How to use the black tank flusher

[leslie]

Before we took delivery of our first-ever RV, our new Camplite 21-BHS, I watched a youtube video, which showed the "proper" way to flush the black tank. The expert said to close the black tank vent, fill the black tank using the flusher, and then empty the tank again. Repeat if necessary.

The black tank flusher on my Camplite says to flush with the vent open. This is printed on the outside of the Camplite. So, we flush for maybe a minute or two. It works pretty well, judging by the gauge reading inside our camper. After flushing, it shows 1/3 full.

At a campground in Georgia, a retired RV salesman told us that we should flush the black tank for at least 5 minutes with the vent open. So, what do you folks think is the best way to flush the black tanks?

[charliem]

[font size="3"]LL pretty much has to have the label stating the drain valve must be open. If someone left it closed and took a nap you can imagine the mess that would result. LL would have a real legal and physical mess on its, an your, hands.

That said, the Youtube video is correct. If you flush with the valve open you are relying on the internal circulation pattern to clean the tank. Depending on what type and the position within the tank, the flusher may or may not clean the entire tank. This is usually ineffective. My procedure is to fill the tank with the valve closed, dump the tank until it's empty, and repeat. Depending on where I'm going next I repeat this procedure at least once, and more if I'm going back home to the driveway. HOWEVER, this requires a reliable and accurate indication of when the tank is nearing full. The SeeLevel monitor provides this. The OEM LED monitor may provide this, but it should be checked. The OEM sensors are such that they usually provide false positives, but cannot generally provide false negatives. That is, they will often indicate full when the tank is not, but won't indicate empty when the tank is really full. If your OEM monitor displays empty when you know it is and displays 2, 3, and 4 lights as it fills it's probably sufficient.  

BTW, a clear 45 degree elbow in the sewer hose will help in seeing what's going on. [/font]

[leslie]

We have not changed out the black tank sensors. Thanks for the info about flushing, charliem. I was in a Camping World several months ago, with one of those clear plastic 45 degree angle things for the sewer hose. The man in line in front of me told me that I didn't want to watch all the nasty stuff going down the drain, and, anyway, I didn't need it. He said that he had been RVing for 25 years, never needed that, never had one, and never had any problems.

It seems I need to get more experience with my RV. I will be at a Camping World in 2 weeks and will get that plastic whatchamacallit. I think it's a good idea.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Leslie,

Just because he's been doing something for 25 years doesn't mean he's right. I believe one of the videos you watched described the benefits of knowing what's going out of your black tank. That same video showed what happened after refilling the tank and dumping. Think of a dirty kitchen sink. You can pour water down the center of the drain for five minutes, ten minutes, or a hour and you will never get the sides clean. So much for your retired TV salesman in Georgia. Get the clear 45 elbow and learn how to fill and dump the tank, especially when you're headed home. You don't want stuff to dry on the walls or sensors.  (puke)   Camp on.
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[daplumbr]

And you don't have to watch until the very end! Being able to see the end of the flush also lets you know when the last of the water has drained out. I like the idea of using the black tank flush as basically a fill valve for the tank. Up to now, I've used it with the drain open. Even if you only went to half a tank full, it seems like using the flush system with the drain closed would really help clean the tank. (I couldn't resist joining another poop thread.) 

[furpod]

The clear adapter piece is actually pretty handy. Interesting in a weird way. First time I saw one was at a rally, 7-8 guys standing around as someone dumped.. being a man, I had to go see what was up..

