|
|
Post by jetzen on Apr 26, 2017 9:13:26 GMT -5
Since I started with the camping trailers around 1984 I have been using either Thetford Aqua-Kem or the orange stuff from Camco. The have always seemed to work pretty well at keeping the "stank" out of the black tank.
This new trailer however they don't seem to work as well. Maybe I'm not using enough or maybe it's time to try something else.
What do you all use as black tank deoderizer |
|
|
|
Post by mrstoddyo on Apr 26, 2017 10:11:01 GMT -5
In my previous units I always just mixed a couple gallons water, 1/2 cup detergent and 1/2 water softener at the end of our weekend clean out. Letting it "agitate" while we were on the road. Never had an issue and it was way cheaper than the chemicals.
|
|
abs
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 65 
|
Post by abs on Apr 26, 2017 11:59:27 GMT -5
I have tried so many different chemical products that just would mask the smell. Then along came Happy Camper. I will never use anything else. Works great!
|
|
|
|
Post by johnr on Apr 26, 2017 12:24:10 GMT -5
Is your black tank standpipe blocked by something?
The only time we use anything it's that aqua-kem (sp?) when we're boondocking. During normal operation at campgrounds with sewers, we don't have any issues.
|
|
|
|
Post by jetzen on Apr 26, 2017 12:35:03 GMT -5
I have used the above products for years with good results. I use the same routines as I have on every other trailer I have owned using plenty of water and flushing the tank after dumping. I thought at first I had a clogged tank vent tube but I checked and it was fine.
The odor only happens after I flush the toilet, and it only stays around till you get the bathroom air is cleared out.
The only thing that has changed is the black tank on the new 5ver is 50% larger than my old 5ver. So is it possible that I am not using enough chemical??
mrstoddyo I have heard of your method before the only problem is that the 5ver is stationary for 5-6 months when the problem occurs. I can't just pack everything up and take it for a spin around the block a couple of times.
|
|
|
|
Post by RdRmr on Apr 26, 2017 15:23:25 GMT -5
Over the years we have used numerous brands. Have also done the soap method while on our way home a few times. For the last ten years or so the wife has been using "Odorlos", won't use anything else. It works for us. Here in Southern Calif. it gets a bit hot in the summer months. The only thing we do is add a bit more to the tank when we hit the road and the temp is up. One thing I have found is to keep the tank as clean as possible when not in use. Dried residual DO-DO in the tank is not good. I would rather over use the amount of chemicals no matter what brand than deal with the issues that result from not enough. I have found that we use more in the Durango than our previous 5TH wheel, larger tanks like jetzen said.
One thing I have found with this new 5TH wheel is the toilet sewer pipe down to the tank is longer and my flexible rinse hose is now too short to flush out the system from the top down and yes I use the black tank flush as well, just use the tank flush a bit longer. Happy Campin....
|
|
|
|
Post by mrstoddyo on Apr 27, 2017 13:48:19 GMT -5
mrstoddyo I have heard of your method before the only problem is that the 5ver is stationary for 5-6 months when the problem occurs. I can't just pack everything up and take it for a spin around the block a couple of times.
Good point - in a stationary situation, that's not going to work. |
|
|
|
Post by johnr on Apr 27, 2017 13:58:05 GMT -5
What if you emptied the black tank, filled it partially with fresh water and then tried to use the tank flusher to agitate it around?
|
|
|
|
Post by jetzen on Apr 27, 2017 15:27:04 GMT -5
This is how I normally handle my black tank chores. 3 days is all I will let the black tank fill with waste then I dump. After I hear the draining stop I start with the flush, I flush for about 10 minutes then close the valve and let water fill via the flush for about 2 minutes then shut the flush water off. I then open the black tank valve and drain the tank. Again I wait for the tank to empty and start the flush for about another 10 minutes. After the second flush I turn off the water and wait for the tank to empty, close the tank valve go in side and put 2-3 ounces of tank deodorizer in and about 1 gallon of water.
I have been using this method on all my previous trailers and never had a odor problem, until now.
The odor I am getting now is not overwhelming none the less it is there and it is of sewage. It starts about 2 days after a drain and flush of the tank. You only get the odor after you flush the toilet, that is why I thought the tank vent may have been clogged but it is not.
This black tank is a lot bigger than any I have had in the past so I am wondering if possibly I am not using enough deodorizer, and the other thing when it happened I was in Florida and it was starting to get hot...real hot low 90's hot.
Thanks to all who posted their comments and I will let you know if any other developments occur. |
|
|
|
Post by ronc on Sept 7, 2017 20:51:59 GMT -5
This is how I normally handle my black tank chores. 3 days is all I will let the black tank fill with waste then I dump. After I hear the draining stop I start with the flush, I flush for about 10 minutes then close the valve and let water fill via the flush for about 2 minutes then shut the flush water off. I then open the black tank valve and drain the tank. Again I wait for the tank to empty and start the flush for about another 10 minutes. After the second flush I turn off the water and wait for the tank to empty, close the tank valve go in side and put 2-3 ounces of tank deodorizer in and about 1 gallon of water.
