This came up in another thread, and my response grew to the point that I though the subject deserved its own thread.

Soooo---let's share what has worked for us and what hasn't.

quote:

Originally posted by Dalton:
the hose clamp was not tight enough and the hose came off.

We now use only the Valterra red EZ Coupler twist-on fittings. No leaks, no accidents, easy to couple hoses together, whatever.

If a clamp-on connection is used, be sure the connection includes a ridge to help prevent slippage. If you absolutely MUST use a smooth connector, roughing up the fitting and coating it with Shoe Goo just before slipping the hose on is helpful. If you have one of those handy-dandy hose-end expanders, using it first will allow a little more Shoe Goo to remain and do the sealing.

Shoe Goo is also very good for repairing those little pinholes that mysteriously appear in vinyl dump hoses. Actually, it is good for repairing just about anything. Even shoes.

I also strongly recommend the Camco Rhino Flex dump hose. A 10 ft hose telescopes down to 32 inches, or any length in-between, and stays there.

When I first started RVing in the sixties, inexperience, poor equipment and limited funds caused me to have just about every disaster imaginable. Now, I have learned a lot and much better equipment is available, so my dumps look like training films (at least when they go right)instead of a Robin Williams movie. A thirty-gallon dump is way under two minutes.

I have made up some super-duper stuff for rinsing and backflushing, etc, but I stopped rinsing in 2000, and we have no problem with odor. Susan is the Sniff Queen. Our black tank always looks clean, at least what I can see under the toilet.

When we use a chemical, we now use either Pure Power or Happy Camper. I did a bucket transfer on an untreated black tank one day, and several days later, after adding Happy Camper, did another bucket transfer. I can report that the Happy Camper did a decent job of liquefying.

When you have the time, replace your dump valve. They all need replacement sooner or later, and it is better to deal with it at home on your own schedule.

Shoot a little silicone on the dump valve shaft as you work it in and out, now and then. Ummm, be sure the tank is empty.

Before doing any dump chute work, even if the tank is empty, I drive the left side up on blocks just to be sure that any residual goes to the other side.

I use a 5-inch plastic fence post to store my dump hose. Its larger size allows the fittings to be permanently left on the hose and still slide inside.

On a short trip, we drain the dishwater into the black tank to provide sufficient water volume in the black tank to assure a forceful outflow at dump time. This also allows a faster dump, as the black tank dumps faster, owing to its larger diameter outlet.

When we got the Euro, it had a Valterra electric, which we thought was way cool. It never worked properly, necessetating the use of a small screwdriver to get it started in either direction. I took it apart and redid everything that could be redone, had it working perfectly, re-installed it and it still wouldn't work right. Finally broke down and put a T-handle in. It doesn't leak a drop past the valve, so when you pull the cover you don't get a cup of wonderstuff pouring out onto the ground. When the hookup is made, a simple pull of the lever opens up the floodgates and [assuming I checked to make sure all the rubber gaskets are in place ], the chore is done in short order. As with anything, you live and you learn. Someday when we're high classin' it with maserator pumps and all the high tech stuff, I'll have to learn again. But for now, having a smooth operating valve and a leakproof system,[and rubber gloves, just in case], works fine for us.

quote:

Originally posted by Danny Z:
Someday when we're high classin' it with maserator pumps and all.....

When you decide to go with a macerator, they can be had for under a hunnert at boat stores. Mine is portable, just hooked up with a real short slinky.

A macerator is handy for dumping at home when the dump lines are slow on Sunday afternoon or when you are not near a dump station but are near a cleanout or a toilet.

We have just experienced record high temps (over 100) all down the California coast and can report that Happy Camper toilet chemical has done a fine job for a couple of weeks without a dump.