Black or Gray tank Smell in 2017 21; how to prevent?

[float5]

Well, stupid me, I just supposed that the pipe came out of the side of the tank. No wonder there's a problem.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by float5

Well, stupid me, I just supposed that the pipe came out of the side of the tank. No wonder there's a problem.

Well, it does come out of the side of the tank Cathy, but at the bottom. Otherwise, it would not drain. The bottom of the tank is slightly sloped towards the drain as well. The sketch I posted is just for the basic idea. Here's a photo of a typical black tank showing where the sewer pipe connects.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by float5

... I just supposed that the pipe came out of the side of the tank. No wonder there's a problem.

That's how the grey waste tank works (it drains out the side), but the black tank is on top of the floor, so the drain pipe under the floor should connect to the bottom of the tank... which is better for drainage, and both having more vertical drop and taking the waste out the bottom of the tank are reasons to have the black tank on top of the floor.

That pipe holds about a U.S. gallon for each yard of pipe length.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Here's a photo of a typical black tank showing where the sewer pipe connects.

That's a typical tank mounted against the bottom of an RV floor, with stepped sides to go over supporting bars... and of course it's shown upside-down. The Escape tanks don't have the stepped sides, because they sit on top of the floor (with the toilet mounted directly on top of the tank).

[float5]

I guess I need a photo of an actual tank that they use. There was one on the Friday photos but doubt the pipe could be seen.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by float5

I guess I need a photo of an actual tank that they use. There was one on the Friday photos but doubt the pipe could be seen.

I can't see the drain on ours when rinsing the tank, so I assume it's on the end of it at the bottom. Doesn't matter as long as it works.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by float5

I guess I need a photo of an actual tank that they use. There was one on the Friday photos but doubt the pipe could be seen.

One end of the black tank is visible in the area under the bed of a 21', and that's the end which would have any drain fitting (or not, if the fitting is on the bottom). The drain pipe is visible under the trailer (although presumably obscured by spray foam if you have that), so you can see where it goes through the floor. I think you can take your own photo...

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

I can't see the drain on ours when I am rinsing the tank, so I assume it's on the end of it at the bottom.

Or on the bottom of it at the (driver's side) end. Hopefully the distinction is clear... and now I am curious which it is.

[float5]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

One end of the black tank is visible in the area under the bed of a 21', and that's the end which would have any drain fitting (or not, if the fitting is on the bottom). The drain pipe is visible under the trailer (although presumably obscured by spray foam if you have that), so you can see where it goes through the floor. I think you can take your own photo...

I would but I am in Texas and the trailer is in Iowa. Maybe later. Yes, spray foam.

[Fox hunt]

So the water accumulates in the pipe and if you don't add enough water you have no water in the black tank correct?

[thoer]

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

So the water accumulates in the pipe and if you don't add enough water you have no water in the black tank correct?

Exactly

[fudge_brownie]

So is the recommended procedure to add 5-6 gallons of water before use?

[thoer]

Originally Posted by fudge_brownie

So is the recommended procedure to add 5-6 gallons of water before use?

After creating a miniature mountain in our black tank on our last outing, ,that is going to be my procedure! I think it also depends upon how long you are planning to stay in one place, before dumping.

[War Eagle]

Okay, so a picture is worth a thousand words and all that. So here are a couple photos from our 2017 21'. The drain pipe is 3" diameter. The stretch from the side of the tank to the center of the 90 degree elbow down is 18" The vertical piece is somewhere around 6" center of top elbow to center of bottom elbow (hard to measure). And the undercarriage piece (covered with foam insulation) is roughly 51" from center of elbow (I think) to the valve. I'll let an engineer calculate/estimate fluid volume of that length and contortion of 3" pipe. It appears the water in the top 18" pipe could easily slosh back into the tank - with the right encouragement.

[thoer]

Dale, thanks for taking the time for those!

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by float5

Well, stupid me, I just supposed that the pipe came out of the side of the tank. No wonder there's a problem.

My bad! I should have said "side of the tank, near the bottom."

[LoriH]

Jack and Nancy....don't go away!! 75 is young!
I think it was the heat that fried your brain. Relax, have some good wine, recoup and keep the trailer!

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, just think about traveling again in your new Escape 19, 2nd generation with all the neat upgrades, traveling to old places in a new camper puts a different perspective to things.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Okay, so a picture is worth a thousand words and all that. So here are a couple photos from our 2017 21'.

Excellent - thanks Dale!
It appears that because the toilet is on the curb side in the 21', and the tank is not long enough to reach the street side, Reace had to run the discharge pipe above the floor level to a point outboard of the frame, so it could then run rearward under the floor without having to go through or under the frame. This isn't necessary in the other models, which have the toilet (and thus black tank) on the street side.

Originally Posted by War Eagle

The drain pipe is 3" diameter. The stretch from the side of the tank to the center of the 90 degree elbow down is 18" The vertical piece is somewhere around 6" center of top elbow to center of bottom elbow (hard to measure). And the undercarriage piece (covered with foam insulation) is roughly 51" from center of elbow (I think) to the valve. I'll let an engineer calculate/estimate fluid volume of that length and contortion of 3" pipe. It appears the water in the top 18" pipe could easily slosh back into the tank - with the right encouragement.

So, roughly 75" of run, or 2 to 3 US gallons of pipe capacity... and less than two gallons before it starts appearing at the lowest level of the tank (which is not directly under the toilet).

If the 22 US gallon tank is about 8" deep, then to raise the level inside by an inch would take 2¾ gallons... so five gallons would fill the underfloor piping and put about an inch or more of water in the upper piping and tank.
(edit note - fixed the depth description)

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

... so five gallons would fill the piping and put about an inch of water in the tank.

Brian, I think that is the practical information interested parties were looking for. Thanks, Dale