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Old 08-13-2018, 02:28 PM   #1
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Default "Sewer Solution" - anyone?

In anticipation of getting our new B van next month, I would like to set something up at home for very occasional waste tank dumping.

Normally in the past, with our travel trailers, I have never needed this as we always ensure tanks are dumped and clean when leaving the last RV site, but I anticipate things could be different with the van - ie day trips and such.

99% of the time we only use the RV toilet for "peeing" and that would certainly be the same with day trip use, so tank emptying should be wthout major issues - I hope.

I suppose we could just leave the tank partly full until next time we visit an RV park, throwing in extra chemicals from time to time if needed.

But I have been looking at ways of dumping at home to keep things bit more clean.

I have come across the "Sewer Solution" water operated device - a sort of macerator that looks as though it could do the job for us - especially considering the way we use our black tank.

I know that there are portable electric macerators - but much more $$, more things to go wrong I imagine, and I think that if its perforance is half decent, the water powered one could be a simple way to go for us.

Comes with a 10' x 3/4 hose and you can buy a 25' extension - this would reach from our driveway, through the garage, and to the standpipe in our adjacent laundry room into which our clothes washer hose normally dumps, and that is what I thought to use. (I haven't seen a convenient clean out anywhere around the place.)

Before I order, just wondering if anyone has experience with the "Sewer Solution" and/or any other comment or advice ?

At one time local waste water plants around our home had free dump stations but from what have found they are now all history - they don't even offer a facility for use for a fee.

There is a local Park nearby that has a dump station, but unless you are camping there, the charge is $17 !

Brian.
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Old 08-13-2018, 06:43 PM   #2
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Frankly, I'd pay the $17 dump fee (or maybe find a cheaper one nearby). If you find you only need to dump every other month or so, I may be cheaper than the alternatives. I understand about not wanting to pay a fee, especially one so high.

Otherwise a macerator is the way to go, but as you said they get pricey and you have to hook/unhook them so they are still messy.

Can you option the macerator pump on your new class B?
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Old 08-13-2018, 07:02 PM   #3
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Default Water powered macerator

How about this one, no personal experience but it looks good. A ball valve on the water powered macerator oulet will allow you to rinse the tank. Sewersolution hose will be very clean after a dump.

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Old 08-13-2018, 08:44 PM   #4
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The Sewer Solution does work and work decently.

However, it uses a lot of water so it can push the sewage uphill.
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Old 08-13-2018, 09:26 PM   #5
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I agree that it does work, but takes a lot of water to push things uphill. I have a longish level run that I push through a dedicated water hose for fifty feet, once started I only pulse the water jet occasionally to break up debris. The cheap plastic quick connect connection to the fresh water hose leaks on mine, only a minor inconvenience really.
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Old 08-13-2018, 10:52 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by rowiebowie View Post
Frankly, I'd pay the $17 dump fee (or maybe find a cheaper one nearby). If you find you only need to dump every other month or so, I may be cheaper than the alternatives. I understand about not wanting to pay a fee, especially one so high.

Otherwise a macerator is the way to go, but as you said they get pricey and you have to hook/unhook them so they are still messy.

Can you option the macerator pump on your new class B?
You are probably right about paying the fee - just seems a bit exorbitant and that annoys me on principle!

As well, maybe not as convenient as being able to "take care of business right in my driveway!

I don't think getting a macerator installed during the build is an option for me. I am buying a PW - and they seem to firmly believe in gravity! (as do I generally - just won't work at my home as I need to go up a couple of feet in elevation!)

This "Sewer Solution" water pressure operated macerator I am looking at is much less $ than the electric ones. Likely not as effective as the electric ones but as we are only dealing with "Pee & one ply paper" is hopefully up to the job!

Thanks ............. Brian.
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Old 08-13-2018, 10:53 PM   #7
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How about this one, no personal experience but it looks good. A ball valve on the water powered macerator oulet will allow you to rinse the tank. Sewersolution hose will be very clean after a dump.

Yep, That is the one I'm looking at! If I don't hear of anyone's bad experience I will likely try one!

Brian.
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Old 08-13-2018, 10:58 PM   #8
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I agree that it does work, but takes a lot of water to push things uphill. I have a longish level run that I push through a dedicated water hose for fifty feet, once started I only pulse the water jet occasionally to break up debris. The cheap plastic quick connect connection to the fresh water hose leaks on mine, only a minor inconvenience really.

Using a lot of water won't be a big deal for me if I use it at home. Ss for leaking, I wonder of the soft yellow silicon hose washers will fit. I use them all teh time on hoses and find them very good - they are, and remain, very soft and pliable and usually make a good seal. A bit pricy compared to plastic or rubber, but much more effective IMHO.

Thanks you for the feedback, I think I will be giving the "Sewer Solution" a try f we find the need to often dump the tanks at home.

Brian.
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Old 08-13-2018, 11:07 PM   #9
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You are probably right about paying the fee - just seems a bit exorbitant and that annoys me on principle!

As well, maybe not as convenient as being able to "take care of business right in my driveway!

