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RV Tanks

Tanks are an integral part of your RV life. Unless you’re the ultimate boondocker and have a human-powered pedal cart RV, you have tanks helping you get from point A to point B. Tanks surround your engine, hold your fuel, and supply your important systems. From black to potable water, RecPro has you and all of your tank needs covered.

FRESHWATER

Our freshwater tanks and support systems are some of the best in the industry. Our tanks come in standard sizes and custom sizes. Whether you’re trying to outfit a food truck, concession stand, or your class A pusher, we can help you find what you need.

GRAY WATER

With government agencies closely regulating all of the activity that surrounds the restaurant industry, you want to make sure that you have the proper gray water tanks in place. For the health of your customers, and so you can pass inspection, a proper gray water tank for your food truck, concession trailer, or food stand.

BLACKWATER

Blackwater is a part of your everyday life in the RV. Making it, draining it, cleaning it up, and keeping it contained. It’s a messy subject, but one that no RV owner can get away from. Instead of ignoring the issue, let your friends at RecPro help you manage your holding tank considerations.

ACCESSORIES

A tank is only a large plastic container until you plumb it and integrate it into your system. To do that you need the right parts. From fittings kits (fresh and black water) to harnesses, probes, and gauges, RecPro has the right gear for you to outfit your tank correctly.

 

HARNESSES -

Welcome to the RecPro tank wiring harness system. Our sets of harnesses and electronic gauges can be used to monitor your fresh, grey, and black water tanks as well as control pump, water heater, and LP tank operation. By following these simple installation instructions, you will have the ability to complete this project on your own*.

TOOLS REQUIRED:

  • Wire stripping tool
  • Wire cutters
  • 3/8” Crescent/adjustable wrench
  • Power drill (with a fully charged battery)
  • 3/8” Drill bit
  • Electrical tape
  • Wire splice(s)
  • Ring terminal connectors
  • Crimping tool**
  • 12V Multimeter with leads
  • Tape measure
  • Proper PPE – Safety glasses, gloves, ear protection
  • Deburring tool
  • Marker
  • Garden hose

After you have assembled all the proper tools, you will need to find a large, clean, work surface to prepare your tank(s).

MARKING YOUR TANKS:

The first, and most important, step in this process is marking your tanks for sensor placement. You must follow the diagrams exactly, or the sensors could potentially provide false readings. There are separate diagrams for each of the tanks (which you will find at the end of this instruction sheet.) When marking your tanks remember:

1. Use a dark marker for clear white tanks (fresh and grey water) and a white or yellow marker for dark (black water) holding tanks. 

2. When measuring out the locations for your probes make clear ½” diameter dots where the probes will be placed. Measure twice to make sure you have the proper placement. The leads must be a minimum of 10” from the ground sensor. You will mark locations for:

             A. Full

             B. ½ Full

             C. Empty

             D. Ground

             E. Freshwater (or other) lead sensor (you can also attach the red wire from the harness to your

                 lead line.)

             F. Hub location (you will NOT drill a hole here)

3.   Once the areas are marked***, use the 3/8” drill bit and drill to put holes in the tank where your marks have been made (where probes will be placed.)

4. Use the deburring tool to clean any burrs off the holes inside and out.

PREPPING YOUR TANKS:

Whether you are installing a fresh, grey, or black water tank, the same preparation procedure should be followed. This will ensure that your tank is clear of debris and ready for use:

1. In an outdoor area or indoor area with excellent floor drainage, remove all the drain plugs (if applicable) and…

2. Use a hose to flush tanks thoroughly. Repeat this step a minimum of two times.

3. Tip tank up on edge to drain and allow to dry completely.

 

INSTALLING YOUR PROBES:

STANDARD PROBE SET -

After making sure the holes are free of debris (and flushing the tank) place the probe (button-end facing the inside of the tank) in the hole and insert the sensor. The rubber grommet may give some resistance so you may need to use a bit of force to push the probe into the hole. 

DO NOT use a hammer or other blunt object to hammer the probes into the holes. You may damage the probe, the tank wall, and the threading on the bolt may get damaged making it impossible to remove and replace the 3/8” nut. 

