Ammonia smell in bathroom

[Dan0753]

I’ve recently installed a Siphon 360 on the black tank vent for odor issues from my last trip. This time I’ve noticed a semi strong ammonia smell building up in the bathroom. It’s not the refrigerator, it’s running fine. I also have rinsed the black tank with a Tornado twice now. Just emptied out the gray and black tanks to see if it goes away. I’ve poured water into the shower drain Incase the p-trap was dry (never used the shower). I’ve also switched to using Odorlos tank chemical instead of drop in packs. My tank has been rinsed since switching. Could the smell be the mixing of the two still? I’m stumped right now. We’ve never had this smell before. This is our fifth trip with our camper since we bought it last July. The smell seems like it hovers around higher in the bathroom. I doesn’t seem to come straight up out of the toilet when I flush it.

[nomad297]

Do you have a Dometic 300 toilet? If so, get rid of it and you will get rid of the odor.

Bruce

[Dan0753]

That’s what toilet it is. I’ve realized the flush ball seal isn’t holding water well. Suggestions for an upgrade? Is it just the seals go bad fast?

[njfishing]

Originally Posted by Dan0753

That’s what toilet it is. I’ve realized the flush ball seal isn’t holding water well. Suggestions for an upgrade? Is it just the seals go bad fast?

If your toilet is not holding water in the bowl when you fill it, either the seal is fouled or the arms that hold the ball into the seal have come out of place... I would clean the seal (it pops right out) and check to the arms of the ball to make sure they are seated in the holes.

Dometic toilet no holding water.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...d.php?t=186810

[firemedicmark]

Originally Posted by Dan0753

That’s what toilet it is. I’ve realized the flush ball seal isn’t holding water well. Suggestions for an upgrade? Is it just the seals go bad fast?

Dometic recalled several 300 toilets due to a bad assembly process that caused an internal seal to no seat correctly. Call Dometic with your model and serial number. If yours is on the recall list they will replace it for free or give you a discount on a upgrade model.

[BAJAG]

Alongside the flush pedal is the model and serial number. Call Dometic with that Info. Upgrade to the model 310 or 320 the 310 also comes with the anti slam wooden seat. Cost me $75 to upgrade including shipping. Well worth it!!!! The 300 model traps piss in the lower portion of the bowl. THROW IT AWAY!!!!

[Flybob]

Before you decide to pay for the upgrade, be sure to check the space requirements of the newer ones. Some of them require more clearance to the wall behind them and may not fit using the existing plumbing.

[firemedicmark]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Before you decide to pay for the upgrade, be sure to check the space requirements of the newer ones. Some of them require more clearance to the wall behind them and may not fit using the existing plumbing.

That was the case for me, only enough back-set room for the 300. We have not had any issues with the new one.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Dan0753

I’ve recently installed a Siphon 360 on the black tank vent for odor issues from my last trip. This time I’ve noticed a semi strong ammonia smell building up in the bathroom. It’s not the refrigerator, it’s running fine. I also have rinsed the black tank with a Tornado twice now. Just emptied out the gray and black tanks to see if it goes away. I’ve poured water into the shower drain Incase the p-trap was dry (never used the shower). I’ve also switched to using Odorlos tank chemical instead of drop in packs. My tank has been rinsed since switching. Could the smell be the mixing of the two still? I’m stumped right now. We’ve never had this smell before. This is our fifth trip with our camper since we bought it last July. The smell seems like it hovers around higher in the bathroom. I doesn’t seem to come straight up out of the toilet when I flush it.

If you have a strong ammonia smell i would not think any waste tank since i've never had one that smelt like ammonia . how close is the fridge ? just because it's working now does not mean you don't have a slight leak , time will tell

[Big Vic]

Look at the back of the fridge...if you see any yellow powder on the coils you have a leak.

[Dan0753]

Are you talking about the metal fins inside the fridge? Those are cold and have a little ice on them.

