I was hoping that there were others out there that would chime in on this subject. I suspect that most PC owners do not spend much time away from the pedestal. It appears there is not much interest in this subject.
I’m sure somewhere it has been posted as to what happens when you do not manage your waste waters, but it might help to review the potential situations.
These are my experiences over the years with several RV’s, this is not PC specific, but it applies.
Our primary use is to spend as much time away from the pedestal as possible. The only two limiting factors, for us, are the time we can devote to a trip, and potable water.
Potable water needs to go somewhere, black or grey, until you can find an appropriate place to dump. So this means you have to have tank capacity, and the ability to get the waste there. Hence Sailor 35 question What is the best procedure?
On many RV models, like the PC 2350, and other PC models, the waste tank capacities require you have a plan. What happens when your grey tank gets full? Generally it will back up into the shower, it has to go somewhere. If you are taking a shower and it backs up, you are instantly reminded of everything you have put down the kitchen sink because it is floating around your ankles. Another experience with a full grey tank will have you mopping up the shower, and sometimes the floor in the bathroom area when waste water sloshes out of the shower drain pan driving down a windy road. Both situations can be avoided, but they have to be managed.
This is why I respectively disagree with JaTrax comment comparing a house sewer, or house septic system to an Rv system, as being the same.. Sewer and septic are what I would describe as an OPEN system, meaning basically it all runs downhill until its gone, versus an Rv system that I would call a Closed system, that needs to be managed, and doesn’t run anywhere except to a tank, shower, sink, etc. unless you are Hooked to a sewer with open lines.
RV builders have made a point, for decades, of seperating the grey from the black, my experience is limited but I have never heard of any Manufacturer(except PC) suggest comingleing grey waste water with black, being acceptable. This is the process Ron has described above.
If you have two tanks both with fluids and open valves connecting them, anything can happen.
So, what it comes down to is a choice, like so many in life, what is the gain, and what does it cost? From what I can determine, relying on Ron’s posts, gravity blending the tanks will allow you to dump your grey tank 1x into the black tank. On a 2350 with a +/- 23 gal grey tank, I suspect that will amount to maybe 18 gals. I’m taking into consideration you do not ever want to fill your grey tank full to start with, and with this gravity equalization process you will never want to completely drain the grey tank. I think 18 gals would be generous based on the fact you will be guessing as to when to shut the grey tank off, and that is critical. The gain 18 gals. The cost, in my mind is potentially contaminating my grey system, with black waste.
For me, I have problems dealing with peas floating around in my shower, I know I don’t want any chance of TP. So the gravity, equalization transfer of 18gals from the grey tank to black tank will Never happen for me.
I will be the first to acknowledge, these are probably extreme ends of the spectrum. But, this is reality, and something that can happen, and something you should be aware of so you can make an informed decision.
I will be carrying extra potable water ,beyond the factory supplied capacities, and needing to fill every possible place I can find with waste water.
Which brings me back to the original question, what is the best procedure?
Doug
