Avoiding the Stinky Slinky
How many of you don't use a stinky slinky? I started out 12yrs ago using a water pressurized 'macerator-lite' and later transitioned to the Flojet macerator. In years of camping I've never used th...
Forum Discussion
Our previous coach had the Sani-con macerator.
The advantages I found in using it was that (1) due to the fact that the sewer pipe connection had a sealed cap on it, I was able to store it in the compartment without disconnecting it.. (2) the hose being only 1" in diameter and very pliable, took up very little room in the compartment, and (3) I could pump a long ways if needed (at home the clean out was about 100' away).
The disadvantages to it was (1) the impeller would lose it vanes over a period of a couple of years and would need replacement, (2) it was very slow (in comparison to a 3" slinky) in emptying both tanks of about 50 gallons each, and (3) hair would eventually wrap around the macerator blade and would need to be cleaned out each season.
Our new coach has the typical 3" slinky and its advantages are: (1) Will empty both tanks (116 gallons total) in just a matter of seconds, (2) .... hummm, can't think of any more.
Its disadvantages are: (1) bulky and takes up a lot more space for storage, (2) can't find a "cap" for the sewer connection, so there's always leakage out of it when storing, (3) hose will develop pin holes from laying on ground/concrete and will need replacing every few years, and (4) even after it's been cleaned out with fresh water, it still stinks when in storage...requiring a air tight container of some sort.
So, since we normally spend the entire summer at one place, I will continue to use the slinky for every day use, but when we go home and I winterize the coach, I'll use the macerator to drain to my home's clean out plugs. I will still need to find a solution for traveling storage...maybe a 5" pvc pipe under the mh that will enclose the entire hose and connections.
If we did a lot of traveling, I would definitely go with the macerator for every day usage. Even though draining the tanks will take 10 minutes or so each time, the ease of operation and clean storage makes up for it.
And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Ron
The advantages I found in using it was that (1) due to the fact that the sewer pipe connection had a sealed cap on it, I was able to store it in the compartment without disconnecting it.. (2) the hose being only 1" in diameter and very pliable, took up very little room in the compartment, and (3) I could pump a long ways if needed (at home the clean out was about 100' away).
The disadvantages to it was (1) the impeller would lose it vanes over a period of a couple of years and would need replacement, (2) it was very slow (in comparison to a 3" slinky) in emptying both tanks of about 50 gallons each, and (3) hair would eventually wrap around the macerator blade and would need to be cleaned out each season.
Our new coach has the typical 3" slinky and its advantages are: (1) Will empty both tanks (116 gallons total) in just a matter of seconds, (2) .... hummm, can't think of any more.
Its disadvantages are: (1) bulky and takes up a lot more space for storage, (2) can't find a "cap" for the sewer connection, so there's always leakage out of it when storing, (3) hose will develop pin holes from laying on ground/concrete and will need replacing every few years, and (4) even after it's been cleaned out with fresh water, it still stinks when in storage...requiring a air tight container of some sort.
So, since we normally spend the entire summer at one place, I will continue to use the slinky for every day use, but when we go home and I winterize the coach, I'll use the macerator to drain to my home's clean out plugs. I will still need to find a solution for traveling storage...maybe a 5" pvc pipe under the mh that will enclose the entire hose and connections.
If we did a lot of traveling, I would definitely go with the macerator for every day usage. Even though draining the tanks will take 10 minutes or so each time, the ease of operation and clean storage makes up for it.
And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Ron
