagrams. If not, feel free to leave us a comment below, and we’ll do our best to help.
