|
|
04-22-2013, 08:04 AM
|
#41
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
|
I distinctly remember this discussion relative to a particular plumbing problem in another thread some time ago. Don't remember enough to find it. It was verified that some more recent floorplans do indeed dump bath sink into the gray tank. It prompted me to experiment with mine and verify that mine doesn't.
This is not necessarily a bad thing for 2 reasons.
We seem to always run out of gray capacity before black.
And,
The extra liquid from the bath sink ensures a good proportion of solids vs. liquid for a good black tank drain.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
04-22-2013, 09:24 AM
|
#42
|
Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,711
|
The way to check whether the bathroom sink is plumbed into the black tank is to shut of the valve that supplies water to the toilet, open the toilet valve that lets water out of the toilet (different valve—the shut off valve should be behind the toilet), and turn on the water in the sink. If you hear water flowing into the tank, then the sink drain is plumbed into the black tank. I don't know if you could see it with a flashlight. You could empty the black tank, turn on the water in the sink, go outside and watch whether water comes out of the black tank drain if you have a transparent sewer connection.
I tried the former method and it appeared the sink wasn't plumbed into the black tank.
For the past several years, some Forum members have said their bathroom sink is plumbed into the black tank and others have said theirs isn't. What models are and aren't—I don't know. Most have said it makes sense to have the bathroom sink drain into the black tank for the reasons stated by Rich above. Another Airstream mystery.
When bookdocking, we use a dish pan in the kitchen sink when washing dishes and dump it into the black tank to save space in the grey tank.
Gene
__________________
Gene
The Airstream is sold; a 2016 Nash 24M replaced it.
|
|
|
04-22-2013, 09:48 AM
|
#43
|
retired USA/USAF
2001 30' Excella
Somerset
, New Jersey
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,418
|
OOOohhhhh, I try to learn something new every day. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. First I've heard of it and it does make some sense. I did know that some models have only 1 waste tank and then it's a no brainer. But didn't know otherwise. I'll have to look deeper into mine just to know. I wouldn't want my plumbing doing something I didn't know about. We also do the dishpan trick.
Thanks all. See ya on the road sometime.
__________________
Roger in NJ
" Democracy is the worst form of government. Except for all the rest"
Winston Churchill 1948
TAC - NJ 18
|
|
|
04-22-2013, 10:35 AM
|
#44
|
Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
|
My two Airstreams, 2012 FC 25 Front Dinette and 2007 Safari 20, both drain bath sinks into the black tank. Fill the bath sink with water, turn off water supply, push the toilet flush and hold open, pull the sink drain and look/listen for the water draining into the black tank.
doug k
|
|
|
05-23-2013, 12:30 PM
|
#45
|
Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by KJRitchie
Here is my elbow. It was impossible to find a single piece male 1/2" elbow so the Home Depot gal showed me a PVC elbow with female 1/2" and then took me to the sprinkler section for two male extensions. I used a little plumbers tape and screwed in the male fittings and then installed it on the black flush line. I did'nt have a water hook up so I connected a hose from the exterior hose fitting and ran it into the black flush fitting, turned on the water pump and verified no leaks. Then I pushed the hoses under the wardrobe frame and the elbow is now behind the shower.
I bought a 2 1/2 gal shop vac for the Airstream and vacuumed out all the debris. Everything felt dry. I also purchased a small bag of 2" pink insulation and stuffed it along the aluminum wall inside. Hopefully this will be the end of this.
Kelvin
|
This last weekend was the first opportunity to test out the replacement elbow fitting under high pressure. We had a full hook up site so when it was time to dump I hooked up my black flush hose and turned on the water then went into the closet area and reached in the access hole and followed the pipe up to the elbow and found........ some water leaking. Darn. Not much of a leak but like a dripping tap. Think its coming from the the female fittings. I'll have to check it out this weekend along with the shower leak repair part deux.
Kelvin
|
|
|
06-03-2013, 11:26 AM
|
#46
|
Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
|
Found a better elbow at an RV dealer parts and my black flush doesn't leak anymore. Its a one piece elbow, gray, with male ends.
