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10-31-2016, 04:23 PM
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#1
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern VA, USA
Posts: 195
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Potty Talk: Rookie Question
Okay, we've had our '04 Roadtrek 190P for a couple of months - have done 5 weekend trips. So far, so good. One puzzler I have yet to figure out is: How come we can flush the toilet without running the water pump? Is there residual pressure in the line?
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10-31-2016, 07:00 PM
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#2
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: PHX, AZ
Posts: 2,660
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yes, the pump runs until it reaches a preset pressure- so when parked your lines are pressurized.
if when parked with no use of the water and the pump comes on periodically- that might indicate a leak somewhere.
when parking for any period of time I open the tap to relieve pressure from the lines.
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10-31-2016, 07:11 PM
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#3
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern VA, USA
Posts: 195
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Since the lines are pressurized and the pump is not running unless called for is there any reason not to leave it on all the time while camping?
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10-31-2016, 07:50 PM
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#4
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: PHX, AZ
Posts: 2,660
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only if your are afraid of a leak- which could empty your tanks and put water where you don;t want it.
i turn on the pump when using it, then turn it off.
we have had a couple of plumbing fittings shake loose on the road, so why chance it.
had the cold water to the galley sink get loose once Luckily we had a baking tray in the cabinet underneath...and had the drain get loose in the bathroom sink.
I tend to err on the side of caution in most things and my van is a 2006
Mike
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10-31-2016, 10:47 PM
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#5
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 124
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Yes, there's residual pressure in the lines, but I'm not sure you would get enough water to flush the toilet (though I've never tried it). You probably have an accumulator tank somewhere, like this one:
Shurflo Accumulator Tank - Shurflo 182-200 - Fresh Water Pumps - Camping World
William
2000C200P
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10-31-2016, 11:20 PM
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#6
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 5,967
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You'll get about a half flush is all and you may not have enough to refill the bowl to seal the valve. You need to turn on the pump. It is not that big a deal. No different than the light switch you turn on to use the bathroom.
__________________
Davydd
2021 Advanced RV 144 custom Sprinter
2015 Advanced RV Extended body Sprinter
2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinter
2005 Pleasure-way Plateau TS Sprinter
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10-31-2016, 11:26 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,426
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William may well be right. We have an accumulator, and we can do several short flushes before the pump comes on. Nice for nighttime flushes with a sleeping partner. it also makes the whole system a lot quieter and generally better-behaved. Recommended.
__________________
Now: 2022 Fully-custom buildout (Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD)
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (Sprinter 2500 T1N)
2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (Sprinter 3500 NCV3 I4)
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11-01-2016, 01:54 PM
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#8
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern VA, USA
Posts: 195
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Davydd
You'll get about a half flush is all and you may not have enough to refill the bowl to seal the valve. You need to turn on the pump. It is not that big a deal. No different than the light switch you turn on to use the bathroom.
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It's not a big deal but in our 190P the switch is on the other side of the privacy door - so a little inconvenient - to date though we've had no issues with running out of water to flush with.
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11-01-2016, 01:56 PM
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#9
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern VA, USA
Posts: 195
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkguitar
only if your are afraid of a leak- which could empty your tanks and put water where you don;t want it.
i turn on the pump when using it, then turn it off.
we have had a couple of plumbing fittings shake loose on the road, so why chance it.
had the cold water to the galley sink get loose once Luckily we had a baking tray in the cabinet underneath...and had the drain get loose in the bathroom sink.
I tend to err on the side of caution in most things and my van is a 2006
Mike
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I had thought folks didn't leave the pump on due to not wanting to drain the battery but this appears to not be the issue as it only uses battery when called for - right?
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11-01-2016, 02:27 PM
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#10
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ID AZ
Posts: 867
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ManWonder
I had thought folks didn't leave the pump on due to not wanting to drain the battery but this appears to not be the issue as it only uses battery when called for - right?
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That is correct.
__________________
2006 Dynamax Isata 250 Touring Sedan
"Il Travato Rosso"
2015 Travato 59g
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11-04-2016, 01:31 PM
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#11
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern VA, USA
Posts: 195
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One more thing on this subject of using the toilet... I have decided to go ahead and drain my tanks in preparation for the winter. But I still plan on using the RV every weekend possible. Am I correct to think it will be okay to urinate in the toilet followed by a splash of RV antifreeze?
