black water tank smell

[nextlevel]

About this time last year I purchased a 2011 Puma 38PFSKB. I am still having problems with sewer smell in the black water tank. Let me state what I have done:
1. Replaced the old Thetford toilet with an upgrade.
2. Thoroughly cleaned the tank several times.
3. I have used Happy Camper water treatment.
4. After I clean the tank I put some water in it and put in some treatment. After maybe two weeks the tank gets close to full but it begins to smell real bad when I flush the toilet. I live in this RV.
5. I am connected to a septic tank so all I have to do is pull the valve to empty the tank.
6. I have checked the vent pipe several times.
7. I do not put any tissue in the tank. I have a flip top trash can with a bag and I put the tissue in the can with a deodorizer. Never have a problem with the trash can smelling.

I just need to know what to do about the bad smell. After emptying the tank the smell goes away for about another two weeks. I thought the treatment was suppose to help with the order.

[Lynnmor]

nextlevel wrote:
I am also in construction and you are correct about the job site toilets.

I don't keep water in the gray water tanks being that I am hooked up to a septic tank. But it is definitely the toilet. Think I will dump more often and see if that will help.

Again, thanks for all of the replies and advice.

If you leave the gray tank valve open, then any leakage from the air admittance valve will have a full time stink coming from the septic tank.

[Hondavalk]

Agree you just need to dump more often but this would also help.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Vents-and-Fans/Camco/CAM40597.html

[nextlevel]

I am also in construction and you are correct about the job site toilets.

I don't keep water in the gray water tanks being that I am hooked up to a septic tank. But it is definitely the toilet. Think I will dump more often and see if that will help.

Again, thanks for all of the replies and advice.

[campigloo]

I’m sure you’ve probably already checked this but does the bowl hold water?

[MitchF150]

Is the vent tube to the roof clear? Can't see how it could be clogged, as my 16 year old trailer does just fine in the toilet smell category and the vent has never 'clogged'..

Do you run the bathroom vent fan? That could also bring up the smell when you open the valve?

My vent fan has not worked for years... Don't need it cause the shower is only a big storage closet... I can daily clean myself without needing a shower... ha, ha... So don't go there... 🙂

Dunno otherwise?

Good luck!

Mitch

[ksbowman]

This reminds me of our porta pottys when I worked (I was a construction worker for 37 years). In the summer even with the cherry scented liquid they would get terrible gamey in the summer on a one week cleaning schedule. We always had to go to a three day schedule in the summer.

[12th_Man_Fan]

Have you replaced the vents under the bathroom and kitchen sinks? Could be a gray water tanks you are smelling and this smell can come up thru these vents is they are leaking.

You can buy them for 5 or 6 bucks at Home Depot and other HIP stores.

[nextlevel]

Thanks for all of the replies and especially the science of poo essay. Very informative and entertaining. I think that I will dump more often in this Alabama 90 degree weather. It only smells bad when the tank gets close to full.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Click me, click me!

[ScottG]

Toilet chems don't last forever after you add them. The warmer it is and the longer the stuff is in there, the more you have to add chems.

[rdrector]

I would vote on dumping more often as well. Try every 3-4 days. Use plenty of water, actually the more the better. For number 2, I always flush at least enough for a second full bowl of water.

Since these toilets do not have a holding basin, many tend not to use enough water. I have found over the last 15 years camping, plenty of extra water is key to avoid many tank problems.

[DocP]

Just a couple of thoughts:

1. Going 2 weeks between dumping the black tank may be too long in the hot summer heat of Alabama. I agree that you want enough "fluid" in the black tank to have a decent flush, but couldn't you just add water by holding the foot pedal down to an acceptable level and then dump the tank more often?

2. I assume that when you are flushing the toilet, you don't have the bathroom vent fan running while the toilet seat is up. If you do, that will draw up the nasty odors from the black tanks.

[nextlevel]

I can. I was told to make sure the tank is full before I empty it because it would help to pull the solids out. But even using the Happy Camper treatment I thought the smell would not be so foul. I could just dump it once a week and see what happens.

I don't think your suggestion is out of place. I have thought of that. Just not sure what is the best and right thing to do or what to expect.

[mat60]

Im not trying to be smart but can you just dump more often?