Electric waste tank valves

[Midnight Rider]

Yes a gate valve is a better solution vs. a sewer cap. Some residual water is fairly common, A simple twist on gate valve solves residual water issues.
Some sort of clear pipe is also amust have to actually see what going on.
I use a "Flush King" it allows me to see what's coming out and backflush my tanks as required. I believe the Flusk King is more effective than the built in tank rinsers which are basically another one of those feel good RV inventions, intended to give peace of mind, but are a waste of time and effort.

Wonder if I could use the regular standard valtera gate valve to stop my valve leakage mess and leave it on permanent For going down the road. Then when I stop and hook up I hook the Flush king to that gate valve to drain and flush the system? That way I would not have a mess and also would not have the flush king hanging low when going down the road? Yes I would have to open both valves to drain and rinse but so what?
thoughts?

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Wonder if I could use the regular standard valtera gate valve to stop my valve leakage mess and leave it on permanent For going down the road.

Guess I am not following our statement. The Valtera system is meant to be left on all the time, otherwise it does no good. I had to blow up the picture below, but you can see mine in on the RV with the cap on. That is how it stays all the time while driving.

 

[Midnight Rider]

Guess I am not following our statement. The Valtera system is meant to be left on all the time, otherwise it does no good. I had to blow up the picture below, but you can see mine in on the RV with the cap on. That is how it stays all the time while driving.

View attachment 3175

I get that
but I want to use the flush valve as well to flush. my tanks to do a better job than the internal sprayer alliance provides?Takes forever to get lots of water in black tank?

 

[Oregon_Camper]

I get that
but I want to use the flush valve as well to flush. my tanks to do a better job than the internal sprayer alliance provides?Takes forever to get lots of water in black tank?

I don't see the need for the flush king...but to each their own. I like to dump the black and fill the internal sprayers until I have 30-40 gallons in the black...then I empty. I do this 2 times and by the time the last 10 gallons or so are coming out, I never see anything other than semi clear water.

Here is how my setup looks. I have water flow meters on the fresh water line and the black tank flush connection. I only have the hose connected to the black tank flush when I am actively dumping tanks. The meter stays on, but the hose is removed via quick disconnects.

 

[Lantley]

I leave my twist on gate valve on all the time. It stays on while going down the road. I connect my flush KIng to the end of the twist on gate valve during set up.
Flush King vs. internal tank rinser. Flush king is just faster. The internal sprayers will fill the tank as well, however they are alleged to be tank sprayers not tank fillers. Just the idea that they are spraying means they are not filling the tank with full volume vs. a fully open hose connection.
I agree that the internal system maybe more convenient in terms of use, but I don't think its more effective or more efficient in terms of time.

 

[SKYSKIOC]

i like this set up. mine looks similar but without the water system. looking into adding something like this. do you lose any water pressure with the water system you have installed ?

 

[George]

On the end of the twist-on dump valve previously mentioned I use a clear cover and this quick disconnect. The QD is a "water-stop" design that allows no water through until it is coupled. Similar to how an air hose works.
If water gets past the valve I can see it and attach a hose to drain it without spillage.
By the way — These QD's work great on all my water hoses. I've been using them at home and on the RV for years and they haven't leaked.

https://a.co/d/fWZe6TM

https://a.co/d/dKEhoeb

 

[Bozo]

Are you saying you still have leaking beyond the Valterra valve? I think the MOST I have ever seen past the Valterra (when removing the outter cap) is 1/2 a thimble of liquid. Our Valterra valve is a ROCK STAR!!

I believe you are the exception.

 

[Midnight Rider]

I don't see the need for the flush king...but to each their own. I like to dump the black and fill the internal sprayers until I have 30-40 gallons in the black...then I empty. I do this 2 times and by the time the last 10 gallons or so are coming out, I never see anything other than semi clear water.

Here is how my setup looks. I have water flow meters on the fresh water line and the black tank flush connection. I only have the hose connected to the black tank flush when I am actively dumping tanks. The meter stays on, but the hose is removed via quick disconnects.