Kelvin
|
|
|
07-15-2013, 10:25 PM
|
#47
|
Airstringers
2023 23' Flying Cloud
Irving
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 41
|
I would also like an answer to this question.
I just noticed a small water leak under my sink which is just opposite the exterior
black tank flush inlet.
Mine also says to be sure to have the valve open prior to using. However, I ignored this and used it to fill my tank for extra flushing. I'm wondering if this added too much pressure and caused a leak?
When I tried to look up under there, something fell into the wheel well. I think it was some sort of "cap" on top of a vertical vent? the top has a spring loaded something?
I can't be more descriptive because I can't see it.
Any body know something about this?
p.s. It looks like the cabinet would have to be taken out to get to the plumbing?
I can't see a way to get it out. Help?
__________________
Life is short. Play hard.
|
|
|
07-15-2013, 11:27 PM
|
#48
|
Rivet Master
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
|
Not having the drain valve open will not add any pressure to the flushing mechanism to cause a leak...but you need to be care not to let the black tank overflow. We use our flush the same way you do, adding water to the black tank to create more of an out-flow force when dumped. If we have time and opportunity (not all dump stations are set up with a threadable water source) we close and repeat until the output is clear.
If the leak is coming from the inside connection of the flush inlet you may need to hand-tighten the interior coupling ...we had to do that and I check it periodically to make sure it has not worked itself loose. It's not easy to get to, though, as you know.
I can't tell you what the "cap" is that you are referring to. Sorry...
__________________
TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
|
|
|
07-16-2013, 07:21 AM
|
#49
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueBelle
I would also like an answer to this question.
I just noticed a small water leak under my sink which is just opposite the exterior
black tank flush inlet.
Mine also says to be sure to have the valve open prior to using. However, I ignored this and used it to fill my tank for extra flushing. I'm wondering if this added too much pressure and caused a leak?
When I tried to look up under there, something fell into the wheel well. I think it was some sort of "cap" on top of a vertical vent? the top has a spring loaded something?
I can't be more descriptive because I can't see it.
Any body know something about this?
p.s. It looks like the cabinet would have to be taken out to get to the plumbing?
I can't see a way to get it out. Help?
|
was it clear? This is the check valve which is prone to leaking and I recommend eliminating and replacing with elbows and line as discussed above.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
07-16-2013, 07:22 AM
|
#50
|
Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 594
|
I've never used our flush system, but our 23fb was in for service and the dealer found a leak in the anti-siphon valve. It is between the flush connection and the black tank and on our 23fb it is located right behind the sink. That might be your problem. I'm pretty sure I've seen other posts about that device leaking, so it may be a common problem??
|
|
|
07-16-2013, 08:16 AM
|
#51
|
Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,410
|
I used my black water flush for the first few years of ownership on my last campout of the season. I finally decided that it probably is unnecessary if you practice proper dumping techniques. In my old HiLo which I owned for 14 years, I never had an issue with the toilet. I do make a practice of always dumping the toilet full. If it's not full, I fill it prior to dumping. Secondly on my last campout of the year I use a full hookup site. I dump the tank full, and then fill it again with clean water and dump a second time.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
|
|
|
07-17-2013, 08:59 AM
|
#52
|
Airstringers
2023 23' Flying Cloud
Irving
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 41
|
Thank you.
Yes, it was the clear valve leaking.
Am I correct that if I don't use the flush system, there's no need in fixing/replacing the valve right away?
p.s. I found the "thing" that fell. It was a cap that fit on top of another valve. Seemed to be purely cosemtic. Anyway, I put it back on but it wasn't related to the problem.
Other posts have verified my suspicion the the flush spray didn't really work that well.
I think I'll just fill-n-flush from now on. The consensus seems to be that it is the best method.
Thanks all for the help.
