Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

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Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

February 08, 2019, 04:54:34 pm

Might anyone know of any threads on a modification of tapping into the gray tank by adding strainers and a little pump to use that water for flushing the toilet, instead of using fresh water to flush the toilet? I've tried searching, but no luck.

Trying to figure out a way to preserve gray tank space along with preserving fresh water. I know it will probably leave a bit more residue in the toilet, so that may be tougher to clean in the future, but wondering if anyone has done this and if it ended up being a good solution.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #1 – February 08, 2019, 04:58:27 pm

No but we could always go behind the tree.You might as well shower with the grey water cause it's going thru your pump.You
would have to have another pump just for the grey water so you could keep the fresh water clean.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #2 – February 08, 2019, 05:07:41 pm

Gray water often smells as bad as black. Can't imagine doing that.

We have used gallon jugs that we refill to flush where we had limited tank water.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #3 – February 08, 2019, 07:17:25 pm

We sometimes use a dishpan in the sink, then use that water to flush the toilet with. With the electric toilet we change the switch to least water use, and/or turn off the water pump while using the dish water.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #4 – February 08, 2019, 11:45:25 pm

Here's an idea.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #5 – February 09, 2019, 01:38:33 am

I like that idea. A system to drain the bathroom sink into the black tank, either directly or via the toilet. Sink water hasn't had a chance to ferment in the gray tank.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #6 – February 09, 2019, 10:20:30 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – February 09, 2019, 01:38:33 am

I like that idea. A system to drain the bathroom sink into the black tank, either directly or via the toilet. Sink water hasn't had a chance to ferment in the gray tank.

On some of my previous motorhomes the bathroom sink was tee'd into the black tank to make sure it had enough liquid, from the factory.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #7 – February 09, 2019, 10:27:33 am

If the objective is to enlarge gray water capacity at expense of black, a third sewer valve can be installed which "combines" the tanks.

The "separate tanks" is really a hold over from long ago when it was acceptable to dump gray water at your camp site.

Today, one properly disposes of both gray and black, so no downside to one large tank.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #8 – February 09, 2019, 10:33:36 am

Brett, I see your point. I however would want to be able to turn off the combiner valve to use only when I need the extra capacity. I still like to flush my drain hose first with grey water and then flush with fresh water via a Flush King. That way, when I put the drain hose away, I do not find "treasure" or a "surprise" in the hose.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #9 – February 09, 2019, 10:37:47 am

Jack,

I agree.

The added valve leaves the OE valves in place so you have a choice of keeping them separate or combining them.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #10 – February 09, 2019, 10:42:21 am

Much less expensive in the old politically incorrect, environmentally unfriendly days to use aqua chem in your black tank to eliminate odors. Costs a few dollars per tank for the chemical. Worked well. Some current dump systems can be harmed by aquachem now.

If you are drycamped in remote areas the ability to judge when and how to dump the grey water tank is different versus the black tank wirh aqua chem in it. Sink and shower water in a grey tank with soap and food waste in it are rarely hazardous.

Feeds the plants a bit.

Combined tanks seem to not be the same volume as the unihomes separste tanks.

Combined tanks definitely should not be dumped on the ground.

Obviously if you travel from campground to campground dumping is not normally an issue.

Foretravel used to offer macerators on their coaches long ago

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #11 – February 09, 2019, 11:04:36 am

Good points everyone. One thing I've started doing during week long stays at the sand dunes is to capture that first quart or so of cold water that is wasted in the shower while waiting for the water to warm up. Then just use that for flushing. But in the end this really only saves a few gallons. And I suppose the toilet really doesn't consume that much water for flushing. So probably no real need to attempt some complicated method to bring the fermented gray water back in to the toilet line. I also started doing things like Dan suggested above and sending dishwater down the toilet, especially with pasta water, no need to just send that to the gray tank. Plus, the hot water gives the toilet a nice sparkle.

Quote from: Tom Lang – February 09, 2019, 01:38:33 am

I like that idea. A system to drain the bathroom sink into the black tank, either directly or via the toilet. Sink water hasn't had a chance to ferment in the gray tank.

