Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Waste tank flush
| Waste tank flush [message #108044] |
Thu, 09 December 2010 19:11  |
jayrabe
Messages: 509
Registered: June 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Reading up on procedure for dumping my black waste tank, and ran across a mention of a built-in flush. Do the GMC's have such a thing? If not OEM, has anyone added such a feature? I'm sure I can just run a hose into the toilet, or drain my fresh water into the sink, but wondered if there was another way of doing it.
Thanks
J "looking forward to first experience dumping my tanks"
76 PB
Portland, OR
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| Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush [message #108047 is a reply to message #108044] |
Thu, 09 December 2010 19:48  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Jay,
Most RV dealers carry "built in" tank flushers. I make my own 10+ years
ago. Using a flange-mounted fresh water inlet, with built in check valve, I
attached a PVC pipe long enough to reach most of the way across the black
water tank. After capping the end of the pipe, I drilled a series of small
holes (1/16" or less) across one side, checking the resultant spray pattern
with water pressure from a hose attached to the inlet. Total cost <$10.
When satisfied with the spray pattern, I drilled a hole in the side of the
black water tank large enough to insert the pipe, with the spray holes aimed
downward to wash debris toward the tank outlet. Silicone and SS screws seal
and secure the flange to the tank -- I've never had a leak, nor back flow
through the check valve.
I used a short length of water hose to attach the flusher to a quick
disconnect mounted on the frame behind the rear bumper. When I want to
clean the tank thoroughly, I connect a water hose, open the drain valve, and
periodically run the macerator until the flow is clear water.
JWID,
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 8:11 PM, Jay Rabe <jayrabe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Reading up on procedure for dumping my black waste tank, and ran across a
> mention of a built-in flush. Do the GMC's have such a thing? If not OEM, has
> anyone added such a feature? I'm sure I can just run a hose into the toilet,
> or drain my fresh water into the sink, but wondered if there was another way
> of doing it.
>
> Thanks
>
> J "looking forward to first experience dumping my tanks"
> 76 PB
> Portland, OR
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush [message #108049 is a reply to message #108047] |
Thu, 09 December 2010 20:00 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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I never flush the tank. I Ieave 3gal in there with chemicals to clean the solids for the next trip
JWID
Gene
On Dec 9, 2010, at 5:48 PM, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> Jay,
>
> Most RV dealers carry "built in" tank flushers. I make my own 10+ years
> ago. Using a flange-mounted fresh water inlet, with built in check valve, I
> attached a PVC pipe long enough to reach most of the way across the black
> water tank. After capping the end of the pipe, I drilled a series of small
> holes (1/16" or less) across one side, checking the resultant spray pattern
> with water pressure from a hose attached to the inlet. Total cost <$10.
>
> When satisfied with the spray pattern, I drilled a hole in the side of the
> black water tank large enough to insert the pipe, with the spray holes aimed
> downward to wash debris toward the tank outlet. Silicone and SS screws seal
> and secure the flange to the tank -- I've never had a leak, nor back flow
> through the check valve.
>
> I used a short length of water hose to attach the flusher to a quick
> disconnect mounted on the frame behind the rear bumper. When I want to
> clean the tank thoroughly, I connect a water hose, open the drain valve, and
> periodically run the macerator until the flow is clear water.
>
> JWID,
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 8:11 PM, Jay Rabe <jayrabe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Reading up on procedure for dumping my black waste tank, and ran across a
>> mention of a built-in flush. Do the GMC's have such a thing? If not OEM, has
>> anyone added such a feature? I'm sure I can just run a hose into the toilet,
>> or drain my fresh water into the sink, but wondered if there was another way
>> of doing it.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> J "looking forward to first experience dumping my tanks"
>> 76 PB
>> Portland, OR
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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List Information and Subscription Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush [message #108050 is a reply to message #108049] |
Thu, 09 December 2010 20:00 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Gene's approach is right. I should have mentioned that I very seldom use
the flusher -- only on the rare occasion that we overload the system and
have a build up of solids.
Mostly just dumping in 1/2 cup of Rid-X every now and then and adding a
little water after dumping is all the maintenance needed.
Ken H.
On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 9:03 PM, <mr.erfisher@gmail.com> wrote:
> I never flush the tank. I Ieave 3gal in there with chemicals to clean the
> solids for the next trip
>
> JWID
>
> Gene
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Dec 9, 2010, at 5:48 PM, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
> > Jay,
> >
> > Most RV dealers carry "built in" tank flushers. I make my own 10+ years
> > ago. Using a flange-mounted fresh water inlet, with built in check
> valve, I
> > attached a PVC pipe long enough to reach most of the way across the black
> > water tank. After capping the end of the pipe, I drilled a series of
> small
> > holes (1/16" or less) across one side, checking the resultant spray
> pattern
> > with water pressure from a hose attached to the inlet. Total cost <$10.
