Septic

[lindalynn]

This is a dirty subject but I find the black water drain open to the fresh water compartment to be ridiculous. Is their anyone else who feels the same way and has anyone modified the system to solve this problem. We will be switching to a Motorhome at present and our Excel at least has a swing out arm that helps but have not seen that on any Motorhomes.

[gruelens]

Space is limited so manufacturers designate one area to be a wet bay. My sink is two feet from the commode, in a little room. I consider it the cost of doin' (fulltime) business. Put the modification money into your travels.

[Pigman1]

Originally Posted by lindalynn

This is a dirty subject but I find the black water drain open to the fresh water compartment to be ridiculous. Is their anyone else who feels the same way and has anyone modified the system to solve this problem. We will be switching to a Motorhome at present and our Excel at least has a swing out arm that helps but have not seen that on any Motorhomes.

Yep. I agree 100%

A number of years ago I had a Coachman Leprechaun that ran the sewer hose through a swing-able elephant trunk under the wet bay. Ever since I've added the same type mod to my class A's and have never been sorry. I have about 5 pix of the install, but repeated tries to post them have not been successful. PM me with an email address and I'd be pleased to send them to anyone

[rvndonm]

Been fulltime for 17 years in a fifth wheel then motorhome, never any problem. Maybe I don't understand?

[Rich and Cork]

Originally Posted by rvndonm

Been fulltime for 17 years in a fifth wheel then motorhome, never any problem. Maybe I don't understand?

I guess I don't understand the comments either.

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by lindalynn

.... I find the black water drain open to the fresh water compartment to be ridiculous....has anyone modified the system to solve this problem. .

The development of large RVs and motorhomes over the last 40 years or so would seem to indicate that it isn't as big a problem as you perceive. I didn't like it initially, either, and in fact I fabricated a small barrier wall that separates the sewer area from the potable. But even as I was installing it, I realized that unless I installed some sort of full biological isolation mechanism, everything I did was just a "feel good" waste of effort. Consider: you keep your unwrapped toothbrush on the sink within 3-4 ft of an unsealed toilet. How much of a risk can the water bay pose?

Establish a protocol that's comfortable, and stay with it. Keep a spray bottle of bleach solution in the bay (1/2 oz :: 32 oz) and use it on all connections on setup and disconnect. [BTW, refresh the bottle every couple of weeks. Bleach has a limited shelf life once exposed to air.] When you're connecting or disconnecting, always do the potable water first and the sewer last. When handling the sewer lines at any time, wear a pair of substantial rubber gloves that you keep in the bay. The heavy duty kitchen kind work well; don't waste your time with the flimsy thin latex. They tear too easily. When you're finished with it all, wash your hands. It's that simple.

You'll be fine.

[ruffian]

Black water stuff might be "yucky" but remember, most of it went thru your mouth to get to the black water tank.

[cj23andout]

The basement bay from passenger to driver side contains my fresh water, black tank, gray tank and the plumbing.

The fresh water system in this bay consists of a hose bib, city water/fresh tank fill valve, water filter and an outside shower.

The only things waste related are the dump valves and black tank rinse hose connection. The valves are down low and the fresh water stuff is up high. I store my fresh water hose in the bay next to the wet bay. I only keep waste tank stuff stored in the wet bay. The dump hose goes straight down from the valve and through the floor of this bay.

The furnace is ducted into this section of my basement, so the associated plumbing and tanks don't freeze during cold weather.

If you separate the two systems, you waste another bay and have to duct heat into an additional bay for cold weather use.

I have camped down into the teens and everything stayed freeze-free. I even dumped the tanks and filled the fresh water tank during this cold weather trip.

[Pigman1]

Sorry folks, but I guess I don't have the same revulsion about black tank "stuff" as some do. I modified my system for ease of use, not for any sanitary considerations. When I have drippy wet hoses or valve drips in the wet bay, it causes corrosion on hose clamps, screws, brackets and any other metal surface. This accelerates wear, and makes future repair much more difficult. I also have plumbed my coach fresh water system directly to my black tank flush (granted, through three valves and a vacuum breaker) to make use easier and less drippy in the compartment.

If that grosses some of you out, sorry about that. Take a look at my forum handle. That's not just cute, that's because I raised them for a living. Ya' just haven't lived until you have to climb into an 80,000 gal liquid manure tank to free a pump clog. Skin washes. LOL

[stik]

Originally Posted by Pigman1

Sorry folks, but I guess I don't have the same revulsion about black tank "stuff" as some do. I modified my system for ease of use, not for any sanitary considerations. When I have drippy wet hoses or valve drips in the wet bay, it causes corrosion on hose clamps, screws, brackets and any other metal surface. This accelerates wear, and makes future repair much more difficult. I also have plumbed my coach fresh water system directly to my black tank flush (granted, through three valves and a vacuum breaker) to make use easier and less drippy in the compartment.

If that grosses some of you out, sorry about that. Take a look at my forum handle. That's not just cute, that's because I raised them for a living. Ya' just haven't lived until you have to climb into an 80,000 gal liquid manure tank to free a pump clog. Skin washes. LOL

Great stuff, Pigman1. Common sense and normal hand washing procedures should be sufficient. Shame on me, but I remember changing lots and lots of diapers and never wore rubber gloves!! Just washed my hands. It will really freak some folks out to realize that RVs don't have "septic" systems, just holding tanks, but that's a different discussion.

[luvlabs]

I love all of this concern about "dirty" water running close to your fresh water. Last time I checked, that is why we use pipes and not open ditches for these things. Water and sewage lines run close to each other everywhere - your coach, your house, your town.

Most people don't realize that all of these bacteria are not bad. We have about 500 species and live in and on our bodies but obviously we don't get sick. Bacteria (and yeast) make our wine, beer, and other adult beverages. We can also thank bacteria for cheese, pickles, kim chee, and other pickled things. Simple hand washing with soap will keep you safe and healthy if you do it routinely. Enjoy those little buggers!

[Dr4Film]

I have been Full-Time for 12+ years and the last time I looked my black/grey tanks are separate from my fresh water tank.

Also the fresh water delivery systems are completely separate from the black/grey tank drains.

What's the problem? I don't get it!

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[lindalynn]

Well, more than I bargained for when posted but thankful for every comment. Thank you all especially I am excited about the modification pictures. But here is the jist of it. I am a nurse and have worked in infection control so I am aware of what is out there in other people's sewers. All of us nurses quack in our boots everytime we get to the dump stations. Or in some cases in the RV sites, watch people dump right next to our clean water plug in. All those bacteria are not good bacteria and not in your body, "yet". I have watched people at the dump sites run the dump site water hose up their sewer line to "clean it out". Then watched people use that same hose on their systems without even using gloves. HIV, parasites, spores with horrible consequences attached will live days and some weeks in those environments. Since DH does this dirty job and is not as careful as I am I need to safeguard us in whatever way is available. Looking forward to the modifications. My husband always says what you don't know won't hurt. But he is not correct. Hand washing is a no brainer but more than that is required when handling sewer lines other people use also.

[Fred and Bonnie]

And that's why I don't use dump sites, FHU only. I feel I can control usage much better than the come one, come all dumpsites.


Fred