Tom, I tested my bathroom sink and found that it does drain into the black tank. Maybe yours does also? With this knowledge, I began to use that sink for as much as possible. This has definitely made a difference in prolonging space in the gray tank. At the end of a week, my black tank would usually be less than 20%, while the gray tank is at max. Now the black tank gets over 50% full and have plenty of gray tank space.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #12 – February 09, 2019, 11:12:36 am

Quote from: tothetrail – February 09, 2019, 11:04:36 am

One thing I've started doing during week long stays at the sand dunes is to capture that first quart or so of cold water that is wasted in the shower while waiting for the water to warm up.

One thing that several here have done is to add a hot water warm up line so the water circulates back to the fresh water tank with an electronic valve to control the water flow. Doing this saves quite a bit of cold water. We have done this on the last 3 coaches.

Mike

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #13 – February 09, 2019, 11:53:59 am

I need to test and see which tank my bathroom sink drains into. My previous RV, a Winne, did drain into the black tank. I thought that was a good idea.

And it makes sense too since the sink is right next to the toilet. Maybe both are over the black tank.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #14 – February 09, 2019, 12:04:08 pm

My first Bluebird (83 FC) the bath sink drained to black tank. My 2nd Bluebird (94 BMC) the kitchen sink drained to black tank.

Our current 2003 U320 only the toilet drains to black tank.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #15 – February 09, 2019, 12:17:45 pm

Get one of those Macerator toilets that burn the crap,then you'll be way ahead of the game.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #16 – February 09, 2019, 12:30:46 pm

Quote from: John44 – February 09, 2019, 12:17:45 pm

Get one of those Macerator toilets that burn the crap,then you'll be way ahead of the game.

Or, use a composting toilet. See link. Then you could use both holding tanks for gray water by fitting the 3rd dump valve.

Composting Toilet: What is it and Why you need one

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #17 – February 09, 2019, 01:13:39 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – February 09, 2019, 12:30:46 pm

Or, use a composting toilet. See link. Then you could use both holding tanks for gray water by fitting the 3rd dump valve.

Composting Toilet: What is it and Why you need one
[/quote
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – February 09, 2019, 12:30:46 pm
Or, use a composting toilet. See link. Then you could use both holding tanks for gray water by fitting the 3rd dump valve.

Composting Toilet: What is it and Why you need one
Macerating toilets don't burn the crap, they chew it up. Incinerator toilets burn the crap.

Roland

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #18 – February 09, 2019, 01:46:54 pm

Our first GV225 had been fitted with a pump behind/between the tanks so you could take grey water from that tank and send it to black tank should you want more space in grey. Worked well and a simple 12v motor pump and hoses c/w valve made a good solution to problem.
JohnH

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #19 – February 10, 2019, 07:08:18 pm

Draining the sink into the toilet would save a bit on both sides. The fresh last longer and combining the tanks would make a lot of sense.

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #20 – February 24, 2019, 04:36:55 am

Some really great Idea's presented here, and I have given thoughts to this matter, as well! I had a Toilet Overfilling issue, and so turned it off by removing the fuse, and filling the tank manually with fresh water, from drinking water jugs, that I refilled! And that fresh water tank is not where I want it, sanitary wise, for drinking, without it being filtered! I have a Filter, both Pre, and under the Sink, dedicated as drinking, but the Boss will not use that for Cooking, nor drinking, still, at this point until I install a Full RO system in it! Since I have resolved the Overfilling issue with the Toilet, after much heartache, and Reading on here, I did install a Shutoff valve (OK a Plumber did, not me!) I then had a Tank Plumbing issue recently resolved, but Until I did that, I just filled the Hopper Bowl, with the Jugs again! I let the fuse in, and flushed normally! I could add a Small tank, and store the sink water for flush water option though! Makes sense, as does saving the water from the Shower, waiting for it to heat up! Just dump it down the sink then! The Dish Wash Tub Water, same thing! I think it is the Shower Water that makes a grey water tank stink, due to many nasty microbes, and dead skin?

I guess a Simple "T" with another shutoff valve could have Both options if needed, perhaps?

As far as installing a Composting Toilet, I have never heard a complete success story there. Too many issues seem to arise, and I had a Brother willing to give me his, for free, for an Install, as he hated his, brand new one, he used on a Houseboat, he and his family use all summer long, for the past 40 years or so, now! He went back to having a Holding tank pumped out by a service, on the lake! Much more satisfied! I also viewed a few YouTube Vids that RV'ers discussed the issue with Upsides and downsides, the Downsides convinced me, it is a Big NO!

