| Author | Message | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 148 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 69.143.43.3 Rating: N/A |
__. Hi, I'd like advice. First, I'm planning a 100 gal. fresh tank. If I do this, is a 60/40 split between grey and black tanks about right? I'll be able to drain from grey to black. Or would a set 50/50 gals. in each tank be better? __. The best place to put the "black tank" in my bus is a long, narrow, low area. If I have a tank that's about 5 feet long, 2 feet wide, will solids flush from the black tank upon draining, or will I have to worry about solid material building up on the bottom surface of the inside of my tank? I will be able to flush from front to back with the contents of the grey tank. So, I'm thinking draining ~40 gallons of "black" then flushing with 60 or so grey. __. Will this give me problems? | ||
| Florida Cliff (Floridacracker)
Registered Member Username: Floridacracker Post Number: 323 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 67.8.199.203 Rating: N/A |
Bruce, My experience is that we use 2/3 more grey than black. I would stick with the 60/40. You can also drain a little grey into the black if you need more grey. I have never had a sludge problem with a black tank. Even if hooked up to sewer I only drain it when full. Don't want any visitors climbing up that hose....  Cliff | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 1950 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.76.131 Rating: N/A |
I agree with Cliff. Never drain the black tank unless it is 3/4 full and never drain it after the coach has been sitting a few days. If nothing else, take it out for a spin before draining. Then arrange your plumbing so that you can drain your Grey tank completely into your black tank. My plumbing was one valve from the black tank and one valve from the gray tank, both into a tee. Then the outlet of the tee thru a third valve to the drain connection. By juggling the valves you can get at least three good black tank rinses with the water from the gray tank. Richard | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 92 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.1.180.218 Rating: N/A |
I use a combined grey/black tank. A matter of personal preference,I also have a 3 inch inspection/cleanout port. You could possibley tilt the black tank from rear to drain. I am not recommending doing this, nor do I know anybody who has ever done it but in an emergency the grey water could be drained on the ground. I think my grandparents or parents directed the wash water into thier garden, of course this was befor soap and water was considered a toxic, planet destroying biohazard!!!! | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 149 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 69.143.43.3 Rating: N/A |
__. Thank you all for your experienced advice. This is good news because it simplifies "packaging" for me. __. James, I plan to have two grey drain ports, the main one into the black tank for flushing as the black is being drained and one as an "emergency" drain for grey to the outside -- but only to be used to drain into a suitable sewage system. I agree with your feeling about "biohazard" soap and water but decayed food particles (from dishwashing) and body products (mostly biological/bacterial) from washing/showering really should be directed to a proper sewage disposal point. __. But back to the point of using grey to flush out the black tank, I think that I'd wait until the black tank is full, then if the grey isn't all the way full, I'll run fresh water (assuming that a complete refill for the fresh is available) to fill the grey tank so that a full grey tank's worth of water is available to flush the black tank. But I've never owned an RV or converted bus before so I'm guessing that every drain and/or fresh fill is different so you have to use your brain everytime to weigh varibles, expected refill/drain availability, etc. | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 93 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.1.180.218 Rating: N/A |
One thing to keep in mind, a holding tank like a septic system needs bacteria to work properly, so unless putting the home in storage we do not want the black tank to be squeaky clean after dumping. I try to leave some in the tank everytime. I hear you on the proper disposal of grey water. Also when washing the bus the water will be loaded with chemicals, wax, road tar, grease,brake dust, oil and other petroleum products. This should be collected and disposed of in a responsible manner. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 635 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.117.21 Rating: N/A |
Collect and dispose of the water you use to wash your coach? HUH? This stuff comes off every time I drive it in the rain. | ||
| David (Davidinwilmnc)
Registered Member Username: Davidinwilmnc Post Number: 180 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 75.180.200.138 Rating: N/A |
I've thought a marine bilge pump in the grey tank pumping into the black tank might be helpful. That way, if the black tank isn't full enough to dump, the grey water can be pumped into the black tank. The same can be done if more grey capacity is needed and the black tank isn't full. Have any others done anything similar? David | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 150 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 69.143.43.3 Rating: N/A |
John W. Roan wrote "Collect and dispose of the water you use to wash your coach? HUH? This stuff comes off every time I drive it in the rain." __. Yes, you should collect it and use it in the pressure washer for cleaning your engine! ;^) | ||
| Gerald Norman (Gnorman46)
Registered Member Username: Gnorman46 Post Number: 76 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 70.14.212.29 Rating: N/A |
I want to hear how to collect it! | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 414 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.97.117.13 Rating: N/A |
Keep it simple, use one tank and never drain it completely so you save the microbes that eat waste. No pumps, no interconnecting pipes, no flushing system-nothing to fail on a dark rainy night. |