Sanitize black tank

[Bobman]

Hi, we are camping at a State Park in Northern Michigan this weekend. The water at the dump station is capped off for the winter, the dump hole (sewer) is still usable. Am I able to rinse / sanitize tank with the water pump? I guess I should mention that it is a2015 29 ME. Any help would be appreciated.

[CharlieD]

Add water through the commode and add whatever you use if anything in the black water tank for smell reduction. I don't think you can ever truly sanitize a black water tank.

[pconroy]

You can certainly rinse the blank tank. Before I had the new RV with a flush, I used to fill a few gallon jugs and dump them into the toilet to rinse.

While I don't think I'd do this at a campsite, I did "sanitize" the black tank on the used RV we bough by pouring in a bleach/water solution and letting it sit for several hours.

[Griswald One]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Hi, we are camping at a State Park in Northern Michigan this weekend. The water at the dump station is capped off for the winter, the dump hole (sewer) is still usable. Am I able to rinse / sanitize tank with the water pump? I guess I should mention that it is a2015 29 ME. Any help would be appreciated.

Hey Bobman, I drive the 29Me as well. I don't think you can use your black tank flush feature using the water pump. The flush requires the external hook up as well as needing more water pressure then I think the pump is capable of generating.

As others mentioned you will be stuck with filling the black tank the old fashioned way, Fill the bowl...Flush...Repeat, and then dumping it. If this is your final stop before winterizing, definitely consider adding whatever "Green" chemical you use to break up the tanks solid contents and maybe drive around the campground a few times before heading to the dump station.

[NC Roamer]

We wash dishes in a plastic pan in the sink and then pour the soapy water into the toilet. It not only helps keep the grey tank from filling up as fast, but the extra soapy water helps empty the black tank when when I dump it.

[abarkl]

Originally Posted by NC Roamer

We wash dishes in a plastic pan in the sink and then pour the soapy water into the toilet. It not only helps keep the grey tank from filling up as fast, but the extra soapy water helps empty the black tank when when I dump it.

x2
We have done the same with all our motorhomes over the years. There's nothing worse than a full grey tank midway through a stay. It always backs up in the shower first as the lowest point of the system.

[rgolding]

We have a valve built in to our Seneca at the connection to the dump connection for both grey and black tank. (We added one to our last 2 trailers, you can pick up the valves up at most camping stores. Sold as an emergency repair valve.)

Anyway, we dump black, close this main valve and then open grey to back flood black tank. Then open main valve to drain whole system. Creates a vacuum that drains everything, sometimes even sucking water out of traps. So be sure to run all faucettes to refill traps in sinks and shower. Works great!

Also found on our Seneca that shower hose is just long enough to reach cammode. We fill toilet bowl a couple of times if we've been sitting a long time to prevent the "TP Pyramid".

Works great!

[norty1]

When we last replaced our rv commode, we opted for the spray attachment for an extra $10 bucks.

I can't believe how handy it is for rinsing and filling the commode for cleaning, etc.

[rgolding]

Originally Posted by norty1

When we last replaced our rv commode, we opted for the spray attachment for an extra $10 bucks.

I can't believe how handy it is for rinsing and filling the commode for cleaning, etc.

Had that in our Arctic Fox 30U. Yes, one handy item.