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Topic: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine (Read 778 times) previous topic - next topic

Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

I am in the process of refitting the wet bay and valves and am thinking of joining the 2 tanks together by way of a Tee before the valve as it was mentioned that most of the new coach's have 1 tank for both. Looking on the new posting of 2017 IH45 it shows 2 tank valve switches and mentions "dual tanks" in the specs. Did they actually go to 1 tank or was it just a thought? Maybe the Realm has 1 only?
So, my question to anyone interested in replying to this ,does it make sense for me to conect the 2 tanks at their outlets then have only 1 electric valve,but, put back the 3rd manual one as a backup plan in case of failure with electric valve. What would you do?
Comments please.
JohnH??
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #1 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
I am in the process of refitting the wet bay and valves and am thinking of joining the 2 tanks together by way of a Tee before the valve as it was mentioned that most of the new coach's have 1 tank for both.

Comments please.

Coaches designed with a single waste tank (other than some of the very early ones) have grey water bypass capability.  Would expect this is so if on full hookups you could switch to bypass and all grey water would exit coach; tank would then be an increased-capacity black tank.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #2 –
Hi John, it is an interesting idea.  I think you need to use a sanitary T hub rather than an ordinary T.  The T hub allows flow from two directions into one.  I am not sure how the two tanks will comingle through this fitting.  This might be something to ask a plumber about.

Good point, Michelle.  Good reason for separate valves anyway.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #3 –
                                                                                                                                                                     Something I have learned loud and clear is , when all set up at a camp ground with full hook ups and there for a few weeks or so , you do not want to use the by pass feature . If you do , you will end up with a pile of semi solids that will not flush as well as you might expect . This will leave you with maybe 20 or 30 percent or more  in the tank . Now your choices are take on water to about 70 percent unhook and drive around to loosen it or fill with water several times and hope for the best . Now what works well for me is , close the tank , let it fill to at least 80 or 90 percent , them dump and use the rinse feature for a few minutes . I dump about every three days and this keeps the large  single tank reading empty when finished  . Yes , I learned this the hard way          Brad Metzger
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #4 –
Somethiing along the lines of this t fitting would be a must because in a 90 degree t without the sweeps solids can catch and or clog. The fluids will equalize level during use regardless but the solids might tend to stay in the black tank as there wouldn't be a rush of fluid to flush them from one to the other. The other risk is when draining the hose can only flow so much and with it coming out of two tanks you wont get as much of an instant rush of flow one each tank so the risk of solids not coming out is increased with each tank only flowing at half the rate during draining.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #5 –
I was thinking of using a Sanitary Tee which allows both tanks free flow and no dead end. No decision yet on system yet and thanks for thoughts.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #6 –
Sorry, I don't see any reason to mess with a proven design.  With two separate tanks, plus a 3rd valve mod, you have a very flexible system.

Normal use: Allow both tanks to fill until you need to dump black water- then use the 3rd valve to backflush the black tank with water from the gray tank.

Long term parking with full hookups:  Leave the black tank closed until near full (for most effective flushing action), then dump.  Leave the gray tank valve open to drain as it is used (just like at home), especially if you have a clothes washing machine.

If you are boon-docking, and get into a bind with the black tank full and no place to dump, you can always use the 3rd valve to equalize your holding tanks.  Since the gray tank has more capacity, and is usually less full (%), equalizing will buy you some additional space in your black tank, until you can get to a dump station.

IMO, two tanks and 3 valves work great.  8)
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
IMO, two tanks and 3 valves work great.  8)

Gotta agree, why give up the flexibility?  Might also consider a condition where two tanks are tied together, and for whatever reason is on a serious incline, what is the venting arrangement?  Have found that tying two tanks together can have unanticapated behavior.

I expect the single tank arrangement is cost effective alternative for mfg. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #8 –
We have been offered to share some ranch property, with power.  So after a week or so, we sometimes find the grey tank is showing full.  When it rains, hard for an hour, the ground is almost dry in a few minutes, as the sandy and loose gravel and rock soil drains off.  I have dumped the grey tank in a number of different places of their choice, and there is no evidence of anything an hour later.  A common grey and black tank would not work for us there in that situation.

I too use my full grey tank water to help back flush the black tank.  I sometimes use my removable 3rd valve, or not, by simply lifting the drain hose up a couple of feet.  With a clear insert in line, I can also see how clean the black tank is, after a number of back flows of the grey water into the black tank.  I have also noticed, how much better every thing seems to drain, when I lift the right and drop the left, and create as much tilt as possible.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #9 –
Hello John, I might have some insight to your question . My coach has 2 electric valves , then I installed a third manual valve on the exit pipe . So now I have the choice When I release the black tank , I leave that valve open , Then I close my manual valve and open my grey thank ,so now I end up rinsing my black thank with my gray water . I find this a pretty good way to clean things .then  I open my manual valve and wait until al is clear and i'm done .

By the way these electric valves have a manual override on them so you will always be able to open them up
I have here several electric spare valves, wiring harness, and switches for you to look at when you come back home if you would like

Hope this will help you in you plan for change
Rob
Rob Barb & Pyper
2002  U320  40'
2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #10 –
Mismatched sewer connections.
  This may belong on a new thread but I'll ask.      Yesterday I ran into a situation where my drain hose didn't fit a simi permanent hookup that a shop had. It was a we bit smaller. So I couldn't connect it to my drain. I didn't really need to dump so moved on. I look at dumping like the " never pass up a chance to pee rule". 
  But. What if I would have needed to. Or. What if something breaks and I need a replacement at camping world. I already tried to get a see through elbow there and it didn't fit.

Should I be changing to the more common size when I get around to doing the third valve thing. Is that something everyone else does.  What's a good resource for the Foretravel size connections.  Or.  Is there an adapter that I haven't found yet. Are we loosing that much efficiency buy using the smaller size.  Just sayin.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #11 –
There is an adapter from the Thetford to the more common Valterra (& others). Not a great all use solution but would work for the situation you described. I am pretty sure I got it at Amazon but I will research if you are interested.
David & DC
97 U320 40' WTBI M11 450 #5153
01 Wrangler Sport
Near Palacios, TX

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #12 –
Quote from: oldgrayrider –
There is an adapter from the Thetford to the more common Valterra (& others). Not a great all use solution but would work for the situation you described. I am pretty sure I got it at Amazon but I will research if you are interested.


 Thanks much,  I would be all about getting one but couldn't figure out what to call it. Ya, if you find it.  I'm in.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #13 –
Well its official I have ordered 2- electric valves so staying with the present set up. Problem is there is a 4 week wait list for them. I took the 3" piping apart to change location a bit of the 3rd valve which I will keep as manual, and lo and behold I found more crappy work as the pipes were not glued all around so after cutting a small section out the rest of the "Joined pipe" came out by hand!! So I wonder what leaks have been happening since build day?? Now I have lots of time to make the wet bay non wet for the future. Need to start on something else while I wait for valves ^.^d
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Dual tanks on IH and my plan to join mine

Reply #14 –
From Bob & Sue: Thanks much,  I would be all about getting one but couldn't figure out what to call it. Ya, if you find it.  I'm in.

On Amazon - Valterra T05-2285VP Thetford to Valterra Universal Adapter.
David & DC
97 U320 40' WTBI M11 450 #5153
01 Wrangler Sport
Near Palacios, TX