We had a pod owner forget they were using the BT flush, with dump valve closed..... until BW started running out of the vent and down the back of the trailer.. I don't have the built in flush, but use a flexible wand with a sprayer head on it, down through the toilet, at home, after most trips. I do some with valve closed, and open. When I have the valve closed, I use a timer function on my phone so as to not forget.. LOL

[gbpack]

Hi guys. This black tank flush thing is new to us and we haven't done it yet (but will need to soon!). We have the black tank flusher system on our 21BHS, but not sure how to do it. And what's with the vent? Where is that located and how does that fit in with the whole process?
Any assistance you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Gregg & Joan

[charliem]

[font size="3"]G & J,

Read the previous posts in this thread to use the flusher. [/font][font size="3"]The flusher is a separate hose connection on the outside. If you connect to a water source at a campground dump station you need a separate non-white hose. [/font][font size="3"]You should also accumulate water in the gray tank so you can flush the sewer hose after dumping the black tank.[/font][font size="3"] [/font][font size="3"]The vent is a pipe exiting on the roof near the rear of the trailer. It vents the gasses generated in the black tank outside. If you overfill the tank with the dump valve closed and the toilet closed the vent will overrun onto the roof IF the seals are all good. Not a good scene, but better than the alternatives. [/font][font size="3"]
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[scbillandjane]

I need help with what I have heard or read about black tanks. I have only had previous camping experience with a 7 gallon recirculating toilet in the previous camper. Needless to say recirculating poo was not an attractive option, and the campground facilities were always used. We don't have the black tank flush option. Wish the dealer had ordered it. Reading the Escapees full timer forum, they recommend keeping the black tank drain closed and making sure that sufficient water is used with each flush to prevent a "black volcano" from building up in the black tank. The dealer said to make sure the black tank was at least half full before dumping. Should we start the camp trip with 2 gallons of water already in the tank? What chemicals are needed? I had never heard of poo going through the roof. Sure don't want to have the geyser at the dump station. Is there a web site RV Toilet 101?

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Don't fret about poo going through the roof. Only a remote possibility if you keep your wits about you. First, which model CL do you have? Does it have any type of tank monitor? How many of you in the camper and how long are your trips?

For starters, keep the dump valves closed and wait until you have 1/2 to 3/4 in the black tank before dumping it. If you don't have a tank monitor there are other ways. It is best to start out with 1 gallon in the tank and some anti-odor chemicals. [/font][font size="3"]These also help the tank digestion process. [/font][font size="3"]I like Odorlos, available from Camping World, but there are others. Just be sure your choice is septic safe and contains no Formaldehyde. It will slosh around as you drive.

Keep enough water in your gray tank so you can flush and clean the sewer hose after you dump the black tank. Dump the black tank first, then the gray. I don't recommend leaving the gray valve open, even if you have full hookups.

Without the black tank flusher you will have to find a way to refill the black tank to really get it clean. There are several methods available such as wands, Flush King, and others. You can also add the backflusher or have it done by an RV dealer. It's really worthwhile IMHO.

Let us know if you need more help. That's why we're here    
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[drdave]

Regardless of tank flush method I would still use a master blaster or similar at the very least once at the end of the season prior to winterizing.   I still got a bit of "Material" out even though I had used the black tank flush throughout the season.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BGHYDO?keywords=RV%20tank%20flush&qid=1452296734&ref_=sr_1_5&sr=8-5

[scbillandjane]

We have a new 2015 21BHS that we haven't been able to use yet due to the weather and a leak in the vent fan over the queen bed. Could you describe what parts the black flush kit has? Is it simply an outside water connection with a hose leading to the black tank? Would using a water hose to continue filling the toilet achieve the same result? Next dumb question that I am afraid to ask, but I am afraid it is real question. Where does the business end of the master blaster go in order to reach the Black tank? Next question, how much water does a flush use? Never having used this type, I am trying to figure out how many days between dump stations.
I guess I understand how the black flush kit would work at a campground with sewer hook ups. You would wait until the black tank monitor indicated it was above a half tank, dump into the sewer, disconnect the white water hose, and use the dark colored hose to connect the campground water supply to the black water flush inlet on the camper. Close the dump valve, add water through the black flush inlet, dump again, until the dump water was clear in the clear section of the dump hose. I have no clue how to do this at the dump stations at the state parks where we like to camp. They normally don't have sewer hook ups. I have never noticed a water hose connection at the dump stations. The water to rinse the sewer hose comes out of a tall water outlet with a spring like fitting that won't connect to a water hose. I have never seen a back tank flush kit in operation at a state park type campground. Thanks for helping me understand this process. I already provide enough entertainment backing into a campsite.

