I am sure that this has probably been covered before. I have a 1995 Wilderness and have only used it twice. I have only dumped the tanks twice, but I have a strong odor inside the unit after I do. I wonder if I am doing something wrong.
TXRVr said
07:00 AM Aug 13, 2010
Couple suggestions. Don't open both the gray and black water handles at the same time. Make sure that the flapper valve in the toilet is seated. It should hold water. You can check to see if the black water holding tank vent on the roof is not clogged.
The Bear II said
09:11 AM Aug 13, 2010
Use a deodrizing toilet tank chemical, put several packets of the chemical in and several bowls full of water. Make sure the chemical has enzymes to digest the waste.
This will get rid of the smell and replace it the the chemical scent (usually pine smell). The enzymes will eat up all the crud lurking around in your holding tank. It's especially effective if you travel for a couple of hundred miles with this mixture in there.
Once the tank is full dump it and then just use the chemical following the instructions on the packet.
People swear by these vent caps to help eliminate oders: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/rv-360-sanitation-vent/26177
-- Edited by The Bear II on Friday 13th of August 2010 09:12:15 AM
4wheel1 said
02:17 PM Aug 13, 2010
Thanks for the suggestions. I did have deoderizer in the black tank. I opened the black tank first and drained it, but left it open while I drained the grey tank. Also I forgot to have water over the flap in the comode as I was getting ready to leave. The odor wasn't unbearable it was just unpleasant. I did add some water softner and detergent in the tanks with about 5 or 6 gallon of water on my way to camp, approx 300 miles, like I picked up from a link on here to help clean the tanks. Thanks again for the help, people on here are the greatest, don't make us feel like stupid rookies. :)
Weaverworks said
05:46 PM Aug 15, 2010
Mine always seems to stink for a few minutes after dumping (no pun intended). We complain to each other but live with it for a few minutes.
RonandJacki said
10:01 AM Aug 17, 2010
Just curious, how long have you had your '95 Wilderness? and why only used it twice? Is it possible there could be mildew inside the tanks from sitting? If so, how would one clean that out? In my neighborhood I see several RVs parked for months at a time and wonder about midew growing inside tanks and plumbing in general. Up here in the Pacific Northwest where there is a lot of moisture, I am apt to believe this might be an issue.
4wheel1 said
04:10 PM Aug 17, 2010
I bought it this spring from someone who had it set up on a lake lot. I just smells when I dump, and then not overwhelmingly. I have not had any solid waste in the black tank, but it has the same type odor as the sewer connector. I think TXRVr hit it with not to open both black/gray at the same time. I have been opening the black and then leaving it open when I dump the gray. Also even thought I had the flapper closed on the comode, I should have water in it. I think I am pulling fumes back out of the sewer up through the tanks and into the camper.
Sailbad said
08:26 PM Aug 17, 2010
Very often the action of dumping tanks will pull the water out of the sink and tub traps. That could be where your odor is coming from.
Run a bit of water in the sinks and tub to refill those traps and the odor should stop.
Luvglass said
09:24 PM Aug 17, 2010
Thanks Sailbad, I think you may have solved this problem. That makes perfect sense, when you think about it. That 3 inch head of water coming out draws a huge suction on the system and would easily pull out the water traps.
Thanks again!
4wheel1 said
06:18 PM Aug 19, 2010
Thanks Sailbad, That does sound like what could be. I will be going to the Outer Banks, NC the first of the month, I will make sure to try the suggestions. Thanks everyone.
desertnurse said
03:22 PM Aug 27, 2010
Not sure if this is the same...
Our black tanks don't seem to be a problem, but the bedroom smells like a pond! We have opened the windows and plugged the vanity (in the bedroom), and that seems to help. What gives?!
NorCal Dan said
09:37 AM Aug 28, 2010
desertnurse wrote:Our black tanks don't seem to be a problem, but the bedroom smells like a pond! We have opened the windows and plugged the vanity (in the bedroom), and that seems to help. What gives?!
If the smell isn't from the holding tanks then I would suspect a water leak. It sounds like something is getting wet and is possibly growing mold. I can't think of anything else that would produce a "pond" smell. Check the roof for leaks as well as plumbing.
desertnurse said
11:58 PM Aug 28, 2010
It was here, then we dumped, and it went away. Gone for about 2 days, now it is coming back. Ugh!!!!
Any advice?
53 Merc said
06:18 AM Aug 29, 2010
desertnurse wrote:
It was here, then we dumped, and it went away. Gone for about 2 days, now it is coming back. Ugh!!!!
Any advice?
Well, a guess here. Your air valve is stuck open. Under the bath room sink, look at the drain line. Look for a "T" off that line. At the top of the "T" line will be a larger piece of black PVC. This device is designed to allow air into the grey water tank to facilitate draining of the sink and shower water. It has a flapper that opens when draining water from either and then is supposed to close, preventing odors from returning into the rig. Grasp it and twist and tug, it should come off in your hand. Then check to see if the flapper is damaged or just stuck open. Then replace with new or repaired air device. Should fix it.
Confusing thing, because we all think of a roof vent on a tank. Most grey water tanks do not have a roof penetration for a vent. Mostly, the roof vents are for black tank only.
desertnurse said
02:49 PM Aug 30, 2010
SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After troubleshooting with all of your great advice in mind, it occured to me that we had not run the new washer/dryer that we had installed just before we left. It also has a pee trap, and after running it once, the smell magically dissappeared.
YIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Thanks again for all of your advice-so much appreciated!!!
Paul and Jo said
05:12 PM Aug 30, 2010
desertnurse wrote: After troubleshooting with all of your great advice in mind, it occured to me that we had not run the new washer/dryer that we had installed just before we left. It also has a pee trap, and after running it once, the smell magically dissappeared.
Was that a combo or a stackable? If it was either of them, please let this forum know the brand and model so we can all either check it out or, be wary when buying and installing, especially if not using it for a month or so.
Paul
desertnurse said
10:27 PM Sep 2, 2010
It is a stackable, splendide 2100 XC (washer dryer in one). We've just dumped again, and ran a cycle-no smell! yay!!!
This will get rid of the smell and replace it the the chemical scent (usually pine smell). The enzymes will eat up all the crud lurking around in your holding tank. It's especially effective if you travel for a couple of hundred miles with this mixture in there.
Once the tank is full dump it and then just use the chemical following the instructions on the packet.
People swear by these vent caps to help eliminate oders:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/rv-360-sanitation-vent/26177
-- Edited by The Bear II on Friday 13th of August 2010 09:12:15 AM
That does sound like what could be. I will be going to the Outer Banks, NC the first of the month, I will make sure to try the suggestions. Thanks everyone.
Our black tanks don't seem to be a problem, but the bedroom smells like a pond! We have opened the windows and plugged the vanity (in the bedroom), and that seems to help. What gives?!
If the smell isn't from the holding tanks then I would suspect a water leak. It sounds like something is getting wet and is possibly growing mold. I can't think of anything else that would produce a "pond" smell. Check the roof for leaks as well as plumbing.
Any advice?
Confusing thing, because we all think of a roof vent on a tank. Most grey water tanks do not have a roof penetration for a vent. Mostly, the roof vents are for black tank only.
Paul