Forum Discussion

Explorer

Jul 22, 2020

Camper black water tank fluid heats up

We do a lot of winter camping and always thought the furnace was keeping the holding tanks nice and warm. This past trip we noticed that the black water tank was especially hot and the furnace was not used. The only heat source was possibly the water heater. It had been left on over night by accident. The pump was off, but the black water was steaming! Any ideas before we climb in underneath to have a look at what could possibly be the problem?

Horsedoc
Explorer II
Jul 22, 2020
2012Coleman wrote:
How do you know that the "black water tank fluid" is hot? :H

I had the same thought :@
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Jul 22, 2020
How do you know that the "black water tank fluid" is hot? :H
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2020
You may as others have suggested have tank heaters turned on (Electric heaters)
Also black tank contents do tend to be warmer not hot but warmer due to biological activity. But I'd not expect it to be more than a few degrees.

Hot water does not normally go into the black tank. well 98.6 degrees but that is Luke Warm.
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Jul 22, 2020
Did you have bean burritos for dinner before this happened? :E
:B
LadyRVer
Explorer II
Jul 22, 2020
Sounds like tank heaters are turned on. Kind of like "heated mirrors."
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 22, 2020
Do you have tank heaters to prevent them freezing?
Make and model of rig?