I have been using this method on all my previous trailers and never had a odor problem, until now.
The odor I am getting now is not overwhelming none the less it is there and it is of sewage. It starts about 2 days after a drain and flush of the tank. You only get the odor after you flush the toilet, that is why I thought the tank vent may have been clogged but it is not.
This black tank is a lot bigger than any I have had in the past so I am wondering if possibly I am not using enough deodorizer, and the other thing when it happened I was in Florida and it was starting to get hot...real hot low 90's hot.
Thanks to all who posted their comments and I will let you know if any other developments occur. Just a thought ... you say that you "flush for 10 mins and then close the black tank valve and let the water fill for about 2 minutes ... ". Normal flow is about 3 gals per minute, so a 2 minute fill will only put 6 gallons in a 67 gallon tank ... I usually follow your method except I close the black tank valve and fill for at least 10 mins ... this should fill the black tank about 1/2 full before dumping and flushing again. Try filling the black tank more fully to see if that helps clean off the side walls. Just a suggestion. |
|
|
|
Post by jetzen on Sept 9, 2017 8:33:55 GMT -5
ronc,
The way that the plumbing is routed coming from the toilet, there are too many sharp 60 degree angles and I believe that some of the nasty stuff got stuck on the way down to the tank because at the rally the problem went away before the first black tank flushing occurred.
I have one of those clear hose extensions on the sewer line and when I flush the black tank I flush for about 10 minutes and fill for about 2 minutes and flush and do this process until the water runs clean, so I'm pretty sure that there was nothing in the tank to cause the odor problem |
|
|
|
Post by lynnmor on Sept 9, 2017 10:43:43 GMT -5
ronc,
I have one of those clear hose extensions on the sewer line and when I flush the black tank I flush for about 10 minutes and fill for about 2 minutes and flush and do this process until the water runs clean, so I'm pretty sure that there was nothing in the tank to cause the odor problem Even after doing that, stuff remains. After your flush, add about ten gallons of water and drive to the next place to dump and immediately drain, then watch what comes out of the tank that you thought was clean. |
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on Sept 11, 2017 12:11:06 GMT -5
I have been using either Thetford Aqua-Kem or the orange stuff from Camco as well but I always add a "Tide" packet an two packets of the other stuff. I like ronc try to put about least 10 gals or a little more in the black water tank an so far so good no smell so far  As jetzen I have the same 5th wheel but even at the rally I waited four days before i emptied my black water tank. Ronc was was wondering if I ever emptied my black water tank because I had not hooked up my hose to the sewer till the day I emptied my tanks LOL But unlike jetzen we move around from camp ground to camp ground at most every three no more than four days, so staying at the rally is the most we have ever stayed in one place for a long period of time except while sitting in our driveway not in use ... If we stay at a camp ground two days I will not empty my black water tank till I am ready to leave at the next camp ground unless we are headed home, thus I believe sloshing stuff around I believe breaks stuff up I do use my black water flush every time I dump at a camp grounds, running the flush while the valve is closed an waiting for 5 to 8 minutes each time an a number of times till I see clear water coming from the Black water tank, it may take me 20 to 30 minutes at times to get the job done. Chuck |
|
|
|
Post by nvguy on Sept 12, 2017 23:22:37 GMT -5
This is how I normally handle my black tank chores. 3 days is all I will let the black tank fill with waste then I dump. After I hear the draining stop I start with the flush, I flush for about 10 minutes then close the valve and let water fill via the flush for about 2 minutes then shut the flush water off. I then open the black tank valve and drain the tank. Again I wait for the tank to empty and start the flush for about another 10 minutes. After the second flush I turn off the water and wait for the tank to empty, close the tank valve go in side and put 2-3 ounces of tank deodorizer in and about 1 gallon of water.
I have been using this method on all my previous trailers and never had a odor problem, until now.
The odor I am getting now is not overwhelming none the less it is there and it is of sewage. It starts about 2 days after a drain and flush of the tank. You only get the odor after you flush the toilet, that is why I thought the tank vent may have been clogged but it is not.
This black tank is a lot bigger than any I have had in the past so I am wondering if possibly I am not using enough deodorizer, and the other thing when it happened I was in Florida and it was starting to get hot...real hot low 90's hot.
Thanks to all who posted their comments and I will let you know if any other developments occur.
This is based on Aqua Chem, but 2-3 Oz isn't enough toilet chem, go to 6-8 OZ and try that. Yes, hotter temps "boil off" the chemicals faster.
|
|
