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A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Yahoo Message Number: 83518
Hi,

I put together some information on our experiences with Rid-X and Agua Kem for review. Both have their place and strong points. I'm certainly not #1 in a #2 business but perhaps the information will entertain, amuse and inform. Link is here:

http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=158&gonew=1#UNREAD Safe travels.

Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 40' #31349

(Bus-Stead Lemon) My Allure Page http://www.muniac.com/Allure%20Page.html

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83522
Scott, I have reviewed your write-up on Rid-X and Agua Kem and support your findings and agree with your conclusions. I have two comments:

  • You never mentioned the gray tank. I would assume or hope you are treating the gray tank in a like manner as the black. ( 2 caps is the amount we also use) Sink and shower wastes will give you the same sewage smells and conditions as the black after 3 days of sitting.
  • You may have a ventilation and air flow problem, thus causing you to have frequent nasty odors in the coach. There are a variety of causes for this. We rarely notice the rank waste tanks smells in our coach.

Keep up the good work. When does your 'Motorhome Care and Feeding' book come out?

Lee
--

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83523
Lee - Thanks for your input and suggestions. Yes we do treat the grey tank but with less frequency. I like the enzyme treatment for drain piping and traps. Especially the flexible hose one that connects the kitchen sink drain. In our case, any odor we get correlates to the black tank, 3/4 full, heat and Rid-X. That is based on observations over the past 6 months. Never have this with Aqua Kem regardless of conditions. And I'd add the odor isn't something that knocks your head off. It's just an noticeable odor that wafts in from time to time. For us, the use of Rid-X and Aqua Kem have solved both odor and sensor sludge issues. Just wanted to share those findings with the group. Others may benefit.
As for that book. I flunked English in high school so I'm probably not the guy to come forward with a literary work of great wisdom. I do find solutions, reviews and details of value for our mobile lifestyle, however. Especially the innovative ones. To that end, I'll keep documenting the one guy, one bus, one make, one model and one year stuff in our 5 year ownership window. It's been real!

At 06:23 AM 10/29/2012, you wrote:

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83530
Hi Folks,

I thought I would put my 2 scents worth here!
After buying our coach about a year and a half ago I noticed we were getting nasty sewage smells as many others have stated. I tried one of those additives that just masks the smell with their own smell. Did an OK job but then we had the cover up smell to contend with. Didn't much care for that smell either.
I don't remember how but I came across a product called Happy Campers. It has absolutely no smell of it's own and had some pretty hefty claims of getting rid of odors so I gave it a try. Haven't really though about it for a number of months now until this subject came up again. We have had absolutely no fowl odors in our coach since using this product. Don't know, or care, how it works but I am very happy with it. Those having ongoing problems with odors might want to give it a try. Also, there is no formaldehyde in this product.
After draining the tanks I fill the toilet and place a small amount of the powder inside (1 oz to 30 gallons, I only use 1 oz total) and let it dissolve, then flush a couple of times. I also add a small amount of Calgon at the same time. The Calgon leaves a slimy surface so nothing can stick to the sides of the tanks. I treat the gray tank as well but use a little less product.
I might mention that when I started using this I followed their recommendations to clean used tanks before starting the normal regiment. It's all explained on their web site.
Since doing this, about 8 months now, I can't remember a time when we noticed any fowl smells! I guess that's why they call it Happy Campers!
http://www.5starhappycamper.com/
Barney

07 Inspire 52059

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83531
Scott:

I added a Venturi cap with a rotating head for the "soil stack" when we had venting odors if the toilet was used while moving. I wouldn't be surprised if the black tank has more than one vent though and I am planning to add similar caps to all of the vents this winter (same issue).
NOW the heresy....we use NO chemical treatment in the black tank, and have NO odor issues.
Once I understood how the gauges work, and saw how they were applied to our tanks, I understood the limitations and how to work around them. I found no reason to (pardon the pun) get anal about it (even though some of the "sensing strips" were miss-applied on our fresh water tank.
I agree with the poster that suggested you may have a venting issue.

Denis Vogel

'06 Allure 31409

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83533
I'm betting that even daily doses of Chanel #5 in the black tank will fail to eliminate odor (except in mine, of course, which smells like strawberry ice cream).
I use chemicals solely to dissolve the solids and make a relatively thorough emptying possible. Odor control? HA!
All you guys with the high tech nuclear powered toilets probable have vapor leaks here and there in the piping. We entry level guys only have to rely on gravity and one valve seal.

Ahhh! The breath of fresh air! K I S S !!

Jay

05 Entry Level 51457

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83534
Some of us with marine toilets with actual P-traps have the best of both worlds, no electronics and no odors. Is still use ECO-SAVE that was originally supplied with all our Country coaches. It eats up the solids, controls odors with no harsh chemicals, so you can drain the tanks without being nocked down by the odors or polluting the enviroment. Another advantage of Marine toilets is the built in macerator that takes care of solids before entering the black water tanks. There are two draw backs: first learning to use the control button to get just the right amount of flow and agitation, second knowing that your water supply can be quickly eroded if your overly enthusiastic with that same button. I had a gravity toilet in my previous allure and had to use Venturi vents and very disciplined odor control with chemicals and dumping practices to prevent the entire coach from smelling of either waste or harsh chemicals. TWI 2004 intrigue ovation 11731.

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83536
Hey Scott,

Are you sure that the odors that you smell aren't from a defective "air brreaker" in the flush line.
For awhile, every time I flushed the commode, I would get sewage odors in my wardrobe. Seems this device is located in back of a drawer when you flush it pushes air back up through this device into the wardrobe area. I took mine out completely and replaced it with 2 pvc pipe fittings. No more odor except when it is hot and tank is full of ....

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83541
I do the same as Denis, no chemicals, etc, and I have 2 of the rotating venuri vent caps (rotate in light wind when parked too) but occasionally get a slight odor in the vicinty of the galley. I am aware to that if parked (not in use) for extended time the "P" trap can dry out. I may add another Venturi cap to the third roof vent.

John

05 Inspire #51399

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83548
Surely you guys know about cheap dishwashing soap??? No other chemicals needed at all, not even Rid-X. Check the integrity of your venting mechanisms, including those under the sinks, and just use dishwashing soap. A little Borax now and then will not hurt, but we solved the worst odor problem in the history of RVs, bar none, with dishwashing soap... s/Terry (2004 Allure)

A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83550
I agree with Barney, this product has solved my odor problems and I AM a happy camper. J It does a nice job of liquefying solids and toilet paper. I use it in both tanks.

John

2007 Inspire 52028

I don't remember how but I came across a product called Happy Campers. It has absolutely no smell of its own and had some pretty hefty claims of getting rid of odors so I gave it a try. Haven't really though about it for a number of months now until this subject came up again. We have had absolutely no fowl odors in our coach since using this product. Don't know, or care, how it works but I am very happy with it. Those having ongoing problems with odors might want to give it a try. Also, there is no formaldehyde in this product.

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83552
A few years ago I made the mistake of adding the chemicals and not much water. I park the coach next to our house. Came out a week or so later and smelled smoke. There was a methane gas explosion in our black holding tank. Toilet paper on the roll was singed but didn't catch fire. The stool was destroyed as was the tile. A miracle the whole coach didn't explode. So if you add chemicals be sure to add plenty of water.

Clint Frederick
2004 Inspire 51038
 

Re: A Tale of 2 Toilet Treatments

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 83555
Borax does the trick, just a little in each trap refreshes the water in those stale traps.

Ray

2000 Intrigue 11040