Question Grey tanks open

[Bob K4TAX]

Did you write the code for the graphical interface or is it a package that was modified for the application? And did you design and build the control system?

 

[ehochuli85]

Its a combination of my hobby & my real job. Some of my best work has been derived from a hobby, which in turns creates the funds to continue my hobby.

My hobby is drinking and napping, and when I retired, my hobby became my full-time job.

I agree with the "keep them closed until you dump" theory. I'll also say, the best $200 I ever spent was on Electronic Dump Valves, so dumping gray or black is just a matter of pushing a button inside the coach!

 

[FL-JOE]

I have always left the gray open if hooked up for several nights. I also create an elbow that holds water in my stinkyslinky so no gasses from the sewer system can back up into my tanks. In addition to that I NEVER screw my sewer connection into the ground connection at the park. If something would happen and their system would backup I want it to simply knock my connection off and not flood my gray tank.

 

[redbaron]

Did you write the code for the graphical interface or is it a package that was modified for the application? And did you design and build the control system?

I am using Home Assistant for coach automation.

I designed the hardware that uses RV-C standard commands to operate the barker valves.

I wrote the software that runs on the hardware. This device works with any RVC controller that understands Tank dump commands and status.

In addition, I developed a separate piece of hardware / software that replaces the functionality of the LR-125/My Rozie. It runs on RPI4, and takes all the RVC messages, and decodes them to MQTT. It also accepts MQTT commands to push messages back to the RVC bus.

This is the basis of my integration with Home Assistant. All of my sensors, switches, etc are MQTT entities.

This is my base application screen on my PC. It also works on tablet/ phones, etc.
When I leave the coach (ie: my phone leaves) it will automatically lock the cargo doors and entry door, arm the Blink Camera's, and lower the shades. It also automatically turns off the water supply outside if I have it armed.

When I return, it will automatically unlock, and raise the night shades if it is still daylight. If it is dark, it will automatically turn on the exterior lights, and all interior lights, while enabling the water supply again. It will also disable the blink camera system.

All of this automation is pure Home Assistant. Nothing special. Tons of integration options. The only thing special is my hardware and software to control RV-C to MQTT and to operate devices.

This is the environment page:

This is really only useful for coaches that have a true RV-C system. The KIB system would work, and I have added some KIB to MQTT status and command entities, but KIB is so darn picky and unstable that it requires sending a message multiple times in hope that it does not get lost. My family loves the RV-C component operations, but they do not like the KIB entities (at least not yet).

I am working on a way to improve reliability, but it may entail just replacing some of the KIB relays with Sonoff Relays.

I have already added shade controllers to the front day & night shades, as those are manual on my coach, where as every other shade is automated. I made the front cockpit part of the KIB "Living Room" group, so that it operates with that group. The only one I left separate was the door shade, as I don't want that down when we are going in and out of the coach.

 

["EZ"]

Reminds me of an episode of Big Bang Theory............... You computer Geeks are so cool. Love the technology.

 

[Rosy]

The other reason to leave the valve closed? I believe a friend of mine called them "sewer gnats".

 

[JRS]

Great info above. Keep it closed. It's so easy to dump and takes little time to complete. On the other hand one "active person" on this site has electronic/motorized valves which open and close with a click.....

 

[AbdRahim]

I am a believer in treating gray like I do black. I have spent a long time trying to find the balance of the perfect dump sequence.

This graph and data point shows my current process.

Basically, if the gray tank is 65% and black is below 50,then dump gray.

As we approach higher levels hold gray longer.

My rules never dump black below 85, and never let a tank exceed 95%.View attachment 13342View attachment 13343

Definitely suffering from engineeritis. Are you getting treatment?

 

[Gizmo]

We leave our gray tank closed except on laundry day we leave it open. I do know several full-timers that have macerating toleits that not only leave the gray tank open but also the black tank. Now if you have a drop toilet you need to keep the valves closed but these guys have been doing it full-time for years. They set the macerating toilets for the highest water level and one guy has had the same coach for over 8 years and has done since day one. Both of our toilets are macerating type but we old fashion and keep the tanks closed till dumping.