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Old 04-19-2020, 02:58 PM   #1
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Question Fan tastic Fan and black tank odor

I just had a new fan installed in my 2018 Fourwinds 23U and took it out for its first trip. It was raining outside and wanted a bit of air to move around but after about 20 minutes I could smell sewer gas in the RV. I had full hookup and had both valves open from black and grey tank. I was told to do it that way by an old timer. I looked up old threads and couldn't find a discussion about this so I am asking what you opinions are? So do I leave them open or closed? Will I have an issue down the road by leaving my black tank open when on full hookup?

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Old 04-19-2020, 03:04 PM   #2
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this is why listening to an 'old timer' might not always be the best for YOUR situation - their situation might have been different, and what some say you 'should do' doesn't always apply... use your own common sense when RVing and Camping - as it seems reasonable that if you LEAVE the sewer connections OPEN, you will CERTAINLY smell their perfume! (and, especially if you have your FAN on)

so, close the sewer connections, and you'll not have this issue - simple.

[your holding tanks are just for that, for HOLDING until you are ready to relieve them, which is generally once every day or so when parked - not to be 'open' all the time, though some will do this - it's not common, though]
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Old 04-19-2020, 03:18 PM   #3
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Exclamation

With the valves open - especially the black tank valve - you're creating a vent from the entire campground's septic system into your RV's holding tank. You'll get a real blast of "aroma" every time you operate the toilet, and there will be a continual flow of gases through your rig's vent pipes. Additionally, with no liquids remaining in the black tank, any solids (aka poop) will tend to pile up and harden in the tank.

Keep the valves closed. Empty the tanks when nearly full - black tank first, close that valve, then grey tank to flush the hose - and shut the valves.
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Old 04-19-2020, 03:44 PM   #4
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At a minimum keep the black tank valve closed. Keep it closed and try not to empty it until its at least 2/3 full (yup when I know I have to empty it and its lower than that I'll run the bathroom sink--spoiler alert: your bathroom sink may drain into the black tank--until I'm full enough to dump the black).
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Old 04-19-2020, 04:38 PM   #5
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NEVER leave the black valve open, drain when 1/2-2/3 if you want or when changing sites, but don't ever leave it open + use plenty of water per flush. In this case the old timer is VERY wrong!
And don't trust the pretty red lights for tank levels, they are in most cases just pretty red lights.
There's different opinions on the grey tanks. Ours had 2, bath/shower/washing machine in 1 & kitchen in the other, which I left the bath open til a couple days before dumping the black otherwise I'd be dumping that tank daily, at least every other, anyway.
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Old 04-19-2020, 05:39 PM   #6
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All advice above is right on the money. I would like to add a tip about your bathroom vent fan and for any other vent fan.
If you have one of the overhead vent fans running, make sure you have another vent, window or screen door open for make-up air. If you don't the make-up air will most likely come from a stinking source.
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Old 04-20-2020, 06:44 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Popfla View Post
With the valves open - especially the black tank valve - you're creating a vent from the entire campground's septic system into your RV's holding tank. You'll get a real blast of "aroma" every time you operate the toilet, and there will be a continual flow of gases through your rig's vent pipes. Additionally, with no liquids remaining in the black tank, any solids (aka poop) will tend to pile up and harden in the tank.

Keep the valves closed. Empty the tanks when nearly full - black tank first, close that valve, then grey tank to flush the hose - and shut the valves.
The famous “poop pyramid”. And those can be a @$#($’fsfa to get out.
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Old 04-20-2020, 11:15 AM   #8
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Smile

Thanks you all for the information. I will definitely keep my tank valves closed when I get to go camping again. And I will print out your answers and show my "Old Timer" your answers!
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Old 04-20-2020, 12:10 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by mcr1010 View Post
All advice above is right on the money. I would like to add a tip about your bathroom vent fan and for any other vent fan.
If you have one of the overhead vent fans running, make sure you have another vent, window or screen door open for make-up air. If you don't the make-up air will most likely come from a stinking source.
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Old 04-23-2020, 01:34 PM   #10
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Thor Motor Coach Customer Service

Hello! Should you require more assistance please contact us at 877-855-2867 and one of our Customer Service specialists will be able to assist you. We are open until 5:00 pm (ET). You could also email us at TMCTeam@tmcrv.com or LIVE Chat with us from the Owners tab at www.thormotorcoach.com
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Old 04-23-2020, 03:00 PM   #11
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Hello! Should you require more assistance please contact us at 877-855-2867 and one of our Customer Service specialists will be able to assist you. We are open until 5:00 pm (ET). You could also email us at TMCTeam@tmcrv.com or LIVE Chat with us from the Owners tab at www.thormotorcoach.com

Thank You THOR TEAM, for being on board.

Regards


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Old 04-25-2020, 11:22 PM   #12
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One thing that we learned with our new coach is: the instructions say "open the grey tank valve before running the washing machine" (and shut it when finished. They don't want you to overfill your grey tank.
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Old 04-26-2020, 12:14 AM   #13
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One thing that we learned with our new coach is: the instructions say "open the grey tank valve before running the washing machine" (and shut it when finished. They don't want you to overfill your grey tank.

You better believe that the washer uses a lot more water than you would think. If your tank is empty, opening the valve is not required and should get two loads done. Then dump. I have done this when it was raining hard and was able to dump when the rain stopped or turned to sprinkles.
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Old 04-26-2020, 01:42 AM   #14
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If you have the fan sucking air out of the coach, every time you flush the toilet whether you have the valves open or closed you are going to get smell. It pulls the air from the vent of the tank right through the toilet into the coach.
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Old 04-26-2020, 08:10 AM   #15
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Check the anti siphon valve under your bathroom sink. If the valve is loose and not screwed in firmly it will cause a lot of odor in the bathroom. Best thing is to remove it, wrap with teflon tape and reinstall.
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Old 04-26-2020, 05:13 PM   #16
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We open our gray tank valve if we are washing clothes . Otherwise we leave it closed until time to dump. We never leave our black tank valve open and we always add some water flushes right after dumping so that poop does not form Mount Olympus.
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