Happy Camper tank treatment - Testing fail

[Neal]

@redbaron you need to poop in your peanut butter jar and try your experiment again.

You sir are disgusting!

 

[MapNerd]

I do agree with TJ though, it’s supposed to speed up the organic breakdown process. So a one-day test probably isn’t sufficient. To go real world on it, I’d probably get two pickle jars, glove up, dump a little grey into one, a little black into the other, treat, cap and then dump my tanks.

Then, let the jars sit in my wetbay sealed until the next time I dumped my tanks. To me, That would be a better representation of what your tanks looked like inside, though your tanks would probably be slightly worse as you would have been adding to them over time.

 

[MapNerd]

You sir are disgusting!

You don’t know the half of it

 

[MapNerd]

I nominate you to tackle this one..

I’m not quite as inquisitive as you, good sir. Stinky stuff went down the hole is all I need to know.

 

[AbdRahim]

@redbaron no double blind study?

placebo controlled even. I think several hundred specimens would be needed.

Actually, I don't have half the experience of most of you. However in the last five years in 3 RV's I have tried Several different chemical, Thetford, Blue Power, Happy Camper, Dawn, Cascade, the geo method, etc. Now I do not poop in my tank unless absolutely necessary.

In the RVs with sensors inside the tanks, it was very difficult to keep the sensors clean and reading accurately. I found Dawn to be the most effective agent. 1/2 cup in 1/3 tank of water at the end of a month sitting, and drive 50-100 miles. The cleaned the tank nearly 100% of the time. Next trip, dump and rinse. Voila! This is the only thing that seemed to keep the tank clean. When I took the previous one back to the factory for other repairs I had them address the non functioning (dirty) sensors. When I got it back they worked perfectly. When I ask what they did, they replied Dawn and 100 miles.

Now as far as odor goes, unfortunately, my urine is pretty stinky - love that garlic, etc. I now put a few thin lines of Dawn around the bowl on occasion, and use normally. Also, I have been experimenting with spraying the bowl on occasion, (a several of per tankful, with a solution of PineSol and water (~1:8). This is my universal cleaning solution.

Sometimes I add a little Blue Power if I notice a little odor - I like the bubble gum scent. This is very seldom. The large bottle lasts several seasons.

Needing real proof of efficacy, my toilet now passes the ultimate test. Open flush valve and get real close and sniff. I am happy to report no odor. My holding tanks are dumped every 3-5 days depending on water usage.

Also, no struvite, which I did see using the chemicals.

 

[redbaron]

I am going to do a 7 day peanut butter test once I finish this next jar off. That is about as far as I will go with this.

 

[sheridany]

@Neal both or either or? and How much do you put in?

I personally believe Cascade or Dawn are better for cleaning,

 

[Neal]

I mix them up. I'll put in Dawn and then go drive to the next campground and when full drain the tank. Other times I'll put in Cascade, do the same after recently dumping the tanks then drive and let it fill then drain. I do both black and gray. Remember this is going into a 40+ gallon tank so I'd say I'm putting about 2-3oz in. Not excessive. I don't need bubbles filling the coach while driving I know @MapNerd listens to Lawrence Welk while driving and may enjoy the bubbles.

 

[MapNerd]

I mix them up. I'll put in Dawn and then go drive to the next campground and when full drain the tank. Other times I'll put in Cascade, do the same after recently dumping the tanks then drive and let it fill then drain. I do both black and gray. Remember this is going into a 40+ gallon tank so I'd say I'm putting about 2-3oz in. Not excessive. I don't need bubbles filling the coach while driving I know @MapNerd listens to Lawrence Welk while driving and may enjoy the bubbles.

I listen to Bob Ross episodes. Bubbles are just happy little accidents.

 

[AbdRahim]

I can't believe you have seen bubbles . You are not supposed to use the entire bottle.

By the way too much Dawn dries out the seals on the dump valves. A little food grease is good for these.
I lubricate them periodically with WD40 SILICONE.

Bubbles. I just don't know.

 

[Neal]

I can't believe you have seen bubbles . You are not supposed to use the entire bottle.

By the way too much Dawn dries out the seals on the dump valves. A little food grease is good for these.
I lubricate them periodically with WD40 SILICONE.

Bubbles. I just don't know.

If you're not getting bubbles while driving you're not putting enough in!

 

[ARD]

Ok, I am going to repeat with a 7 day test and larger dose.

I will also do another with nothing but water for same time, and a 3rd with @Neal's idea of Cascade/Dawn...I am very curious now.

Now, I'm curious. Can't wait to hear about the outcome.

 

[sheridany]

I am going to listen to Don Ho when I try this.

Tiny bubbles (tiny bubbles)
In the wine (in the wine)
Make me happy (make me happy)
Make me feel fine (make me feel fine)
Tiny bubbles (tiny bubbles)
Make me warm all over
With a feeling that I'm gonna
Love you till the end of time

 

[VTPete]

This thread made me curious, so I tried a strictly observational study with no controls or any scientific method whatsoever. Our Papillion was a bit of my inspiration for trying a better test.
I took a couple large mouthed 16 oz water bottles and added a few sq of toilet paper in each with about 4 oz of water. In one bottle I added maybe 1/8 scoop of Happy Camper, (HC). I let them sit for a couple hours and observed no difference. Later I added 4-6 oz. of water to the HC bottle and a few oz. of dog poop. I gave the bottle 2 firm shakes to simulate a flushing action, and let it sit a few hours. In the bottle without HC, I did the same. There was no distinguishable difference between the bottles. Sorry, I didn't have the motivation to perform an odor test!

HC is expensive. I'm not sure it's worth the investment vs just using odor control, like Camco TST Ultra from Walmart. It's pretty cheap and super easy. I just can't see that HC is doing any additional work to break down the solids vs plain old water. Or maybe Dawn or Cascade is sufficient vs TST to save even more.

 

[redbaron]

My pb test failed so far. I used 1/4 scoop.

The control with dawn did much better on pb, causing it to slide down and collect on bottom. Didn't dissolve, but did a great job cleaning sidewalls.

I wonder if my batch of hc, which I purchased just recently is inert?

 

[Neal]

I wonder if my batch of hc, which I purchased just recently is inert?

I have a hunch it's inert by design, it's a gimmick. I'd also suggest those treating an odor, have you experienced an odor and does adding anything correct it? Many are adding something to treat a problem that doesn't exist, i.e. properly ventilated system shouldn't have an odor in the house. Also be sure to keep all sinks "wet" so p-traps have water in them to block air coming up a pipe, same as in a S&B. I have to deliberately use my half bath sink to do just this as it's not one I typically use.

 

[redbaron]

I agree. Like I said earlier, never had a problem with smells, clogs, or any other issues. I bought this thinking it was doing something to help maintain.

It is a gimmick. Thankfully I purchased on Amazon, and will be returning with a link to my testing.

 

[ARD]

I agree. Like I said earlier, never had a problem with smells, clogs, or any other issues. I bought this thinking it was doing something to help maintain.

It is a gimmick. Thankfully I purchased on Amazon, and will be returning with a link to my testing.

Well I guess I won't be wasting money on HC from now on.