Forum Discussion

lanerd's avatar
lanerd
Explorer II
Nov 17, 2016

Happy Camper Tank Additive

When ever the subject of black tanks come up, someone always pipes in with using Happy Camper black tank additive for a solution to keep the tank and sensors operational. And....during the same conversation, someone else will pipe in with just using detergent and water softener.

I heard today that Happy Camper is just detergent and water softener mix together in one application.

Is anyone versed enough with Happy Camper to confirm or dispel this info?

Ron
Seeking Advice
  • Padlin's avatar
    Padlin
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2016
    From what Turtle n Peeps posted it's not soap and softener, but as long as it keeps working I wouldn't care if that's what it was. It's compact, easy to use, and the little jug lasts a long time. Been using it for going on 2 years, as long as it keeps working it's good enough for me.
  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2016
    Oasisbob wrote:
    No chemicals used ever in forty plus years. If you are smelling something in your rig you have a leaking seal or vent shaft leak. This is my experience. Feel free to disagree. Perhaps if you live in a hot humid climate and can only dump once a month wel maybe. Not trying to pick a fight. Just my take .


    Sorry, you misunderstood. I never said I had an odor...I was just asking what the contents of Happy Camper was.... thats all.

    But thanks for the recommendation anyway.

    Ron
  • CavemanCharlie's avatar
    CavemanCharlie
    Explorer III
    Nov 18, 2016
    I have had problems with odor coming out of my black tank vent on the roof of the camper. If there is no wind that day, or if the wind is just a little wrong, it can get very stinky. Late last season I started using the product listed below. It seems to be working so far. But, I have not tested it out for very long.

    https://www.amazon.com/Walex-TOI-91799-Deodorizer/dp/B0006GF5SK/ref=sr_1_sc_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479489993&sr=8-3-spell&keywords=rv+tank+treetment

    I wonder if the Happy Camper stuff would help with odor as well as this seems to do ?
  • love2rvcamp's avatar
    love2rvcamp
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2016
    We have used all the "chemical" stuff over the years when we bought our new trailer we started out using the GEO method and felt like we had a urine smell when flushing. Might be normal but I didn't like it. We had heard about Happy Camper and decided to give it a try. Well 8 years later and we are still happy campers using our Happy Camper.

    We use it in the black tanks as well as in grey tanks. Never had any smells even in the hot of summer.
  • Padlin's avatar
    Padlin
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2016
    CavemanCharlie wrote:
    I have had problems with odor coming out of my black tank vent on the roof of the camper. If there is no wind that day, or if the wind is just a little wrong, it can get very stinky. Late last season I started using the product listed below. It seems to be working so far. But, I have not tested it out for very long.

    https://www.amazon.com/Walex-TOI-91799-Deodorizer/dp/B0006GF5SK/ref=sr_1_sc_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479489993&sr=8-3-spell&keywords=rv+tank+treetment

    I wonder if the Happy Camper stuff would help with odor as well as this seems to do ?


    This is exactly what we run/ran into. When using HC I've not had it happen.
  • bjlakatos1's avatar
    bjlakatos1
    Explorer
    Nov 20, 2016
    I have been using it for a year now. Previously used Walex and those worked fine. I was skeptical at first with Happy Camper. My test was to get through the hot/humid Texas summer. Must say, it passed the test with flying colors. Easy to use, little or no odor from the tank.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Nov 20, 2016
    My take on those that think their black tank does not sink

    Either you have a radically different metabolism than everybody else
    Or
    You have a defective nose

    Water alone does not keep poop from stinking
  • ryoung's avatar
    ryoung
    Explorer
    Nov 20, 2016
    My take on those that think their black tank does not sink

    Either you have a radically different metabolism than everybody else
    Or
    You have a defective nose

    Water alone does not keep poop from stinking


    Very True.

    Or it could be that old saying, "My ---- doesn't stink."

    ryoung
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    Nov 20, 2016
    MrWizard wrote:
    My take on those that think their black tank does not sink

    Either you have a radically different metabolism than everybody else
    Or
    You have a defective nose

    Water alone does not keep poop from stinking


    You should have a valve on your toilet and a vent on your roof. There will be no smell in the bathroom. Trust me. I have a good nose and hate smells. We didn't have smells with using just water.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Nov 20, 2016
    MrWizard wrote:
    My take on those that think their black tank does not sink

    Either you have a radically different metabolism than everybody else
    Or
    You have a defective nose

    Water alone does not keep poop from stinking


    Every thread about black tanks brings out the water only crowd. Out of respect for others, I use chemicals to keep the stink to a minimum. If Happy Camper does an effective job, it would be great to know how it works.

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