Black tank size

[Crows Nest]

We only have 13 gallon black tank. I know that some people don’t have any issues with the small size but it’s a problem for us. We’ve been successful using a macerator to empty into shuttle in the bed of truck and driving it to the dump station (if available) and emptying with slinky from back of truck. It’s just time consuming going back and forth. So… thinking of additional tank adjacent to existing under the bench with it’s own outlet and vent pipe plumbed into existing one. Use macerator to transfer into auxiliary and drain it with slinky at dump station.

This could effectively double our black tank capacity. Any thoughts?

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Sounds like a lot of time and effort to spend plumbing to save some time and effort.
Your choice.

 

[Centex]

Use macerator to transfer into auxiliary

For transfer, the macerator is attached to the OE tank dump fitting, is that correct?

Would you install a garden hose fitting on the exterior of the trailer above the aux tank level to facilitate this (a 'fill port' fitting to receive the discharge from the macerator and direct it into the top of the aux tank)?

If yes, what happens to the waste in the portion of that macerator discharge line and macerator that's lower than the aux tank 'fill port' (the waste left between that 'fill port' and the macerator when a transfer is completed)?

Or maybe you have some other scheme for the transfer and cleanout of the lines / macerator upon completion of a transfer?

Just trying to imagine step-by-step how a 'transfer' works / avoiding unsanitary messes in that process.

 

[Crows Nest]

Currently we pump uphill to the shuttle in truck bed which is significantly higher than proposed inlet. Running the macerator dry for a couple of seconds completely drains the 15’ hose. The hose for the proposed scheme would be significantly shorter. The macerator also has a fitting for fresh water flow that would flush the system if needed.

 

[salmo7000]

Whew, that sounds like a lot of work. Maybe I'm not understanding exactly what you're proposing, but I'm not sure that major of an alteration is possible. Hopefully someone who is more knowledgeable than I am will chime in. Or you could ask ETI, but I'm guessing if it was possible they'd have already done it. One option to consider is swap out the toilet and install a composter instead. I wonder if anyone has done that?? You'd need to wire in something to run the fan and install an air vent, but it might be easier than doing what you're proposing, I don't know.

In the meantime, have you implemented space-saving measures?? I have a 19 (with the same 13-gallon black tank), and 2 of us can go for 10+ days boondocked. We do not put TP down the toilet and only limited pee. I start out every trip with a dose of Odorlos and a gallon of water into the tank, and that seems to keep everything liquified. But, the no TP thing is a critical part of this strategy.

We put it in a paper bag and burn it in the campfire every evening, so it's not a big deal to collect it.

Hope these suggestions are helpful!

 

[Centex]

IMO a 'lot of work' and 'return for effort' are very personal judgments. We all have different habits, priorities, wants, and needs.

Myself, I've done several mods involving lots of work / effort, based on the notion that the one-time effort at home pays me back by eliminating / reducing repeated efforts while camping that I find unattractive for various reasons. It's making camping as enjoyable as possible that takes priority.

Lots of careful consideration goes into it, so far, I've not regretted but in fact have appreciated those outside the box decisions / mods. If after time I learn I made a poor judgment, any of them can be restored as I imagine this tank mod could be.

@Crows Nest , I think it's great to get input from others to help ensure you're not missing anything or maybe get a better idea, you've certainly done that over several threads relating to your black-tank wants. But when you're comfortable that the plan is right for you, I say go for it!

Good Luck and Have Fun!

 

[Crows Nest]

Centex:
Thank you! I really appreciate your thoughtful comments. My motivation for posting is to get input about possible problems with my ideas. Hence, based on sound feedback from this forum, I have yet to move forward with the black tank issue. I think this one is worth it. I can get a ready-made 13 gallon tank for under $200 and can do the work by myself (with a little help from a friend). I’m also planning to install some kind of tank flush in both tanks.

Besides, none of our mods to date are done without the input of my partner. Everything so far has been successful.

Happy travels!

 

[7Gentex]

Interesting approach.....................following.

Seems there should be a "proper" way to add an additional black tank into the equation without the macerator transfer though....?

Seen this? On a E17, but.................

Linky

 

[Crows Nest]

Yes, I’ve seen that mod. Way too complicated for me.

 

[Thane-ESC]

I suggest you consider adding the ability to monitor the fluid level in the tank. I like to use a Flush King to clean my tanks and added an external tank monitor as discussed in the following post to keep track of fluids in all my tanks, including the additional tank noted above that was pretty complicated to install. A dedicated new-tank-only monitor would be much easier to install than the multiple tank monitor that I added.

Escape Trailer External Tank Monitor - Fiberglass RV

I added an external monitor to watch the water level in the tank while standing outside. This saves the running back and forth to monitor the tank levels while back filling and flushing my waste tanks

www.fiberglassrv.com

 

[Crows Nest]

We’re discussing the monitoring issue. Given the notorious unreliability of tank monitors we may just get a matching sized tank and know that we can transfer our full tank one time only. That’s probably enough capacity for us.