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02-06-2009, 12:32 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2006 28' International CCD
New York
, New York
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 34
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How do you actually use the tank flush/spray?
2006 CCD 28 -- manual is not clear on this at all. Sewer valves are both open, water is hooked up to the tank flush input, water on, nothing happens.
It does mention that there is some other valve inside the trailer opposite the external port, and mentions that you should "allow pressure to build up and spray the tank in bursts" but it doesn't actually tell you where that valve is.
What am I doing wrong? How do you actually use this?
-d
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02-06-2009, 05:34 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 30' Classic S/O
Currently Looking...
Mohrsville
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,313
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Dre,
We have an '06 too and we really never had an issue with the black tank flush mechanism. I leave the black tank valve shut, hook up the water hose to the flush inlet, turn the water on, and I hear the spray head rotating, squirting water into the tank. My wife watches the system monitor and tells me when it is full at which time I pull the dump valve. I have not had to mess with any valve in the interior of the trailer.
You may have a clogged sprayer head on the inside of the black water tank. I have read some posts here that they tend to get clogged up and stop functioning.
You may try getting a blow out attachment (one used to flush water from system for winterizing) and use some air pressure to try and blow out the clog. But BE CAREFUL, too much air pressure would be a bad thing.
__________________
Carl, Elaine & Finn The Beagle
2006 30' Classic W Slide & Limited Package Katarina
2006 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 Turbo Diesel Crew Cab 8' Bed
TAC PA-3
S/OS#042
AIR #14487
NQ3U (was KB3UOM)
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02-06-2009, 05:41 AM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Flying Cloud
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 411
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We have a '06 CCD 28 as well and I leave the black valve open while flushing for about five minutes. I close the black and then open the grey valve to help flush anything remaining in the hose. I do not know if this is the correct procedure.
Jack
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02-06-2009, 08:23 AM
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#4
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1996 34' Classic
1996 34' Excella
Culpeper
, Virginia
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 392
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Jack,
It must be something about Virgnians. We follow the same procedure you described.
__________________
FordTruck
2016 GMC 2500HD Denali (Betsy 4)
1996 34' Excella 1000 (Arvin3 as this is our 3rd AS)
Fair is where they put ribbons on pigs.
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02-06-2009, 10:12 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
2008 20' Safari SE
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2017 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 24
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Just to add a different technique idea....
I spray mine for one minute. Shut the black valve for one minute to let some water fillup the tank. Then empty. Repeat the process three times.
The sound of water spraying inside is noticeable. So if you can't hear that then probably you're plugged.
Blowing air through the lines is an idea I had not thought about.
What I would have done is purchase some black tank cleaner (soapy stuff) and tried that first. It also cleans off your sensors.
Good luck.
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02-06-2009, 10:35 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2005 25' Safari
Roseville
, California
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 237
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I follow basically Redd's process, but one time I got careless and overfilled the tank with the black water valve closed - don't do that! I have a dump hose with a clear plastic section, close the valve, spray for a couple minutes, dump, repeat until the flushed fluid runs clear.
If you are still under warranty, you might want to contact a good dealer or the manufacturer of the flush system.
I agree the manual is unclear. I seem to recall in one place it says to close valves, another place it says they must remain open (at least in 2005).
__________________
Cam
2005 25' Safari SS
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Turbodiesel
WBCCI #3580 - Region 12 NorCal
AIR #8752
Roseville, CA
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02-06-2009, 11:20 AM
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#7
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,218
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle
We have spent almost 400 nights in our dear Lucy ('05 25FB) which has the sewer flush option. So, we have quite a bit of experience in the art of dumping the tanks on an Airstream.
One thing that I consider a "must have" is one of those 6" sections of clear rigid sewer line attached between the trailer outlet and the flexible sewer hose of choice. Without this, it's hard to tell what's going on during your dumps.
I never open both the gray and the black tank valves at the same time. I save my gray till last to rinse the hose. My dumping procedure is as follows. I dump the black tank without turning on the rinse system. When the black tank is empty, I leave the valve open and start the rinse. During this operation, you should be able to clearly hear the sprayer rinsing the walls of the black tank. If you cannot hear this, you have some kind of problem with the rinsing system. I would first try the air thing from the outside with one of those little white adapters from Wal-Mart. I would do this at about 25 psi making sure that I had water in the toilet bowl with the flush gate closed. Then try the rinse water again. If this does not work, I would take it to a professional.
I usually let the tank rinse with the valve open for about 10 minutes or until the out bound water is somewhat clear. I then close the valve and let the rinse continue for a couple of minutes to get get a couple of gallons of water in the black tank to which I add a "big blue pill" (Sewer treatment packet). That completes my black tank procedure. I then let the gray go to aid in rinsing the hose. If I am planning to store Lucy after the dump, I like to have both tanks at least 1/4 full.
Please remember the number one rule of Airstream "sewerology". Never ever ever ever let the black tank go completely dry. This can result in your black tank developing the dreaded "Black Hills Syndrome" which, in extreme cases, can cause the demise of your black tank. Also remember to never leave your black tank valve open all the time when camping. Leave the valve closed and dump when needed.
Black tank valve left open = "black Hills Syndrome".
Good Luck, Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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02-06-2009, 03:20 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
1998 28' Excella
Dolores
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 324
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I have spent many days camping in both my 27' unit and this lareger 28' unit and it amazes me what you can learn on the forums after being a A/S for close to 30 years. I have learned like Brian has stated you never leave your black tank dry. After we close off the valve we fill the toilet 3 times and dump into the black tank. The information about the internal wash is interesting because I have noticed mine is not working. I will try the air trick but I think a person would need to have had some water in the tank so any matter on the wash unit would soften with that water and the air could then force it off.
Thanks for all the good info.
Bob
4CU/CAC
WBCCI # 10105
AIR # 28748
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02-06-2009, 07:20 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Flying Cloud
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 411
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Brian,
Thanks for the tip on allowing a couple of gallons remain in the balck tank along with a "blue pill". I guess we Virginians are always up for learning something new!!!
Jack
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