Dirty Question

[coachmanrvr]

To go where I've never seen anyone go before...sorry.

The macerator toilet in our coaches takes care of solids before they go into the black tank. Anyone ever try leaving the black tank valve open and flushing a couple times to keep the tank clear?

We plan on living in the coach in a RV port and based on the last six months of full timing we get about 3 to 4 days between blank tank flushes. It would be great to be able to leave that little black handle open.

I may try it and just see. Within the last two months we converted to detergent and water softener only in the black tank. It works GREAT. 1 cup of powder detergent and about a 1/4 cup of water softener and no problems. No more nasty chemicals.

[OB-One]

Might work with some extra flushes... We just dump the black tank every 3-4 days.

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by coachmanrvr

The macerator toilet in our coaches takes care of solids before they go into the black tank. Anyone ever try leaving the black tank valve open and flushing a couple times to keep the tank clear?

I'll be curious to see how that works out.

Perhaps, you could leave the black tank flush connected using a simple water hose timer to daily run a tank flush for a couple of minutes. Just a thought.

Take care,
Stu

[Ann n Gene]

Do Not recommend that, it MAY work for a while but you are risking a paper and solids buildup that get hard to remove. JMHO

[DSL417]

Why take the chance...the potential alternatives cost a lot of money to clean it out.

[brobox]

I don't think you will get enough water just by flushing. The bathroom sink is now plumbed to the black tank just for that reason. I don't think it is a practice I would do.

If you want to keep your tanks clean without ANY kind of tank treatment....this does work, you won't need any soap or water softener unless solids have been allowed to build up. The last few minutes is all that needs to be watched.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6sv4d3PsTo

[Saltydog44]

Great video - pretty much what I do for all his reasons.

One other step we take is to add about 15% water to the tank via the flush at the end to ensure that there is enough liquid to avoid the dreaded pyramid.

[NITEHAWK]

With a macerator one might not have a "pyramid" but more like (in bovine terminology) a "pot pie" or a cow pie.

[DonaandDon]

First, I stay fulltime in a 5r. I'm not familiar with the macerator thingy but this is what I do. And, yes I am familiar with the geo method. I pour a quarter to half of the Calgon water softener bottle down the toilet after securing the flush valve and before adding any detergent, deodorizer, dissolver, or water. I just feel the slippery is needed for coating the (interior) tube (to the tank) and being heaver than water I like to think it stays at the black valve opening. IMO this will ensure it starts with a gush, ensuring all of the sediment is removed. I'm not understanding the 3-4 days? I normally (during a extended stay) go a 7-14 days before needing to dump and flush. And, yes my black tank is a 35 gal tank. Why are you processing so often? One final thought. I have noticed at some CGs when having the proper rubber seal at the dump tube, if I set the adapter (rubber seal adapter) just off the seal it dumps so much faster, as if their is a vacuum. Why?

[coachmanrvr]

The macerator grinds up the solids before they go in the tank. And the 3 - 4 days is due to the fact the toilet decides how much water it adds based on pushing the liquids only or liquids / solids button. In my opinion it adds too much water when flushing, but is not adjustable.

Originally Posted by DonaandDon

First, I stay fulltime in a 5r. I'm not familiar with the macerator thingy but this is what I do. And, yes I am familiar with the geo method. I pour a quarter to half of the Calgon water softener bottle down the toilet after securing the flush valve and before adding any detergent, deodorizer, dissolver, or water. I just feel the slippery is needed for coating the (interior) tube (to the tank) and being heaver than water I like to think it stays at the black valve opening. IMO this will ensure it starts with a gush, ensuring all of the sediment is removed. I'm not understanding the 3-4 days? I normally (during a extended stay) go a 7-14 days before needing to dump and flush. And, yes my black tank is a 35 gal tank. Why are you processing so often? One final thought. I have noticed at some CGs when having the proper rubber seal at the dump tube, if I set the adapter (rubber seal adapter) just off the seal it dumps so much faster, as if their is a vacuum. Why?

[YC1]

Coachman, you should be able to program the water level. At least you can on mine. I am connected all the time and just make it a habit to dump. I installed another sprayer that sits near the sensors and use quick disconnects to connect to either sprayer.
Generally I just use the one near the sensors. I too have considered leaving the valve open but that could lead to additional gasses that might come out our vent.

[coachmanrvr]

You can program the water level, but not how much it rinses during the flush.

Originally Posted by YC1

Coachman, you should be able to program the water level. At least you can on mine. I am connected all the time and just make it a habit to dump. I installed another sprayer that sits near the sensors and use quick disconnects to connect to either sprayer.
Generally I just use the one near the sensors. I too have considered leaving the valve open but that could lead to additional gasses that might come out our vent.

[YC1]

Originally Posted by coachmanrvr

You can program the water level, but not how much it rinses during the flush.

If boondocking, we turn off the water pump only when extra water is needed. But you are right about the amount of water needed to flush these things.