Ok, I keep seeing that you should keep the black water valve closed when you are connected to a campground sewer. I understand that if it is left open that liquid will drain but solids won't. So how do you get the solid to go to the sewer? Do you just wait for the black tank to get to the emptying point, then open the valve and dump into the sewer? Or do you just hang onto it until you get to a dump station? TIA!
I have a black water question
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Steve CDN
Well-known member
You're absolutely right that the black tank valve must not be left open while parked for the reason you alluded to.
I generally fill the black tank to about 1/4 with fresh water while parked, to increase the percentage of overall water. If you're dry camping and need to stretch the black tank capacity, I would not recommend starting off with 1/4 water.
However the black tank should not be dumped with less than 3/4 capacity, and unless you really need to stretch the tank, use generous amounts of water when flushing to keep the water percentage high.
The key to successful flushing is the whooosh effect when you pull the valve. The whooosh effect is what drives the solids out of your tank.
To help in evaluating the quality of your flush, get a transparent elbow at an RV supply store which is installed at the tank outlet, before you connect your hose. That way you can see what's coming out of the tank.
I believe in a transparent elbow so much, I carry a spare in case the one in use breaks.
If your tanks do not have a rinsing feature installed, get a transparent elbow with a hose adapter so you can backflush your tank. Of course you would not use your drinking water hose for that purpose, but a cheap utility water hose instead.
Do you do more dry camping or are you parked in a campground?
I generally fill the black tank to about 1/4 with fresh water while parked, to increase the percentage of overall water. If you're dry camping and need to stretch the black tank capacity, I would not recommend starting off with 1/4 water.
However the black tank should not be dumped with less than 3/4 capacity, and unless you really need to stretch the tank, use generous amounts of water when flushing to keep the water percentage high.
The key to successful flushing is the whooosh effect when you pull the valve. The whooosh effect is what drives the solids out of your tank.
To help in evaluating the quality of your flush, get a transparent elbow at an RV supply store which is installed at the tank outlet, before you connect your hose. That way you can see what's coming out of the tank.
I believe in a transparent elbow so much, I carry a spare in case the one in use breaks.
If your tanks do not have a rinsing feature installed, get a transparent elbow with a hose adapter so you can backflush your tank. Of course you would not use your drinking water hose for that purpose, but a cheap utility water hose instead.
Do you do more dry camping or are you parked in a campground?
Thanks for the reply. We are new to rv camping. We expect dry and campground camping to be about 50/50. What I am understanding is that no matter where you are parked you will be using your black tank, even if you are connected to a campground sewer. And so the advantage of having a campground sewer connection would be that your gray water goes straight to the sewer, and that you have a spot right at your camp site to dump the black when you need to empty it. Is this correct?
Steve CDN
Well-known member
You got it! However it's a good idea to periodically empty the grey tank for the much sought after whooosh effect, because food debris and soap scum accumulates on the floor of the grey tank as well. It's not as serious a problem as the collection of solids in the black tank, but it's good to be aware that the grey tank should be whoooshed out from time to time.
Welcome to the RV lifestyle and to the RV Forum. We always enjoy meeting new RV Friends, so feel free to jump into any ongoing Forum discussion or start as many as you wish.
Enjoy the Forum!
Welcome to the RV lifestyle and to the RV Forum. We always enjoy meeting new RV Friends, so feel free to jump into any ongoing Forum discussion or start as many as you wish.
Enjoy the Forum!
Steve CDN
Well-known member
Good point Joel..thanks
colleenfl
Well-known member
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- Aug 7, 2006
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- 127
Also keeping the valves closed is a good idea for fumes backing up. I am not sure if this has ever been a problem but if you have ever smelled the odor from the hole at the ground sewer pipe it makes you wonder if that can be harmful. I always rinse with grey water to help flush and clean the hose.
Happy Camping
Colleen
PS: Thanks for the tip on the clear elbow never thought of that.
Happy Camping
Colleen
PS: Thanks for the tip on the clear elbow never thought of that.
Carl L
Moderator Emeritus
Generally speaking, the P traps on your sinks and showers prevent that gas from backing up into the RV thru an open grey valve. They have the same effect as those in your stick house. In fact, if you detect sewer smells, the first thing to do is pour a couple cups of water in all RV sinks and showers in case one as dried out from disuse.
When the dd went off to college and her bathroom upstairs wasn't used much, we poured 1 tbl of veg oil into the sink and shower drains after her visits. The oil sits on top of the water so it doesn't evaporate before her next visit. I can probably do the same in the rv sinks and shower between uses.
Carl L
Moderator Emeritus
Neat little trick. Good idea, thanks.
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
Many folks go to great lengths to have a straight, downward run of their sewer hose. "Stuff" runs downhill and all that. However, if you want to leave the gray valve open, it is wise to have a raised "hump" in the sewer drain line, so that some water stays in it. This forms a P trap that will prevent odors, sewer flies or whatever from coming up the drain hose and into your tanks. Run the hose up over a piece of firewood, a brick or something similar. If the campsite's sewer inlet is several inches above ground, that also forms a P trap near the inlet - as long as you don't prop up the hose all the way from the RV to the inlet.
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
I guess that many folks just abhor the idea of having any waste water in the hose?. American's tend to have rather bizarre attitudes about their natural bodily functions and the results thereof. I expect to see automated drain systems installed on babies in the not too distant future.
John From Detroit
Well-known member
BABIES do come with automated drain systems... The problem is they do not come with a programmer for the auto-control so it drains them when they feel the need to be drained.
Adults have a semi-automated system,, Signals the need but you have to manually activate by thinking about it.
I like the veg oil trick.
We used to get terrible smell in restrooms where I used to work.
Supervisors would be all over calling building management to get it fixed.
I'd pour a gallon of water down the floor drains and guess what... Fixed
Adults have a semi-automated system,, Signals the need but you have to manually activate by thinking about it.
I like the veg oil trick.
We used to get terrible smell in restrooms where I used to work.
Supervisors would be all over calling building management to get it fixed.
I'd pour a gallon of water down the floor drains and guess what... Fixed
