Black tank versus Grey tank levers?

[WhiteEagle]

Hi folks,

I haven't had the need to empty the Grey or Black water tanks yet on my brand new Sabre cobalt, however yesterday I noticed that neither one is labeled, so I have no idea which one is which (the left one or the right one). Does anyone have some info on this? I would much rather empty my black water tank first, then the grey water tank as a chaser. I'm heading out for 4 months on the road Dec. 3rd, so I'd like to figure this one out....

Frankly, I'm surprised the powers that be at FR wouldn't label these levers!

Thanks in advance for your help.

[5picker]

Most are labeled or colored. Black handle for black tank, grey handle for grey tank.

If you never used the valves (or the tanks) take a 5 gallon bucket and pour 5 gallons of water in the toilet. Go out and open the sewer cap, place the 5 gallon bucket under it and pull one of the handles/levers. if nothing comes out, try the other one. You'll know which one is which.

If you have liquid in the tanks, mix some red food coloring in the water in the 5 gallon bucket and pour it down the shower or sink. Do the same but only run enough out to check for coloring. If you've used the tanks and even if you pull the wrong one first, you'll know rather quickly (within a gallon or less) which one is the poop tank. If so, take the bucket and flush the contents down the toilet in the house.

[bikendan]

You can easily tell the difference, by the pipe diameter.
Gray line is smaller in diameter, than the Black line.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by bikendan

You can easily tell the difference, by the pipe diameter.
Gray line is smaller in diameter, than the Black line.

I agree with the piping size Dan but you wouldn't be able to tell on my 8529IKBS.

The only things visible are the two equally looking 4" sewer ports. All other drain piping is covered.

[rick42wood]

If things are labled they do it with a paper stick on which is gone after a couple of years. I had the same problem with the fuel tanks on my XLR. No indication which is utility tank or which is generator.

[WhiteEagle]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I agree with the piping size Dan but you wouldn't be able to tell on my 8529IKBS.

The only things visible are the two equally looking 4" sewer ports. All other drain piping is covered.

No colored handles, both drain pipes the same size, no labeling..... I suppose they just want me to guess.

[WhiteEagle]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Most are labeled or colored. Black handle for black tank, grey handle for grey tank.

If you never used the valves (or the tanks) take a 5 gallon bucket and pour 5 gallons of water in the toilet. Go out and open the sewer cap, place the 5 gallon bucket under it and pull one of the handles/levers. if nothing comes out, try the other one. You'll know which one is which.

If you have liquid in the tanks, mix some red food coloring in the water in the 5 gallon bucket and pour it down the shower or sink. Do the same but only run enough out to check for coloring. If you've used the tanks and even if you pull the wrong one first, you'll know rather quickly (within a gallon or less) which one is the poop tank. If so, take the bucket and flush the contents down the toilet in the house.

I guess I'll have to throw some colored water down the toilet to figure this out. Then go buy myself some grey paint for the grey water tank handle..... Is there any way to give FR some feedback on this (it won't be good)?

[WhiteEagle]

Originally Posted by bikendan

You can easily tell the difference, by the pipe diameter.
Gray line is smaller in diameter, than the Black line.

Both the same size Bikendan. Go figure!

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by WhiteEagle

Both the same size Bikendan. Go figure!

Have never seen that before, on any RV.
Luckily, my TracerAir has both labeled correctly.

[CaptnJohn]

10% of the time they are labeled wrong anyway. If you have a clear end on your sewer hose you can easily tell by looking at what comes out after use.

[ProfChuck]

I found the Brother P-Touch label maker works well for just labeling the pipes/caps instead of painting them (unless you already have the paint). The labels are waterproof and stand up to a lot of weather. Since you are a photographer, those label makers also work well with labeling your gear, too (not too well on the Canon cloth cases, though).

[lcv800]

Hook up your black tank flush for a few minutes, then disconnect. Pull one handle, if nothing, pull the other.
Rusty

[itat]

WhiteEagle, if the black tank has never been used for its intended purpose then you can dump into a 5 gal pail but if its has, do not use the bucket. Get a clear elbow or straight piece and use that on the outlet(s) and dump into a proper dump station.

I agree with the label maker suggestion. The factory should have done that.

[5stringdog]

I just got my 36BHQ and immediately recognized that the cheap stickers on the bottom panel used to identify the tank handles would be lucky to make it to the first campsite. I got me a black zip tie and a grey zip tie and put them on the proper handles. I figure by the time these rot off I will know what’s what.

[Boomerweps]

Your black tank is directly under your toilet. Your grey tank is normally located between that and the kitchen sink. You should be able to see the piping coming from those locations.

[rick42wood]

Good idea. I don’t know why stuff is sold with parts, i.e. stickers, that have absolutely no chance of lasting for even a portion of the time they will be required to work. I’ve seen brand new units on sales lots that have lost their stickers in the rain and sun. I have no idea which of the auxiliary fuel tanks is for my generator and which is fuel storage for my toys.

[WhiteEagle]

Originally Posted by 5stringdog

I just got my 36BHQ and immediately recognized that the cheap stickers on the bottom panel used to identify the tank handles would be lucky to make it to the first campsite. I got me a black zip tie and a grey zip tie and put them on the proper handles. I figure by the time these rot off I will know what’s what.

Great idea, as long as you are a quick study...... those zip ties fail fairly quickly when exposed to UV light. Granted, the levers are under the trailer, so perhaps they will last for a year or two. Expanding on your idea, why not paint the Grey water tank handle Grey and leave the other one black? That should last for quite a long time with the right paint.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by WhiteEagle

Great idea, as long as you are a quick study...... those zip ties fail fairly quickly when exposed to UV light. Granted, the levers are under the trailer, so perhaps they will last for a year or two. Expanding on your idea, why not paint the Grey water tank handle Grey and leave the other one black? That should last for quite a long time with the right paint.

I just go by pipe size. Small pipe -gray. Large pipe - Black.

Of course both are visible to me.

As for labels, for anything I feel is critical I have some brass plates left over from another project. Some letter stamp dies and small screws make a permanent label.

FWIW, once you've dumped a couple times you just know which is which, label or not.

[JeremywFL]

On my Sabre RLT, the grey is on the left and the black is on the right. Worse case scenario, do a test. Go ahead and fill up that toilet with some stank, then put some water down the sinks. Pull the levers and you'll know which is which.