Black Water Tank Reading 75% Full

[mikemcguffin]

I have a 2022 Bavaria CR34. Last week the black water tank was reading 75% full so we pumped it out, no problem. When we returned to the boat this weekend the control panel was still showing that the tank is 75% full. I admit to being a new sailor so the solution may be obvious. Any suggestions.

Mike

 

[dlochner]

Welcome to SBO.

What kind of sensor does the tank have, an internal sensor or external? If it is an internal sensor that relies on a float, the problem is likely do to crap on the float that impedes movement. The solution is to remove and clean the sensor. A fun task to be certain.

 

[jssailem]

Welcome to SBO and congrats on your new boat.
When you bough the boat did you notice any thing unusual regarding the gauge? As newa s the boat is you may wish to contact the broker/distributor.

As Dave suggests it may just be effluent blocking the float. They make several types of floats and sensors. You may be able to find info on the sensor from the broker or the manual.

When you emptied the tank, by chance did you try to rinse the tank with water, then suck it out a second or third time. When I am going to be away from the boat, I give the tank a good rinse by running water into the deck access then sucking it out till it runs clean.

As a check, since you likely will be heading back to the pump out to be sure it is empty, have a crew member step into the head and check the reading after you have extracted all of the effluent. Just to give the gauge a check to see that it is empty.

If empty and it seems to fill again on it's own... Questions about your toilet might be next to examine.

 

[dLj]

Black water gages are notoriously inaccurate. Both previous posts are good. You may find.the gage works sometimes and not others. I've had ones that i simply stopped looking at and learned how to know when the tank needed cleaning through the way the system behaved.

dj

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I didn't think any new quality boats still used interior holding tank sensors. If yours has an interior sensor, have it changed to an exterior one or you'll be removing and cleaning it on a monthly basis.

 

[jviss]

I have a 2022 Bavaria CR34. Last week the black water tank was reading 75% full so we pumped it out, no problem. When we returned to the boat this weekend the control panel was still showing that the tank is 75% full. I admit to being a new sailor so the solution may be obvious. Any suggestions.

Mike

One missing piece of info is, when it reads 75% full, is it really 75% full? You can usually tell when pumping it out how much comes out.

Also, what's the plumbing setup? Is there a Y-valve, an overboard discharge seacock, etc.?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

What is the brand name of your tank level monitor, Mike? You should be able to find it on the panel.

And btw, kids...it's not waste buildup that clogs sensors....it's the animal fats IN all waste that builds up on internal sensors and tank walls. Water alone won't remove it....that requires a strong solution of detergent (Dawn will do) and water and a bit of manual labor 2-3x/yr using a scrub brush on the sensors.

Or you can replace the tank monitor that uses internal sensors with one that us sensors attached to the outside of the tank. SCAD monitors Scad Tank Monitors are top rated and reasonably priced.

--Peggie

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Or you can replace the tank monitor that uses internal sensors with one that us sensors attached to the outside of the tank. SCAD monitors Scad Tank Monitors are top rated and reasonably priced.

--Peggie

I installed the Scad TM1 and am really happy with it; however, I found the calibration instructions very confusing. I'm not sure if I did it correctly or not. But right now, my tank is absolutely full when the light hits the very top of the arc. I assume that would correctly indicate just "half full" but I find it just as fitting to know that the top of the arc is full. I don't need to know in "eighths" of full. I'm comfortable in reaching out to the pump-out boat when I'm 3/4 full (the first light just before the top of arc).

 

[jviss]

I wonder if the O.P, Mike McGuffin @mikemcguffin , will ever come back to this thread, or even to this forum. Note that his last name is the same as the name of a plot device in fiction, which is a thing that sets the plot in motion but it ultimately unimportant to the story, like the Maltese Falcon, Holy Grail, etc. Maybe someone just posted this to cause a discussion.

 

[dlochner]

I wonder if the O.P, Mike McGuffin @mikemcguffin , will ever come back to this thread, or even to this forum. Note that his last name is the same as the name of a plot device in fiction, which is a thing that sets the plot in motion but it ultimately unimportant to the story, like the Maltese Falcon, Holy Grail, etc. Maybe someone just posted this to cause a discussion.

He was here only last night. He might well have a real job or have something else to occupy his time besides checking the sailing forums. Let's give him some time.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Scott said: I installed the Scad TM1 and am really happy with it; however, I found the calibration instructions very confusing. I'm not sure if I did it correctly or not.

I'd give SCAD a call to talk with 'em about it. 36-793-2003


--Peggie

 

[FastOlson]

I have a 2022 Bavaria CR34.

This is, for all intents and purposes, an almost new boat. Refer to the manual for the systems on the boat. Ask your dealer or even the factory for pointers. CRUISER 34 Highlights | BAVARIA YACHTS
This is a $200K -plus vessel. (!)
Asking strangers on the internet for help should not be the first step for information on a current production vessel, IMHO.
Help you - we will try, but you need to talk to the factory or their rep, for that kind of monetary outlay. They owe you...

 

[Andrew of Oracle]

I have the same problem on my 2022 Bavaria 37 , it is a conductive probe gauge and will reset after the tank is flushed multiple times, the main problem for me is the flashing indicator light prevents me from checking battery levels etc. does anyone know if there is a way of turning the indicator off besides disconnecting it ?