A Black Tank Cleaning Story

[rskrbina]

For the tt that have the flush option, where is the location of the "flusher" in the black tank, is it a standard location for all models and what type of spray pattern does it produce? While flushing ( 2-3 times before the water is clear) my 38 gallon tank will hit the 2/3 full mark in about 1 1/2 minutes.

[Hutch333id]

I was lead to believe the black tank valves had to be open while using the flusher because of the pressure build up. With that said, I close the black tank discharge valves on my TT and run the flusher/rinser for 90 seconds before opening them again. I repeat this three or four times until the discharge is running clear. However, in the five years we have owned our two different trailers nothing solid has ever been deposited in our black tanks.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Hutch333id

I was lead to believe the black tank valves had to be open while using the flusher because of the pressure build up. With that said, I close the black tank discharge valves on my TT and run the flusher/rinser for 90 seconds before opening them again. I repeat this three or four times until the discharge is running clear. However, in the five years we have owned our two different trailers nothing solid has ever been deposited in our black tanks.

Here is my understanding:

While there is a vent stack that goes to the roof in each tank (that should keep the pressure from building up in the tank during NORMAL use), there are two failure modes that could happen by keeping the valve closed and allowing the tank to fill.

1) The vent pipe is glued so it sticks down below the top of the tank. This will trap a large bubble of air in the tank that will be compressed by the incoming water well before the tank sensors report the tank full. As the water starts up the vent stack, the weight of the water in the stack will resist the incoming water pressure from the flusher and pressurize the trapped air and water bulging the tank and cracking the glue joints at the toilet, dump valve, or vent causing leaks.

2) Similar scenario, but the weight of the water in the stack and the water in the tank resists the incoming volume of water and since the vent can't relieve the pressure fast enough through the water filled stack, the tank bursts along an assembly seam. This failure mode happened to a friend of mine in his Montana 2 years ago.

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I dump, run the flush for 30 seconds or so and then close the valve for 5 - 6 minutes (on a timer!). I opened it and repeat with a minute less of time on each flush until the water is running clear (usually 2-4 times). The tank indicators have never registered above 2/3 in all my time doing it on my 42g tank.

X2 the flow rate thru the flusher is not that great and the 5 min is perfect. good flushing and good rinse volume. good.

[Chewie]

During my PDI in regards to the flusher, I have the same warning and I was told that it will eventually fill up the tank and overflow the roof vent. The tech told me they had a recent coach that ended up being totaled in insurance costs due to this and causing severe water damage throughout the roof and walls. Flusher was left on "for some time." They said when they opened up the roof there was tp scraps there and they knew what had happened then. Not sure if this was a true story, but either way I'd try to avoid it. I don't have the valve closed when using the flusher. Works well.

[Rmack]

When I bought my TT, It came with a starter kit that contained the hoses, cables, chocks, etc that you needed. One item was a cheap plastic wand that screwed on the hose, and shot a thin stream of water out the end at a ninety degree angle. It has an on/off lever, which mostly works.

I jam it down the toilet while I'm standing on the pedal, with the city water hooked up and the toilet flushing, and move it up and down while turning it in circles to squirt the sides and corners.

So far so good.

[Doug_C]

Installed Two Tornado units... Black tank and Grey tank

Sent from my LG-LS970 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[Doug_C]

Here's some pics if my installation.

Sent from my LG-LS970 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[DAISY BOYKIN]

When I flush my black tank, one of the processing steps is when I have finished the flushing. I add approximately five gallons of water or until the first light on the tank level board comes on. I then fill the toilet bowl half full
(for OC half empty). I add three of the dishwasher "PODS" to the bowl along with one of the chemical bags of "AQUA KEM TOSS INS", let dissolve before
dumping toilet contents into the black tank. The dishwasher detergent pods
clean the sensors, the tank, along with liquid in the pods to make sure no
"SPOTS" are left from the hard water. The liquid in the pods I believe
perform the same as Calgon. I have no problems with the black tank or sensors. I purchase the tub of 48 PODS at SAM'S or WAL-MART.

[Swift 2]

We just found the powder Calgon at Kmart yesterday.

[rockfordroo]

The Calgon also comes in a liquid. A lot easier than the powder, if you can find it.

[DKRITTER]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

I was told but have not tried it yet

About 10- 15 gallons of water and 2 five pound bags of ice in the black tank, then drive around.

I found this tonight, it's pretty well done.;

Do Ice Cubes in the RV Black Tank Really Work?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH6acEmqvcw

[PhotoMaster]

I have often wondered about the ice cube trick, and I'm honestly not surprised with the outcome of the test. I was hoping he was going to run the tank washer that he had hooked up, but he never did.

[steveh326]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

The Calgon also comes in a liquid. A lot easier than the powder, if you can find it.

my local walmart carries the liquid but not the powder.

[oxcamper]

I always keep my black tank valve CLOSED during the flushing as this also helps provide a large amount of water to wash out any "pyramids" that otherwise the stream of water just flow around. I do stand at the tank though but flush for 3 minutes then while the flushing is still on, open the discharge valve. I do this 3 times before there is a clear stream. I tried it with the valve open at first but just couldn't get it as clean as I want. We camp/use the trailer as a 2nd home durning the season, so we're in it at least 120 days a year. I also add the calgon to the black tank, I believe it helps a lot. However it sometimes is hard to find.

[Still Kickin]

Walmart does carry the liquid calgon, but you really have to look hard for it, because the shelf space alotted is small. Check online to see if your local store says they have it.

[Retire09]

Now I know why after having winterized at a dealer, and tanks all dump the monitor shows a third of level in the black tank. Will have to try the ice come spring.

[Pipeman]

I'm here to tell you, don't walk away or let anybody distract you when using the turbo flusher. Don't ask me. I got lucky and the toilet overflowed...clear water only. Not a lot of damage..just threw out a few area rugs. Turned the flusher off, opened the black tank valve and the sewer hose, that was screwed into the dump, flew up in the air as if it had a rocket booster on it. There was water flying everywhere until the pressure subsided. I had a hell of a time trying to get out of the way of that pressurized snake. Now I only let it run for anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute.
As for Calgon, I use it and most of the time and usually can find it at a Walmart and I think that it`s not sold at stores that are in an area where there isn`t hard water. Calgon is a water softener and makes water slippery. I also use RV Digest-it. I`ve had a pyramid twice in 36 years or so and it`s not fun getting rid of it. Forgot...I never go by those level lights..when an air bubble forms when you flush, It`s getting near time to dump.

[Bizmark]

For those of you that have a hard time finding the Calgon, I've had good luck using Rain Drops. It's also usually a little cheaper than Calgon

http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Drops-Wat...Water+Softener

[boatnut]

My tank got plugged this week due to my own ignorance/laziness.
I added additional chemical as we'll ad calgon and laundry detergent.
Ended up going to hardware store and buying 3 pieces of Pex tubing in 5' lengths and fittings.
I fashioned one piece,7' long with help of coupling and another 4' long(cutting off a Foot). I added a female hose bib and inline shut off valve to each.
I position camper so dump outlet is almost over dump inlet at dump station.
I attack from both ends, jamming 7' length up from outside and turning on water.
Alternating with using 4' rig inside eiith hose coming in thru rear window.
Took awhile but eventually got everything cleaned out and running clear. Learned my lesson!