Forum Discussion

Mark_Heron's avatar
Mark_Heron
Explorer
Jul 18, 2016

Waste Tank problems

Why would my tanks fill so quickly, I don't believe it's a sensor issue. Went to beach this weekend, tanks were emptied last week. Upon arrival black, grey and galley all reading empty. 4 adults this weekend arrived Friday evening, by yesterday afternoon black tank was completely full could see waste water sitting at top of drain. Grey tank which was only used for brushing teeth and hands, showers were taken at bath house yet gry tank reading full. We had exact same problem last year. I really could use some guidance on tracking down this problem, no way these two tanks should have been full, I'm guessing the grey tank was really full, but I know for certain the black tank was full. I have seen water sitting just below bowl on black tank before so I know it's not a gauge problem. I was using city water and not fresh water tank. My black tank is 38 gallons, grey tank is 76 gallons, they do not list gallons on galley tank.

Could water be leaking into black tank from a leak on toilet? could water be leaking into grey tank from unknown area. Any advice would be welcomed, my wife is on pins and needles all weekend watching tank levels rise. Sadly there are not many campgrounds on our shore locations that have full hook ups. If they do it's always limited sites.

Thanks in advance for nuggets of wisdom.
  • eichacsj's avatar
    eichacsj
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    If it was a water leak on the toilet would both the water and the flush valve both have to leak equally? That would be highly unlikely I would think. Leak in the bathroom sink into the black, yes, but you would see the water dripping/running.

    I am in the camp that you can fill a 38 gal tank very quickly if you are not frugal.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    You have a 38 gallon waste tank and two 38 gallon grey tanks that may not be plumbed together. If the two grey tanks are not plumbed together your experience is not that out of the ordinary. It is very easy to generate 38 gallons of grey water in 2 days just by not being frugal with water when washing hands, brushing teeth and washing dishes. My 38 gallon grey tank will fill in 2 days with just my wife and I taking navy showers and normal use. The black tank could also be full in 2 days with 4 adults using it. Some will come and talk about going days/weeks with smaller tanks but your experience is more typical. BTW, my bathroom sink is plumbed to the grey tank and I believe that is not unusual.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    rockhillmanor wrote:
    Depending on your RV. The bathroom sink usually dumps INTO the black tank.


    "Usually"? :h I'd call that unusual ... black water tank is "usually" for toilet waste only. Easy to figure out though - just pour water in the sink and see where it ends up. :W



    Typical RV Water System

  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    Jul 18, 2016
    4 adults this weekend arrived Friday evening, by yesterday afternoon black tank was completely full could see waste water sitting at top of drain.


    Depending on your RV. The bathroom sink usually dumps INTO the black tank.

    Washing hands and face, brushing teeth etc. WILL make a black tank fill up faster.

    I RV solo i.e 1 only one person and by changing just brushing my teeth and washing hands in the kitchen sink instead of the bathroom sink will net me almost 2 extra days of camping before I have to dump.

    Doesn't seem like much but in your case with "4 people"? That's a LOT of water from brushing and washing hands and face etc. in the bathroom sink that is going right down into you black tank.

    And if your 4 friends are new to RV'ing my bet is they leave the water on the ENTIRE time they are brushing their teeth just like most do at home. Can't do that in an RV it WILL fill the black in a heartbeat.

    Make them all use the kitchen sink! And so that doesn't fill up your gray tank MAKE SURE they do NOT leave the water running when they brush their teeth!! :C
  • 2chiefsRus's avatar
    2chiefsRus
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    Good suggestions above. I would also suggest that on your next trip, once you arrive, hook up to water supply, fill your fresh water tank and then disconnect the fresh water supply. Use your water pump only. If you are at the RV, leave the water pump turned and then listen, does it run when no one is using any water? If so, then you have a leak somewhere. Even the pump doesn't run when water is not being used, you will at least know the maximum amount of fresh water that is available so if you run out, then you will know that people are using more than you think they are.
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    Fill your fresh water tank as Matt Colie suggests and turn off the campground water supply. You can get a good idea of how the water is being used, especially if you can see the fresh water tank.

    Without a sewer hookup you can't use water like at home. Don't fill the toilet when you flush, turn off the water while you brush your teeth, take "Navy" showers, that is wet yourself down quickly, turn the water off while you wash, then turn the water on and quickly rinse the soap off.

    Lots of ways to conserve water.

    Edit: Could it be you have a lot of solids in your black tank?
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    If I had an outlet leak at my toilet valve, the bowl would fill up.

    First thing I would do with empty tanks is use buckets of water to measure and fill the tanks. See how much they hold, and see if that makes sense.
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Jul 18, 2016
    Mark,

    This is just one of the reasons to not run on city water. If you are on the house potable pump, at least you can hear it run. Many prople are not tuned to water conservation and do things like let the water run when scrubbing teeth or washing hands. Filling the toilet bowl to "city fill" is another gotcha.

    With any situation where things are not like they are at home, you need to tell people and watch them.

    Matt

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