Black tank vent

Chaz · March 31, 2011, 07:29:47 AM

Good point Van!!! I like your way of thinking!!!

lololol Einstein would be proud. LOLOL

And as far as the back and forth goes that Ace talks about - I think it's all good!!!!!!!! That is IF both parties wish to debate in a civil manner. Then it really is nothing BUT good!!! We ALL benefit!!
But, if it gets condescending, well, then people should back off and agree to disagree. We have all seen "issues" on here that set people off in a huff and it's VERY sad. We all lose. And, one of the things - probably the most IMPORTANT thing - is that you cannot use the expression in your voice in the written word to show whether you are joking or not and most of us are not "Great Literary Figures" to the point where we can make our point with our written words!! Hence, the Emoticons (sp?) above. i.e.

$:-\$

That helps everyone understand what the person is feeling as opposed to how he or she may be writting it.
So, please, keep the debates going. I love them and learn a TON!!! But, try to keep the civility to a max and condescension to a minimum.
Just my opinion,
Chaz
p.s. spell check is cool too.

Ace · March 31, 2011, 07:38:10 AM

I have no smells our odors in or outside while moving or stationary. As for the traps? The traps do go dry after the bus sits at our house but only after about a month or maybe even more. We simply run some water in the shower and the two sinks and its as good as new and even when the traps are dry, IF you want yo call it dry, we get very little if any at all odor. Its so so slight that what is present that you just know to run some water.
You dont have to believe me. All I know is mine works without all the pipes and holes in the roof and so does my friends that I copied from. He too has never had a problem. Get maybe its just the good nature of the Prevost! LOL

Oonrahnjay · March 31, 2011, 07:51:42 AM

Quote from: Ace on March 31, 2011, 07:38:10 AMI have no smells our odors in or outside while moving or stationary. As for the traps? The traps do go dry after the bus sits at our house but only after about a month or maybe even more. We simply run some water in the shower and the two sinks and its as good as new and even when the traps are dry, IF you want yo call it dry, we get very little if any at all odor. Its so so slight that what is present that you just know to run some water.
You dont have to believe me. All I know is mine works without all the pipes and holes in the roof and so does my friends that I copied from. He too has never had a problem. Get maybe its just the good nature of the Prevost! LOL

Thanks for that info. I have what appears to be an excellent spot that I can use for a similar vent -- but I thought (following the "conventional wisdom") that it wouldn't be a good idea. I'm glad to know that it's worked so well for you -- if I can make something similar work, then it will be a great benefit. And, if for some reason my bus construction means that it doesn't work on my bus, I can always cut a hole in the roof and reroute the vent. (But I sure hope that I don't have to.)

luvrbus · March 31, 2011, 08:10:35 AM

The secret to the odor is to keep the tanks clean if you plan on a lot of dry camping vent through the roof,I been around a few vented to the bottom they stink big time after a week and some of the dry campers hold the tanks for weeks.
Ever walk behind a tour bus with a load of Japanese tourist and the vent fan running as the do when parked or driving get a whiff of that lol.
I can see where Ace doesn't have a problem most of his trips according to his posts are always at some RV resort,but sewer gases stink plain and simple and are dangerous,but we all do it different

good luck

Oonrahnjay · March 31, 2011, 08:15:41 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on March 31, 2011, 08:10:35 AMThe secret to the odor is to keep the tanks clean if you plan on a lot of dry camping vent through the roof,I been around a few vented to the bottom they stink big time after a week and some of the dry campers hold the tanks for weeks.
Ever walk behind a tour bus with a load of Japanese tourist and the vent fan running as the do when parked or driving get a whiff of that lol. I can see where Ace doesn't have a problem most of his trips according to his posts are always at some RV resort,but sewer gases stink plain and simple and are dangerous,but we all do it different
good luck

But how do you keep tanks clean is you're doing "dry camping" and you're not attached to a RV campsite drain and you can't get to a dump station often? If you're planning to do mostly dry-camping, does that mean that the roof vent is probably going to work out to be better?