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11-04-2016, 01:50 PM
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#12
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,380
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ManWonder
One more thing on this subject of using the toilet... I have decided to go ahead and drain my tanks in preparation for the winter. But I still plan on using the RV every weekend possible. Am I correct to think it will be okay to urinate in the toilet followed by a splash of RV antifreeze?
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As long as use antifreeze to flush you are fine but maybe more than a splash. Not sure how much you can dilute the antifreeze and still get freeze protection...
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11-04-2016, 02:02 PM
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#13
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Platinum Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: East
Posts: 2,483
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ManWonder
One more thing on this subject of using the toilet... I have decided to go ahead and drain my tanks in preparation for the winter. But I still plan on using the RV every weekend possible. Am I correct to think it will be okay to urinate in the toilet followed by a splash of RV antifreeze?
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What do you mean by "draining the tank"?
Not trying to be picky... draining is not winterizing.
There might be water trapped in the pipes, which can freeze and crack your pipes. You need to flush it with RV antifreeze until you can see pink coming out.
Regarding peeing... what do you plan to do with the urine? Keep it there until next year?  You might as well bring a bucket if you are so intended.
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11-04-2016, 02:11 PM
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#14
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,380
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BBQ
What do you mean by "draining the tank"?
Regarding peeing... what do you plan to do with the urine? Keep it there until next year? You might as well bring a bucket if you are so intended.
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With the black tank having just liquids with a majority being antifreeze I guess you could dump it after ever trip or let it sit until it fills up and then dump it. Throw in some tank treatment if you find it smells.
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11-04-2016, 02:14 PM
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#15
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,380
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Another option is to use the Walmart version of wag bags placed in the toilet which allows you to avoid flushing altogether and doing all your business not just liquids...
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11-04-2016, 02:17 PM
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#16
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Platinum Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: East
Posts: 2,483
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gregmchugh
With the black tank having just liquids with a majority being antifreeze I guess you could dump it after ever trip or let it sit until it fills up and then dump it. Throw in some tank treatment if you find it smells.
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... but where do you dump it?
Most of the dump stations are closed in the north starting late fall.
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11-04-2016, 02:27 PM
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#17
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern VA, USA
Posts: 195
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BBQ
What do you mean by "draining the tank"?
Not trying to be picky... draining is not winterizing.
There might be water trapped in the pipes, which can freeze and crack your pipes. You need to flush it with RV antifreeze until you can see pink coming out.
Regarding peeing... what do you plan to do with the urine? Keep it there until next year? You might as well bring a bucket if you are so intended.
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I am in the process of winterizing... dumped the tanks last weekend and will drain the pipes, blow out any left over water and run antifreeze through the system some time soon.
I reckon with the little amount of liquid that would be going in the tank, it should be fine for a few months. We're only planning on using it for the "middle of the night" runs.
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11-04-2016, 02:52 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,426
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FWIW, the freezing point of urine appears to be approximately 21ºF:
https://icaspar.net/everything-you-n...-freezing-pee/
__________________
Now: 2022 Fully-custom buildout (Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD)
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (Sprinter 2500 T1N)
2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (Sprinter 3500 NCV3 I4)
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11-04-2016, 03:08 PM
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#19
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,380
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BBQ
... but where do you dump it?
Most of the dump stations are closed in the north starting late fall.
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I've never checked but it is possible that dump stations at RV dealers, truck stops, etc. are open all winter even after campgrounds are closed...
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11-04-2016, 05:28 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,426
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gregmchugh
I've never checked but it is possible that dump stations at RV dealers, truck stops, etc. are open all winter even after campgrounds are closed...
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And, of course, there is probably a sewer washout in your yard. Or, a toilet if you have a macerator and a long hose.
Honestly, I have never had a big problem finding wintertime dump stations. Year-round campgrounds, highway rest areas, truck stops...
__________________
Now: 2022 Fully-custom buildout (Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD)
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (Sprinter 2500 T1N)
2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (Sprinter 3500 NCV3 I4)
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