Forum Discussion

davonelson's avatar
davonelson
Explorer
Apr 02, 2017

Odor

Began noticing bad smell from electrical control area (near floor, at door and behind toilet of our fifth wheel. Not typical electrical smell nor raw sewage smell but rather more like a dirty old horse stall. Seemed to get worse after an overdue black water tank dump so we assumed a sewer overflow or leak. Investigation reveals absolutely no leak in basement or under rig. Odor strong outside in battery and electrical compartment and to some degree under rv in that area but none in toilet compartment nor from black water tank. Could it be the inverter of other electrical source. Help! It is bad and sadly is right at the front door. Thanks.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Apr 02, 2017
    When was last time you check battery water levels?

    Waste tanks do NOT have overflows......so if any has spilled out of tank it is due to cracks or broken drains lines into tank
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Apr 02, 2017
    ROTTEN EGGS is what my batteries smelled like when they were being boiled dry due to over charging when on a single mode 13.6 Converter/Charger unit...

    My 85AH Interstate 12V battery did not last long after I found it boiled down below the internal cores... Game over

    It was a new battery with around six months on it... The remaining three Batteries I purchased at the same time in 2008 lasted until last season after I started using a good working three mode converter/charger setup... Eight or so years sounds good to me...

    Roy Ken
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2017
    How do your sinks smell? Anything from the kitchen sink?

    I agree batteries are the most likely, but in case it isn't, is it possible your black tank backed up into your gray tank by having the gray valve open when dumping the black tank?

    Gray tanks often get their own odors from food and soap, dishes etc. A little Clorox down that drain can help with it.

    Or you can dump the gray tank before you sterilize your freshwater system this Spring (now?) some of the chlorinated water can be run down the drains while it is still strong. When the tanks are partly filled with the chlorinated water, you can optionally drive around the block or something to agitate and help clean things up.
  • Oasisbob's avatar
    Oasisbob
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2017
    Perplexing. Can you post a picture of the smell so we know what we are working with? LOL Just kidding. I say batteries. Second guess might be a small rodent died in the area? Please let us know.
  • Mortimer_Brewst's avatar
    Mortimer_Brewst
    Explorer II
    Apr 02, 2017
    A horse stall smell seems to me like it would be one of the tanks. I've had good luck with Happy Campers Holding Tank Treatment. I believe you can get it on Amazon.
  • RVcrazy's avatar
    RVcrazy
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2017
    You might need to change the check valve. We had a bad odor that ended up being solved by changing the valve & running an empty washer with a little detergent. Good luck!
  • Paul_Clancy's avatar
    Paul_Clancy
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2017
    Check under sink for stink. Google air admittance valve. Can get it at Home Depot or lowes
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Apr 03, 2017
    Bad AAVs.....air admittance valves used to break negative pressure in drain lines allow grey tank odors INSIDE RV

    Nasty, stinky waste tanks...black/grey....can only smell INSIDE RV if/when the vapor barriers fail----seals, gaskets, vents, 'P' traps

    Smells OUTSIDE RV " Odor strong outside in battery and electrical compartment,,,"
    is the area one should be focused on first.

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