luvrbus · March 31, 2011, 08:22:20 AM

When you do dump do a good cleaning I use a washer system inside the tank to wash good after every dump not that hard to make one with a sprinkler head and pvc pipe dry camping for long periods I would vent to the top JMW

good luck

bigjohnkub · March 31, 2011, 08:30:48 AM

My 4903 vents to bottom. No problems. Dry camp for week, pumped out by"Bano Babes" at Terlingua after 5 days. They give me a package of Odorant that they use in Porto-potties. Some smell when nearly full, but it smells like cedar. WFM

Big John

PS. no odor when moving.

luvrbus · March 31, 2011, 08:47:46 AM

Big John, that is funny you guys at Terlingua couldn't smell anything walking around in the middle of all the chili,beer and tequlia farts lol

good luck

Chaz · March 31, 2011, 08:52:22 AM

Hey Eddie,
I found another pic of the "shower diverter", as it were. Thought You might get a better idea from it in case you are still curious.

Also, if you (or others) would like to see some other stuff about my bus, you can go here and look thru 5 pages of pix of various things I did. (Sandblasting, trany cooler access door, awning, interior and what things USE to look like!!!!)

http://s58.photobucket.com/albums/g279/Skulptor/Motor%20Coach/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ16
Sorry they are not labeled well but, you should get an idea of what they are about. If you or anyone else has any questions, let me know. I will start another thread so we don't "jack" this one.
Chaz

luvrbus · March 31, 2011, 09:18:36 AM

With that vent setup Chaz the liquids in the tank have to force the sewer gas out and if don't buy that have the local gas co in your area sniff it with their gadget it will show nothing

good luck

Chaz · March 31, 2011, 09:34:05 AM

Just made the call, luvr. I have a buddy who works for the Public Works and has a sniffer. I'll try to put this to rest.

But, it has a cross draft with the two tubes and the reason I used the different sizes. That alone should be enough, plus, with that, it brings in fresh oxygen and increases the anaerobic activity, which is what you really want for all reasons, especially smell and decomposition.
I'll give you the results when I get them.
Chaz

luvrbus · March 31, 2011, 09:48:13 AM

Do post it Chaz I just took my sniffer over to a friends GM and sniffed it and did the same on a roof mounted vent on a S&S job

good luck

Lin · March 31, 2011, 10:11:35 AM

Sewer gasses smell whether they are vented from the roof or out the bottom. Therefore, if you are venting out the bottom, there will be times when it will be noticeable. That does not mean that you will ever personally notice it, or that it is a problem for your neighbors-- it just could happen. There may be additives that can be used to reduce the odor if it ever is an issue, and it would not be a bad idea to keep some on hand. If you can go to the roof, it is better. If you can't, out the bottom is better than not at all. Mine goes up through the refrigerator chase. It is not ideal since it has a couple of els, but it does work too. As far as code and safety goes, it would seem that there could be a potential for a problem. It is sort of like making an electrical connection without a junction box; it may never fail, but in doing so you have removed an element of protection. I have seen unprotected electrical tie-ins that have functioned fine for 50 years. I am not recommending anyone take such shortcuts, but it would surprise me if no one ever has.

A gray water bypass, like Chaz has is common in single waste tank conversion. It can even be used to send gray water down the campsite drain to prolong dump intervals. I actually prefer not to use it when hooked up since all that extra water in the tank makes the dump really fast. It does not take much effort to pull the valve every couple of days.

Chaz · March 31, 2011, 10:26:51 AM

Well said.

Chaz · March 31, 2011, 11:39:58 AM

How's that for service!!! Jim just left and altho my tank was too "clean" to detect much, there was a noticeable small amount of air exchange going on which he said would be more than adequete to exchange the gas produced. (He was actually kind of impressed.)
So, if I get a chance, I'm going to get a "punk" (basically an incense stick) and use the smoke to see if I can get a better idea of what is actually exchanged. But don't expect this result to be posted soon. Too many other things to do.

But I am totally satisfied with the outcome.
Use your best judgement and do it your way.
Chaz

Codes and books are great but, you have to consider why they write them. They are correct - most of the time - but that doesn't mean they are the only way. They just tell those of us who could/would screw up otherwise of a way that works. Think about it. If an early man felt that a wheel rolled fine on a round stick so no one ever thought to put grease on it, where would we be??

My work here is done.