Plumbing vent options? side wall?

[evy]

Hi everyone,

I'm working on my very first DIY camper conversion, using a 2010 extended Ford E250.

I have a quick question for you experts.

I'm planning the plumbing and I was looking at my roof today, trying to figure out where I would install the plumbing vent, my pipe would be hidden in my kitchen's top cabinet and would come out over it, the problem is I already installed my roof rack with a welded grill on top, the only way to install a vent would be to cut a round hole in the top grill and install it through the whole no problem BUT! it would be sticking out of the top grill by about a 1-1/2" and it would be right where my kayak would sit...

Can I install a roof vent on the side of the wall behind that same kitchen cabinet? when I'm driving if water comes in, it would simply end up in the tank right?

Ok I have a crazy idea, maybe I could use a bath overflow as a vent on the side wall.

[eHoefler]

If you are holding the grey for a long time, yes. If you are hooked up to a sewer, leave the grey valve open. You can use your black tank treatment for the grey as well, same amount per gallon as the black.

[evy]

eHoefler wrote:
Believe it or not, grey water can and will produce methane gas. And can smell as bad or worse than a black tank, most black tanks get some kind of treatment for odors.

Would you recommend once in a while pouring a cup of that blue liquid (for the porta potti) directly into the sink?

[eHoefler]

Believe it or not, grey water can and will produce methane gas. And can smell as bad or worse than a black tank, most black tanks get some kind of treatment for odors.

[evy]

Rollnhome wrote:
So I understand this vent is for the grey tank as well as the sink. In other words this will vent the entire grey water system.

Yes sorry if I didn't make it clear in my first post 😕

[Rollnhome]

So I understand this vent is for the grey tank as well as the sink. In other words this will vent the entire grey water system.

[evy]

Bobbo wrote:

Gray water smells as bad as black water. I don't think you have the methane gas though.

An idea. The vent pipe does not have to be straight. How about running it up into the ceiling, putting a 90 degree elbow, and running it to an area of the roof that is not covered by the roof rack. Then put another 90 degree elbow, and take it up through the roof there?

The plumbing vents in my S&B house have all kinds of elbows and lateral runs.

I cant get out of that cabinet or else I have to lower the ceiling 😕
And above that cabinet area is were my kayak will sit.

[evy]

gbopp wrote:
Here's an option recommended by another forum member. VENT

It's also recommended to use a setup for a garbage disposal to connect to the line and use a rubber hose to the vent.

Wow very interesting thanks!
I often forget to look at marine products when searching for something.

[Happy_Prospecto]

Grey water will not smell as bad as black water but it is still not a smell you will not want in your camper.


The information is out there, all you have to do is let it in.

[Bobbo]

evy wrote:
Maybe I forgot to mention this, we're talking about grey water only. I have a porta potti 😕
In this case it will serve to let air out when the tank is filling up, preventing a gargling sound through the drain pipe.
Is grey water as bad as black water for gases and oders?

Gray water smells as bad as black water. I don't think you have the methane gas though.

An idea. The vent pipe does not have to be straight. How about running it up into the ceiling, putting a 90 degree elbow, and running it to an area of the roof that is not covered by the roof rack. Then put another 90 degree elbow, and take it up through the roof there?

The plumbing vents in my S&B house have all kinds of elbows and lateral runs.

[gbopp]

Here's an option recommended by another forum member. VENT

It's also recommended to use a setup for a garbage disposal to connect to the line and use a rubber hose to the vent.

[evy]

eHoefler wrote:
The Air-Admittance Valve will not work as a vent, it lets air in so your sink will drain properly. You have to have a vent that will let the gases from your tanks out. The reason you need to have a vent higher than the roof line, is so any breeze can catch it and carry it off. On the side, it can pool and you will not like the aroma, plus sewer gas is deadly and explosive. Any vent, window, or appliance will bring in the gas.

That's pretty much what I mention earlier 😉
BUT! Maybe I forgot to mention this, we're talking about grey water only. I have a porta potti 😕
In this case it will serve to let air out when the tank is filling up, preventing a gargling sound through the drain pipe.
Is grey water as bad as black water for gases and oders?

[eHoefler]

The Air-Admittance Valve will not work as a vent, it lets air in so your sink will drain properly. You have to have a vent that will let the gases from your tanks out. The reason you need to have a vent higher than the roof line, is so any breeze can catch it and carry it off. On the side, it can pool and you will not like the aroma, plus sewer gas is deadly and explosive. Any vent, window, or appliance will bring in the gas.

[gbopp]

They're called Air Admittance Valves.

[evy]

buzzard616 wrote:
Goofy as it sounds, the longer I think about it and try to think of anything better, that tub overflow looks like it should work. Maybe drop the rubber gasket in favour of some butyl-based caulk or window tape.
Stu

It even has the perfect angle for my side wall (slightly tilted).
But I would definitely paint it haha, lose that chrome look.