View attachment 3176

OC,
How long does it take to fill your black tank with 30-40 gallons of water? I like the Idea of not having to by the Flush king but Flush King looks like it will fill tank faster but may not Rince down the walls as good? Sounds like using the Internal spinning riincer and then the Flush King may be the best of both worlds? Maybe I am one thinking it, but currently I am not getting my black tank as clean as I would like? I have to try something different.

 

[Lantley]

60- 80 gallons of water is a lot of water to use just to flush tanks.

My method is to drain black. Close flush King. Leave black tank valve open and open the full grey tank from shower.
Let grey water flow 5-10 seconds. Grey water will back fill and back flush black tank removing lot of debris. Remember Flush king is closed which keep grey water from draining so it has no choice but to fill black tank
The grey water back fills with way more force than you could ever get from any tank sprayer or garden hose. That force clears the black tank very well
I may do grey water backfill twice. From there, if I'm filling anal. I will back fill tank using flush king for 7-8 minutes and dump tank.
Generally I'm done at that point. If I still feel there is stuff in the tank by observing the outflow via the clear flush king. I may do another 7 minute back flush.
Lastly I close black tank and completely drain grey tank.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

i like this set up. mine looks similar but without the water system. looking into adding something like this. do you lose any water pressure with the water system you have installed ?

If you're asking me...nope. I don't see any drop in water pressure.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

OC,
How long does it take to fill your black tank with 30-40 gallons of water? I like the Idea of not having to by the Flush king but Flush King looks like it will fill tank faster but may not Rince down the walls as good? Sounds like using the Internal spinning riincer and then the Flush King may be the best of both worlds? Maybe I am one thinking it, but currently I am not getting my black tank as clean as I would like? I have to try something different.

I'm guessing around 8-10 mins. I have the meter on there and I do other things while rinsing/filling black tank (put 50amp cord away, shut down and pack starlink, put away fresh water hose, put way Lipper hitch stablizer, chairs, tables, etc...) I start a 10 min timer on phone, but it hardly ever goes off to remind me.

The other HUGE thing we do when on full hookups is to always use a full bowl of water to flush. We are adamant about this and it really helps. Today I was flushing black tank after 4 nights and it was basically clean after 1st flush, so I just added back 5 gallons and left it there and add our blank tank solution. I always add back 5 gallons when I am done flushing. I never want that tank to be dry(ish)

 

[Midnight Rider]

I don't see the need for the flush king...but to each their own. I like to dump the black and fill the internal sprayers until I have 30-40 gallons in the black...then I empty. I do this 2 times and by the time the last 10 gallons or so are coming out, I never see anything other than semi clear water.

Here is how my setup looks. I have water flow meters on the fresh water line and the black tank flush connection. I only have the hose connected to the black tank flush when I am actively dumping tanks. The meter stays on, but the hose is removed via quick disconnects.

View attachment 3176

Oc, do you have links to Amazon for those brass elbow fittings you have coming out of The black and fresh nautalis inlets?

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Oc, do you have links to Amazon for those brass elbow fittings you have coming out of The black and fresh nautalis inlets?

90 degree on fresh - Click here

45 degree on black - Click here I like this one on the black tank as I can leave it off...turn on the water at the source and then slllloooowwwllllyyyy open the valve on the fitting. Makes me feel better than just jamming on all at once. Then I turn it off via that valve, so I avoid any chance of water back flow. But..that hose is 100% for black water rinse anyway...so I am just being anal about how I do things.

You will see they come in pairs....I carry the extra one of each in the RV...just in case I need a spare. 🤪

 

[KCAlis]

Follow-on: Switches in neutral, both on the road and at the next campsite. We parked and connected the slinky. Everything was drained at this time. Fast forward 3 days. The slinky had probably a quart of liquid in it before I opened the black tank valve and started to dump for the first time since parking. This is NOT “residual” as I did NOT open any drain valve after we parked. It had to be leakage while we were parked. I maintain the electric valve is not as effective as a manual valve.

 

[Creek Jenkins]

My electric valves completely seal with 0 issues so far. Unfortunately there is no “feel” with the electric so you have no idea what is happening when opening and closing them. I would gladly have manual valves.

