Waste tanks combine?

Topic: Waste tanks combine? (Read 2483 times) previous topic - next topic

Waste tanks combine?

June 09, 2018, 10:29:19 am

Is the easy button for more gray tank capacity to combine it with the black tank? I have 80 gallons of fresh and only 44 gallons of gray tank. As the bus is primarily used at race tracks with nice bathrooms, we really dont use the black tank much . Should I simply add a slide valve at the end of the dump pipes to allow combining both tanks? Thanks . MM

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #1 – June 09, 2018, 10:41:58 am

Many of the new coaches come with only one "waste water" tank, so doesn't appear to present any real problem. Adding a third dump valve is a common upgrade among Forum members...lots of threads about "How To..." Once you have 3 valves, you have much more flexibility in waste management. If one tank is nearly full, and the other not so much, you can simply close the 3rd valve and equalize tanks. Buys you a little time before hitting the dump station. Of course, you still have to keep a close eye on tank levels, so a working tank level system is essential.

The 3rd dump valve can be either a permanent installation, OR they make several styles of "temporary" valves that attach on the end of your dump line. Either way will do the job.

Valterra Waste Valve for RV Black Water Tank - Twist On - 3" Bayonet Hooks...

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #2 – June 09, 2018, 10:47:03 am

Thanks, Kinda the way I looked at it . I did a search for dump valves.

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #3 – June 09, 2018, 10:52:12 am

Don't know what your dump setup looks like. Here is my 3rd valve install - pretty simple once I gained access to the plumbing...

Problems with third dump valve mod

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #4 – June 09, 2018, 04:45:25 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 09, 2018, 10:52:12 am

Don't know what your dump setup looks like. Here is my 3rd valve install - pretty simple once I gained access to the plumbing...

Problems with third dump valve mod

Question Chuck, any advantage to installing a black tank flush at the same time? I am use to using the Valterra Flush King, a portable third valve, with the built in tank fill. This way I can fill and dump the tanks several times using gravity to clean. Done this for over 10 yrs.
Amazon.com: Valterra F02-4350 Reverse RV Flush Valve: Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #5 – June 09, 2018, 05:05:01 pm

Quote from: Jack Lewis – June 09, 2018, 04:45:25 pm

Question Chuck, any advantage to installing a black tank flush at the same time?

Jack,

When I installed my 3rd dump valve, both of my holding tanks were already equipped with "tank flushing hoses", courtesy of a prior owner. I did occasionally try to use them, but found them a hassle to hook up, and I usually ended up spilling water in the wet bay (not good). After I added the 3rd dump valve, I started using the Forum recommended procedure of dumping the black tank, then (by shutting the 3rd valve) allowing water from the gray tank to partially refill the black tank, then dumping the black tank again. I will do this 2 or 3 times, until the flow coming out of the black tank is mostly "clean" gray water. I feel this procedure is at least as effective as using a black tank flushing device, and for me, a whole lot easier. Plus it doesn't require a water hose at the dump site, and doesn't waste fresh water (something we desert dwellers think about).

On the other hand, if your Flush King valve works for you and you like it, I'd say just keep using it. Whatever works!

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #6 – June 09, 2018, 05:37:52 pm

I think that my bayonet twist on is larger then 3in. I bought a hose at CW and it was a tad small and had to use the OE connector to the new hose section.
I like that method tho.

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #7 – June 09, 2018, 05:45:46 pm

Your holding tanks are larger than 44 gallons. Numbers escape me

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #8 – June 09, 2018, 05:50:01 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – June 09, 2018, 05:45:46 pm

Your holding tanks are larger than 44 gallons. Numbers escape me

Wiki agrees with Mike's 44 gallon number:

1988 Foretravel Specifications

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #9 – June 10, 2018, 12:47:55 am

I read the same thing. Except I sold them new. 58 gray 44 black? 75 fresh

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #10 – June 10, 2018, 07:39:48 am

The 2 Newells I previously owned had 1 combined waste tank. There was a grey water bypass that allowed you to divert the grey water through the dump valve before it entered the tank. That was a nice feature if you were somewhere it was allowed to "water the lawn".
Is there anyway to do that with our FTs the way the plumbing is configured? I do have the 3rd valve.

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #11 – June 10, 2018, 09:27:38 am

Quote from: folivier – June 10, 2018, 07:39:48 am

The 2 Newells I previously owned had 1 combined waste tank. There was a grey water bypass that allowed you to divert the grey water through the dump valve before it entered the tank. That was a nice feature if you were somewhere it was allowed to "water the lawn".
Is there anyway to do that with our FTs the way the plumbing is configured? I do have the 3rd valve.

