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10-21-2016, 11:18 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Winnebago Owners Club Solo Rvers Club
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Fulltime Traveler
Posts: 1,173
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Cleaning the black tank with grey tank water
I was thinking about connecting a garden hose from the sewage tank cap to the black tank flush inlet, to clean an empty black tank without wasting fresh water. Would that work
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10-22-2016, 01:14 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,450
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My black tank flush needs to have pressurized water. If you want to recycle gray water, catch a 5 gallon bucket of water and pour it down the commode with toilet valve open.
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George R. - Fulltiming since January '03
2007 Newmar Mountain Aire 3991
2012 Chevy Malibu LT1
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10-22-2016, 01:50 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Currently; SW Cali. Sunny & warm!
Posts: 1,323
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X2^^ I think you'll find you need more pressure than just gravity. Usually the back flow preventer / anti syphon device is higher than both the tanks in question.
Plus there are spray nozzles (in tank) that you might risk clogging with all but the purest gray water. Not worth the risk IMO.
I've witnessed someone using a third valve fitting on the bayonet outlet before slinky. Close it. Then letting a portion (several gallons) of a full grey tank flow into the open black, close the grey, then letting the third valve drain. YMMV.
Best of luck.
__________________
J & J, DRV Suites ES-38RSSA #9679 GM Denali, 3500HD-Max, 4x CC, 8' DRW,
EZGo-TXT, Clubcar Precedent
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10-22-2016, 08:06 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,502
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I think you would also be taking a chance of clogging the spray nozzle and the anti siphon valve. If you wash dishes I don't see any way there won't be some participles in the gray tank water. Plus I think the gray tank water usually has a bad odor anyway.
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10-22-2016, 01:48 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 20,696
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If you feel a need to do this just collect a bucket or two of your grey water and dump it down the toilet. You'll create more force of loosening 'things' with this method than with a hose. That bucket of water will go with force at the exact spot everything in your black tank goes. Plus, less chance of contamination with the hose you're using/storing and with black tank stuff getting into your grey tank.
Unless your black tank is clogged there's really no reason to try and clean it. Just let it go through its intended cycle of filling/draining. You will never get it sanitized and absolutely clean.
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Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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10-22-2016, 09:31 PM
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#6
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 25,289
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I have the SaniCon macerator on my coach and what you want to do is a simple thing with the SaniCon......just open both valves once the black tank is empty. I often do this 2-3 times (allow tanks to equalize and then dump he black. Works great when there is no water when dumping.
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Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4x4 6.2L
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10-22-2016, 09:56 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnTrek
I've witnessed someone using a third valve fitting on the bayonet outlet before slinky. Close it. Then letting a portion (several gallons) of a full grey tank flow into the open black, close the grey, then letting the third valve drain. YMMV.
Best of luck.
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I do this with a clear adapter and it works well. Helps remove solids that have settled.
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10-23-2016, 08:45 AM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 28,504
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Note that the Sanicon "equalize" that Don described is somewhat different than using the flush inlet. The Sanicon just lets the gray flow back up the dump outlet until the fluid levels in the two tanks are the same. No pressure, but it does [potentially] put enough fluid in the black tank to give it an extra half-dump.
You don't actually need the Sanicon to do this, but it's a neater solution that way. Without it, you can simply close the dump outlet (cap or a second 3" valve) and then open the gray & black dump valves so water can flow between the two tanks. You probably only want to do this after the black has been dumped. Plus,the gray should probably be at least half full to get much effect, since only about half the gray water will migrate to the black tank.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is now West Palm Beach, FL
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10-23-2016, 09:11 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 569
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As mentioned if your tanks are on the same level, most are. Sanicon or third valve work, make sure the grey is full, mine is usually full of wash water nice and soapy . Empty black tank then shut 3rd valve , open grey it flows up into black. Shut off grey open 3rd valve black empties. The grey tank having much larger volumes allows several flushed like this. Then I prime black with grey soapy water, finally drain last of grey water to flush out hose. My Sanicon had instructions how to do this. Shutting off Sanicon is same as closing 3rd valve. Fresh water is a resource the next generation is going to valve.
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2010 Dutch Star 4333
2009 Honda Accord- Brakemaster
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10-26-2016, 08:39 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: bis. nd
Posts: 1,124
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my Alfa has this third valve and two electric ones for black and grey.. the black tank is below the grey so after i dump the black i close the third valve and fill the black with about half of grey then dump that one again then dump balance of grey.. i really like that.. i also have water wand in black tank but dont use it every time if waiting line...
Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnTrek
X2^^ I think you'll find you need more pressure than just gravity. Usually the back flow preventer / anti syphon device is higher than both the tanks in question.
Plus there are spray nozzles (in tank) that you might risk clogging with all but the purest gray water. Not worth the risk IMO.
I've witnessed someone using a third valve fitting on the bayonet outlet before slinky. Close it. Then letting a portion (several gallons) of a full grey tank flow into the open black, close the grey, then letting the third valve drain. YMMV.
Best of luck.
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2007 Alfa Gold!! model 1008. 400hp Freightliner, IFS!!
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