Comments on: Get Some Control Over Holding Tank Odors

By: YUCK! Get rid of your holding tank odors | I Love RVing

YUCK! Get rid of your holding tank odors | I Love RVing — Fri, 27 May 2011 19:18:59 +0000

[...] a long way in getting rid of those pesky odors that seem to permeate throughout your entire rig. RV.net has a great article on how vent fans, such as Lil’ Stinker, can help you take in a breath of [...]

By: Don V

Don V — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 03:28:05 +0000

I use HAPPY CAMPER and it workes very well, no strong chemical smell , even when you are dumping there is very little or any smell .
.

By: Pete Woodward

Pete Woodward — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:32:04 +0000

Please the amount of Calgon and Bleach for the mixture….. Thanks Pete

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:55:13 +0000

Like many others, that most awfull odor would meet me each time i stopped and entered the trailer. I gave it much thought and finally realized that it was the turbulence in the air passing over and past the roof vent that caused a positive pressure on the vent pipe. As a diagnostic atempt, i removed the vent cap. To my relief that odor was no longer present when we stopped. Yes i may get a few drops of rain water down the pipe when it rains however a four inch rain would give me less than a 1/4 inch of water in the holding tank. My stinky problem has been solved for free. I now have a slightly used vent cap looking for a new home.

Richard W

By: EDC

EDC — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:13:43 +0000

Regarding controlling odor in holding tanks. We spend January thru March in Florida. During that hot mostly dry time we have experienced odors from our “Black water tank”. We do use the toss in chemical packs, lots of water, and empty tanks about every 3 days. And, generally leave the door open to the bathroom “Commode area” to allow for better general air circulation through the camper.
I agree with the comments about the water being sucked out of sink and shower traps causing some problems. One thing we do when on the road is always place the “Stoppers” in all sinks and shower drains before traveling. This will help to keep water in the traps while on the road.
We are going to install one of the 360 degree Vents on our “Black water Vent” yet this fall.
Also, the posting that “Dan & Jill” made on June 21st about only using “Bleach & Calgon” in their black water tank. I would like to try that also. I would like to know if they are using a specific mix of the two, or just dumping in a little of each one every 3rd dump. Appreciate any info they might share with us.

Thx,
Dale

By: Thomas Becher

Thomas Becher — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:02:00 +0000

check somehow to see if the vent is properly put into the tank. mine was just shoved in the hole they drilled for it and never sealed. I put some of that sticky caulk that they use to seal the campers where the sides meet the caps (under the aluminum edge) and that took care of my stinky problem. Also, when you flush some smell can come up from the tank. Do it quickly. Dominic Sealand has a new residential type toilet coming soon that has a trap to hold water and so smells out. No blades or seals and balls. Expensive yes.

By: M Guay

M Guay — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:50:54 +0000

If you take everyones thoughts and combine them, this is the simple fix. After you dump, re-fill all the traps, sinks, shower and toilet. As you dump your systems through a 3in hose you draw more air than a 2in vent can handle, thus sucking the water from the traps. If you install this fan….how much air is going to be extracted from your tanks? It isn’t strong enough to suck the traps dry. Therefore there is no intake air….hense if there is no source of intake air, there is no exhaust air. A waste of electricity, if dry camping. On the other end of the spectrum. If this fan is installed, it will further restrict the vent intake durring the dumping process……sucking the traps DRY!

By: W Tourtillott

W Tourtillott — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:21:16 +0000

Most tank stink problems happen on the road when traveling with a side window open or a roof vent “cracked a little”. The reason is that the air traveling along the sides (and top) of the rig forms a venturi. It’s strong enough to make the traps gurgle and flood the room with that familiar “perfume”.

Try traveling with the windows and vents closed. Use the “flow through” setting on your driver’s controls to keep a little positive pressure in the coach. Chances are you’ll solve the problem right there!

If you don’t have these stinky issues while you’re sitting still at a campground, It’s an odds – on bet that this is your answer. If that doesn’t do it try those “weathervane” swivel tops for at least one of your grey water vent pipes. They’ve done the trick for every one I know who’s tried them.

Good luck!

By: Jake Heugel

Jake Heugel — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:49:52 +0000

The reason oders ocurr is that the vent pipes are usually 2′ diameter while the dump outlet is at least 3″. As the pulls in air, it needs an opening more than 2″. The vacuum created draws water from the traps in the grey water. The problem can be elimianted by placing a thin rubber pad over the shower drain and closing the sink vent. The tank may drain slower, but will eliminate inside oders after a dump. This is also true where a sing on a 2 bathroom system empties into theBW tank. Plugging the sink is a must in this case. I use Pine – o – Pine after the last wash and keep it and a few gallons of water to slosh and clean going down the road.

By: RV Weekly Round-Up (June 20-26, 2009)

RV Weekly Round-Up (June 20-26, 2009) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:03:12 +0000

[...] Get Some Control Over Holding Tank Odors: Holding tank odors can be a real problem, especially if you don’t know how to deal with them. If [...]