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tomden2 · 04-01-2013, 11:36 AM

When I removed the cap from my holding tanks drain, I discovered :( that the valve for the blackwater tank had opened. I dumped a couple of gallons on the ground before I could get the valve closed again. I cleaned with bleach water as best as I could. Does anyone have a better way of cleaning these types of spills?

TdogKing · 04-01-2013, 11:42 AM

You did what I would do. Wherever you are dumping I would notify the responsible party and let them know you had a accident and explain how you cleaned up the best you could and let them handle it from there.

FRR2EYW · 04-01-2013, 11:55 AM

Lime works well, like the type they use for sports fields. To prevent future surprises I recommend buying one of the short (3-4 inch) clear plastic extenders. Put it on where the black cap goes and put the black cap on the other end. I call it a poo view. After my first and only feces shower I implemented this and now I know what is behind the cap before I take it off.

jzick · 04-01-2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRR2EYW

Lime works well, like the type they use for sports fields. To prevent future surprises I recommend buying one of the short (3-4 inch) clear plastic extenders. Put it on where the black cap goes and put the black cap on the other end. I call it a poo view. After my first and only feces shower I implemented this and now I know what is behind the cap before I take it off.

Thank you. What a great idea.

DeWat · 04-01-2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzick

Thank you. What a great idea.

+1 for sure!

djbmsu · 04-01-2013, 05:41 PM

On one occation I had the stinky slinky blow off the twist connector and more than a few gallons spewed out. I have switched to the Sewer solution.

TQ60 · 04-01-2013, 10:15 PM

Get a cap that has pipe fitting, 3/4 inch, add small ball valve.

Now you can test for water in a small controlled way.

If you are at a place where you can dump Gray a green water hose can be attached and routed to where it is allowed

glarnold · 04-02-2013, 04:06 AM

The method I use to pevent this (from happening again) is a gate valve extension connected directly to the drain outlet. It is always there. when I'm leaving a site, i close it. no water flow, even if black and grey valve are both open (which they're not). Then when i connect the drain hose to it and to sewer connection, i open it. No possibility of opening cap to the bad surprise.

An added benefit, should you choose (or need) it, is that you can close that valve, open grey and black, to transfer grey water to black tank, provided that your tank heights are amenable to that.

Of course, not all units have the room to make that kind of extension.

GL Arnold

webslave · 04-02-2013, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glarnold

The method I use to prevent this (from happening again) is a gate valve extension connected directly to the drain outlet. It is always there. when I'm leaving a site, i close it. no water flow, even if black and grey valve are both open (which they're not). Then when i connect the drain hose to it and to sewer connection, i open it. No possibility of opening cap to the bad surprise.

An added benefit, should you choose (or need) it, is that you can close that valve, open grey and black, to transfer grey water to black tank, provided that your tank heights are amenable to that.

Of course, not all units have the room to make that kind of extension.

GL Arnold

X2

I have a clear section of pipe that goes onto that gate valve when I get ready to drain, but, the gate valve stays on the unit all the time. I thought about the clear section, but, it would hang uncomfortably low and wouldn't actually help that much...the clear section would let you know there had been an "oops", but, it doesn't aid in fixing the problem; you've still got a pipe full of "stuff" and no easy way to get rid of it. The gate valve fixes that problem. Even if all the valves, including the last gate valve are open, closing the gate valve seals the unit and there may be a cup full of "stuff" between it and the cap; easily handled by taking the cap loose and holding the drain pipe under the opening as you pull the cap off. Hook up and you're good to go.

tomden2 · 04-04-2013, 10:08 PM

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question, especially FRR2EYW for the excellent suggestion. It may not stop the spill, but it would allow alternatives by knowing what was in store.

tomden2