Change Location of Black Water Tank Flush Nozzle

[KirbyRVA]

The BW tank in my Solitude is leaking and will need to be replaced. Grand Design installed the back flush nozzle on the lower end of the tank just above the 3" dump outlet. The flush nozzle should be installed on the opposite (upper) end of the tank so the flushing water can sweep solids/paper toward the dump opening, not away from it. This explains why I can never really get the tank discharge to clear when I dump and back flush the tank.

My dealer will be ordering a new tank from GD sometime soon. I am asking someone at Grand Design to ensure my replacement tank has the back flush fitting mounted on the tank end opposite the discharge opening. I will happily provide the extra 1/2" tubing for the dealer tech.

[howson]

The BW tank in my Solitude is leaking and will need to be replaced. Grand Design installed the back flush nozzle on the lower end of the tank just above the 3" dump outlet. The flush nozzle should be installed on the opposite (upper) end of the tank so the flushing water can sweep solids/paper toward the dump opening, not away from it. This explains why I can never really get the tank discharge to clear when I dump and back flush the tank.

My dealer will be ordering a new tank from GD sometime soon. I am asking someone at Grand Design to ensure my replacement tank has the back flush fitting mounted on the tank end opposite the discharge opening. I will happily provide the extra 1/2" tubing for the dealer tech.

You might want to discuss this with Customer Service. GDRV-Megan -- do you agree? (Moving this back to the Plumbing Channel as it is not really a Product Suggestion...)

[howson]

GDRV-Megan -- for full understanding of this issue see this post and thread: https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...6197#post16197

Obvious feedback for the factory, too.

[GDRV-Megan]

You might want to discuss this with Customer Service. GDRV-Megan -- do you agree? (Moving this back to the Plumbing Channel as it is not really a Product Suggestion...)

I have reached out to Customer Service to look into this. Thanks!

KirbyRVA FYI - I'm hoping to have someone reach out to give you a call.

[KirbyRVA]

I have reached out to Customer Service to look into this. Thanks!

KirbyRVA FYI - I'm hoping to have someone reach out to give you a call.

Someone did call. Thanks.

[ckreef]

Someone did call. Thanks.

And what did they say?

[KirbyRVA]

And what did they say?

The gentleman just wanted to let me know they were aware of my request. He said after the Easter weekend he planned to confer with one of the engineers to see if they planned it that way. He offered a theory that the flush stream would hit the upper end of the tank and wash debris toward the drain. I suggested that might work if there was always good water pressure and the nozzle was designed to produce an adequate stream to do that. I also advised him that the three tank sensors are also mounted on the discharge end of the tank so the back flush nozzle had no chance of hitting those. I told him that I can lay under the tank with water going to the back flush and all I hear is a lazy stream of water and it certainly doesn't sound like it is hitting the upper end of the tank.

It was nice of him to call. I will be anxious to hear what their engineer says next week.

[ckreef]

The gentleman just wanted to let me know they were aware of my request. He said after the Easter weekend he planned to confer with one of the engineers to see if they planned it that way. He offered a theory that the flush stream would hit the upper end of the tank and wash debris toward the drain. I suggested that might work if there was always good water pressure and the nozzle was designed to produce an adequate stream to do that. I also advised him that the three tank sensors are also mounted on the discharge end of the tank so the back flush nozzle had no chance of hitting those. I told him that I can lay under the tank with water going to the back flush and all I hear is a lazy stream of water and it certainly doesn't sound like it is hitting the upper end of the tank.

It was nice of him to call. I will be anxious to hear what their engineer says next week.

At least they responded. Interested in hearing the final say. I agree with what you propose would work best..... But


From what I've watched on the internet - you need to close the black discharge valve then let the black flush water fill until the black tank is filling up. (I took that as at least 1/2 full. Then open and dump the black tank again. Keep doing this until the black tank runs clear.

[Tom in PGH]

I dump the tank, then meter in 20 gallons of water. I do that twice, then go down to 15 gallons, then10. By that time, it is usually running clear, so then I put in the chemicals, through the toilet and meter in 5 gallons of water.

[Cate&Rob]

KirbyRVA
The picture attached to post 5 of this discussion https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...-need-diagrams is taken through the 3" drain opening of a new tank waiting for assembly at the factory. It shows the flush nozzle on the far end of the tank (opposite the drain connection). This is probably obvious, but I just wanted to clarify.

Rob

[ThePowells]

So, between reading this thread along with the one referenced by Cate&Rob what is the "final consensus"? I have a very hard time getting a good flush from my black tank and have had to use hot water in the tank and also a power wand in through the vent tube aimed at the drain line in order to rearrange a clog that formed during a dump. My spray nozzle is mounted above the black tank discharge and the best I can see is not a whole lot of anything thru the vent hole. My best results have been from dumping hot water in thru the toilet four gallons at a time about every 10 minutes.

[Cate&Rob]

ThePowells

There seems to be considerable evidence that Grand Design sometimes puts the flush nozzle at the far end of the tank and sometimes puts it adjacent to the drain gate valve. I think that MeganGDRV-Megan is still working on providing input from Grand Design as to why this is.

I do think that wherever the flush nozzle is located, it's spray ability is a secondary measure to keeping the tank free of clogs. The "solution" to this (quite literally) is lots of water and little or no paper. I use the flush system primarily to refill the black tank with water after dumping. I put 10 gallons of water back into the black tank after dumping. It would not matter where the flush nozzle is for this step. Then, everything put into the toilet falls into a tank of water where it will dissolve before the next dump.

Rob

[Tom in PGH]

Why did you decide on 10 gallons? I generally put in 5, after putting the liquid chemical and a cup of Dawn and a cup of Calgon. I usually do this the night before we move, in hope that the Dawn and Calgon will be sloshing down the road and keeping the tank relatively clean after dumping.

Maybe I should increase to 10 gallons of water?

[Cate&Rob]

Why did you decide on 10 gallons? I generally put in 5, after putting the liquid chemical and a cup of Dawn and a cup of Calgon. I usually do this the night before we move, in hope that the Dawn and Calgon will be sloshing down the road and keeping the tank relatively clean after dumping.

Maybe I should increase to 10 gallons of water?

Hi Tom,

Most of our RV time is on an extended stay FHU “snowbird” site in Florida. 10 gallons seems to be the maximum that I can pre-fill the tank for a once-a-week dump. If we are travelling, I do reduce this to about 5 gallons, because travel agitates the tank contents, as you have noted. I do not use any treatments or additives.

Rob

[Tom in PGH]

Thanks.

Lovin out 303