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Gray tank auto switch continues to blink

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romstead

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Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« on: April 19, 2019, 11:03:08 pm »
Newbie here, The Grey tank auto electric valve switch keeps blinking after I close the valve, I have opened and closed it several times and the blinking light remains on and blinking. I think the valve is close but I am not sure. any ideas what to do?
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keelhauler

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2019, 08:25:48 am »
It may be stuck partially open.
These valves get sticky with things you run through them. Thetford sells valve lubricants.
To really see, you need to remove the actuator and manually open-close the  valve.

But it could be debris that got stuck. Fill using flush system and try again.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2019, 08:28:45 am by keelhauler »



John

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2019, 09:12:20 am »
Ours was doing the same thing when we got it, but the actuator wasn't actually working, so I disconnected the wire and now manually operate the valve when needed as it is easy to reach on a 2551.
Dougn
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romstead

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2019, 10:38:39 am »
Ok thanks, I will try the flush and drain and get some lubricant to see if that works., Another newbie question. How long can you boondock with sized of the onboard water and dump tanks? I understand a lot depends on how much water you use and use the bathroom but I am trying to get feel for the timelines most folks have experienced. At this point, I am thinking we will only get 3-4 days of boondocking. Your thoughts?
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TNcanuck

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2019, 11:21:03 am »
Our experience has been about 3 days before needing to dump the gray tank. At only 23 gallons, that’s the limiting factor. We have not had an issue with fresh water or black tank capacity. However we are fairly new to all this so learning from the veterans would really help us all.
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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2019, 11:32:28 am »
We can go 5 without any problem in a 2350 - with the 2552 you can probably do better - take Navy showers!!!
Jack

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TNcanuck

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2019, 11:59:51 am »
We can go 5 without any problem in a 2350 - with the 2552 you can probably do better - take Navy showers!!!
Jack


Wow, 5 days. We have our work cut out for us!
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keelhauler

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2019, 12:13:27 pm »
Quote
Our experience has been about 3 days before needing to dump the gray tank. At only 23 gallons, that’s the limiting factor. We have not had an issue with fresh water or black tank capacity.
That is my experience with our 2552 also, 3-4 days
We take NO showers inside and try to use as little water doing dishes as we can. I carry a 50' - 3/4" hose and use macerator to dump the grey tank if we can reach a good place to dump. We also dump the grey into the black tank when we can't dump.



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romstead

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2019, 10:30:17 pm »
Ok, thanks so much for the great info. I'm thinking 3 or 4 days for us newbies for boondocking..

On the blinking light front. The grey tank Blinking light went out after I did multiple flushes and dumps and then I just tapped the manual grey tank valve with my hand (cheer) and it stopped blinking  tymote
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2019, 07:10:38 am »
Hi Rob,

Just like with our 2350, your grey water tank is the smaller of the two.  Some boondocking conditions allow the grey water to be dumped on-site in the adjacent brush.  Check before doing so.  If you can do that, along with adding clean water into your fresh water tank, you can easily double that 3-days to 6.  If we can't camp-site dump our grey water along with adding fresh water, it's typically 3 days for us, ideal for an extended weekend get-away.  That considers one shower each for my wife and I.

The 23 gallon grey water tank fills up quickly for obvious reasons.  When ours is full, I open the grey valve and flood the pipes, then when the gurgling sound is gone, I open the black valve and flood the black tank with grey water.  Doing so helps get our 3 days.  Flooding the black tank with grey soapy water also helps to clean it out better when it's time to dump.  That process came recommended by Phoenix during our walk-through when picking up our new PC at the factory back in 2007.

Remember, the mixing of grey water into the black tank "MUST" be done in the order I described.  You do NOT want to open the black tank valve first to keep the nastiest stuff inside that tank.  Bad black in the grey tank is a bad thing when the grey tank backs up into the shower pan.  Get the idea?

Ron Dittmer

PS:  I am glad you got your grey tank valve working properly again.
« Last Edit: April 21, 2019, 07:16:11 am by Ron Dittmer »
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bftownes

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2019, 07:14:13 am »
Ok, thanks so much for the great info. I'm thinking 3 or 4 days for us newbies for boondocking..

On the blinking light front. The grey tank Blinking light went out after I did multiple flushes and dumps and then I just tapped the manual grey tank valve with my hand (cheer) and it stopped blinking  tymote

I can appreciate your situation when dealing with a new system.  When I picked up my 3100, I stayed in Elkhart RV park for several days for a shake down.  I was trying to figure out how to dump the the tanks should the electric gates fail.  I looked and saw a valve, so I pulled it out (I was hooked up to the sewer).  I didnt realize it was operated by the electrical system.  I pushed it back in slowly, but the light continued to blink, just like yours.  I took it back to the factory and they just pushed it in and the light went out.  Glad you got your problem resolved.

I have had RV's for over 30 years, but when something is new and different it seems we all are on "pins and needles" until we become familiar with the different systems.

I am lucky to get 3 days on the gray tank, but that is with only me taking a Navy shower.  My wife is retired Navy Nurse Corps, but does not like Navy showers.  Danged officers!   roflol
Depending on the days activity, I am good with baby wipes, occasionally.  We have not yet boondocked.

Cheers  :)(:

Barry T

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TNcanuck

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #11 on: April 21, 2019, 09:53:40 am »
Good information on how to flood the black tank with gray water.

We try to extend the capacity of the gray tank by taking navy showers as well. Also we have a plastic basin that fits in the kitchen sink and we wash dishes in it. The dishwater is then poured down the toilet so it goes in the back tank. Recently I watched a video and their tip was when turning on the shower to get the hot water flowing, catch that water in a pot so it doesn’t just go down the drain. That water can then be heated for washing dishes. A good way to manage the gray tank and conserve water at the same time.
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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #12 on: April 22, 2019, 05:21:26 am »


Remember, the mixing of grey water into the black tank "MUST" be done in the order I described.  You do NOT want to open the black tank valve first to keep the nastiest stuff inside that tank.  Bad black in the grey tank is a bad thing when the grey tank backs up into the shower pan.  Get the idea?


I have to remove the valves to find out why the black valve does not shut completely. Multiple flushes did not cure it.  >(  Believe you me - You do NOT want black water in the grey tank. Many odors.  Not sure what happened, but the valve didnt close this last trip. No flashing light to indicate a problem!
""You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6""  Forum Member Joseph


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keelhauler

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2019, 08:56:48 am »
If the valve is really sticky, the round plastic gear inside the actuator motor assembly will break in half. Then the actuator will not move the valve at all but may indicate that it is open or closed.

Remove the actuator, try valve manually to see if it is very hard to move.
Try the actuator to see if it moves at all while stilled wired in but not connected/
If not:
You will have to disconnect the 4 wires going to the actuator
Then, pry open the actuator so you can see the little gear that moves the lever back & forth. See if it broken.
I'm not sure if you can buy just this gear, you can buy the whole actuator.
You may be able to SuperGlue the gear back together but don't reinstall until you get this valve free and working again.

Let us know what you find and did to fix.



John

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romstead

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Re: Gray tank auto switch continues to blink
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2019, 02:51:15 pm »
Ok more Newbie questions on the Manual Pull Dump Vales, Do you have to disconnect the actuator motor wires first before you pull the handle to manual dump? If so how are the wires connected Is it difficult to remove the wires? Or can you just pull on the Drump handles without pulling the actuator motors wires without damaging the internal components of the actuator gears also a great tip on how to move the grey water in the black tank.. Thanks
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