> >
> > When satisfied with the spray pattern, I drilled a hole in the side of
> the
> > black water tank large enough to insert the pipe, with the spray holes
> aimed
> > downward to wash debris toward the tank outlet. Silicone and SS screws
> seal
> > and secure the flange to the tank -- I've never had a leak, nor back flow
> > through the check valve.
> >
> > I used a short length of water hose to attach the flusher to a quick
> > disconnect mounted on the frame behind the rear bumper. When I want to
> > clean the tank thoroughly, I connect a water hose, open the drain valve,
> and
> > periodically run the macerator until the flow is clear water.
> >
> > JWID,
> >
> > Ken H.
> > Americus, GA
> > '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> > www.gmcwipersetc.com
> >
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 8:11 PM, Jay Rabe <jayrabe@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> Reading up on procedure for dumping my black waste tank, and ran across
> a
> >> mention of a built-in flush. Do the GMC's have such a thing? If not OEM,
> has
> >> anyone added such a feature? I'm sure I can just run a hose into the
> toilet,
> >> or drain my fresh water into the sink, but wondered if there was another
> way
> >> of doing it.
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >>
> >> J "looking forward to first experience dumping my tanks"
> >> 76 PB
> >> Portland, OR
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> GMCnet mailing list
> >> List Information and Subscription Options:
> >> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Waste tank flush [message #108059 is a reply to message #108044] |
Thu, 09 December 2010 20:55 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Here is a photo of my waste water flush system installed. There was an old system in place but it had broken -- this fit in the same one inch diameter hole.
Came with a quick disconnect -- about $20 at local rv store.
The yellow fitting on the left.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=34278&title=0074&cat=4620
Dennis
| jayrabe wrote on Thu, 09 December 2010 19:11 |
Reading up on procedure for dumping my black waste tank, and ran across a mention of a built-in flush. Do the GMC's have such a thing? If not OEM, has anyone added such a feature? I'm sure I can just run a hose into the toilet, or drain my fresh water into the sink, but wondered if there was another way of doing it.
Thanks
J "looking forward to first experience dumping my tanks"
76 PB
Portland, OR
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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: Waste tank flush [message #108066 is a reply to message #108059] |
Thu, 09 December 2010 21:59 |
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Hi Dennis, My '73 has a different black tank; I have it out for repair of a leak now. Mine has a fitting over near the closet for the sink drain and another one near the toilet flange for the shower. What material did you use to close up the hole for the sender? Is there any good epoxy or whatever that will stick to the tank? What number is your '73?
geo groth '73 260 Sequoia
Carson City Nevada 89703
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| Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush [message #108082 is a reply to message #108044] |
Thu, 09 December 2010 22:56 |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Jay,
Go to Camping World (or any RV supply house) and buy one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/2e2glfs
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/holding-tank-rinser-with-valve/467
8
Stick it down the "Dunny" and rotate it with the 3" dump valve in a sewer
connection and the waste valve open. The hole in the tube is in line with
the valve so you know where the spray is going. I just did this to Double
Trouble and after a couple of rinses the water coming out of the holding
tank was clear.
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder!
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Jay Rabe
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 7:11 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush
Reading up on procedure for dumping my black waste tank, and ran across a
mention of a built-in flush. Do the GMC's have such a thing? If not OEM, has
anyone added such a feature? I'm sure I can just run a hose into the toilet,
or drain my fresh water into the sink, but wondered if there was another way
of doing it.
Thanks
J "looking forward to first experience dumping my tanks"
76 PB
Portland, OR
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush [message #108098 is a reply to message #108082] |
Fri, 10 December 2010 06:25 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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Neither the tinyurl link or the long one
(with the lost "8" added) are functional
here, Rob.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> From: robmueller@iinet.net.au
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 22:56:44 -0600
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush
>
> Jay,
>
> Go to Camping World (or any RV supply house) and buy one of these:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2e2glfs
>
> http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/holding-tank-rinser-with-valve/467
> 8
>
> Stick it down the "Dunny" and rotate it with the 3" dump valve in a sewer
> connection and the waste valve open. The hole in the tube is in line with
> the valve so you know where the spray is going. I just did this to Double
> Trouble and after a couple of rinses the water coming out of the holding
> tank was clear.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> USAussie - Downunder!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Jay Rabe
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 7:11 PM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush
>
>
>
> Reading up on procedure for dumping my black waste tank, and ran across a
> mention of a built-in flush. Do the GMC's have such a thing? If not OEM, has
> anyone added such a feature? I'm sure I can just run a hose into the toilet,
> or drain my fresh water into the sink, but wondered if there was another way
> of doing it.
>
> Thanks
>
> J "looking forward to first experience dumping my tanks"
> 76 PB
> Portland, OR
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: Waste tank flush [message #108102 is a reply to message #108066] |
Fri, 10 December 2010 08:07 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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| ggroth wrote on Thu, 09 December 2010 21:59 |
Hi Dennis, My '73 has a different black tank; I have it out for repair of a leak now. Mine has a fitting over near the closet for the sink drain and another one near the toilet flange for the shower. What material did you use to close up the hole for the sender? Is there any good epoxy or whatever that will stick to the tank? What number is your '73?
|
George
My coach is an early 23 ft, serial number 267. The welder who made the repairs said it was a polyethylene tank. I removed the sending unit, cleaned it and reinstalled using blue rtv and new stainless screws. Some have mentioned installing a wash up system in the sender location.
