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Sniff test doesn't work

HighwayJunky
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2015 Newmar Baystar and am looking to try a new black water vent for the roof. Problem, I have two vents on the roof and only one bath so I assume one vent is for the gray water. Both are basically side by side. So question is which vent is the black water vent..No smell jokes please..Tried it and that didn't work.

Thanks in advance.
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2012 Fiat Pop Toad
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13 REPLIES 13

Snowman9000
Explorer
Explorer
Jim@HiTek wrote:
Just get a bathroom PVC 'T' and put one on each vent. Only $8 total and you help avoid smells from either tank.


What is a bathroom T?



OR

Currently RV-less but not done yet.

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
You should have a CLEAR piece Elbow or extension, somewhere in your Sewer Hookup.. Remove the broken cap or one cap.. Dump both tanks, leave Open one of the dump vales, have a partner watch the clear section while you shoot a garden hose sprayer into the hose (DO NOT INSERT HOSE INTO PIPE) if water runs That's the vent for the open tank. If it does not, after 2 or 3 gallons have partner open the OTHER dump vlave, if water runs than that is the tank you are watering.

That easy.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
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Aridon
Explorer
Explorer
Kayteg1 wrote:
If you have air compressor or leaf blower, you can stick air hose into the toilet with some rugs to seal it and then go on the roof and even with minimal flow, a piece of paper will show where the air comes out.
Thinking more - any vacuum with reverse hose will work.



I'm imagining some idiot hooking up a leaf blower to his outlet at the dump valve and the resulting **** geyser shooting out of the roof 🙂 Not sure why but I got a laugh.
2019 Grand Design Momentum 395
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2014.5 DRV Atlanta (sold)

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George_Beggs
Explorer
Explorer
I just did my vents. I wasn't sure witch one was for the black tank so I did both. It can't hurt.
George & Linda
2007 Bounder 35E
Ford V10

cwit
Explorer
Explorer
Drain both tanks empty, close both valves, put water hose down one vent. Let run for a few minuets. Shut off water go open black tank if you have water you found the black tank if not it is the gray tank.

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
Just put a pint of PINE SOL in the Black tank. That will allow the Pine Sol odor up its vent pipe. Doug

Jim
Explorer
Explorer
Just get a bathroom PVC 'T' and put one on each vent. Only $8 total and you help avoid smells from either tank.
Jim@HiTek
Have shop, will travel!
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Winnebago Journey, '02
Cat 330HP Diesel, 36.5', two slides.

strudeau
Explorer
Explorer
Been there done that. Had a fifth wheel a few years back that I was adding a SeeLevel tank monitoring system to. Had trouble figuring which tank was which because of limited access. So, I ran fresh water into the tank via the roof vent, see which tank fills.
Scott
2019 American Coach Dream 45 A , Allison 4000, Freightliner Chassis

2017 Ford F-150 King Ranch, Toad, Air Force One Supplemental Braking
Retired LEO

ArchHoagland
Explorer
Explorer
Turn the water on in the sink and listen at each of the pipes.

Perhaps you may hear the water running into the gray tank.
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2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
US Gear Brakes

korbe
Explorer
Explorer
You could empty one of the tanks, then go fishin and see if the bait (paper) comes back up wet.
.

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
If you have air compressor or leaf blower, you can stick air hose into the toilet with some rugs to seal it and then go on the roof and even with minimal flow, a piece of paper will show where the air comes out.
Thinking more - any vacuum with reverse hose will work.

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
You could dribble water down it while someone listens at the toity.

rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Explorer III
You should be able to put something in the black tank to cause an odor that you recognize as only being from the black tank. Try Pinesol, bleach, etc. Don't wait too long or it will dissipate.