DO NOT use dish soap or another high (or low) viscosity fluids on the sensor body to help it slide into the tank wall. Unlike the black water fittings kit by RecPro (which uses soapy water to install the grommets) any fluid could potentially cause the sensor to seat improperly.

DO NOT, after attaching leads (see below), overtighten the 3/8” nut on the bolt. This could damage the sensor, create an improper seal, and damage the lead.

HOODED BLACK/GRAY WATER PROBES –

1.  Measure and mark holes on the tank for empty, 1/2 full, and full (keeping each probe 10" minimum from the pigtail hub)

2.  Use 3/8" drill bit to drill out sensor holes; clean off burrs with a deburring tool.

3.  Insert the plastic end of the sensor inside of the hole and push until the grommet flange is flush against the tank wall.

4.  Make sure flat "milled" tip of bolt stays facing down.  This will make sure the "hood" of the sensor is up to keep any solid matter off the probe.

5.  Tighten inside 3/8" nut to seal sensor to the tank wall.  Do not over-tighten.

6.  Remove outer 3/8" nut, attach sensors (orange - full, green - 1/2 full, yellow-empty, white-ground) and replace outer nut.

 

ATTACHING THE WIRING HARNESS:

Once you have placed your probes (according to the provided diagram) remove the 3/8” nut from each probe. We are going to use the freshwater set-up as the installation example:

SENSOR BUNDLE TO THE GAUGE:

Attaching the wire harness to the KIB gauge is quite simple. The color-coded wires connect to their corresponding tanks:

  • Wire #1: Blue Wire to Fresh Water Tank
  • Wire #2: Brown Wire to Holding Tank
  • Wire #3: Gray Wire to Gray Water Tank
  • Wire #4: Violet Wire to Pump (switch)
  • Wire #5: Red Wire (large) to Power Source

If you find that you do not have use for a wire, please DO NOT leave the cable exposed and hanging. Cap the exposed metal with a wire nut and wrap it with black electrical tape.

*IF YOU, FOR ANY REASON, HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE INSTALLATION OF THIS SYSTEM, OR ABOUT HOOKING UP THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, PLEASE CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN, RV SHOP, OR CONTRACTOR EXPERIENCED WITH THESE TYPES OF IMPLEMENTATIONS. *

**Most wire stripping tools come with a crimping tool on the plier’s head. **

***It is imperative that you measure accurately where your probes will be placed. If you place any of them incorrectly, there is not a convenient or stable way to fill holes of this size if you make a mistake. You will have to purchase a new tank. ***

****You will need extra wire. Unless you are mounting the gauge directly above the tanks, you will need to buy additional cable. It would be best, for future repairs or replacement, to use the same colored wire or use wire tape and color code the wiring to avoid confusion****

 

WATER TANK GAUGES

KIB HARNESS/CONTROL PANEL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make sure that you have all proper PPE (personal protective equipment) available and in-use when performing the installation.

2. Make sure all electrical items are shut off and disconnected at the source before installation

3. If you lack the skill to install this product, or have any uncertainty about installation, STOP IMMEDIATELY, and consult a professional.

Mounting the panel – Remove the face of the gauge by actuating the tab at the top of the panel. When you pull the panel away from the body of the gauge you will see the four mounting screw holes to apply the provided hardware.

The following wire connections are only suggested applications. They may, or may not, work for your unit. Make sure all wire to wire connections are complete with a wire nut (or barrel connector) and taped with electrical tape. Leave no bare wire exposed.

M-25

White - Ground wire, Blue – Fresh Water Tank, Brown – Holding (Black Water) Tank, Gray – Gray Water Tank 1, Black – Gray Water Tank 2, Red – Power (to battery/power source), Violet – Water Pump, Pink – Water Heater (DSI Fault “Spark Fault” Indicator), Green – Electric Heater, Light Gray – Heater Ignition

M-23

White - Ground wire, Blue – Fresh Water Tank, Brown – Holding (Black Water) Tank, Gray – Gray Water Tank, Red – Power (to battery/power source), Violet – Water Pump, Pink – Water Heater (DSI Fault “Spark Fault” Indicator), Green – Electric Heater, Light Gray – Heater Ignition