Black tank

[chunker]

To help keep the black and grey tanks less stinky we have used a good dish washer liquid such as Cascade etc. Not the packets but the liquid which we dilute in a bowl first and add to the tanks. In addition to degreasers it has wetting agents to help in the rinsing. Sort of accidentally discovered it when partial dry camping at the Winnebago factory and we had to conserve waste tank space. We washed dishes in a tub and poured into the toilet. When I did get to a dump station it seemed to help the flushing. Just our experiences.

[owenandkathy]

I have a 2017 Keystone Hideout. Hooked up hose to the trailer and open Black tank and no water flowed into the black tank. The valve under the sink shows direction of water, but do not know what direction it should go. Can anyone help? Not sure if the picture i attached worked right.


Thanks,

Owen Thomas
Berthoud, CO

[notanlines]

Originally Posted by owenandkathy

I have a 2017 Keystone Hideout. Hooked up hose to the trailer and open Black tank and no water flowed into the black tank. The valve under the sink shows direction of water, but do not know what direction it should go. Can anyone help? Not sure if the picture i attached worked right.


Thanks,

Owen Thomas
Berthoud, COAttachment 28673

Owen, first, welcome to the forum. Second, your back flow preventer is probably installed backward. Third, do a search above and dozens of posts will come up. And last but not least, start a new post with " Black tank flush does not work" as the header and answers will be forthcoming. I promise!

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by owenandkathy

I have a 2017 Keystone Hideout. Hooked up hose to the trailer and open Black tank and no water flowed into the black tank. The valve under the sink shows direction of water, but do not know what direction it should go. Can anyone help? Not sure if the picture i attached worked right.


Thanks,

Owen Thomas
Berthoud, COAttachment 28673

If you're not getting flow with this way turn it around (takes about 2 minutes), then if no flow something else is the issue.

[owenandkathy]

Thanks for the messages. I did turn the valve around, and still no water into the tank. There was water to the valve both ways i installed. Can the valve be bad? Is there a way to know that, other then replace? Notanlines, i did try to start a new thread, but could not figure out how to do it. When i am in Keystone Tech Forums, i do not see anyway to start a new thread.

[notanlines]

Above and on the left click on "Forum." Scroll down and click on "Repairs and Maintenance." Click on "New post." You'll be home free.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by owenandkathy

Thanks for the messages. I did turn the valve around, and still no water into the tank. There was water to the valve both ways i installed. Can the valve be bad? Is there a way to know that, other then replace? Notanlines, i did try to start a new thread, but could not figure out how to do it. When i am in Keystone Tech Forums, i do not see anyway to start a new thread.

There is no way to "start a new thread" in the Keystone Tech Forums category. You can't start a thread in any of the "blue banner sub group headers". That is a "thread category header" and not a place where any threads are started. Choose any of the sub sections under that heading and you'll see the "NEW THREAD" button on the top left corner, just above the first thread title.

If you do start a new thread, please look over ALL the forum sections and start the thread in the section most applicable to the topic. It does little good for anyone if you start a thread about your black tank in the TOWING section (as an example).... Do a little "thinking about where it would fit best" and you'll likely get much better results in responses....

[HRoper]

When I dump my black tank, then flush, the trailer fills with the most noxious sewer odour. I’ve had many RVs and I never had this problem. I do use chemicals and add water but this almost unbearable. Could it be a plugged vent? Any help please.

[sonofcy]

Originally Posted by HRoper

When I dump my black tank, then flush, the trailer fills with the most noxious sewer odour. I’ve had many RVs and I never had this problem. I do use chemicals and add water but this almost unbearable. Could it be a plugged vent? Any help please.

I hear this a lot. I never get a whiff. I never use chemicals or anything, reason is the stuff isn't in there long enough for most things to work. I even have the bathroom MaxxFan running in exhaust mode and when I flush still no smell. I do know my vent is open as I had a reason to check it with a hose from the roof.

[HRoper]

It’s the worst when tank is first emptied but gets progressively better. Haven’t had this trailer very long, don’t know what the previous owners used.

[HRoper]

What is the best way to check for a blocked vent?

[flybouy]

If the vent was blocked it wouldn't drain properly. It would "chug-a-lug" as air would have to enter thru the drain hose. Think of taking a gallon jug and turning it upside down to pour out the contents.

[sonofcy]

Originally Posted by HRoper

What is the best way to check for a blocked vent?

Go up on the roof with a water hose. Turn it on slow and let it run while someone down below watches the clear elbow to see if water is coming out. If you don't have a clear elbow just wait a few minutes and if the water doesn't come up the vent it is open. BTW, the ONLY place I get a smell is on the roof from the vents!

[HRoper]

So... if the vent is ok, any other suggestions as to what would create such a smell inside the RV?

[sonofcy]

Originally Posted by HRoper

So... if the vent is ok, any other suggestions as to what would create such a smell inside the RV?

If you do NOT have real P traps, then maybe the Hepvo valve needs replacement. Also, it doesn't hurt to put a trap in the sewer hose. I do that by letting the hose go to the ground right off the pipe, and then it goes up to the hose holder. This way there is always water in the hose so campground sewer gas cannot get back up the hose. Of course, black is closed, and grey may or may not be open when camping.