First jaunt and overflowing already...

Joined
Nov 22, 2024
Posts
50
Likes collected
96
Location
Scotland
Funster No
108,052
MH
Swift Rio 320
Exp
New
Well we have lost our virginity and are on a jaunt to Melrose. All is well. Toasty. Heating and hot water all operating as they should. We have done our dishes. Tested the shower for 20 secs. Washed hands ×2 . Now getting an alarming beeping sound to let us know our waste water is full.
Can this be true ?
Swift rio 320. 2015
Not even had a shower yet......
 
Once used, the waste tank sensors are very susceptible to getting gunged up with residue that is conducive and can give a false alarm.
If you know it was empty when you started and haven’t used much fresh water, you can be fairly certain that you can ignore and mute the warning.
 
20 seconds testing the shower. I probably don't run it for much more having a shower. Washing up if you do it like at home will probably use more water than necessary too.
Saving water becomes second nature, for instance don't run the hot water to waste until its hot and then have to run cold because its too hot. If hand washing don't run the water unless your hands are actually under it.
 
Once used, the waste tank sensors are very susceptible to getting gunged up with residue that is conducive and can give a false alarm.
If you know it was empty when you started and haven’t used much fresh water, you can be fairly certain that you can ignore and mute the warning.
Thanks. Is there a way you can get in.to clean the sensors ?
 
Thanks. Is there a way you can get in.to clean the sensors ?
Usually four screws holding it in place on top of your waste tank. Or just disconnect until home.

If you started with an empty waste tank you will have enough room for whatever is in you freshwater tank.

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Usually four screws holding it in place on top of your waste tank. Or just disconnect until home.

If you started with an empty waste tank you will have enough room for whatever is in you freshwater tank.
Thanks so much. Very reassuring for us - the least intrepid travellers of all time. . :giggle:
 
You can use Thetford grey water tank cleaner fluid, which will clean the sensors as you're driving around (you'll need to have some water in the tank as well).
 
First things first... do your tanks have access caps to see exactly how much waste/ fresh water is in them?
 
First things first... do your tanks have access caps to see exactly how much waste/ fresh water is in them?
That's what I was just going to ask.

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Just turn off the tank alarms if you can, you'll soon get used to how long you can go before the waste tank is likely near full.

I've tried tank cleaners to little avail. When I clean the fresh water system to kill any bacteria I run most of it into the waste tank afterwards and leave for 24hrs before draining. At the end of each trip I'll empty before driving home, but run any fresh into waste tank up to about 1/4 to slosh about then drain on driveway. Helps, but waste guage is still unreliable.
 
I remember driving up through Spain in freezing conditions and a drop of water must have frozen on the sensor in our first IH. Nearly drove us mad until Nick managed to work out how to turn the beep off. Oh the relief. We were on our way back to the ferry so needed our sleep.
 
Bung in 1 kg of food grade citric acid, plus water and let it do it job, as it’ll also descale as well, its been keeping my fresh and grey tanks clean for many years 👍🏻
Thanks. Will do. Might also sort out my bath.....

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Thanks. Is there a way you can get in.to clean the sensors ?
Usually no access unless it has a large drain cap underneath. There are various cleaning options that can be added with water and have a drive around to clean the sensor tips.
In my experience, results are limited and I tend to disable the alarm and work out from the fresh use an appropriate level of waste
 
My 2014 Swift waste tank is just behind my spare wheel. I can get to it without raising the vehicle. I don't know the Rio but expect the electrics will be similar, you'll just have to find your tank!

1000039372.webp

The connector!


1000039373.webp

The four screws which keep the sensor in.

I didn't take a picture but at the bottom of the tank there is a large cap which you can unscrew.
 
On my Autotrail, both fresh and grey water tanks have 150mm diameter screw caps on the underside that allows access to the sensors. I periodically spray them with white wine vinegar, wait a bit and then wipe the sensors with scotchbrite.

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If you started with an empty waste tank you will have enough room for whatever is in you freshwater tank.
Actually, on a Rio 320, that's not true. The fresh tank holds at least 20L (possibly 30L, I'm not at home so can't check) more than the waste tank which isn't a problem if you drink water from your tank (** ducks ** to avoid abuse from the "I only drink bottled water brigade") because not all the fresh goes down the waste pipe, some of it gets diverted through your personal waste pipe, but we do usually fill the waste tank before the fresh needs filling. It's not a huge problem, you just factor it in. I've learned to read the waste guage with a pinch of salt on our Rio 320, but also to empty it whenever I'm passing over or by a suitable drain. I've put electric valves on the drain pipes so I can just drive over, open the valve, drain, close, drive off again without moving from my seat!!!!!
 
If dirty water appears out of the shower plughole it's certain the tank is full ......foolproof.
In my Rio 320, when the waste tank is full, it overflows out of the tank onto the ground and doesn't come back up through the system, you can hear it dribbling . Kind of convenient really....
 
Ours does this all the time, it's an Autcruise, but it's a swift basically. I've been into the tank and had the sensors out, there are 2 for half full and full. Half full is always on even when empty. Full goes off at the slightest sign of grime. I've tried the cola trick, the bio washing & tank cleaners but doesn't do much. I've got used to it now, sensors are £25 each if you can find them but I'm not that bothered now.
 
My 2014 Swift waste tank is just behind my spare wheel. I can get to it without raising the vehicle. I don't know the Rio but expect the electrics will be similar, you'll just have to find your tank!

View attachment 1007589
The connector!


View attachment 1007590
The four screws which keep the sensor in.

I didn't take a picture but at the bottom of the tank there is a large cap which you can unscrew.
Thanks for the detail. Really helps to see the pics.

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Actually, on a Rio 320, that's not true. The fresh tank holds at least 20L (possibly 30L, I'm not at home so can't check) more than the waste tank which isn't a problem if you drink water from your tank (** ducks ** to avoid abuse from the "I only drink bottled water brigade") because not all the fresh goes down the waste pipe, some of it gets diverted through your personal waste pipe, but we do usually fill the waste tank before the fresh needs filling. It's not a huge problem, you just factor it in. I've learned to read the waste guage with a pinch of salt on our Rio 320, but also to empty it whenever I'm passing over or by a suitable drain. I've put electric valves on the drain pipes so I can just drive over, open the valve, drain, close, drive off again without moving from my seat!!!!!
Ooh. Fatmrgs eyes just lit up at the prospect of electric valves..
 
It's hard to get under enough to see as every time I get down the dug attempts to dry hump me while chewing my fake fur hood. I will have a better look once we get home.
Just fake an orgasm.🤣🤣

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