|
|
10-18-2016, 01:48 AM
|
#1
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: PALAZZO 33.3
State: Illinois
Posts: 57
THOR #5696
|
Equalize black and grey tanks
Over the years I always seem to fill the grey tank first and the black is only 1/4 full Why couldn't you add a valve at the hose discharge and pull both grey and black tank valves to equalize the tanks. Water seeks it own level and gravity should do it. I f you opened the black slightly and let the gray in you shouldn't get black in the gray. And if you do so what you drain the black first anyway and just flush the gray tank...What do you think ???
__________________
2016 Thor Palazzo 33.3 Bunkhouse
Toad-2016 Dodge Ram 1500(Hemi)
HD Ultra Classic (goes with us)
Retired Firefighter/Paramedic, Truck Driver
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 02:53 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 23U
State: Illinois
Posts: 481
THOR #992
|
We just fill black with water to about 2/3s full when we dumb. I think the more liquid you have in the black the better it dumps.
__________________
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 03:06 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
|
Several do this to their grey tanks, but not sure I'd be comfortable mixing the black in the process.
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 03:14 AM
|
#4
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: PALAZZO 33.3
State: Illinois
Posts: 57
THOR #5696
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by KNMIB
We just fill black with water to about 2/3s full when we dumb. I think the more liquid you have in the black the better it dumps.
|
You missed the point I want to drain gray into black to get more space in gray tank...
__________________
2016 Thor Palazzo 33.3 Bunkhouse
Toad-2016 Dodge Ram 1500(Hemi)
HD Ultra Classic (goes with us)
Retired Firefighter/Paramedic, Truck Driver
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 03:38 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
|
Well... my black tank is higher than the gray tank... the gray being shorter and flatter under the shower - don't think gravity would work the way you want in my setup...
We definitely fill the gray faster - normally I leave that open when hooked up to sewer... closing it a day or so ahead of when I plan to dump the black.
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 07:43 AM
|
#6
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2012 Daybreak 28PD
State: California
Posts: 81
THOR #556
|
Great idea. I've been doing that for years.
__________________
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 11:43 AM
|
#7
|
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
|
Given that most of Thor's motorhomes have the bathroom sink plumbed to the black tank they kind of did that for you (by moving some of the "waste" from the grey to the black).
Even with that we still fill up the grey before the black when on long trips.
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 01:06 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
|
For what it's worth, some small Airstream trailers have one combo tank for black and gray according to specs.
I don't know how they flush the hose after dumping. Would be interesting to find out if they have some other provisions like external rinse, or if it's just a little messier.
Granted, it's not exactly the same in that the single tank may be easier to access for cleaning than would be the gray tank of a motorhome if "stuff" backed into it unintentionally.
__________________
|
|
|
10-31-2016, 12:38 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27K
State: Kentucky
Posts: 881
THOR #2817
|
When possible kitchen waste water goes in the toilet or in some cases in the bathroom sink to reduce the amount that gets in the gray water tank. For instance instead of filling the sink with water to wash the dishes, we fill a cooking pot. When the dishes are done, the soapy/dirty water from the pot goes in toilet. Left over drinks in bottles and cans goes in the toilet or bathroom sink.
Also using paper plates and plastic cups cuts down on the amount of gray water from washing dishes.
__________________
|
|
|
11-24-2016, 05:36 PM
|
#10
|
Junior Member
State: Arkansas
Posts: 4
THOR #5998
|
I wonder why the tanks are the same size? It seems that the best use of the space would be (for example) a 50 gallon gray and a 25 gallon black water.
__________________
|
|
|
11-24-2016, 05:48 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27K
State: Kentucky
Posts: 881
THOR #2817
|
Perhaps they expect RVers to drain the gray water tanks onto the ground when they can, whereas most are reluctant to do the same with black water.
__________________
|
|
|
11-24-2016, 06:45 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Travato
State: Florida
Posts: 2,475
THOR #1765
|
Avoiding the Dump Station Blues - RV Life
This is a link to an article about a guy who has designed a system to drain the grey to the black tank to lengthen the time between dumps. Costs $345 I think, but you can buy the design from him, I believe. Uses a pump to transfer from grey to black.
__________________
|
|
|
11-24-2016, 08:20 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
|
Expanding on comment above about some Airstream trailers having only one combo tank, I also noticed in Noverber 2016 MotorHome Magazine that the 45-foot luxury Foretravel DP has freshwater capacity of 135 gallons, and
"Black/Gray Tank Capacity 145 gal (one holding tank)"
With newer dumping technologies maybe it makes more sense to consolidate the black and gray into one. It would not surprise me at all to see a trend in this direction because it solves other problems as well.
