Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Janey on October 22, 2017, 01:43:33 pm
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The light on the valve for the black tank continues to blink even after you can hear the valve close. Suggestions needed.
Janey. (Restless in michigan)
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Don't know if it will be a fix but I would suggest putting several gallons of water in the black tank and dump with the manual dump system. Theory being if something is jammed in the valve, the rush of water would wash it away. Just guessing.
Larry
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My actuator black tank valve got sluggish a year ago. But I did as swiftboot Larry is suggesting and the valve has been working as it should this year. It has me thinking that Larry might have a good tip for you to try. Fill your black tank to the tippy top (preferably with hot water) and then let it drain with a rush while opening and closing the tank valve until the water stops coming out. Then it might close better, hopfully solving your LED blinking problem.
Ron Dittmer
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Mine has been blinking for little over year. Did the fill drain several times, corrected for awhile but started back. Valve doesn't seem to be closing. Adjusted valve lever couple times and that corrected for awhile. Now back to blinking again. I would agree with other posts for you to try filling and dumping. Most problems caused by toilet paper
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Like lmichael, I think that lodged toilet paper might be the cause.
This time of year when the RV season for us is wrapped up, I add a 1/4 gallon of bleach into the black & gray tanks via sinks and toilet and fill with warm water to the top, then let soak for an hour or so, half the time with the tank valves open and then closed. The bleach & warm water solution loosens contaminants throughout and also destroys odors. I follow up with a full tank of fresh water because bleach will do harm if left for extended periods. I do it primarily because our PC is parked inside our garage, located under our master bedroom. I can't afford to have sewer gas. Other benefits include accurate tank sensors, clean traps, bleached white sinks & toilet. That process is work but worth it for us.
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If the flushing doesn’t work, then Check the wiring to the light and the tank’s valve. It could be a lose ground.
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None of the above. The light flashes when the mechanism inside the motorized add-on to the valve doesn't fully seat.
There could be several reasons:
1. The valve didn't in fact fully close, some debris is caught in the valve seat stopping it from seating.
2. The valve arm is not properly adjusted (attachment between motor unit and valve stem is mis-set or loose).
3. The switch inside the motorized unit is defective; however, it's a simple off/on mechanism with a normally closed switch. You release the lever... Power applied to light, you press on the lever.. The switch opens and no power to the light. Thus, if the lever breaks, the light will always blink.
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I had the same issue with the blinking light and the issue in my case was a dirty/corroded contact within the housing of the gate valve. I removed the gate valve disassembled the housing and cleaned the contact thoroughly reassembled and since then the light no longer blinks.
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My solution was to have the lights disconnected last time I visited the factory. ;)
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Told you I was guessing..... :-D
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This is one of those on-again,off-again problems. The first thing I do is push the gate valve handle. That sometimes works if there is a tiny bit of toilet paper. Next is Calgon Bath Oil Beads in the black tank. This lubricates the valve. At home the massive flush is ok but more useful to clear a level sensor. A more aggressive approach is to open the manual valve and directly scrub is the innards of the clogged valve with a toilet bowl brush on a long pole.
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Could also be mineral build up. There is another thread on the forum about using a vinegar flush to clean mineral scale from the water system.
I do a major rinse (much like Ron) only using dish washer soap which is not as damaging as bleach and dissolves caked on "stuff." Fill the gray and black tanks about 3/4 full of hot water, put about a 1/3 cup of dishwasher detergent and a squirt of Dawn grease cutting dish soap in each. Drive around for a bit to get the sloshing action going, then drain.
Good luck.
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Donc13 is on the right track, while your issue may be debris building up that prevents the gate valve from closing completely and shutting the light off. My bet is your trouble is in the box itself. A lot of moisture in that area and water and power do not mix well. I would spray inside the box with electrode cleaner or other spray and work the switch back and forth. Still do your flush routine for sure, and adjust the handle push rod to make sure enough pressure is being placed on the valve to close it completely. best of luck
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How do you get the Auto Drain apart to gain access to the switch? There don't seem to be any screws holding the case together. Also if you are going to adjust the connection between the Auto Drain and the dump valve, be sure to read the Auto Drain user's guide for proper set up.