Tank cleaning wand - how much water does it leave?

[BillHoughton]

I bought one of those tank cleaning wands - Valterra brand in this case - for spraying cr*p off the side of the waste water tanks and, in particular, off the sensors, which are reporting creative water levels. The package recommends using it when the tank's just been emptied, but definitely when it's empty. I wondering: how much water do they typically discharge for a tank cleaning? I realize the answer is, "depends on how long you use it," but I'm wondering if there's a typical/average sort of amount. I'd rather not have to go dump the tank again (at $20 each time) just for cleaning the tank.

[SJ-Chris]

If you start with an empty black tank, and then used the tank wand for a couple minutes, it should only leave a couple gallons behind. Not a big deal and you can probably live with it for the start of your next trip. As mentioned, you can time how long you use it on your tank, then take it outside with a 5 gallon bucket and run it in a 5 gallon bucket for the same amount of time and you will have your answer.

I used to have to use the tank wand to keep my sensors accurate (...I get annoyed when the tank is empty and it reads 1/3 or 2/3 full). I also sometime let family/friends use my RVs and I don't want them to wonder about the tank status (...or I don't want to wonder when they return the RV). I always hated getting out the tank wand plus hose, feeding it through a window and through the bedroom and to the bathroom (and then back out after it was used in the toilet/black tank). Messy and inconvenient. I solved this problem and made tank cleaning 10x easier and faster....I added a Tornado Tank Flush. Total cost was less than $50. Here is a link to the DIY project I did. Now when I dump I just spend 2 minutes at the dumping station using the flush with the black valve open and I can see tons more waste get cleared out after it was emptied once. It also keeps my sensors clean.

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30315748.cfm

Hope that helps!
Chris

[Sandia_Man]

We have always used tank wand after dumping on past RVs we have owned, although it would be once every fourth or fifth trip out. We did it mostly to keep tank sensors working properly and to prevent residual debris from hardening on side walls, we found dumping and refilling tank a couple of times still left lots of waste behind.

Since it only took a couple of minutes to use wand on those occasions (at home or full hookup sites) maybe 5 gallons or so of water usually does the trick. Last couple of RVs we have owned had built in flush kits on black tank, they do work to a degree but using a tank wand will net the best results if tank really needs a deep rinsing.

[valhalla360]

wildtoad wrote:
Or wait to use it when you next stay at a full hook up site.

Or if the dump station isn't busy (don't hold up the line), use it at the dump station and immediately drain it.

[stallsmi]

TxGearhead wrote:
After you use it stick your finger down the toilet and measure how far up your finger the water is. Then ask another neighbor if you can rinse their tank. Then ask a neighbor if you can clean their tank and do the same thing. Average the 3 readings. Then lick your finger dry and go back to your camper and have a very strong drink.

This type of response isn't helpful and causes people to leave this forum. Snarky at best.

[Ed_Gee]

Just stick the wand into a 5 gallon bucket and time how long it takes to fill to 2 gallons or maybe 3 gallons. Then do not exceed that time when cleaning the tank. It is a good idea to always leave a couple gallons in the black tank after draining ... if for no other reason it keeps the slide valve gasket lubricated.

[TxGearhead]

After you use it stick your finger down the toilet and measure how far up your finger the water is. Then ask another neighbor if you can rinse their tank. Then ask a neighbor if you can clean their tank and do the same thing. Average the 3 readings. Then lick your finger dry and go back to your camper and have a very strong drink.

[Lwiddis]

What’s the reason for wanting squeaky clean waste tanks? And those sensors aren’t that accurate clean, dirty or in between.

[wildtoad]

Or wait to use it when you next stay at a full hook up site.

[corvettekent]

3 to 5 gallons per minute of use is what you would get out of your water hose but with a spray nozzle on the end it might be half of that. I would think that you could drain the tank into a 5-gallon bucket when you are done cleaning the tank, then dump the bucket into the toilet in your house.