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush [message #108127 is a reply to message #108117] |
Fri, 10 December 2010 15:04 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Dan,
Agreed, I only use the wand when I'm putting Double Trouble to bed for the
winter or when we're on a trip and I look down thru the "dunny" hole and see
a bunch of "crap" after we've just dumped through the macerator. If I ever
were to take down the tank I reckon I'd fit something like Ken H did. ;-)
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Gregg
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2010 12:30 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush
The external cleanout wand is a neat device, just so you can tell others you
have one. I have one myself. It really depends on how you use your GMC as to
just how often you will use something like this. I rarely use our's. When I
get home and really want the thing cleaned out I can do it a lot faster
without using the thing. I have a 3 inch dump pipe that passes by my
maserator and goes straight into the tank. A water hose shoved up in there
will have clear water flowing in less than a minute. If your dump valve has
crooks and curves in it you might not have the option that I have. When
Blaine Merrell installed my thru the bumper hitch, I ripped out everything
under there that I did not need, including a bunch of curves in the 3 inch
dump pipe.
Nice feature, rarely used, by me.
Dan,
living the good life
--
Dan & Teri Gregg
http://danandteri.blogspot.com/
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_______________________________________________
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush [message #108128 is a reply to message #108127] |
Fri, 10 December 2010 15:11 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Rob, sometime when you have the time to be bored, ask Terry Skinner about
the great mascerator distance competition and what a porta potty looks like
afterwards when it has been sprayed with Blue goo. I wasn't present at this
impromptu competition, but it sounds like a mixture of alcohol applied
internally and holding tank chemicals to me.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 royale 403
On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 1:04 PM, Rob Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:
> Dan,
>
> Agreed, I only use the wand when I'm putting Double Trouble to bed for the
> winter or when we're on a trip and I look down thru the "dunny" hole and
> see
> a bunch of "crap" after we've just dumped through the macerator. If I ever
> were to take down the tank I reckon I'd fit something like Ken H did. ;-)
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> USAussie - Downunder
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Gregg
> Sent: Friday, December 10, 2010 12:30 PM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush
>
>
>
> The external cleanout wand is a neat device, just so you can tell others
> you
> have one. I have one myself. It really depends on how you use your GMC as
> to
> just how often you will use something like this. I rarely use our's. When I
> get home and really want the thing cleaned out I can do it a lot faster
> without using the thing. I have a 3 inch dump pipe that passes by my
> maserator and goes straight into the tank. A water hose shoved up in there
> will have clear water flowing in less than a minute. If your dump valve has
> crooks and curves in it you might not have the option that I have. When
> Blaine Merrell installed my thru the bumper hitch, I ripped out everything
> under there that I did not need, including a bunch of curves in the 3 inch
> dump pipe.
> Nice feature, rarely used, by me.
> Dan,
> living the good life
> --
> Dan & Teri Gregg
>
> http://danandteri.blogspot.com/
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
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| Re: Waste tank flush [message #108156 is a reply to message #108044] |
Fri, 10 December 2010 22:45 |
j.chalfant88
Messages: 6
Registered: November 2008
Location: Cottonwood, CA
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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The wand works well, until it breaks. A neat trick that does work is to first dump the black tank -my macerator works great and pumps through a 30 ft extention- but when you are done, then dump in a bunch of ice cubes and let them rattle around for the next xxx miles. As they bounce off the walls they dislodge all matter of matter, and you next dump will be even more prestine. Works for me!
John A.Chalfant
78 Birchaven SB
Cottonwood, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Waste tank flush [message #108166 is a reply to message #108044] |
Sat, 11 December 2010 06:38 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
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When I switched to the JRV monitor and "modern" tank sensors, I removed the
old mechanical TLS and mounted a hose flange in it's place, I ran hose to
the utility side of the coach where I installed a fitting with a check
valve. After returning home I'd dump the tank, hook up a garden hose and
flush till the mascerator pumped clear water. Dumping tanks shold never be
an experience, just another RV chore.
On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 6:11 PM, Jay Rabe <jayrabe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Reading up on procedure for dumping my black waste tank, and ran across a
> mention of a built-in flush. Do the GMC's have such a thing? If not OEM, has
> anyone added such a feature? I'm sure I can just run a hose into the toilet,
> or drain my fresh water into the sink, but wondered if there was another way
> of doing it.
>
> Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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| Re: Waste tank flush [message #108167 is a reply to message #108044] |
Sat, 11 December 2010 07:26 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
|
Senior Member |
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The wand plastic breaks easily. Mine broke before I ever got to use it.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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