My 5th wheel has a built in black tank rinse. My black tank is 32.5 gallons. Once I empty my black tank I would like to be able to close the valve and turn the rinse hose on for a few minutes to help clean out the tank. However, I am not sure how long to let the tank fill. I definitely do not want to overflow my tank. I realize all water sources have different flow rates, but is there a general guideline that I can follow? I am guessing about 1 or 2 minutes before opening my valve again.

I never go more than 30 seconds, mainly because there's this big warning sign on my coach.

I go one to two minutes. I hooked up a water flow meter a couple of times to test, and in about two minutes, I get 4-5 gals. Initially I might just go a minute, but after a couple of times, I'll go for two mins or maybe even 2.5 mins. Of course, when Im doing three or four or more flushes, it's at a FHU site, or a dump station with no one in line.Mike

You'd be hard pressed to find the volume at a campground that's more that 10 GPM, so a couple of minutes would be safe.If in doubt, take that 5 gallon drywall mud bucket you have in the basement with you and time how olng it takes to fill that up. Last time I checked at my house, good pressure municipal water was 6 GPM.

First, I leave the rinser running while the tank is draining. Then when the bulk of the contents have drained, I close the valve, leave the rinser running, and watch the black tank level indicator inside. When the full LED barely starts to blink, I hop back outside and open the valve. I only do this every few months (we're full-timers). In between, I use the "geo method" to clean the tanks on a travel day (dish soap, borax crystals, and about 1/4 tank of fresh water in each tank before hitting the road).Rob

I don't have a fancy back filler. But I have ran a water hose into toilet and used a Flashlight to see when its almost FULL. the sound of the water changes when its close to the neck

question about black tank rinse | Good Sam Community

dcmac214
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
FWIW I don't trust the effectiveness of the rinser, and don't bother with rinsing until we get home. I've got better ways to waste my time when camping. Home, I just drag the hose into the bathroom and spray into the tank with a pressure nozzle until nearly full (valve open I can see straight down into the tank). Also fill both greywater tanks 1/2 to 3/4. Take the trailer for a several mile 'ride around the block', dump at the house and it's done.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 17, 2017
CavemanCharlie wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
CavemanCharlie wrote:
If you use plenty of water you don't need to rinse it every time.

Please do your rinsing somewhere where there are not other people waiting to use the dump station.

I NEVER use the dump stations! I don't like to wait and I don't like making people wait!

Thank You.

You must have a way to dump it at home. Hopefully not on the ground.

YES, I did add a dump at my home on the RV pad I poured with 50A and water. I HATE lines!!!
rjsurfer
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017
I have one of those spinning head flush assemblies and the volume of water it puts out is pitiful. It would take a half hour to get close to filling the tank.

I do set the timer on my phone for fifteen minutes just to be sure.

Ron W.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Mar 16, 2017
Cummins12V98 wrote:
CavemanCharlie wrote:
If you use plenty of water you don't need to rinse it every time.

Please do your rinsing somewhere where there are not other people waiting to use the dump station.

I NEVER use the dump stations! I don't like to wait and I don't like making people wait!

Thank You.

You must have a way to dump it at home. Hopefully not on the ground.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 15, 2017
wing_zealot wrote:
Why risk it and close the valve? Why run it till the water runs clear? All your trying to do is rinse it, you're not trying to sanitize it So you can eat out of it.

You will be surprised at the build up even when flushing!
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 15, 2017
CavemanCharlie wrote:
If you use plenty of water you don't need to rinse it every time.

Please do your rinsing somewhere where there are not other people waiting to use the dump station.

I NEVER use the dump stations! I don't like to wait and I don't like making people wait!
poppin_fresh
Explorer
Mar 15, 2017
wnjj wrote:
Isn't the black tank flush a sprayer nozzle for a reason? I'm pretty sure it isn't meant to be a black tank "fill". Mine says only use with the valve open.

Seems like a waste of water to fill and dump water in a black tank.

It says that because some people close the valve, walk away, and flood the trailer.

I close the valve in my trailer and it takes several minutes to even come close to filling (or overfilling) the tank. I use the panel and a flashlight down the toilet to know when it's time to pull the handle and drain. It is amazing how much "stuff" this method will remove from the tank versus just flushing it without filling it.

When I do this, I ensure I do not walk away or perform any other tasks that might distract me.
kennethwooster
Explorer
Mar 14, 2017
I have a system I've used for a long time. I turn the black tank rinse on and then drain tank. I leave rinse on all the time. I will close tank and fill for 5 min. I actually use a timer. Also have a clear piece in drain hose. I fill and dump whatever it takes to get it clean. Must remember don't walk away as you might forget.
Dennis12
Explorer
Mar 14, 2017
Have your x-wife put her head down to the commode with the valve open. When she screams shut it down. You are at your max.
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 14, 2017
paulcardoza wrote:
Exactly! But, why would anyone want to simply follow the manufacturer's instructions???? Heck, if some of these guys could crawl inside and scrub the black tank by hand, they'd be doing it every week. People sure get freakish over this topic......... :h

Tvov wrote:
When the original poster says "built in rinse", I figured he meant some sort of a spray nozzle - aren't those supposed to be used with an empty tank and the drain open? Wouldn't filling the tank block the spraying action of the nozzle?

Like :B