JBell
__________________
Life is short. Play hard.
|
|
|
07-17-2013, 09:57 AM
|
#53
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
|
Yes, if you don't use the flusher, you can postpone repair. I believe it is code to be there for the mfr, but that doesn't mean you have to keep it. There is an additional check valve at the garden hose fitting, and if you are still worried, you could add a valve to the end of your garden hose. It is EXTREMELY unlikely that you would have a siphon action, even if you filled the black tank to full capacity, which is silly to begin with.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
07-17-2013, 11:49 AM
|
#54
|
Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
Yes, if you don't use the flusher, you can postpone repair. I believe it is code to be there for the mfr, but that doesn't mean you have to keep it. There is an additional check valve at the garden hose fitting, and if you are still worried, you could add a valve to the end of your garden hose. It is EXTREMELY unlikely that you would have a siphon action, even if you filled the black tank to full capacity, which is silly to begin with.
|
It's code. That means you should keep it. Whether you have a siphon action or not has nothing to do with your trailer, your black tank, how full it is, or when when you last changed your shirt.
A siphon can occur when anyone else in the campground, municipality, or fire district does anything to reduce the mains water pressure. More likely to occur at a campground, where water distribution system may not be as well designed as in your home municipality.
If that happens, you won't make yourself sick, but you could give everyone else at the campground you just left a serious case of E. Coli.
Don't take chances.
|
|
|
07-17-2013, 01:06 PM
|
#55
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
It's code. That means you should keep it. Whether you have a siphon action or not has nothing to do with your trailer, your black tank, how full it is, or when when you last changed your shirt.
A siphon can occur when anyone else in the campground, municipality, or fire district does anything to reduce the mains water pressure. More likely to occur at a campground, where water distribution system may not be as well designed as in your home municipality.
If that happens, you won't make yourself sick, but you could give everyone else at the campground you just left a serious case of E. Coli.
Don't take chances.
|
I doubt it....especially if you take other anti-siphon action. And you would be using the same hose that you wash out the sewer hose with, which is already contaminated and has it's own anti-siphon valve at the top of the tower, some 10 feet in the air. Besides I only use my flusher at season end before winterizing in my yard with 150' of hose, the already there check valve in the trailer connection AND an anti-siphon valve on the hose end.
When I looked into replacing the AS valve, I called the mfr directly. (Can't remember the name, but seem to be a mom and pop operation) He actually talked me out of BUYING one saying it wasn't necessary due to the routing of the lines and the location of the sprayer head.
BTW, this brings up another point, I realized last year, because of the check valve at the hose connection, it is advisable to blow out the flusher line while winterizing. It will hold water in about 4-5 (in my case) feet of line up to the top where the anti-siphon valve is (was).
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
07-23-2013, 09:39 AM
|
#56
|
New Member
2005 28' Safari
1991 34' Excella
Tallahassee
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2
|
Back water flush
I have the black water swisher that comes with the unit.
Mine did plug up over the winter.
Any ideas about cleaning it off?
Davis gates
2005. Safari 28
|
|
|
07-23-2013, 03:09 PM
|
#57
|
Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,711
|
Since I don't know about the 19' plumbing, I can only say to check the fittings under the sink for a leak—run water into the sink and see if you can find a leak. Fill the sink part way and then let it all drain at once. The P-trap under the sink or one of the pipes attached to it may have a loose fitting that needs to be tightened. It can be done by hand. Ours started to leak after a few years.
A drain system is not designed for high pressure, so a loose connection that gets a sink full of water at once can leak if not tight enough. A full tank could back up and put pressure on a fitting, but it usually shows up in the shower first since it is the lowest point in the system. I assume a 19' has a shower. If you have one tank (grey and black together) you don't want to see the results of a backed up drain system.
I don't know if this helps, but loose fittings are not uncommon in sink drains—either not tightened sufficiently at the factory or loosened by travel. It happens at home too because sink drains like to loosen over time too. A loose fitting is the simplest thing to check.
Gene
__________________
Gene
The Airstream is sold; a 2016 Nash 24M replaced it.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|