__________________
|
|
|
11-24-2016, 08:44 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27K
State: Kentucky
Posts: 881
THOR #2817
|
I suspect that Corwin's contraption works as described, but using paper plates and bowls cuts down on the use of fresh water and the production of gray water quite well.
__________________
|
|
|
11-24-2016, 09:40 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31K
State: Florida
Posts: 145
THOR #3520
|
I realize that the environmental costs of disposable dishes vs. washing dishes is not clearcut and noncontroversial. No more than disposable diapers vs. cloth diapers. Our personal feelings are that we choose to wash dishes rather than cut trees and throw away into landfills. Not the easy way but we rest easier not
doing more damage to the earth. Of course, if we were the strictest of tree-huggers we would not be driving a RV at all.
Chuck Peck in CasaLoca
__________________
|
|
|
11-24-2016, 09:54 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 22E
State: Washington
Posts: 304
THOR #4719
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance
Expanding on comment above about some Airstream trailers having only one combo tank, I also noticed in Noverber 2016 MotorHome Magazine that the 45-foot luxury Foretravel DP has freshwater capacity of 135 gallons, and
"Black/Gray Tank Capacity 145 gal (one holding tank)"
With newer dumping technologies maybe it makes more sense to consolidate the black and gray into one. It would not surprise me at all to see a trend in this direction because it solves other problems as well.
|
As far as I am aware, it is only some vintage Airstreams that have single tanks.
Personally I do not like the idea of allowing black tank matter to enter the grey tank for any reason. My main concern is the shower floor drain that is very close to the grey tank both in proximity and length of plumbing. If the grey tank does overfill for any reason (for instance a sink faucet failing or accidentally left open. I do not want fecal matter entering the shower floor and then possibly overflowing to the rest of the RV floor. The earlier idea of just allowing the black tank valve to open slightly is of no help, because turds are water soluble and liquefy readily. If you don't believe me, capture one and place in a glass of water.
For these reasons I would not buy an RV with one tank.
I use the method mentioned in a post above of leaving the grey water valve open when camping if I have a sewer hookup. I close it some time before I anticipate dumping the black tank.. I also use a Sewer Solution, which has a back washing capability.
I want the contents of the grey water tank to be as clean as possible in case some circumstance requires it to be drained onto the ground.
Ken
__________________
|
|
|
11-25-2016, 01:01 AM
|
#17
|
Junior Member
State: Arkansas
Posts: 4
THOR #5998
|
Isn't that the same as brick and mortar homes? It will back up into the shower floor drain first.
__________________
|
|
|
11-25-2016, 03:58 AM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ag&Au
As far as I am aware, it is only some vintage Airstreams that have single tanks.
.....cut....
Ken
|
Ken, a few of the present smaller trailers are listed that way in specs. See picture below as one example. I do understand your valid concerns.
As to the Foretravel, I suppose that if you spend over a million on a luxury motorhome, it better come with safeguards to prevent poop from overflowing inside coach due to a full tank.
__________________
|
|
|
11-25-2016, 07:02 AM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 22E
State: Washington
Posts: 304
THOR #4719
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance
Ken, a few of the present smaller trailers are listed that way in specs. See picture below as one example. I do understand your valid concerns.
As to the Foretravel, I suppose that if you spend over a million on a luxury motorhome, it better come with safeguards to prevent poop from overflowing inside coach due to a full tank.
|
I stand corrected, and amazed. That is total ridiculous. One 21 gallon combo tank. It might be a small trailer, but I hope is also designed for leprechauns, with small waste output.
Ken
__________________
|
|
|
11-25-2016, 12:12 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27K
State: Kentucky
Posts: 881
THOR #2817
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ag&Au
As far as I am aware, it is only some vintage Airstreams that have single tanks.
Personally I do not like the idea of allowing black tank matter to enter the grey tank for any reason. My main concern is the shower floor drain that is very close to the grey tank both in proximity and length of plumbing. If the grey tank does overfill for any reason (for instance a sink faucet failing or accidentally left open. I do not want fecal matter entering the shower floor and then possibly overflowing to the rest of the RV floor. The earlier idea of just allowing the black tank valve to open slightly is of no help, because turds are water soluble and liquefy readily. If you don't believe me, capture one and place in a glass of water.
For these reasons I would not buy an RV with one tank.
I use the method mentioned in a post above of leaving the grey water valve open when camping if I have a sewer hookup. I close it some time before I anticipate dumping the black tank.. I also use a Sewer Solution, which has a back washing capability.
I want the contents of the grey water tank to be as clean as possible in case some circumstance requires it to be drained onto the ground.
Ken
|
I think you make several good points for not combining gray and black water tanks.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
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
|
|
|
|
|