Sure. Hook up your sewer hose. Close your black valve. Open your gray & master. Only gray comes out. You could replace the sewer hose with a garden hose if you buy an adapter to convert the 3" outlet to a hose fitting.

If you're looking to completely by-pass your gray tank you're looking at a lot of work for not much gain.

see ya
ken

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #12 – June 10, 2018, 09:34:19 am

Yes, separate gray/black tanks are a hold over from when it was common to allow gray water to drain in the ground.

That was a LONG time ago. No longer a reason for separate tanks.

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #13 – June 10, 2018, 10:12:51 am

How about a separate water pump to supply gray water to the toilet and a black tank fill port?

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #14 – June 10, 2018, 11:03:04 am

I like keeping the tanks separate so that I can use the grey water to flush the line before disconnecting the hose. Putting grey water into the black tank is a workable thing, but I would keep the tanks separate. If you combine the tanks, you should include some fittings to flush the hose. Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #15 – June 10, 2018, 11:22:28 am

I will be joining ours together once I get some time to do it. I am having the odd issue with the electric black valve and rather than send this one back and wait for a new one I will just remove it from system and keep the new as spare . I do not see any reason NOT to to do the change.
JohnH

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #16 – June 10, 2018, 03:08:08 pm

My neighbor said that his old camper gray valve leaked a little when it rained hard.

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #17 – June 19, 2018, 05:07:41 pm

I still always dump my gray tank on the ground (I dont stay in campgrounds, ever). whats the difference between washing your car and dumping shower water on the ground? both are just soap and water....

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #18 – June 19, 2018, 07:03:35 pm

Quote from: RvTrvlr – June 19, 2018, 05:07:41 pm

I still always dump my gray tank on the ground (I dont stay in campgrounds, ever). whats the difference between washing your car and dumping shower water on the ground? both are just soap and water....

Well.??

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #19 – June 19, 2018, 08:00:56 pm

You are staying where you dump your waste. How nice.

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #20 – June 19, 2018, 08:45:23 pm

I've done the same but only on my own property where it is quickly absorbed into the ground or on other private property where I've been given permission. In many areas it is ok or even encouraged to use home gray water for your lawn. Kinda like what a septic system does.

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #21 – June 19, 2018, 09:23:04 pm

http://ladbs.org/docs/default-source/publications/information-bulletins/plumbing-code/graywater-systems-for-residential-buildings-ib-p-pc2014-012.pdf

section C

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #22 – June 19, 2018, 09:26:35 pm

Some practices that were common practice in the past are now illegal and/or frowned upon.

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #23 – June 19, 2018, 09:55:10 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – June 19, 2018, 08:00:56 pm

You are staying where you dump your waste. How nice.

(+)1, Roger,
Whenever we find traces of "Grey Scum" on public/BLM lands, we move on. No telling what.................etc.

Maybe folks should learn how to study cultures, buy some agar and some petri dishes and then do some simple bacterial growth cultures from samples of their own grey tanks. Grey water is more than just soap and water! It is a perfect breeding ground for trace amounts of fecal matter and all sorts of nasty bacteria that are being constantly refreshed and incubated in your "never sanitized" grey tank.
I just barely tolerated biology in high school, but I did learn from some basic, culture growth experiments in Biology Lab.
If you think that I jest about that knowledge, try it.

The classic high school Biology Class test is to roll a clean cotton swab in your mouth and then to lightly draw a squiggle with it on gelled agar in a petri dish. Then let it incubate a few days (like it does in your Grey Tank). Some people like to test something even more gross like the keys on their computer, a cell phone case, the pump handle of a soap dispenser, or a TV remote control. Unless someone recently cleaned the buttons on the remote, you may be seeing some real goobers in a short time.
Other things that you might test include: The door handle on your coach, any door handles in any restaurant, your hands, under your fingernails, the top of your desk, a pencil or a pen, the area around your bathroom sink, any ice cube from any restaurant, a calculator, or a supermarket shopping cart handle, or most importantly, some soil from just below that surface of grey stain/scum you noticed on BLM land.

Your Mother was right! Wash your hands frequently, be smart with what and how you handle things, and don't abuse antiseptics/antibiotics (bacteria finds ways of resisting and the survivors mutate to become even more dangerous). I say, use common sense and don't impose your grey water on the environment that we all share!

HTH someone, anyone
Neal

Re: Waste tanks combine?

Reply #24 – June 19, 2018, 10:52:26 pm

Ever wonder why your kitchen sponge starts to get smelly after a few days? Dumping gray water anywhere other than a dump station is just wrong no matter where you are staying.

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