Black Tank Smells

[5thwheeler]

An odor problem - comes and goes
Don't see any leaks in basement
Sometimes quite prevalent at the "pocket" door - quite strong - don't think it's the grey water.
My son checked the "stacks" on the roof - 2 have insulation in them. One seems clear.
Suggestions???

[Motor31]

Is this happening when you use the fantastic or vent fan set to pull out air from the rig? I found that any use of the fan in warm weather to pull air from the trailer tends to cause the black tank to vent into the trailer. IIRC drv used a slip style method for mounting the toilet onto the black tank. In other words there is no real seal in the down tube into the tank, just the overlapping of the down tube and the black tank intake pipe. For the most part that works but it will tend to "leak" fumes if there is a lower pressure in the rig by using the fan on outflow, even with windows open. Since the tank tends to produce gas anyhow it is already slightly higher in pressure so any oportunity to vetnt into the rig is going to bring in fumes.

Bringing the fumes in that way would "favor" the pocket door area over other avenues since one of the ways air enters the rig is through the access hatches. They really don't seal well at all.

[netjam]

Can't remember the plumbing on my suite but on my Escalade the vaccum breakers under each sink often give out and allow smells to enter. I only get about a year on them before replacing. Put your nose in the undersink cupboard and you'll soon know if that is the problem.

[porkchop]

The front pipe is where the wires for solar panels are located, the center one is the satellite wring and the rear most one is the actual vent pipe. AT least on mine. The actual rotation may change on different models.
I agree on the negative pressure idea.

Bill

[jdwilson3]

A dead mouse in the basement area can smell pretty much like a black tank leak.

[Slow Six]

I had an odor problem but I think I found the source. It was coming from a defective vacuum breaker and check valve on the black tank flush line which was located in the corner behind the shower. After a few phone calls I just removed the defective assembly and connected the lines straight through. Our rig smells much better today.

[jcasey]

If you have a brass valve, check the manufacturer. It is likely made by
Cash Acme. They have a rebuild kit that is very inexpensive.

Here is the information; but, please check to be sure your valve is the same as this one. The valve listed below is brass, not plastic.

If you by-pass the valve so there is no check-valve, you might have to blow the spray mechanism/lines out with air to prevent freezing.

Cash Acme on DRV
1-877-700-4242
RV Anti-Siphon
Vacuum Breaker
Kit: 17404 (c. $2.00)
V-101 full valve:
17389-0000 (c. $29.00)

[01zeosix]

I agree with Motor31. You might want to consider a new stack vent on the roof. I changed my "stock" cap with one of these (http://bit.ly/14rRZYb). Helped tremendously.

[MarvinSoto]

The front pipe is where the wires for solar panel (http://www.shinesolar.net) are located, the center one is the satellite wring and the rear most one is the actual vent pipe. AT least on mine. The actual rotation may change on different models.
I agree on the negative pressure idea.

Bill

I am not sure about negative pressure idea..Have you applied it? It seems effective to me.

[rvndave]

we have used bleach in the black tanks for many years. I recommend you dump 1-2 cups of bleach into the black tank.

[porkchop]

Did you notice this was more than 3 years old?

[rvndave]

Yes I noticed.... once you pointed it out. I also noticed I am learning quite a bit from these old posts, so I assume many others are as well? Good advise and correct information will never become outdated. Of course, this is all just my opinion.

[wingnut60]

rvndave,
There are tons of good ideas and advice contained in the older posts, and like you say, don't go out of date--well, technology advances might come into play on some of them.
I've answered a few posts myself not noticing that they were quite old, but have never figured out just WHY I noticed them years later...
Joe