Community Forums

Gypsy9978 · 08-09-2019, 07:27 AM

We are experiencing a bad smell when we open the vent and run the fan while taking a shower. Husband thinks it smells like sewer and I think it smells more like well water with a strong sulphur smell. If we just open the vent and don’t turn on the fan then there’s no smell. We just retired and started traveling for longer periods of time and I don’t recall having this smell before when running this fan. Any suggestions?

Unplanned Tourist · 08-09-2019, 12:03 PM

Very common problem. You are drawing air in through the waste tank via the venting system.
Also it could be a leaking toilet seal if your toilet is in the same room as the shower and vent.
Happy Glamping.

Old-Biscuit · 08-09-2019, 12:17 PM

Exhaust fan....pulls air out of room and exhausts it outside

Smell when running:
*Toilet Bowl.....if holds water then NOT source of smell
*Toilet Floor Flange Seal (foam gasket and can allow odors w/o leaking)
*AAV...Air Admittance Valve (Under sink cabinet on sink drain line) Opens when dumoing waste tank and then SHOULD close BUT cheap ones used by RV MFGs are just a tang that pulls diaphragm closed ---tang stretches/doesn't fully close off---------odors can be pulled back up thru the AAV

Long shot.......Dry 'P' traps

Gypsy9978 · 08-11-2019, 05:31 AM

Appreciate the responses and suggestions. I decided to try putting tank treatment (Happy Camper brand) into the gray tank and it seems to have resolved the problem. Also the weather has been a bit cooler too (now upper 70s/low 80s vs the recent high 80s/low 90s) so that may be a factor too.

Thanks everyone!

Pam

paddler1954 · 08-11-2019, 03:20 PM

Something you might want to do. Open a window that way you draw in fresh air not holding tank air. When we camp in cold weather we usually open a window in the front of the coach, gives the breeze a chance to warm up before it gets to the bathroom.

Heavy-13 · 08-12-2019, 05:25 AM

Gypsy9978, like you we have a Bounder 35K and as indicated by others the vent is next to the sewer vent. We installed a "wind directional" vent cap and, as you, added tank treatment, that solved the problem 99.9% of the time.

The joys of RV'ing are you are never bored, there is always something to challenge your creativity!

Gypsy9978 · 08-13-2019, 06:20 PM

Thanks everyone!

Pam

Vato · 08-13-2019, 06:54 PM

Just stick your head in the sink cabinet. You'll know right away if it's the "one way" valve

PalForce1 · 08-19-2019, 07:28 AM

The problem could also be anaerobic bacteria buildup in your hotwater tank. Which happens between periods of RV inactivity. Produces the smell you describe. Process to clean can be googled. basically drain tank and use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide and fill with water let sit for couple hours and flush. It doesn't happen often but it does happen, just part of the RV life, as I have learned it anyway!

Bigfoot_ · 08-21-2019, 01:19 AM

The only smells we've had in our 35k shower have been from a "bad" water hookup to very sulfurous smelling water. Had to flush everything after that. Small town in northern NV.

Kellyjj · 06-18-2020, 05:36 PM

We had a funky smell too when running the fan. Someone said that it could be no water in the elbow drain of the washer (as in our case). They recommended running a bit of water in the washer.

Ted Lambert · 06-18-2020, 09:30 PM

Are you using well water? The reason I ask is because well water in hot water tank will produce a sulpher smell. I lived in a off grid house for 15 years and removed the aneroid rod that will stop the smell if the water has iron.
I never had any problems for 15 years. I changed out the Hot water tank after 15 years as I thought with no anoroid rod the tank may be rusting inside. I cut the tank apart to check the condition. I could not believe it was just like new. Wasted $500. I was informed that chlorine caused rust and was responsible for most water tank failures.
Just sayin my experience!
Run hot water and cold water separate if it smells with cold the water itself is not the problem?

EddieM · 06-19-2020, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Exhaust fan....pulls air out of room and exhausts it outside

Smell when running:
*Toilet Bowl.....if holds water then NOT source of smell
*Toilet Floor Flange Seal (foam gasket and can allow odors w/o leaking)
*AAV...Air Admittance Valve (Under sink cabinet on sink drain line) Opens when dumoing waste tank and then SHOULD close BUT cheap ones used by RV MFGs are just a tang that pulls diaphragm closed ---tang stretches/doesn't fully close off---------odors can be pulled back up thru the AAV

Long shot.......Dry 'P' traps

What I have found helpful is to create a P-trap with the sewer hose just below the connection discharge pipe and outside of the motorhome itself.