I don't think getting a macerator installed during the build is an option for me. I am buying a PW - and they seem to firmly believe in gravity! (as do I generally - just won't work at my home as I need to go up a couple of feet in elevation!)

This "Sewer Solution" water pressure operated macerator I am looking at is much less $ than the electric ones. Likely not as effective as the electric ones but as we are only dealing with "Pee & one ply paper" is hopefully up to the job!

Thanks ............. Brian.
I think most of the built in macerator pump systems have a gravity back up.
I have a cassette toilet currently and it gets used every time the 3 us take a road trip. It is convenient to be able to empty at home. I clean it out after every trip and on my next B I want a black tank with a macerator or a sewer solution because my next retirement home will have a RV garage and I don't want to park a black tank B in it unless the tanks are empty.
To me it's worth the price of macerator to be able to empty the tanks at home.
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Old 08-13-2018, 11:19 PM   #10
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I think most of the built in macerator pump systems have a gravity back up. ....

Actually most built in macerators from major RV manufactures don't have a gravity back-up. Many of us have added them. Here is a photo of my setup.
IMG_1425.jpg
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Old 08-13-2018, 11:30 PM   #11
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Actually most built in macerators from major RV manufactures don't have a gravity back-up. Many of us have added them. Here is a photo of my setup.
Sorry...I assume too often.
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Old 08-14-2018, 02:56 AM   #12
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I'll say you're both right, to a degree.

It's not convenient, but with the removal of two bolts & two wires, my macerator comes off it's 3" standard bayonet connection. Airstream even includes a 3" cap, which would serve no purpose except for the situation I described.
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Old 08-14-2018, 09:36 PM   #13
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This won't help unless you have a macerator pump.
I too was thinking about a home dump. Then it occurred to me, there is a sewer manhole 3 feet from the end of my driveway. I changed the plastic hose end to a metal one (it has a smaller OD, but the same ID). I ground off the barbs and it fits into one of the manhole cover holes so I don't need to open the cover to dump. Now I'm a happy camper.
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Old 08-15-2018, 12:22 AM   #14
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This won't help unless you have a macerator pump.
I too was thinking about a home dump. Then it occurred to me, there is a sewer manhole 3 feet from the end of my driveway. I changed the plastic hose end to a metal one (it has a smaller OD, but the same ID). I ground off the barbs and it fits into one of the manhole cover holes so I don't need to open the cover to dump. Now I'm a happy camper.
Do you know if that manhole cover goes into an open sewer? Where I live, the manhole cover leads down to enclosed pipes. Dumping directly into it would make things a mess for any workers who needed to fix anything down there.
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Old 08-15-2018, 12:29 AM   #15
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Do you know if that manhole cover goes into an open sewer? Where I live, the manhole cover leads down to enclosed pipes. Dumping directly into it would make things a mess for any workers who needed to fix anything down there.
Not only that, but if it IS an open sewer, it is very likely a storm sewer, not a sanitary sewer. Not at all the same thing.
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Old 08-15-2018, 12:40 AM   #16
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This won't help unless you have a macerator pump.
I too was thinking about a home dump. Then it occurred to me, there is a sewer manhole 3 feet from the end of my driveway. I changed the plastic hose end to a metal one (it has a smaller OD, but the same ID). I ground off the barbs and it fits into one of the manhole cover holes so I don't need to open the cover to dump. Now I'm a happy camper.
I briefly thought about that too! we live n a corner lot and the street along side our house dead-ends at the back of our property line (bicycle path behind) and there is a large drain manhole in the road right there!

However I think it could get kinda stinky, and I doubt very much you are allowed dumping waste in there, as I'm sure it is strictly a storm drain and as such totally separate from waste drains - so I gave up on that idea!

Brian.
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Old 08-15-2018, 05:30 AM   #17
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Thanks for all of the concern.
I would not be dumping into the manhole if I did not know it is a sewer, not a storm drain or utility access. I was there when my home was built and personally saw the pipes when they were unearthed and connected to. Also, the city services the sewer regularly and I have watched the process.
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Old 08-19-2018, 04:14 PM   #18
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Do you have a septic system? We had someone install a RV dump pipe into our septic line, when we had the class C to dump our waste at home just like the RV Park.
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Old 08-19-2018, 04:15 PM   #19
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If you know where the pipe is that leads to the sanitary sewer and its not too deep, it might be feasible to dig down and have a dump pipe added.

Have you done a thorough check for nearby dump stations? Truck stops, highway rest areas, trailer parks, municipal facilities...there may be other options. We don't have a convenient dump near us but there are ones at truck stops that we pass when returning to town and that is usually our last stop before home.
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Old 08-19-2018, 04:16 PM   #20
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Whether you pee or poop, The dumping issue/ need would be the same - based on what you said you want to do.. If you feel you have to dump pee you will most certainly have to dump the poop. What am I missing here? I’m going to assume you aren’t staying iat any campgrounds that have dumping stations otherwise this would be a non-issue. Dump before you go and don’t your “(?@9” with you. I guess I am missing something? We have a macerator pump and it works fine. Again I think I missing something?
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