Community Forums

VH1982 · 07-31-2022, 03:08 PM

If you're only away for a weekend and your BW tank is not even 1/3 full, and you only have the option of dumping without a flush, what is best practice?

My thought is to dump a bunch of water into the BW tank by flushing the toilet for no other reason. But, is that a good idea? If so, for how much/long? Other ideas?

Mark_K5LXP · 07-31-2022, 03:31 PM

I run my bathroom sink which drains into my black tank while I'm packing up then dump on the way out. No point in hauling even a fraction of a waste tank if I don't have to. It's easier to find more fresh water than find places to lose not-fresh water.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

shootist · 07-31-2022, 06:06 PM

Never give it a thought. Dump, shut the valve, run the toilet water a few minutes and dump again. Move on to the grey valve

**NLOVNIT** · 07-31-2022, 07:24 PM

I've had one of these https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Product...s%2C133&sr=8-1 for over 20 years. If the black tank isn't full enough (to my satisfaction) when it's time to break camp, I use this to prop open the bowl valve to allow enough water into the tank until it's full enough to dump.

Just do NOT get distracted & forget it's there.

153stars · 07-31-2022, 07:28 PM

Couple gallons from bucket or a pot as toilet flushes/opens. I can do 5 gallons in a couple, few flushes.

VH1982 · 08-01-2022, 02:36 PM

Good ideas - thanks for the help.

~NEWB

LETMGROW · 08-01-2022, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

I've had one of these https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Product...s%2C133&sr=8-1 for over 20 years. If the black tank isn't full enough (to my satisfaction) when it's time to break camp, I use this to prop open the bowl valve to allow enough water into the tank until it's full enough to dump.

Just do NOT get distracted & forget it's there.

This brings up a question. Why aren't there warning bells or buzzers on these tanks warning you they are nearly full?
I did prop the valve open on our toilet while on a FHU. I walked away, got distracted and my better half discovered a pond on the bathroom floor and into the hall way. I didn't need any bells or buzzers then but fair warning would have saved a lot of "I'm sorrys"

**NLOVNIT** · 08-01-2022, 04:44 PM

Probably because they think we're smart enough to not get distracted. I learned a LOOOONG time ago to never leave water running unattended (bathtub, age 8). Mom was NOT happy with that outcome.

Dutch Star Don · 08-01-2022, 09:25 PM

If you're not standing there, a bell or buzzer wouldn't help. If you were standing there, you wouldn't need a bell or buzzer. Like others, I walked away once, maybe even twice

and learned my lesson. I always tell new RVer's to never walk away, even for a moment as you can quickly become distracted and forget the water is running, both while doing black tank rinsing and freshwater filling.

On my Dutch Star, it does have a yellow light that comes on when it's 3/4 full and red light that comes on when it's full and prevents further flushing. Obviously, this is for inside the coach use.

Mudfrog · 08-02-2022, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

This brings up a question. Why aren't there warning bells or buzzers on these tanks warning you they are nearly full?
I did prop the valve open on our toilet while on a FHU. I walked away, got distracted and my better half discovered a pond on the bathroom floor and into the hall way. I didn't need any bells or buzzers then but fair warning would have saved a lot of "I'm sorrys"

A warning buzzer that used the same type of tank sensors we see on most RVs probably wouldn't be too reliable. I see the possibility of buzzer not sounding when the tank was full or it constantly buzzing when the tank was empty.

A float switch might be a great idea, as long as the brown floaties didn't interfere with it.

My opinion on the OP's question. If I knew my next trip was a short one, I'd just park it with the few gallons left in the tank(s). I'd be sure to get it dumped next time out.

153stars · 08-03-2022, 01:35 AM

Yep no distractions.. my friend was doing a partial fill from top with hose, gets phone call flood city. Then cleans it up brings to camping club. Wife turns on pump ,the outside faucet was on empties fresh tank at campsite. Told him he could borrow my hoses to reach spigot said he was done with water for the day.

boiledowl · 08-07-2022, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

If you're not standing there, a bell or buzzer wouldn't help. If you were standing there, you wouldn't need a bell or buzzer. Like others, I walked away once, maybe even twice

and learned my lesson. I always tell new RVer's to never walk away, even for a moment as you can quickly become distracted and forget the water is running, both while doing black tank rinsing and freshwater filling.

On my Dutch Star, it does have a yellow light that comes on when it's 3/4 full and red light that comes on when it's full and prevents further flushing. Obviously, this is for inside the coach use.

they should make an app for that

tcg · 08-07-2022, 05:44 AM

I find if I hold the foot pedal open I'll get a lot of odor so I just fill the bowl several times and flush it.

Other times I fill the kitchen wash tub from the sink and dump a few of those in there. If I have left over water jugs I'll dump those. If I'm near a park water spigot, I have a collapsible bucket I can fill.

In other words, all sorts of ways to get water in there without a hose.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-07-2022, 03:26 PM

Yet another RV topic/rule that gets way over-thought. Add water if you can, by any means that is convenient. Flush the toilet using the tank water, carry in a bucket or two from the dump station, whatever. If you can't do that for some reason, just pull the dump valve handle and try to do better next time. The world isn't going to come to an abrupt end if your black tank is 1/3 instead of 1/2. But try not to make a habit of it.

Seriously, if you read and heeded all the good advice you found here and elsewhere on the net, would you even consider RVing? We make this stuff seem awful hard!