Community Forums

duner bill · 08-15-2006, 07:12 PM

to clean up black holding tanks add ice cubes

before driving iam going to try it next trip

b3 or bill

duner bill · 08-15-2006, 07:12 PM

to clean up black holding tanks add ice cubes

before driving iam going to try it next trip

b3 or bill

Oemtech · 08-15-2006, 07:33 PM

Me, I use dishwashing powder and Calgon - AKA - the Geo Method. 1/3 to 1/2 tank of fresh water in the black/gray tank, 3 cups of dishwasher powder and 1 to 2 cups of Calgon. Now hit the road and dump when you get setup at the campground.

Ken Roberts · 08-15-2006, 07:38 PM

At least with oemtech's method you can address both the black and gray tanks. The ice cubes may work for the black; but, I have never figured out how you can get them in the gray! Ken ,'04 DSDP....

rebelsbeach · 08-16-2006, 03:01 AM

I like oemy's method as well....I use the ice in my drinks!!

ronboc · 08-16-2006, 10:10 AM

So, if I understand both Bob and Ken's comments right, you can dump the ice-cubes directly into the black-water tank but 'filter' them first for the gray-water tank?

Won't work here in N Texas, been 103+ for weeks. Ice melts before I can even get air-pressure up to start moving. I better keep 'em in an insulated glass instead.

ronboc · 08-16-2006, 11:30 AM

Awhile back, I noticed that the waste-water (black, especially) was a lot more oilier or greasier than I'd guessed it'd be (how I came to know this is a discussion for another time and place...)

Anywho, it reminded me of a post I'd seen here sometime ago about using Dawn dish-detergent in the tanks to get them and the sensors squeaky-clean. Keeping that in mind, I got out the trusty bottle of Simple-Green degreaser and dumped it down the black-tank. Got another bottle and into the gray-tank it went. Then I filled both tanks to capacity and left 'em to sit for a few days before dumping them.

Was out for a few days last week, and the sensors seemed to read correctly the entire time (first time since it was new, I might add). On the way home, I stopped to dump and again got a reliable reading afterwards.

What I'm thinking is that, beside just the toilet paper and ... uuhhh...'other stuff'... that gets on our sensors and causes them to read incorrectly, maybe part of the problem is a grease-type residue that can be removed fairly easy with a de-greaser.

I'd be interested to hear if others find the same thing.
Ron

CharlieM · 08-18-2006, 09:35 AM

Used to use Dawn in boat bilges, breaks down hydrocarbons and suspends other "stuff" so it could be pumped out with the bilge water. I might try to use some AWSOME cleaner in the holding tanks next trip to see how that works. Works great on everything else.

Norm4015 · 08-18-2006, 10:33 AM

Newmar uses sensors stuck to the outside of the holding tanks and I've never had a problem with any of the tanks displaying the incorrect level.

In seven years of fulltiming in two Dutch Stars I have never added anything to the black tank. I have never had an odor or a clog so why should I spent my money on chemicals or experiment with some home-brews?

rebelsbeach · 08-18-2006, 11:49 AM

Norm4015, WELCOME to iRV2!!

If I were you I would certainly subscribe to the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" mentality...

Ther are those of us that "religiously" add 8 ounces of wizard juice to our tanks,not knowing whether it's needed and then there are those as yourself that apparently have been fortunate
enough to not add anything and have never had a problem...

We look forward to hearing more of your travels and experiences with your coach...

wynedge · 08-18-2006, 01:08 PM

I have'nt been able to use my mo-ho alot this summer and had noticed that the sensor in the black tank always red a quarter full. I assume it was because it doesn't empty completely and where I store it, the site leans a little to the one side. So when I dump the tanks, it still read a quarter full. I tried the ice thing on the way to gas up and dump, and it finally reads empty. I think that by letting it set, the gauges get coated and need some help getting them clean.
I think the ice works!