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/17602/thread" author="@scbillandjane" timestamp="1452360731"]Could you describe what parts the black flush kit has? Is it simply an outside water connection with a hose leading to the black tank?  [font size="3" color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"]It usually[font color="e6195b"] [/font][/font]includes a backflow preventer and vacuum breaker.[/font]

Would using a water hose to continue filling the toilet achieve the same result? [font color="e6195b" size="3"]Yes, but less convenient.[/font]

Where does the business end of the master blaster go in order to reach the Black tank? [font color="e6195b" size="3"]Down the toilet.
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Next question, how much water does a flush use? Never having used this type, I am trying to figure out how many days between dump stations. [font size="3" color="e6195b"]It depends on how long you step on the pedal. [font color="e6195b"]A[/font]nywhere from almost nothing to a full bowlful. The tank should last a week at least for two people.[/font]

I guess I understand how the black flush kit would work at a campground with sewer hook ups. You would wait until the black tank monitor indicated it was above a half tank [font size="3" color="e6195b"](let it go to 3/4 if possible)[/font], dump into the sewer, disconnect the white water hose, and use the dark colored hose to connect the campground water supply to the black water flush inlet on the camper. [font color="e6195b"][font size="3"][font color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][font color="e6195b"][font size="3"]The color/type of hose you use depends on the source of the water. If[font color="e6195b"] it's coming from a clean[font color="e6195b"] [/font]CG faucet it's OK to use your white hose. Just keep the flu[font color="e6195b"]s[/font]her fitting on your camper clean. [font color="e6195b"]Connecting[/font] your green/black hose to the CG water faucet can contaminate  the CG fitting. If you're using water at a dump station where [font color="e6195b"]it says [font color="e6195b"]n[/font]on potable use a green or black hose. Never run unknown water through your white hose. Most CG dump station water comes from the same source as the FW[font color="e6195b"], but they can't control how peopl[font color="e6195b"]e treat the faucet fittings.[font color="e6195b"] H[/font]ence it's non potable. [/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][font color="e6195b"][font size="3"][font color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"]Accumulate a [font color="e6195b"]tankful of[/font][font color="e6195b"] [/font]gray water before you d[font color="e6195b"]ump to [font color="e6195b"]flush and clean the sewer hose after the black dump.[/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font]

Close the dump valve, add water through the black flush inlet, [font size="3" color="e6195b"]fill tank[/font], dump again, until the dump water was clear in the clear section of the dump hose. I have no clue how to do this at the dump stations at the state parks where we like to camp. They normally don't have sewer hook ups. I have never noticed a water hose connection at the dump stations. The water to rinse the sewer hose comes out of a tall water outlet with a spring like fitting that won't connect to a water hose. [font color="e6195b"][font size="3"]Some CG dump stations have a hose fitting on the end of the spring thing; most don't. Some have a separate hose [font color="e6195b"]faucet/fitting[font color="e6195b"] nearby. [font color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"][font color="e6195b"]A[/font]lways[/font][/font] use[font color="e6195b"] [/font]a green/black hose here. Check out the dump station on the way in so you'll know what you'll have to do when the time comes.
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[scbillandjane]

Thank you Charlie. Your answer is very clear and concise. If you aren't a teacher, you should have been.

[leslie]

Also, look on youtube for videos on how to dump RV holding tanks and for flushing the black tank. I did this before taking delivery of my Camplite and felt they really prepared me for my first trip to a dump station.

BTW, I think the worst part of this whole process is having to reach under the trailer in order to remove the cap, attach the sewer hose (Rhino brand), and then detach the sewer hose. It can really hurt if you have arthritis in your knee!