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04-25-2016, 01:58 PM
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#1
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StepanFetchit
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 43
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Plumbing problem
I have an '07' FR/CC 37RTDS with both galley and bath gray tanks. Suddenly my galley tank won't drain but the bath gray as well as the black water tanks drain fine. All three have separate open/close type Electric Drain Master Valves with another manual slide gate valve at a single 3" dump exit. With all three electric valves open, I filled bath sink and shower pan with water then pulled plugs, they drain fine. I flushed toilet with clean water, it drains fine. I filled kitchen sink with fresh water then pulled plug. It takes about an hour or so to slowly trickle out and fill up the bucket I have outside. All p-traps under sinks and shower pan are clean. My best guess is the galley gray water tank must be plugged at exit point. Any suggestions on how to fix this without having to tear things apart?
Also, any idea on where I can get a tank and plumbing layout on this rig. FR and dealer I bought it from (new) pretty much says tough luck Chuck. Fortunately the galley tank and electric valve is visible by removing the poly underbelly sheets. I've no clue where the bath and black water tanks and Drain Master Valves are in this beast. If one of those electric valves stick closed I'd probably have to disassemble the whole rig to get to them.
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04-25-2016, 02:07 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
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Rdeemat
When they make the rigs they drill the holes out of the tank and they plastic hole sometimes drops into the tank and slowly works its way to the drain and just lays there and blocks the hole.
Try some type of back flush with only that valve open and see if it will move back into the tank and then check and see how it flows.
Good luck.
Iggy
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04-25-2016, 03:25 PM
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#3
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StepanFetchit
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 43
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Plumbing Problem
Thanks for the suggestion Iggy, not sure that could be it though. My rig never moves as I live in it perm. parked for the last 8 years with no problems. I leave all electric valves open with a Clean Dump Emulsifier at the exit point. Those electric valves scare me. Some day they will fail and if so I want them to fail open not closed. Two of the three are buried so far up in there it would cost thousands for a mobile RV repair guy to get to them for replacement.
PS: Can't travel no more, lost most of my vision to Macular Degeneration.
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04-25-2016, 03:33 PM
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#4
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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I would pull the valve and have a look to find out what is plugging the tank and then remove it.
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04-25-2016, 03:40 PM
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#5
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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The biggest issue with permanent site black tanks is the "Tower of Doom"; build up of solids that no amount of water, added later, can move.
You will need to stop using the tank for a several days (tough in a permanent site, I know). Add RID-X or RV-DIGEST-IT to the tank, fill it with water till you can see it in the stand pipe and wait 72 hours OR MORE. If you have a severe tower of buildup, you may need to drain, treat, and dump more than once.
Worst case is tank replacement, but get ready for a large repair bill. Try the RID-X or RV-DIGEST-IT treatment several times first.
http://www.amazon.com/Unique-Natural...s=rv+digest+it
http://www.amazon.com/Septic-System-...reatment&psc=1
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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04-25-2016, 03:51 PM
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#6
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,142
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Herk.... the OP's problem is with the grey galley tank... Not the black tank.
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04-25-2016, 04:58 PM
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#7
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StepanFetchit
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 43
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Thanks Oldcoot, easier said than done based on location of it, but may have to. Will drop the belly pan when it drys up and start digging into it. Major rainstorm last night got pretty wet under there.
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04-25-2016, 09:15 PM
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#8
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker
Herk.... the OP's problem is with the grey galley tank... Not the black tank.
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The solution is still the same; just what is causing the problem is different.
Hair, soap, and decaying grease need to go and Rid-X or RV-DIGEST-IT will take care of those items too.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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04-25-2016, 09:30 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Are you sure your galley grey tank is actually open?
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2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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04-25-2016, 10:44 PM
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#10
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Oklahoma Proud
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: central OK
Posts: 2,784
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Op...is you kitchen sink in a a bar or island?
If so, then the galley tank may not have a vent like the other tanks. On some that have sinks in the bar or an island there is a "filtered" vent that is attached to the plumbing under the sink. You may check an see if this filter is plugged or something if you have this type of setup.
