Extending stay/ Blackwater?
Anybody have suggestions how to extend stay while camping in NF. My problem is the blackwater....
Forum Discussion
I have written about this subject before and have been called extreme in how I make it work for me. Find some of the suggestions that might relate to your use and use those. But conservation, shines when you have multiple people, or wish to extend a trip for more than just a weekend. It falls within the TP Factor.
SteveAE practices is how I feel about some of the suggestions, above, too. There are lots of considerations that may or may not be used. Generally when I worked Backcountry/backpacked for more than 45 years, the rule was, 200 feet from everything, especially water sources. From where you camp, you cook 200 feet away, same for your "Cat Hole," 200 feet. If you are using it more than once, the hole needs to be much deeper than you might imagine, and at least 3 feet or more.
I'm just one person, so my example is like a lot of others posting here, my own. While the majority are using and the OP says Black Tank suggestions, i will keep them to that specific use in my suggestions. For me, going more than 2 months between dump stations is typical. Others have asked; "How do you do this?" Easy is my answer, cut your water use by 90% and your black tank won’t fill up as fast. In turn, you will have more potable water to use for drinking and cooking.
The majority of fluids in your black water tank, is water. Water that is unnecessary to use in the quantity most use. The best way to curb this excess is STOP using your Water Pump. This why I don't recommend Accumulator Tanks for boondocking or use when water it is finite commodity, one person I have met has a bypass on his to use when conservative use of his potable water is necessary. When using an Accumulator Tank, you will use more unaccountable water. But, they do save battery capacity and are convenient to not have to turn on the Water Pump, when using your water system.
I have a "List of Supplies" below. Grab a water bottle and fill it up with water, it does not need to be potable water, as you can fill up from streams or lakes. Take a teaspoon, or eyeball, some bleach into the Bottle and place it next to the toilet, for everyone to use. Having the top being able to snap closed, is a plus. Use another bottle by the Kitchen sink (but with Potable water Filled in it) to rinse down the sink and wash hands, rather than using the kitchen faucet. Same can be done at bathroom sink, if desired (I’ve never used this sink and Faucet). Doing this you are saving Potable Water, for other uses. (I have an article coming out on Water Conservation, that will cover this more thoroughly).
If you are not able, or equipped to urinate outside, use the toilet as normal, but instead of hitting the handle, for water, aim the water bottle and rinse accordingly. One rinse bottle, for me, last about 2 weeks. For going the other way, lightly wet the toilet bowl with the water bottle, don't soak! Then take a few pieces of TP in a long strips and lay it in the bowl. Do your business and then use the Water Bottle to rinse the solids into the Black Tank. The TP acts as a slide to aid in moving the solids and keep the streaks from taking lots of water, or clean up, to remove. The Water Bottle gives you more direction option than the water jet from your toilet. Thus, you are saving lots of Potable Water (YEAH!) and you are not filling up your Black Tank, as fast as you once did (Yeah).
If you would like me to explain composting, I can do that. Just ask. The dirty little secret, that a few of you know about, and one has threaten to christen my Toilet, is, well, I have never gone no. 2 in my Camper, since I have owned it. That, in turn, saves a lot of work when I arrive at a Dump Station. I have included this option in my below list of supplies, that you can figure out your own solution, composting.
For me it all adds up to how I am able to stay out, in the middle of nowhere, not for a few days, or a week or two, but for more than a month at a time, without heading to the store.
Preparation.
b
Supplies for Xtreme Boondocking
O.K., here is what you need to have;
2 Bicycle type Water Bottles or Sriracha Bottle (empty)
1 Five gallon exclusive use only Fuel Jug (I like to use a Jegs Jug) or 5g bucket with sealed lids (Pickle Buckles from Restaurants are a great source).
1 Five Gallon Bucket with sealed lid (if elected for this option)
1 $16 Toilet Seat from Home Depot (if elected for this option)
1 Bag of Dry Peat Moss
Twist Locking Cap for your dump Pipe with Hose Fitting
18 inch (or more) short cut off garden hose with female end attached.
½ gallon of bleach
Good RV Toilet paper
Discipline to use items
O.K., when you have those items, take the short garden hose and attach it to the locking cap for your sewer pipe. To determine the length of garden hose, set Fuel Jug of Sealed bucket so 2 to 3 inches of hose extends into the top of the Jug or hose. Practice with your Grey Tank. You will see that when shutting the valve, it will take a few ounces before dripping stops, as does your black tank valve. This fluid will foam (from urine) so it gives you an early warning, as the Jug/Bucket fills up. This Jug can then be disposed of, much like a Cassette Toilet Capsule is done.
