Hi, Just got a email ad from Camping World with and ad for a device called Sewer Solution. http://tinyurl.com/y3a8oq I've seen and heard about electric macerator pumps before, but have never heard of a water driven one, has anyone here had any experience with this device? Thanks, Fred

Fred, I think it varies on how well they work. Most 5th wheels seem to have a lot more sewer piping than motorhome's and back flushing is questionable as to if the water actually gets up to your black tank to clean it. An installed tank cleaner would be a good alternative. I guess it does do a nice job of 'munching' the waste to pump thru the smaller hose so it would be a good alternative to the macerator if you have endless water available. If you buy one I would make sure before you back flush to close your grey tank valves so as not to flush any black remnants into the grey tanks.

Hi Fred:

I have the "Sewer Solution" device and have used it for quite a while. I got it as a solution to 2 things. First the odor in the sewer compartment was getting out of hand and creeping into the coach. I tracked the source to the accordian type sewer hose that is provided with most RV's. I tried cleaning it every way I could with every conceivable cleaner with out success. The second problem was the space required to carry the accordian hoses that are of sufficient length to reach most sewer connections and the associated connecting hardware. Also many areas require the hose to be in a continuous slope from the connection on the coach to the shore connection. This required additional stuff to support the hose.

Finally I laid out the cash (about $100) for this device and washed down the entire compartment with bleach water and Simple Green cleaner. The result? Problem solved. No more odor and I don't get my hands dirty dumping. Additionally the connection that ocmes with the Sewer Solution provides a very tight connection to the shore sewer fittings regardless of the size of the shore connection. The hose is very thick and not likely to be punctured. It is still very flexible even inspite of the thickness. The only draw back I have encountered is that it can be difficult to impossible dumping with this device if you aren't connected to city water and its associated pressure. It has been suggested to me that since there is a shower head in the utilities compartment that I could use the on board water pump to provide the pressure needed to dump. I personally don't feel that is viable solution so I don't do it. Consequently I do carry a new accordian hose to dump with in the event I am not connected to a shore water system. This tends to negate the space advantage I brought up before. If you decide to go with the Sewer Solution, I would suggest that you purchase 2 additional sections of the hose. They run about $20 each and are about 20 ft long. I have had a need for both additional sections a couple of times. Bottom line is I like the device and will use it from now until I see something I feel is better.

Well that is the long and the short of it, mostly long. I hope this is of assistance to you.

Alan

Alan, sounds like it works pretty well for you. Does it do a pretty decent job of cleaning the black tank? I believe you have a motorhome don't you? 5th wheels are notorious for having kinks and bends to the black tank. Seems like a nice alternative to the flexhose though if at a campground with water supplied. How long does it take to dump the black tank when full?

Hi!

I do like the device and it does work well for me. Sorry I can't comment on how it might work on a 5er without a seperate black tank clean out device. My coach has a seperate clean out device so I don't use the device for rinsing out the black tank.

Sorry. Maybe some one else out there can address that particular use of the device.

I had a Sewer Solution and didn't care for it, so I sold it.  It takes a lot of water to use it, thus it is not good for septic tanks.   It was additional work and time, what with hooking up the hose, setting the SS for the running water and then undoing it. They are not intended for back flushing the black tank.  I discussed this with an engineer at the company that makes them who understood that the backflushing works for some, but not for most. 

The SS is not a substitute for a macerator which actually grinds. I had clog issues with the SS; basically it was a real pain.   It doesn't grind in any way;  rather the water is used to force solids through the hose.

 

Sonia, that's a good post about the sewer solution. Always nice to have information from both sides of the story. Guess it really depends on what your intents are for its use.

-- Edited by Tmcblane at 06:59, 2006-11-28

I have the Sewer Solution and prefer to use it over all other options. I do have a full "stinky slinky" set for when the SS won't work, but the SS is VERY clean and is my personal choice ... as with all things, others may see it differently.