Can I/Should I Remove Screen on Water Inflow to Wastewater Tanks?

[Kellycanoe]

I'm a newbie with a 2015 Sport 22 with a question about the inflow port for flushing out the wastewater tanks. So far, I've only camped at VT state campgrounds, where the water hose at the dump station has a nozzle rather than garden hose type connector. Trying to shoot water into the flush line just gives me a free shower as it all shoots back out! It seems like the little screen that is part of the plastic connector at this port is the problem and I wonder if it's necessary. I don't see any way to remove it and sure don't want to do any damage to this beauty (the AS, not me!) trying. Any advice? Thanks!

[CRH]

Just fill your tanks with water before heading to the dump staton and don't worry about using the flusher. I always add a liberal squirt of dish soap to my grey tank as it's filling.

[KJRitchie]

That fitting is meant for a hose to be connected. The connector is connected to PEX which makes a 90 dee turn up to a back flow valve connected to PEX which goes back down to the black tank. Make sure you blow out the line with compressed air when you winterized. That plastic back flow valve will break if the small amount of water in it freezes.

Kelvin

[Kellycanoe]

Thanks, KJ, I am anticipating my first winterization with some trepidation and don't think the "training" on this topic when I picked up my AS will suffice. They didn't even mention using compressed air, which I see often on the forums.

I expect to continue using VT state campgrounds (not always, but often), so I'm still wondering about that screen and whether it can be removed without adverse consequences.

[Pahaska]

Cut off the end of an old garden hose at the end that will connect to your flush. Leave about 6" of hose. Screw that into the flush and force the campground nozzle into the end of the hose. You will get a good enough seal to make the flush operate without too much leakage.

[greghoro]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

Cut off the end of an old garden hose at the end that will connect to your flush. Leave about 6" of hose. Screw that into the flush and force the campground nozzle into the end of the hose. You will get a good enough seal to make the flush operate without too much leakage.

Google the term "Water thief" for a small device to connect your hose to a spigot which is not threaded. I carry two; one for fresh water and one for non-potable water (different colors).

As far as the filter screen, I would retain it. The sprayer nozzles inside the black tank can get clogged and I don't know of any way to reverse flush them to get them unclogged


Greg

[dalemonroe]

Make two foot long attachment for a garden hose and put it down the toilet. It does a good job. I can't figure out how to attach a picture. It's made out of cpvc plastic pipe with a 90° buisness end heated and flattened to make a spray pattern. The other end has a hose attachment and a shutoff valve.

[VT Wanderer]

I agree with using a Camco Water Bandit (Thief) to hook up to the water at the dump station water outlet that has no thread. Works great. Camco also makes a wand like Dalemonroe has, but the end spins and jets the water. Since we moved into a newer AS I use the flushing devise that's located above the city water inlet. It does a great job when you follow directions. Another helpful hint. Buy a clear hose attachment that fits on to your AS drain pipe. It sounds gross, but you can see what's coming out of your black and gray tanks. I keep the flusher going until I see the black tank is clear. If I have not been to a dump station in a couple of days, I have my wife fill the toilet 2 or 3 times to drop extra water into the black tank. You would be surprised to see the "extra" stuff that will float out. We communicate with walkie-talkies until all is clean... then we turn off the flusher and pull the gray tank lever. (Both the gray and black tanks should be quite full when you dump. It really pushes the material out.)

[xrvr]

Just dump a couple gallons of water down the toilet to flush it out. Don't need to flush each time or ever if you use enough waster during use.

[Kellycanoe]

Thanks, everyone, for the great advice!!!