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Holding tank treatment
I like to drive with the driver's & passenger's windows open which draws smells from the back up to the front.  However my toilet seems never to seal comp!etely.  I've used various types of liquid holding tank treatment and while they seem to do what they are designed to do, including eliminate the potty smell, the "perfume" of these liquid curatives is almost too much.

I just saw a recommendation by Technomadia for Happy Campers Organic Holding Tank Treatment.  I notice they also recommend a 360 Siphon Roof Vent.  Has anyone used These?  Pros?  Cons?

If course, I guess I could also close my Windows.  Sigh!

Susie

2007 MB

Re: Holding tank treatment
Reply #1
Susie,

You may be experiencing a couple of issues. One: odor may be coming from either your “Gray” tank or your “Black” tank or both.

The gray tank can accumulate food waste. Even though you may try hard to prevent solid waste from entering the galley sink, bath sink or shower, it still, most likely, gets in that tank and can develop quite a strong smell. Often leading you to believe it’s coming from the black tank. The gray tank should be thoroughly flushed and a gray tank treatment should be routinely added in my experience. There should be a small amount of water in the drain “P” Trap to prevent odors from escaping up into the coach.

Secondly, if the toilet does not hold water in the bowl then the rubber seal at the bottom of the bowl, just above the ball valve, may be dry and either needs lubrication (Lemon Pledge can do the job) or replacement. The lack of water in the bowl will allow odors to enter the coach from the black tank. I use a Camco tank treatment for the black tank to help reduce smells and encourage decomposition of waste.

These are the two things that come to mind. One other thing could be the vent from the toilet to the roof may be blocked somehow (cob webs ?) preventing gases from being drawn out of the rig.

Others here may have further suggestions. Good luck.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"

Re: Holding tank treatment
Reply #2
Thanks, Kent. The smell that I'm referring to is the scent of the blue treatment liquid AquaChem, or some name like that. But there is no sewage or gray water smell, unless the blue scent is completely overpowering it.

We've cleaned the ball & washer several times but I forgot about the Pledge treatment. I'll try that.

Just got my rig back from getting roof resealed at the factory. Vince said they would change out all the vent caps at the same time. Don't know if he looked down the vent tho.
Susie

2007 MB

Re: Holding tank treatment
Reply #3

If you are smelling the holding tank chemical, there is a leak somewhere. Changing to another brand of chemical will just change the smell unless the source of the leak is found.
Almost every time had someone come to me with this complaint the cause has been a leaky toilet ball seal.
As Kent asked, does the bowl hold water or does it leak out in short time?
The cure depends on the cause, sometimes soaking in vinegar and cleaning the slot is enough, other times the seals are worn out, not correctly installed or are damaged and need replacement.
The LD Companion has a lot of good information on the subject.
The Lazy Daze Companion: toilet

Had you experience this problem since your LD was resealed? Possibly the old vent cap was bent or smashed.
The 360 venturi vents have been around for years in various configurations and is worth a try if the seals are OK.
Other slight possibilities are a leaky seal at the base of the toilet and a vent pipe that has cracked or broken free of the holding tank and the floor .
Check the Companion .

Larry




Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

 
Re: Holding tank treatment
Reply #4
The suggestions to check the toilet seals, vents, other potential leak areas and the grey tank for the source of the smell are all very good advice. I also suggest that you consider using a different holding tank product if you're currently using Aqua-Kem; the "original" formula of this contains formaldehyde, which is toxic and does NOT break down waste. Two bacteria-enzyme tank treatments that do break down waste are Pure Power and Unique Digest-It; Pure Power blue has a distinctive odor, but Digest-It does not.

Unique Camping + Marine - Makers of RV Digest-It

Use plenty of water with each flush of solids, and flush the tanks - the grey tank, too - thoroughly after each dump.
2003 TK has a new home

Re: Holding tank treatment
Reply #5
Use plenty of water with each flush of solids, and flush the tanks - the grey tank, too - thoroughly after each dump.


We use soap and water nothing else.   We found that 'pink' stuff they sell at country fair works best.   We attach  Amazon.com: Valterra 45 Degree Hydroflush Attachment with Removable Anti-Siph... each dump we dump and flush till we see a clear flow of water.   About five or six we use Amazon.com: Camco RV Flexible Swivel Stik with Shutoff Valve- Creates... to really clean of sides of black tank. 

We own a TK.  If there was any type of odor I'd know it........

glen

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King

Re: Holding tank treatment
Reply #6
I like to drive with the driver's & passenger's windows open which draws smells from the back up to the front.  However my toilet seems never to seal comp!etely.  I've used various types of liquid holding tank treatment and while they seem to do what they are designed to do, including eliminate the potty smell, the "perfume" of these liquid curatives is almost too much.

I just saw a recommendation by Technomadia for Happy Campers Organic Holding Tank Treatment.  I notice they also recommend a 360 Siphon Roof Vent.  Has anyone used These?  Pros?  Cons?

If course, I guess I could also close my Windows.  Sigh!

Susie


I've used this kind of vent for many years (a discontinued brand), and it cured the problem you are having. In fact, I rarely add any treatment to my black tank anymore. Of course, YMMV Amazon.com: Camco Cyclone Rotating Sewer Plumbing Vent - Rids Odors from...

Chris
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Formerly: 2002 30' IB

Re: Holding tank treatment
Reply #7
We have used Happy Camper for years and have not had any issues with it.
Ross Taylor
2017 MB

Re: Holding tank treatment
Reply #8
Thanks everybody for suggestions. I know seal doesn't work. Will study Companion again.
Susie
2007 MB

Re: Holding tank treatment
Reply #9
Thanks everybody for suggestions. I know seal doesn't work. Will study Companion again.
Susie


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