[TitanMike]

Ammonia smell in a bathroom can also come from urine that's splashed out of the bowl or just plain missed. Trust me on this, I raised a couple of boys and went through the problem. Before blaming anything else, try a good cleanup around the "throne" and see if the smell goes away.

Face it, RV bathrooms are small places and it doesn't take much to make a smell seem huge.


As for refrigerator ammonia, if you have a leak from the refrigerator the refrigerator is probably not cooling. If it's still working that won't be it.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Dan0753

Are you talking about the metal fins inside the fridge? Those are cold and have a little ice on them.

No ! outside in the access panel . how long has this smell been going on ? if it just started then i would suspect the fridge . could take a few days to notice if it quits cooling , So how long you had the smell will tell a lot . if your pee smells like strong ammonia i would see a doctor!

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by MR.M

if your pee smells like strong ammonia i would see a doctor!

The ammonia smell only shows up as the Nitrogen compounds in urine start to decompose. Think "Diaper Pail".

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

The ammonia smell only shows up as the Nitrogen compounds in urine start to decompose. Think "Diaper Pail".

Assuming the OP never cleans around his toilet then maybe so . how long it has smelled can tell a lot . guess we will know the outcome in a few days . just offering possibility's .

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by MR.M

Assuming the OP never cleans around his toilet then maybe so . how long it has smelled can tell a lot . guess we will know the outcome in a few days . just offering possibility's .

TitanMike is right, and the problem with the Dometic 300 toilet is that it can collect urine inside of the toilet which will begin to give off an ammonia odor as it collects, evaporates, concentrates and decomposes. Also, urine that collects beneath the toilet at the floor and can’t be cleaned without pulling the toilet (capillary action) and beneath the seat hinges does the same thing.

I think if your pee doesn’t smell like strong ammonia in these circumstances, you may be the one who should see a doctor.

Bruce

[Dan0753]

Since I’ve gotten the toilet seal to hold water better the smell has almost gone away. I can faintly smell it coming from the back side of the toilet still. Seems to be the source area. Reading the complaints about this model of toilet is leaning me in the direction that this is the problem. Our last trip three weeks ago we noticed a really strong urine smell. On that trip we brought our 14 yo nephew for the first time. So good possibility it’s the combination of the two.

[david_reaves]

It's not necessarily just the 14 year old. As a person formerly on dialysis, currently with a kidney transplant... accidents happen. Especially in the middle of the night, because one has a bladder slightly larger than a walnut. I clean the toilet and floor just about every day we're in the camper-- for safety's sake. (My wife can't understand how it is possible to miss, even a little!)

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by david_reaves

It's not necessarily just the 14 year old. As a person formerly on dialysis, currently with a kidney transplant... accidents happen. Especially in the middle of the night, because one has a bladder slightly larger than a walnut. I clean the toilet and floor just about every day we're in the camper-- for safety's sake. (My wife can't understand how it is possible to miss, even a little!)

Have you considered cutting the bottom out of a round wastebasket an setting it on the bowl with seat up?

I can attest that accidents do happen. I have recollections of the week following my bypass surgery, after being administered a strong diuretic to get rid of all the fluids they pumped in during the procedure.

Good thing I wasn't driving as I'd probably have to stop at every tree or power pole.[emoji6]

[Dan0753]

Originally Posted by nomad297

TitanMike is right, and the problem with the Dometic 300 toilet is that it can collect urine inside of the toilet which will begin to give off an ammonia odor as it collects, evaporates, concentrates and decomposes. Also, urine that collects beneath the toilet at the floor and can’t be cleaned without pulling the toilet (capillary action) and beneath the seat hinges does the same thing.

I think if your pee doesn’t smell like strong ammonia in these circumstances, you may be the one who should see a doctor.

Bruce

I see there is an opening at the back of the toilet facing the wall. Is this the area that collects it? Any sense in spraying something in that area? I’ve wiped down all the areas outside the toilet and along the wall area.