flushing black water tank

[McG's Mobile Manor]

I have a Dutchmen Voltage 3655. I have a side door that has all the escape valves. there is ability to hook up hose to to flush black tank. I hooked up but it will not let water in. there is a statement that says escape valve must be open. i have open black water tank valve. The owners manual isn't telling me enough so I don't know if Im doing it right or not. Does anyone have any suggestions.

[sundancer 87]

Originally Posted by McG's Mobile Manor

I have a Dutchmen Voltage 3655. I have a side door that has all the escape valves. there is ability to hook up hose to to flush black tank. I hooked up but it will not let water in. there is a statement that says escape valve must be open. i have open black water tank valve. The owners manual isn't telling me enough so I don't know if Im doing it right or not. Does anyone have any suggestions.

The flush valve may be installed backwards thereby not allowing the water to enter the tank.

[donzinger]

I think he may be referring to the backflow preventer when he says flush valve being installed backwards

[Local150]

Originally Posted by donzinger

I think he may be referring to the backflow preventer when he says flush valve being installed backwards

How do you know if its backwards,, I have a somewhat similar problem

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by Local150

How do you know if its backwards,, I have a somewhat similar problem

Water not going into tanks is first clue to me. Either backwards not allowing flow or a bad one

[acdii]

Right, backflow preventer protects the water supply in case it shuts off and starts to drain so that no black tank goo is drawn in to contaminate it. When the manual says to open a valve, that is to prevent tank over pressure, though the tanks SHOULD be vented to atmosphere via a roof vent, but not 100% sure the black tank is. You can start the flush, then open the drain, and close it a few times, while it is flushing, but you don't want to leave it closed more than a minute or so, otherwise it could damage the toilet to tank seal.



IOW, water should flow through regardless if the drain is open or closed.

[Vagabond Gypsy]

I have a similar problem and ended up putting the hose down the toilet to flush the tank. I have also heard, though not yet tried, to empty the tank, then fill 1/4 full with fresh water and dump several bags of ice cubes in through the toilet just before starting out on the road. The bouncing ice cubes will dislodge any goo without causing damage, then melt so you can just empty the tank again.

[lcv800]

Ice trick works marginally at best. You Tube video shows a guy that built a plexi tank and put it in the bed of his pick up. Put in simulated waste, water in cubes. Drove around for a time. Result did little or nothing to dislodge waste. Hose or wand yields better results. Just my opinion.
Rusty

[Mongo]

Originally Posted by lcv800

Ice trick works marginally at best. You Tube video shows a guy that built a plexi tank and put it in the bed of his pick up. Put in simulated waste, water in cubes. Drove around for a time. Result did little or nothing to dislodge waste. Hose or wand yields better results. Just my opinion.
Rusty

I use the wand every few trips ..
and I use the small chemical bags if I am going to travel with a partial tank so it dissolves as I travel
..end of season I use the wand before winterizing

[acdii]

So far I have had good luck with a clean tank by using a cup of Dawn dish soap, a capful of water softener, and a Clorox Bleach tab before every trip.



https://jet.com/product/Calgon-Water...hoCBPcQAvD_BwE


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Clorox-Ze...hoCigsQAvD_BwE

[Local150]

I have tried the ice thing,, it did nothing for me.

[wildwest450]

Metamucil will do wonders for keeping your black tank clean.

[Local150]

Originally Posted by wildwest450

Metamucil will do wonders for keeping your black tank clean.

Now that's funny