Edit: Updated spelling, sentence structure and grammar. No content was changed or added. 12/31/2014
SteveAE practices is how I feel about some of the suggestions, above, too. There are lots of considerations that may or may not be used. Generally when I worked Backcountry/backpacked for more than 45 years, the rule was, 200 feet from everything, especially water sources. From where you camp, you cook 200 feet away, same for your "Cat Hole," 200 feet. If you are using it more than once, the hole needs to be much deeper than you might imagine, and at least 3 feet or more.
I'm just one person, so my example is like a lot of others posting here, my own. While the majority are using and the OP says Black Tank suggestions, i will keep them to that specific use in my suggestions. For me, going more than 2 months between dump stations is typical. Others have asked; "How do you do this?" Easy is my answer, cut your water use by 90% and your black tank won’t fill up as fast. In turn, you will have more potable water to use for drinking and cooking.
The majority of fluids in your black water tank, is water. Water that is unnecessary to use in the quantity most use. The best way to curb this excess is STOP using your Water Pump. This why I don't recommend Accumulator Tanks for boondocking or use when water it is finite commodity, one person I have met has a bypass on his to use when conservative use of his potable water is necessary. When using an Accumulator Tank, you will use more unaccountable water. But, they do save battery capacity and are convenient to not have to turn on the Water Pump, when using your water system.
I have a "List of Supplies" below. Grab a water bottle and fill it up with water, it does not need to be potable water, as you can fill up from streams or lakes. Take a teaspoon, or eyeball, some bleach into the Bottle and place it next to the toilet, for everyone to use. Having the top being able to snap closed, is a plus. Use another bottle by the Kitchen sink (but with Potable water Filled in it) to rinse down the sink and wash hands, rather than using the kitchen faucet. Same can be done at bathroom sink, if desired (I’ve never used this sink and Faucet). Doing this you are saving Potable Water, for other uses. (I have an article coming out on Water Conservation, that will cover this more thoroughly).
If you are not able, or equipped to urinate outside, use the toilet as normal, but instead of hitting the handle, for water, aim the water bottle and rinse accordingly. One rinse bottle, for me, last about 2 weeks. For going the other way, lightly wet the toilet bowl with the water bottle, don't soak! Then take a few pieces of TP in a long strips and lay it in the bowl. Do your business and then use the Water Bottle to rinse the solids into the Black Tank. The TP acts as a slide to aid in moving the solids and keep the streaks from taking lots of water, or clean up, to remove. The Water Bottle gives you more direction option than the water jet from your toilet. Thus, you are saving lots of Potable Water (YEAH!) and you are not filling up your Black Tank, as fast as you once did (Yeah).
If you would like me to explain composting, I can do that. Just ask. The dirty little secret, that a few of you know about, and one has threaten to christen my Toilet, is, well, I have never gone no. 2 in my Camper, since I have owned it. That, in turn, saves a lot of work when I arrive at a Dump Station. I have included this option in my below list of supplies, that you can figure out your own solution, composting.
For me it all adds up to how I am able to stay out, in the middle of nowhere, not for a few days, or a week or two, but for more than a month at a time, without heading to the store.
Preparation.
b
Supplies for Xtreme Boondocking
O.K., here is what you need to have;
2 Bicycle type Water Bottles or Sriracha Bottle (empty)
1 Five gallon exclusive use only Fuel Jug (I like to use a Jegs Jug) or 5g bucket with sealed lids (Pickle Buckles from Restaurants are a great source).
1 Five Gallon Bucket with sealed lid (if elected for this option)
1 $16 Toilet Seat from Home Depot (if elected for this option)
1 Bag of Dry Peat Moss
Twist Locking Cap for your dump Pipe with Hose Fitting
18 inch (or more) short cut off garden hose with female end attached.
½ gallon of bleach
Good RV Toilet paper
Discipline to use items
O.K., when you have those items, take the short garden hose and attach it to the locking cap for your sewer pipe. To determine the length of garden hose, set Fuel Jug of Sealed bucket so 2 to 3 inches of hose extends into the top of the Jug or hose. Practice with your Grey Tank. You will see that when shutting the valve, it will take a few ounces before dripping stops, as does your black tank valve. This fluid will foam (from urine) so it gives you an early warning, as the Jug/Bucket fills up. This Jug can then be disposed of, much like a Cassette Toilet Capsule is done.
Edit: Updated spelling, sentence structure and grammar. No content was changed or added. 12/31/2014
