Creating a home "dump station" - Page 3

ticki2 · 05-08-2009, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardeleon

Hello all,
Let me add my two sheets in to he topic. For those who think dumping in the septic would oevr fill your system faster think of this. For a family of 4 who use the bathroom twice a day will have 8 flushes. that 1.6 to 3.0 gallons of water going into the septic. A seven day vaction would be 12.8 to 24 gallons you wont be using. Before you go on a vacation use rid-x in your system. Then when you come back your septic should be ready for your waste cleaning. I am on a septic and envy those with city sewer lines. But I dont envy the extra bill with the sewer line.

The potential problem with a septic system is not overfilling the tank , the tank is always full . A septic tank usually has 3 chambers which are 3 stages of the solids breaking down to liquid form before it enters the absorbtion field .If solids are pushed out the outlet it will plug up the field and the system will start to fail . Probablly 20 or 30 gals will not be a problem ,depending on the health of your system , however , if you happen to have a few trailers in a row dump it could be a problem . This does not apply to a public sewer system.

HiHoAgRV · 05-07-2009, 10:53 PM

post hole digger... neighbors flower bed....Gopher hole... the mind is a-wash in possibilities
Really, a typical septic tank has to deal with bathtubs full-o-stuff on a regular basis....
I think Cousin Eddie had the best method...don't ask, don't tell

richinny · 05-08-2009, 07:39 AM

i think most holding tanks hold less than a full bath tub

Journalist · 05-08-2009, 08:16 AM

I bougt a cleanout plug adapeter for the stinky slinky in the RV section at Wal-Mart a couple of years ago. Screw it all together, open the valve, rinse out the tank with some fresh water, and reverse the procedure. No mess, no hassle.
BTW, I've always used channel-lock pliers for the cap. I was also told years ago by a plumber to NEVER tighten an outdoor cleanout plug more than just sitting the cap on it and letting a couple of threads grab. I found out that he was right a couple of years back. The sewer system in our neighborhood was damaged by a heavy truck running over a line that wasn't buried deep enough. Line backed up quickly and while my neigbors got an UGLY surprise in their drains, my cleanout plug just blew off and the city had to clean up the mess in my yard. Everyone else had to deal with sewage filled sinks and bathtubs.

bol-gordon · 05-11-2009, 03:24 PM

Greetings: We have created a small ancillary septic tank system for our longer term parking spot for our trailer. We are hoping to gain experience from our new Forum friends about creating a workaround perhaps bypassing the black tank for direct drop to our new system? Or what experience have others had in making longer term connections and what do people find are the most desirable longer term plumbing ways when the trailer goes off-site only 1-2X per year and is used on-site mostly. With thanks in advance

Melody Ranch · 05-11-2009, 04:02 PM

I have this one available at the barn/shop. Do not use formaldahyde in the chemicals added to the tanks...it kills the septic tank.

bol-gordon · 05-11-2009, 11:57 PM

Thanks for the picture..Regretably I don't understand what it signifies..It looks like a long length of water hose and a high galvy hose bib and how that might be related to anything of septic/sewer connection is outside of my frame of reference

thanks

TBRich · 05-12-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bol-gordon

Greetings: We have created a small ancillary septic tank system for our longer term parking spot for our trailer. We are hoping to gain experience from our new Forum friends about creating a workaround perhaps bypassing the black tank for direct drop to our new system? Or what experience have others had in making longer term connections and what do people find are the most desirable longer term plumbing ways when the trailer goes off-site only 1-2X per year and is used on-site mostly. With thanks in advance

Welcome to the forums! You're in the very best place for all things Airstream...and lots of friendly and helpful folks...

As to by by-passing your black tank... Here's my take: I wouldn't bother unless the unit is to remain off the road permanently). The easiest and best way to deal with long term stays is to go ahead and use the black water holding tank as you normally would with any other hookup situation... Do not leave the black tank drain valve open all the time while connected, however. Let the black tank get to 3/4 full or so before dumping so that there is enough liquid built to flush out the solids. Then dump the built up grey water so that it somewhat "rinses" the sewer hose. (You can also refill the black tank with fresh water and do a second or third dump to make sure alll the solids are gotten rid of.) The reason for not leaving the dump valve open all the time is that if you do, the liquids will drain out immediately and the solids will be left behind building up a nasty mess that is difficult to clean out (sometimes called "black hills"). Not a pretty picture. The only way to provide enough water to hook up directly to the septic tank (and by-pass the black tank) is to install a standard flushing household toilet...as they provide the required water for flushing through... You probably don't want to install a household toilet if you travel with the unit at all, as you would have to undo that when traveling if you planned to use the toilet.

Bob M · 05-12-2009, 07:31 AM

I have used the FloJet RV sewage pump at home for 3 years. I installed a 1-1/2" drain line on the outside of the house. The drain inlet is about 18" above the sewer connection on the trailer, no problem with the lift. I have a short article "Dump at Home" about my installation posted at:
WBCCI Wisconsin Unit » Reference Articles

zevrosenthal · 05-12-2009, 03:38 PM

Had the plumber out to my house who confirmed the PVG waste vent that sits right next to my airstream (about 3 ft off the ground and terminates in an easy to unscrew screen) will work just fine as a waste slot and the FloJet sewage pump worked like a charm. Ran some extra clean h20 down the vent after emptying (as advised by the plumber) and no problems at all. Thanks to all for your hints, photos, ideas, etc.

zevrosenthal · 05-13-2009, 06:55 PM

[IMG]file:///C:/Users/BROSENTHAL/Desktop/Airstream/FloJet.JPG[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/Users/BROSENTHAL/Desktop/Airstream/FloJet.JPG[/IMG]The flojet hooked to the airstream and the hose running into the sewer vent outlet in my house. All in all, it was easy to set-up!

ardeleon · 05-14-2009, 07:48 AM

How do you like your flojet, I am very tempted into buying one as soon as I can. I have a 76 Argosy and I am a newbie. Because I have it for just two weeks now.