One thing I would like to add is we were having black tank problems and couldn’t finger out what was going on. So I bought an endoscope camera. If you really want to see what works to get your tank completely clean, get a camera. When possible, I drain my tank with the black flush running until it runs fairly clear. Close the valve for 5-8 minutes, open waste valve. Repeat twice more. Works in campgrounds but probably not possible at dump stations. Using this method has left my black tank very very clean according to the camera. I’d post pictures but the images are crappy.
Cheers
Creek

 

[Midnight Rider]

Follow-on: Switches in neutral, both on the road and at the next campsite. We parked and connected the slinky. Everything was drained at this time. Fast forward 3 days. The slinky had probably a quart of liquid in it before I opened the black tank valve and started to dump for the first time since parking. This is NOT “residual” as I did NOT open any drain valve after we parked. It had to be leakage while we were parked. I maintain the electric valve is not as effective as a manual valve.

I have experienced the same thing! Sometimes it’s like half cup or less, sometimes it’s like a quart? Either way it makes an unwanted mess! I took OC’s advice and got the Valtera Valve and problem solved. No more mess at hook up? Yes that dosn’t stop the small amount of electric valve drainage but what can you do but roll with it?

 

[justdee]

Okay, here's a new twist to this dilemma. Maybe some one can tell me whether this theory has merit.
I've experienced this problem with the small amount of waste ending up at the dump valve. I have an aftermarket valve that is clear, so I'm not getting dirty from the nasty water, but I can see that there is a small amount of water there.
We are currently on our third outing. On Monday, before we left the house, I drained all of my tanks. I flushed the black tank five times to where the water that was coming out was pretty much crystal clear. I then left the valve open on the black tank for over an hour to ensure that all of the water drained. And yes, I had a sewer pipe placed in my concrete that connects to our septic system, so I have FHU at my house.
After an hour, and no more drainage, I closed the black tank valve and placed all three valves in the middle position as others have mentioned. Two hours went by, the line is clear, no liquid at the dump gate. Cool.
We get ready to roll out, I drive about a 1/4 mile out to the exit gate of our subdivision, and before I pulled out onto the main road, I stop and do a final walk around. Guess what, the dump valve has about a cup or two of dirty water showing.
It was a short, one hour drive to the state park and upon arrival, the line still looks to have the same amount of water. It is dirty water, remember I flushed the tank 5 times and it was clear water coming out.
I'm wondering, is there a low spot in the drain line from the black tank to the dump valve that is holding that water and when I hit a bump, it made its way to the dump valve? But after flushing it five times, if this were true, the water would be clear.
We are on day three of our trip, it is Wednesday night and the black tank is around a 1/4 full, yet the visible level at the dump gate has remained the same. You'd think, if the actual black tank valve were leaking, the main dump pipe would be full at the dump valve.
I've attached a photo that I took this afternoon.
We are attending the Texas Rally at the end of the month and Ron Hoover RV will be doing warranty work. I have asked them to take a look at it.

 

[Lantley]

Lots of possibilities. There could be a low spot in the 3" drain line. There could be paper and debris caught on a fitting on the drain line that is trapping water and creating a puddle within the pipe. Keep in mind its almost impossible to 100% drain your tanks so there is always some water in the tank itself.
Once you start moving there is always the chance for the residual tank water to seep past the gate valves.
Understand that the entire tank waste tank system is functional, but it is not a precision designed foolproof operation.
In the end residual water can always a factor. The most practical way to deal with the residual water is the twist on gate valve at the end of your discharge pipe. Chasing the source of the residual water can be a futile task.

 

[justdee]

An update on my "leaking" black valve. As described above, we left the house with no liquid visible. After a 1/4 mile drive, I stopped and took a look, finding a small amount of dirty water. The pipe was not full.
We drove an hour to the state park, the level remained the same, that was on Monday. On Friday, the black tank was at 2/3rds full. I took another picture showing that the liquid level had not increased. Which you would think that the valve was not leaking or seeping?
Take a look, this is NOT the same picture as is posted above, this was taken on Friday and with 2/3rds of a tank in black, and both grays.