Sanicon Tips

[ARD]

Looks like I’m a bit late to the game on this one—I had no idea you could use the gray tank to rinse the black tank! I gave it a shot, and it actually works. Now I need to test the dry camping method to see how well that works. My only concern is that once you open the black tank, it will immediately start draining into the hose. Has anyone tried this method yet?

 

[Neal]

Yep, I have this contraption which effectively puts a gate valve on the 3 inch output which blocks the output so the gray would be routed into the black. Something you could use as typically gray will be a problem far earlier than black so it allows you to transfer gray to black. The reason why most don't want to do this is risk of cross contamination of black into gray. I have a twist on Sani-con Turbo 400 which is removable. Not sure how this thing would work with those of you with the 700 series factory installed. I assume you still have a 3 inch output option.

Amazon.com

 

[Buster]

Interesting. I always wondered if this would would work.

I may have to look for a better cap for the end of the sanicon hose that would be more leak proof before trying the dry camping method. Also, probably best to open the grey valve first to fill the hose with "clean" water although I'm sure some level of black water will find it's way in until you can fully dump. Small price to pay to extend a day or two in a great area.

 

[Neal]

I failed to mention I have done this before. And it happens fast so be careful before you know it black is full especially if gray is higher capacity than black.

Open black and then open gray and the pressure from a full gray flows into black. Then close black and then close gray to prevent any backflow.

Good tip to know. Thanks @ARD for sharing.

 

[flyboy013]

I have electric gates valves installed as many others have also done. I’ve automated the tank dump process so that it effectively does this procedures. It …

- Opens black tank until it reads 0% for about 20 seconds
- Open gray tank until the level drops to 10% more than black tank
- Close gray tank and let black tank drain to 0% and then wait another 20 seconds to make sure it’s empty.
- Close black tank and open gray tank again and let it completely drain.

I don’t do the second rinse. I also don’t turn the Sanicon pump on. No real need as both toilets are macerators.

I find that with two people the tanks fill pretty evenly that I don’t usually need to transfer from gray to black when boondocking. I do have another gate valve after the Sanicon that would allow that.

 

[osuallen]

...... My only concern is that once you open the black tank, it will immediately start draining into the hose. Has anyone tried this method yet?

My DS has a isolation valve where the hose connects to the sanicon.

 

[lostinfla]

The older version of Sanicon with the 1" hose would work with this procedure, but the newer Turbo will let the waste just flow through. At least that's been my experience. That said, my current Sanicon Turbo was not factory installed, but is a simple twist on connection. I'm pretty sure you'll need some sort of cutoff valve as Neal mentioned.

 

[redbaron]

@ARD you have an isolation valve too. It’s buried at the back. Follow the sanicon hose and you will see the valve.

 

[NWIP]

since I don’t have an isolation valve what is its purpose

 

[Joe Hogan]

The isolation valve is, as its name implies , to isolate the item after the valve, the hose and end fixture, from the SaniCon body.
Using the isolation valve allows the operator to fully drain the hose of fluid and keep any fluids that may enter the SaniCon tanks from moving through the hose and through the end oriface, into the storage area.
As was described earlier in this thread by using this feature and isolating the dump hose, you can move fluids between waste tanks using gravity for various purposes.

 

[NWIP]

I understand what an isolation valve does, I am wondering why it was determined to add? It is an additional production cost. In earlier installations by Newmar with previous versions of Sanicon they installed units in a way that fluid was completely removed from the unit and caused issues. My Sanicon installation was done in production without isolating which started around 21 or 22, was this to prevent longer life of the Sanicon unit?

Anyone have insight

 

[Neal]

@NWIP - are you able to dump using the old 3 inch sewer hose system?

 

[NWIP]

@NWIP - are you able to dump using the old 3 inch sewer hose system?

Yes, I have a gate valve for discharge with the 3” hose. My setup is just like on @ARD 2022 just no isolation valve. I am thinking (maybe not correctly) that without isolation valve I have fluid sitting in the Sanicon in between dump events and the installation of the isolation valve was to prevent this

 

[Neal]

Someone should post some pics. I think the "isolation valve" is a 3rd gate that simply cuts off flow to Sani-con? Correct me if I'm wrong. Pics sure would help in this dialog.

 

[Joe Hogan]

If you look closely in the center of this picture there is a Valterra gate valve ie Isolation valve on the exit pipe of the SaniCon. Not easy to access and as you can see a very crowed space.

 

[Neemer]

@Joe Hogan posted a pic of his a little while ago. It caused me to look at mine and find that I don’t have one. It appears to prevent effluent from entering the sanicon discharge hose.

I attempted @ARD ’s method a while ago and failed since I had the sanicon hose connected to the sewer. However, I think I can achieve positive results if I disconnect from the sewer and cap the end of the sanicon hose. That should prevent anything from going into the sanicon hose, but that’s complicating things.

 

[redbaron]

Yes, I have a gate valve for discharge with the 3” hose. My setup is just like on @ARD 2022 just no isolation valve. I am thinking (maybe not correctly) that without isolation valve I have fluid sitting in the Sanicon in between dump events and the installation of the isolation valve was to prevent this

When I referred to isolation valve, I meant the gate valve for the smaller hose. The idea is that contents will mix within the sanicon box but not exit the system. With that valve closed it will allow the flow into black.

On units with the turbo 4/5/6xx they attach directly to the 3” outlet and will allow grey to flow out the hose before going into black. That is a problem that requires a gate valve between the sanicon and the dump outlet.

 

[ARD]

@ARD you have an isolation valve too. It’s buried at the back. Follow the sanicon hose and you will see the valve.

Thanks @redbaron! I know exactly where it is. I thought my sanicon was broken once as the valve was closed. Will give it a try.

 

[ARD]

As was described earlier in this thread by using this feature and isolating the dump hose, you can move fluids between waste tanks using gravity for various purposes.

I did not have to close any valves when I used the gray tank to rinse the black tank. I merely emptied my black tank, then opened the gray tank and watched the fluid move into the black tank. It happened gradually. I will try both methods using the gate valve @redbaron reminded me of and see what happens when the tanks fill up a bit.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

This technique of using gray to help wash out black tank has worked well for us, with or without having the sanicon hooked up.

Normally we do no have the sanicon hooked up, but just use the standard 3" hose.
In our coach, there is one sewer line existing the coach. The gray tank valve is furthest from the exit point and is slightly elevated from the black tank valve, which is very close to the exit.
We always dump black first, then with the hose still open and the black tank still open, we open the gray tank valve for about 3 seconds and the gray tank starts emptying quickly, so much so that a couple inches of gray water flow into the black tank (which is downhill from the gray). After that 3 seconds, we close the gray valve and since the black valve is still open, the black drains out that couple inches. Usually we can repeat this gray tank valve open/close sequence 4 or 5 times before we just keep it open to fully drain it.

Doing this results in the black tank being cleared of most of its contents - as verified by then using the traditional black tank flush and seeing almost nothing come out.

Great process to use gray water to keep black tank cleaner.