Plumbing vents and negative pressure

[belfert]

Any ideas where to get a smoke pencil?  It looks like they aren't exactly cheap ($25) and perhaps not easy to find.

I saw some recommendations to use a children's toy instead or incense sticks.

[luvrbus]

Belfert, check your local HD,Lowes or hardware they should have a kit for testing air leaks around windows and door you also a piece of light weight yarn taped to the ceiling will work
good luck

[HighTechRedneck]

Another idea would be a small piece of dry ice in a cup of water.

[RickB]

Hey Sean,

In my opinion that response was dangerously close to the kind of tone that keeps some folks from posting their opinion.

Disagree until the cows come home,

just do it nice....

Rick

P.S. I am not attempting here to invite yet another escalating argument that hurts the board and does no real good for anyone. We have had enough of those here lately.

[Len Silva]

Any ideas where to get a smoke pencil?  It looks like they aren't exactly cheap ($25) and perhaps not easy to find.

I saw some recommendations to use a children's toy instead or incense sticks.

A cigarette would work.  Not for me though.  I'd be afraid that after thirty years or so, lighting one cigarette would be the end for me.

[Sean]

Hey Sean,

In my opinion that response was dangerously close to the kind of tone that keeps some folks from posting their opinion.

Hmm.  I had thought my tone was completely neutral.  If you are referring to the part where I said "balderdash," let me be clear that I was referring to where you were "told by a guy early in our RV experience 'don't drive until you have dumped your blackwater tank because it will form layers of difficult to remove [stuff].'"

Sorry if that wasn't clear and if I came across in any way other than informative.  It was not my intent.

In the interests of clarity for anyone reading this after the fact, I have added a phrase to my original response to make my intention more specific.

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[Sean]

Any ideas where to get a smoke pencil?  It looks like they aren't exactly cheap ($25) and perhaps not easy to find.

I saw some recommendations to use a children's toy instead or incense sticks.

Brian, this company is selling a device as a toy called the "Wizard Stick" for $19:
http://www.zerotoys.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Offset=0&Category_Code=PRODUCTS

which happens to be the exact same device that some other outfits are selling as a draft detection device for more money:
http://www.chimneyballoon.us/catalog/item/2257305/7033911.htm

Based on my experience, I would say this is about as low as you can go for these sorts of things, especially since it is refillable and reusable, and comes with enough "juice" for many uses.  Real chemical "smoke pencils" are typically single-use items and come in packages of several units, for considerably more money.  You would get them at your local professional plumbing/HVAC supply.

HTH,

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[HighTechRedneck]

Rick expressed his concern based on how he viewed Sean's comments.  Sean responded, including an apology for any offense.  That is where it should have stopped.

I have removed posts that went beyond that.  I will unlock this thread because it is an apporpriate and beneficial discussion that many have constructively participated in.  But more attacks will not be permitted.

[MCI-RICK]

HighTechRedNeck,

Thanks!  I'm not quite at the venting stage but I'm learning alot as I read the replies.  This is a topic many are interested in and it shows.

Everyone,  Please continue the topic!

[gumpy]

Rick expressed his concern based on how he viewed Sean's comments.  Sean responded, including an apology for any offense.  That is where it should have stopped.

I have removed posts that went beyond that.  I will unlock this thread because it is an apporpriate and beneficial discussion that many have constructively participated in.  But more attacks will not be permitted.

Hey, it's all good.  They were just VENTING   

[belfert]

In my opinion that response was dangerously close to the kind of tone that keeps some folks from posting their opinion.

I agree with Sean that there is no reason to dump the black tank daily although I would have not said it quite the same way.

I have a combined black/grey tank plus I am usually many miles from a dump station while camping so I couldn't dump daily without a huge waste of time and fuel.

[busshawg]

Sounds like there the vent tube isn't reasonable straight, probably not large enough and possible a little heighth might help if the first 2 suggestions don't clear it right up.


Grant

[BG6]

Any ideas where to get a smoke pencil?  It looks like they aren't exactly cheap ($25) and perhaps not easy to find.

I saw some recommendations to use a children's toy instead or incense sticks.

All that you are looking for is something to give you enough smoke to see airflow, that you can move around to find where it's coming from or going to.  Incense will work just fine.  So will a smoldering cigar or pipe, overheated vegetable oil, etc.

[loosenut]

I've always used incense sticks.  It has the added benefit of masking malodorous situations.

Mike

[gumpy]

I've heard that mixing brake fluid with clorox will produce copious amounts of smoke. I've never tried it, though.