Black and Gray tanks

gene2661 · 10-11-2011, 04:54 PM

We have a 2012 Flagstaff 26rlss. Have been out 6 days this last month. My question is after only 2 days the Black and Gray tanks are 2/3 full. I can see the gray but not the Black tank.Its just 2 of usWe take 4 showers and the sink water...The Black shouldnt be 2/3 full after 2 days !!!!????
Any ideas???

kbrown1075 · 10-11-2011, 05:19 PM

I have found that I can not trust the guages. The DW and I get about 3 days on the black tank on our 26RLS. Our shower is connected to the black tank. Only once has the tank filled to where the shower water started not to drain (my indicator the tank is full). If we are going to camp for more than 2 nights without sewer hookups I bring the 18 gal blue tank. I have had the blue tank for over a year and used it the first time this past weekend (didn't really need to, but it made me feel better). Herk put a post up a few months ago about some real good sensors and information on how they work, you might try to search out that info.

gene2661 · 10-11-2011, 06:47 PM

Thanks for getting back...But I thought that the shower was GW and not BW. If so then the GW shouldnt fill up in 2 days

gene2661 · 10-11-2011, 06:48 PM

The GW and BW are both 38 gal tanks

Labzy · 10-11-2011, 07:20 PM

If you look from underneath the trailer at the tanks, you can usually see how full they really are.
How long of showers are you taking? Try closing the tub drain so after your shower is done you can see how much water you used.
Many people on here use the Oxygenics shower nozzle which uses less water.

murry1946 · 10-11-2011, 07:59 PM

We also turn off shower head while lathering up and washing hair. Saves water. Also if toilet paper is dropped in tank it can cause sensors to give wrong reading.

Triguy · 10-11-2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gene2661

Thanks for getting back...But I thought that the shower was GW and not BW. If so then the GW shouldnt fill up in 2 days

Generally, the shower and sinks are gray water and the toilet are black. Maybe there is something about the unit you have that pipes the gray into the black.

As for the tank monitors, the lights for the BW are notoriously incorrect, as mentioned. Toilet paper and other "stuff" messes with the sensors. Best to look down your toilet or look at the tanks outside to see how full it is.

ken0042 · 10-11-2011, 09:17 PM

I went so far as to fill my tanks with 5 gallons of water at a time; using a Home Depot bucket. I did this at home so I could see what the capacities of my tanks were. Link What I found was that my grey read 2/3 full when it was actually 1/2 full, and full when it was really 2/3 full.

kbrown1075 · 10-12-2011, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gene2661

Thanks for getting back...But I thought that the shower was GW and not BW. If so then the GW shouldnt fill up in 2 days

In our 26RLS the shower is plumbed to the black tank. This is fine with me as this puts more water into the black tank making cleaning the tank much easier. Most people seem to prefer the shower to the gray tank. I have read where some people have had their plumbing changed to the shower to the gray tank. I like ours just the way it is!

camper007 · 10-12-2011, 07:20 AM

I've never heard of the shower going to the black tank. Where the toilet valve close's, no fume's can get in the trailer, but the shower drain is a different story, it doesn't close.

murph164 · 10-12-2011, 07:49 AM

The sensors are garbage as they foul up all the time. Black tank if you can't look direct into it, will usually bubble just before it is completely full. You will notice an air bubble coming up when you flush it. If this happens you need to dump. Gray water fills fast especially if you shower and wash dishes. My gray water tank in the kitchen will fill within 2 to 3 days. When hooked up to sewer I leave the gray valves open.

kbrown1075 · 10-13-2011, 04:53 AM

There is a trap in the shower drain preventing the fumes back into the TT, just like your shower at home. Have NEVER had a problem with oder. Makes emptying the black tank easy as there is plenty of water to move out the solids.

Len & Cheri · 10-13-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbrown1075

There is a trap in the shower drain preventing the fumes back into the TT, just like your shower at home. Have NEVER had a problem with oder. Makes emptying the black tank easy as there is plenty of water to move out the solids.

Curious about your shower draining into your black. You sure? I would think this would be a no-no. If you ever overfill your black you will end up with quite a nasty surprise in your shower. Is there some kind of one way valve to prevent this?

ken0042 · 10-13-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFugate

Is there some kind of one way valve to prevent this?

They make them for home plumbing; I installed one when I put in the plumbing for my basement washroom. I would think something similar could be installed between the trap and the black tank.

Len & Cheri · 10-13-2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

They make them for home plumbing; I installed one when I put in the plumbing for my basement washroom. I would think something similar could be installed between the trap and the black tank.

Sure, but did FR install that in his unit or did he? I've never heard of a unit coming from the factory like that. Makes me curious if FR has that as an option now or what the story is. There was a thread not to long ago that talked about doing something along like that and it was discussed how it would be nice if we had that option.

emcr703 · 10-13-2011, 07:18 PM

we are going tomorrow to pick up our first camper,,it is an 2008 Maverick Palomino 9ft. just saw it bw and gw tanks are about 7 gals,,,having had a 34 rv with 50 gal tanks,,,how do campers deal with 7 gal tanks,,,,

kbrown1075 · 10-14-2011, 04:57 AM

Yep, I'm sure. I have full hookups next to the house where we keep the TT. I emptied and cleaned both the gray and the black tanks. Dumped 5 Gallons of water down the drain in the shower. Opened the black tank valve, and watched through my clear 45 deg adapter. About 5 gal of water came out. I opened the gray valve... no water. As far as when it fills up; this has only happened once while I was taking a shower. The water just stops going down the drain. We were hooked to sewer so I dumped. I don't know about a check valve on the shower drain. Like I said earlier in this thread, I like the shower going to the black tank, more water with the solids, better tank cleaning.

ken0042 · 10-14-2011, 10:29 AM

I agree- I would like that as well. But like LFugate I am curious; did your trailer come like that from the factory, or was it something you installed yourself?

kbrown1075 · 10-14-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I agree- I would like that as well. But like LFugate I am curious; did your trailer come like that from the factory, or was it something you installed yourself?

The TT came like that.

biken201 · 10-16-2011, 10:39 PM

We just picked up our new 2012 Roo HTT, and our shower drains to the black tank. We were told it helps to keep fluids in the tank and to empty the solids when draining.

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