(Wish i had a pic, but havent thought to take a pic of this setup in my camper)
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04-26-2016, 06:23 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Brookings
Posts: 561
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A friend of mine had the same problem.....he had a buildup of dish soap in the galley tank. He was using the cheapest dish soap he could buy and the dealer who cleaned his tank of the mound told him to use Dawn dish soap instead of the cheap stuff.
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04-26-2016, 11:45 AM
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#12
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StepanFetchit
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 43
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Today I'm dropping the belly pan and going to manually open and close the Drain Master Valve just to make sure it's open. I know there wouldn't be any hair buildup in the galley tank but the grease buildup could be a real possibility. I was on Drain Master's website and they have a '7 Essential Holding Tank Tips' section that says: This system is not a septic system and therefore no septic system products should be used! I just may try the Rid-x product anyway based on what I find at the valve. I do have a 'Clean Dump Emulsifyer' that I take apart every 4 months and clean the impeller of hair wrapped around it. It only takes about 20 minutes to do that and much cheaper than getting a monthly haircut.
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04-26-2016, 11:51 AM
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#13
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rdeemat
I was on Drain Master's website and they have a '7 Essential Holding Tank Tips' section that says: This system is not a septic system and therefore no septic system products should be used!
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That is correct; you have a holding tank and not a septic tank.
However, you have, potentially, a clog that needs to be dissolved. In that case you need to treat it as a clogged septic tank and allow the bacteria and enzymes in Rid-X or RV-DIGEST-IT to work on and break up the material that is "potentially" clogging up the works.
Obviously, if your tank has a physical problem, like a bad valve, then you don't have a clog.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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04-26-2016, 01:14 PM
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#14
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StepanFetchit
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 43
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I'm about 90% certain that it's a grease buildup problem cause the Drain Master Valve is stuck open. Been on the phone with them and their sending me their best product that eats grease, called 'Sensor Power'. They said don't use Rid-x because it will eat the rubber seals. Should have it by Thursday afternoon.
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04-26-2016, 01:29 PM
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#15
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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I have used Sensor Power in the past. I believe it was a waste of my money.
Here is some info on Rid-X and RV tanks.
RID-X® Septic Tank System Treatment Products | RID-X®
I totally don't believe a word of bacteria that can "eat" rubber seals; especially since they are not rubber but silicone.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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04-27-2016, 11:00 AM
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#16
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StepanFetchit
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 43
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Thanks Herk, I'll get some and try it. I'm guessing I need to find the liquid bottle with the picture of the RV on it. I was in Walmart and they only have the boxes of septic system powder.
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04-27-2016, 03:37 PM
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#17
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rdeemat
Thanks Herk, I'll get some and try it. I'm guessing I need to find the liquid bottle with the picture of the RV on it. I was in Walmart and they only have the boxes of septic system powder.
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Amazon is your friend ...
48 OZ RID-X RV Liquid
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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04-27-2016, 05:51 PM
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#18
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StepanFetchit
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 43
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That's great to know cpaulsen, I've never used anything else but Dawn.
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05-05-2016, 12:24 PM
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#19
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StepanFetchit
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769
I have used Sensor Power in the past. I believe it was a waste of my money.
Here is some info on Rid-X and RV tanks.
RID-X® Septic Tank System Treatment Products | RID-X®
I totally don't believe a word of bacteria that can "eat" rubber seals; especially since they are not rubber but silicone.
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Well after setting 5 days with a quart of product called Unique RV Digest-It ( Unique Natural Products | Safe Drain Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning and Holding Tank Maintainers ) it finally gave way and cleared out. Just what I figured it was a grease buildup at the Drainmaster Gate valve. Also found the valve motor to be burned out and needs to be replaced. I ordered the replacement kit from them, $88. and appears to be fairly easy to change out.
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05-05-2016, 12:49 PM
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#20
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rdeemat
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Glad I could help.
See you around the
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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