Has anyone ever overflowed their black tank?

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angle77
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Last seen: 2 years 2 months ago
Joined: 07/07/2020 - 11:30
Has anyone ever overflowed their black tank?

What happens when you do?  How can you tell the level in the black tank?  We had a leak of what we think is black water (based on smell) that showed up in the morning as a small puddle under the furnace on a 2021 16'.  Upon investigation, the water was coming from under the bath liner, across the sub-floor under the furnace and neighboring storage compartment and dripping down to the aisle floor level.  Scamp says we could have overflowed black tank and caused leak from black tank vent pipe, since it happened twice, both on the fourth day of camping.  Does the toilet act strange when when black tank is full?  How do you know when its getting close?  I assumed the toilet contents just wouldn't flush anymore.  Is that wrong?

salukispeed
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Last seen: 1 year 6 months ago
Joined: 08/20/2018 - 13:45
visible

On our 2019 13 foot with the same bath  the level in the black tank can be seen by looking in the hole where it flushes but a less smelly Gross method is a bright flash light shining thru the top  surface and a little wiggle of the trailer shows where the dark and light are. two people 4 days, nights would likely be full  for sure for us.  The pedestal is the tank and is not large at all and The plastic tank is not perfectly opaque and enough light shines thru to see the level.  But there is no warning you are full!

2019 Scamp 13 standard

RamRod
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Last seen: 6 months 1 week ago
Joined: 01/26/2016 - 22:01
Yes, two weeks ago!

We are seldom anywhere for more than 3-4 nights and we never had this problem before.  This time we were in the same place for two weeks and we "discovered" the very same problem!  I have tried the flashlight trick on both the toilet and the fresh water tank and found that with the toilet it's not entirely reliable.  I am looking at adding a Dometic level sensor to the black water tank to get some warning for next time.  The sensor is about $15 on Amazon and is made for the smaller portable drainage tanks (that we should have used a little earlier).  I will have to add a standard 3/4" male hose piece for the sensor to screw onto.  I think I can epoxy one that can be found at WalMart or the other big-box stores.  Note that this hasn't been done yet, but if it keeps the mess away then it will be done before our next outing next April.

Paul O.
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Last seen: 1 week 5 days ago
Joined: 01/19/2014 - 13:05
I use the flashlight method

I use the flashlight method on the black water tank, quickly opening the hole and shining the light down. (Close the door and open the window to let any smell out after.) We don't seem to stay longer than four days in one place, so that works well.

To see the fresh water tank level, I replaced part of the cover under the right side cushion with a piece of thick (3/8 inch, about) lexan. I save anything that might come handy in the future, by the way. Then I use a flash light to look in there and estimate the fraction of the fresh water still there. I only need to lift the corner of the cushion, so the person sitting there does not even have to get up. 

-Paul
2004 Scamp 19 Deluxe,
2021 Tacoma, Double Cab, 6 cyl. 4WD
Colorado

markjazzbassist
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Last seen: 9 months 2 weeks ago
Joined: 12/14/2020 - 15:56
we bought a honey pot which

we bought a honey pot which is a portable tank, ours is 15 gallon Rhino make.  We empty our tank when it's close, and this tank you attached to your hitch, drive to the dump station, dump, and come back.  you never have to move your trailer.  also makes long stays viable.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DN8X8M6/ref=twister_B0956RH9HG?_encoding=UT...

1987 Scamp 16