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dmeck's avatar
dmeck
Explorer
Jul 22, 2014

full timing smells

My family and I are living in our camper full time while we save to build a new house. We have it backed into my shop. It has full hook ups but I don't open the valves until the tanks get full. The problem we are having is a real bad smell when I dump the tanks. I think it is coming from the roof vent. We don't have a smell any other time. Does anyone have any suggestions on a way to help with the smell?
Thanks Dave.
  • 2oldman wrote:
    mockturtle wrote:
    If it only happens when you dump the tanks, maybe you could put a clothespin on your nose for the duration. :)
    Yah, I don't quite get this post. Dumping a tank always smells, fulltime, parttime.. whatever.
    And, especially in hot weather, it's my grey water that usually smells the worst, since I use a deodorizing solution in my black tank.
  • mockturtle wrote:
    If it only happens when you dump the tanks, maybe you could put a clothespin on your nose for the duration. :)
    Yah, I don't quite get this post. Dumping a tank always smells, fulltime, parttime.. whatever.
  • If it only happens when you dump the tanks, maybe you could put a clothespin on your nose for the duration. :)
  • Basicaly, the system normally relies on being outside where an odor vented 11' up, gets dispersed quickly before it's paticularly noticable. You on the other hand have trapped it in an enclosed space.

    If you don't want to punch a hole thru the roof or add powered vent, simply plan on pulling the valve when you are about to leave. By the time you return in a few hours, the odor should have dissipated and you can close the valve.
  • use a product called Happy camper. it will eliminate odors for you
  • calamus wrote:
    We did the same thing when we were working on our house. Try buying some pvc and pop the cap on the vent on roof of the rv run it out through the roof, we parked it so I had a exhaust hood over the water heater to vent out a window if you dont have that get a co detector, We lived in our for 6 months thru the winter and with the wood stove we left the door open and had a washer and dryer. Then we moved back into the house.



    Excellent advice.
  • dmeck wrote:
    problem we are having is a real bad smell when I dump the tanks.
    Actually it's pretty darn difficult to dump a black tank and not get smell. Ever been downwind of a dump station?
  • We did the same thing when we were working on our house. Try buying some pvc and pop the cap on the vent on roof of the rv run it out through the roof, we parked it so I had a exhaust hood over the water heater to vent out a window if you dont have that get a co detector, We lived in our for 6 months thru the winter and with the wood stove we left the door open and had a washer and dryer. Then we moved back into the house.