Macerator, don't really understand the Value in one, and just another thing to go bad, I'd say? I guess it would be better if someone could fully explain its use, other than making smaller bits to go through the hose....but why? I will never dump stuff through a smaller hose, so I just don't quite get the whole concept?

I am following this idea, for any other options that come to light, as well, perhaps? Thanks!

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #21 – February 24, 2019, 06:56:56 am

I like the idea of an incinerator toilet but so far I haven't found one within my pay grade that worked without a lot of problems.
I have been pondering the idea of a desiccant toilet-- one that dries the poo without stirring or mixing with coconut husk.
My thought is to wrap a holding bucket(for lack of a better term) with copper tubing and circulate hot water through tubing to heat holding bucket thus drying poo down. It would have to have a small fan for venting purposes. Another issue is finding small garbage bags that would withstand the 120-150 degree heat. Any thoughts or comments pro and con would be appreciated. BTW this is a long term project!
Chris

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #22 – February 24, 2019, 07:56:41 am

Quote from: RetiredGuns – February 24, 2019, 04:36:55 am

Macerator, don't really understand the Value in one, and just another thing to go bad, I'd say? I guess it would be better if someone could fully explain its use, other than making smaller bits to go through the hose....but why? I will never dump stuff through a smaller hose, so I just don't quite get the whole concept?

Never used a macerator, but the main advantage as I understand it is it pumps the liquified poo through the small diameter hose. Normal tank dumping procedure relies on gravity flow. But what if the only sewer receptacle is "uphill" from the coach? Or the receptacle is a (relatively) long distance from the coach - so your normal dump hoses won't reach? In cases like that, the macerator might be useful.

I considered buying a portable (not permanently mounted) macerator unit to use on our coach when we are parked at home. We are on a septic tank system. We do not have a sewer connection where I park the coach, but we do have a accessible sewer line clean-out point on the line from house to septic tanks. Theoretically, with a macerator and a 75' hose, I could dump our tanks at home. So far, have done OK without it by simply dumping at a RV park just before arriving back at house...but the option still interests me.

Flojet Macerator Pump | Portable for RV | 86-8178 | by PPL

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #23 – February 24, 2019, 09:14:23 am

I built one using a garbage disposal but it didn't work because the disposal unit was a cheap one that didn't have fins on the rotor so it would not pump. I have not seen any 12v models that had very good reviews. I personally would rather have something that was 110v or 120v. I believe you would get a lot more service life out of it.
Just my2c worth
Chris

Re: Flushing Toilet With Gray Water Modification

Reply #24 – February 24, 2019, 09:33:20 am

A word of caution on a RO system. My understanding is that the systems remove the "bases" and leave the "acids" in water.

The owners manual on our latest Costco system stated to not use it in household plumbing systems. What?

We have been drinking a specific local water treatment stores water for many years. Alkaline water. Minerals re added.

Tastes great. Mountain spring taste.

Bought their machine finally. Expensive. But versus driving 15 miles away to refill gallon jugs each week for 7 years it seemed a good value to us.

We are doing a complete home kitchen remodel after 18 years with the first remodel so a perfect time for any mods.

We are installing a insinkerstor hot water electric boiler under the new sink counter and running the purified water into it then to the hot wafer side of the countertop hot/ cold tap. The undercounter filter machine has a built in pressure pump for higher than normal RO pressure into the house systems.

We are splitting the filters output and running it into a plumbing hookup under the sink that runs through the slab and ends up at the new Samsung refers back.

So we will have the systems water and ice in the refer and on the counter for our use.

PristineHydro Under-Sink Alkaline Water Filter System â€” Unrivaled Proprietary 10-Stage Reverse Osmosis System for Certified 100% Pure, Deionized, Mineral Water â€” RO Water Filter System PristineHydro Under-Sink Alkaline Water Filter System - Unrivaled Proprietary...

If you are into water this is it. They make a smaller portable system in a small breifcase for smaller uses. 1/2 the money. Attaches to a faucet I think.

DW has had three cancer diagnosis in the last 7 years and is clear now and we started drinking this product then.

I kid them about all the healthy stuff. that's nice but I like the taste.

Seven years of hauling water.

My buddies local restaurant (Jack's in Dana point) has a purolator commercial water system in it then runs its output into a commercial sizes PristineHydro unit and sells it in bottles in his restaurant.

Costco does not show RO machines in their wearhouses in our area anymore.

Only filter type systems.

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