Rockwoood 2404S- Black Water Flush

[arutlosjr11]

Hey guys, back with another question. Every time I RV, more seem to pop up.

So, I bought a hose to flush out my black tank, but it didn't work.

I opened up the black, dumped and closed. Then the gray and dumped. Then i connected my black flush hose on, opened the black, opened the flush hose and.... NOTHING!!!

I'm guessing there's a log clog since no water came out and my black tank started reading 3/4 full - then full. It wasn't until I left the toilet running that some stuff came out of the black again, but I'm guessing it wasn't assisted by the flush hose.

Seems simple enough. Did I do something wrong?

[kandl]

Yep, them ginormous floaties can be a PITA!

Are you practicing black tank etiquette? Conservative with the TP, using TP that will readily break down in H2O (some brands will maintain their consistency for days) and ensuring the black tank is near full when it's time to dump.

Dump and flush the black tank before dumping the grey water. That way you're employing the soapy grey tank water to clean out out the stinky slinky. Never use the black tank flush with the gate valve closed or to otherwise fill the black tank. If one them floaties, or a glob of TP, gets in the way of the vent, the outcome can be real messy.

It's not unusual for crud (usually TP) to adhere to the black tank level sensors and give you a false reading. Gotta flush multiple times on occasion to get that crud off the sensors. That may include refilling the black tank with fresh water.

And it's helpful to be able to see what's going on so get one of these:

[arutlosjr11]

Originally Posted by kandl

Yep, them ginormous floaties can be a PITA!

Are you practicing black tank etiquette? Conservative with the TP, using TP that will readily break down in H2O (some brands will maintain their consistency for days) and ensuring the black tank is near full when it's time to dump.

Dump and flush the black tank before dumping the grey water. That way you're employing the soapy grey tank water to clean out out the stinky slinky. Never use the black tank flush with the gate valve closed or to otherwise fill the black tank. If one them floaties, or a glob of TP, gets in the way of the vent, the outcome can be real messy.

It's not unusual for crud (usually TP) to adhere to the black tank level sensors and give you a false reading. Gotta flush multiple times on occasion to get that crud off the sensors. That may include refilling the black tank with fresh water.

And it's helpful to be able to see what's going on so get one of these:

Thank you for your response. All of the above I've done, including the clear elbow fitting.

Black first then gray. I then re-opened the black to "flush" it with the hose. That's when nothing happens.

The toilet paper is the correct RV flushable kind. Not sure what else to do.

[kandl]

Originally Posted by arutlosjr11

Black first then gray. I then re-opened the black to "flush" it with the hose. That's when nothing happens.

You should "flush"before dumping the grey. Nevertheless, you may have a check valve issue. The black tank flush system has a check valve to prevent the nasty stuff from backing up into the flush system plumbing. The check valve on your TT is likely to be just inside the connection point for the flush. Some of these check valves have been installed backwards! To determine that, you'll need to remove the sealing ring and the screen at the flush inlet. You should see a ball downstream of the inlet and you should (using a small screwdriver, pen etc) be able to push the ball downstream. If it won't move, your check valve is installed backwards and you'll need to remove the flush inlet and reorient the check valve.

[arutlosjr11]

Ok. Sounds good. I'll flush before dumping the gray.

Since the TT is only a few months old, I'll let the service guys mess with it.

[kandl]

Originally Posted by arutlosjr11

Since the TT is only a few months old, I'll let the service guys mess with it.

Indeed, exercise that warranty!

Suggestion: Utilize the signature block to list your trailer's model no and year of manufacture. Then, when you present a query, forum members will be more apt to jump all over ya with like scenarios or solutions.

[iluvlcy]

Is this the first time you used it? If so maybe there is a kink in the hose that goes from flush to tank?


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[arutlosjr11]

Originally Posted by iluvlcy

Is this the first time you used it? If so maybe there is a kink in the hose that goes from flush to tank?


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Yes, it's the first time I use the flush option. I've used the trailer 3 times.

[Buddy Duncan]

Do you hear the water running when you are using the flush? if so it has to go somewhere, if not then you probably have a kinked or blocked flush line.

[arutlosjr11]

Originally Posted by arutlosjr11

Yes, it's the first time I use the flush option. I've used the trailer 3 times.

I didn't hear anything at all. The black tank gauge did show full tho.

[iluvlcy]

Seem like there was a thread on this and the check valve was on backwards or hose was kinked. Our flush is on outside bath wall and we can see where the hose comes in trailer inside bath vanity then back down through hole to tank. Maybe you can see your? Also we can hear the water flowing into tank, full gauge may be because tank has not been rinsed. Have you looked down toilet to see if full?


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[arutlosjr11]

Ok. I'm guessing the check valve is on backwards. This is a picture of it.

The words are used for reference since you can't see the direction arrow in the smaller pic. The flow arrow is pointing outside and against the flow of water if it came from outside.

I could hear no water hitting the black tank.

What do you guys/ gals think.

[iluvlcy]

Well I would say that looks like the problem!


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[nomad297]

Your vacuum breaker/check valve is hooked up backwards.

Bruce

[arutlosjr11]

Success. Thanks to you guys telling me about this issue, I would have never knows. That's exactly what it was. Once it was switched, it now flows!

Sad that they continue to install them backwards.

Yes, it's super nasty, but I'm so glad it fixed!

[kandl]

Originally Posted by arutlosjr11

Sad that they continue to install them backwards.

Indeed, especially when the part has 'check valves for dummies' instructions molded into it. Should be able to get them sensors cleaned off now.

Common trick for getting the black tank really clean but not recommended if there's a lineup behind you at a dump station:

Many RVers typically drain the black tank, turn on the tank flush and wait till it's all clear - or so we think. You'd be surprised how much goop can remain on the floor of the tank.

With that black tank empty and the tank flush on, close the black tank gate valve for about 30-40 seconds. Open the valve and watch all that residual crap come flowing out. Repeat the process as necessary until things are really running clear. Closely monitor this procedure and be mindful not to leave the flush on with gate valve closed for too long. In fact, most RVs have a warning adjacent to the flush connection to ensure that the gate valve is open. The consequences of filling the black tank, that may have a defective vent, with the flush can be beyond nasty.