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Old 06-29-2007, 09:12 AM   #1
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Do you know where your "grey" water goes?

In my 2006 Safari 28W it turns out that all grey water from the bathroom sink is drained into the BLACK WATER tank. I don't know if this is a plumbing mistake on Airstream's part or whether it was done for sake of expediancy, the black water tank being physically closer.

Have any other Safari 28W owners noticed this?
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Old 06-29-2007, 09:22 AM   #2
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hi john

i see u r north of the border.

a/s has done models with ONE tank for all waste water...

the largest being a 25/28 ccd

but this ended in 2005 i thought.

we have had other posters report units with the bathroom sink routed to the black tank...

IF you've got a canadian model/spec'd unit

the water/waste management may well be very different than u.s. spec'd units...

there are some very interesting differences between canadian and u.s. units.

cheers
2air'
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Old 06-29-2007, 09:28 AM   #3
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Interesting...

I'm going to check my bathroom sink - pour some bleach down, then drain black tank. I have a 25 FB SE, and recently camped without dump facilities - gray tank full to the RIM... Black tank 1/4. This would help equalize the load - if I took sponge baths as opposed to fast showers.

Paula
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Old 06-29-2007, 12:24 PM   #4
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One somewhat recent model year on the 28', units had a combined tank if I recall correctly. They quickly changed it for the next model year. I see you have a 2006, depending on when the changeover happened, yours could be titled as a 2006, but may still have some 2005 production procedures in place at the time of manufac. Best place to call would be Jackson Center for the real deal.
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Old 06-29-2007, 12:42 PM   #5
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If I had a choice, I would want the kitchen sink to drain into the black tank, as that water is much "dirtier" than bathwater.
What month and year was your '06 built? It may be a late '05 with some creative plumbing.
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Old 06-29-2007, 01:36 PM   #6
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I'm speculating that they routed it to the black tank since it was the closest run and it balances some of the flow to the grey tank. If your setup is something like mine, 39 gal fresh 37 gal black 37 gal grey (from memory), I wouldn't mind the bathroom sink draining into the black tank at all. I'll have to check mine and see where it goes. Where's that toothbrush?
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Old 06-29-2007, 01:48 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cosmotini
I'll have to check mine and see where it goes. Where's that toothbrush?
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Old 06-29-2007, 07:23 PM   #8
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I checked.

Our bathroom sink is draining to the grey tank. No toothbrushes were harmed (or used).
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Old 06-29-2007, 07:45 PM   #9
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Our '05 Safari 28 W,

The bath sink drains to the black tank.

With 2 occupants, the black tank lasts one week easy.
the grey will only go 2 days, 4 if you really stretch.
That is with shore water, and a Looong hose to the septic.

After living in that setup, I figured it was a really good idea from Airstream.
And yes it makes the plumbing very simple.

Another note, if you dry camped, and did not have sink water in the black tank, the tank would not flush very well. The second week we had it, we didn't use the bath sink to see what happened.

I still think the bath sink should drain to the black tank.
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Old 07-02-2007, 05:25 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie
One somewhat recent model year on the 28', units had a combined tank if I recall correctly. They quickly changed it for the next model year. I see you have a 2006, depending on when the changeover happened, yours could be titled as a 2006, but may still have some 2005 production procedures in place at the time of manufac. Best place to call would be Jackson Center for the real deal.
Hi Silvertwinkle
Mine was manufactured in Feb.'06 and has the separate tanks. The shower and kitchen sink drain to the grey tank, and the toilet and bathroom sink drain to the black tank.
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Old 07-02-2007, 05:40 AM   #11
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At the International in Perry all grey water goes on the ground!

Where's the EPA when you need them?
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Old 07-02-2007, 09:21 AM   #12
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In my re-model, the plumber re-routed the bathroom sink to drain into the black tank. This saved room in our battery compartment by eliminating the drain pipe (and saved floor from being cut away).

The amount of water used to brush teeth and wash hands in the bathroom isn't that significant. It's also another way to put water into your tank for cleaning. I like it.
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Old 07-02-2007, 09:37 AM   #13
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IF any auxillary water source is gonna drain into the main tank...

the lavatory sink is the best choice...

not a lot of soap and few organics to foul the black 'digestive' processes....

one significant negative to this arrangement however, is tank odor...

IF the trailer is in storage long enough to evaporate the sink/trap water....

black tank odors can occupy the trailer.

a whole new meaning for poo-puri

cheers
2air'
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