Roy & Ann Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 I have been using the Happy Camper Extreme ever since I had the Seelevel gauge installed. Whenever the gray or black tank starts reading eradicate I use the Happy Camper Extreme. It seems it is no longer available. According to the Facebook page, they no longer make it. I use the standard Happy Camper with every tank full to break down the solids and keep the odor down. It works well for that, but not to clean the inside of the tank. Anyone know of a product which will clean the inside surface of the tanks? Quote 2005 New Horizons 36ft 5th/upgrades-Generator, Disk Brakes, Solar Package, Inverter. and more2008 Ford F450 crew cab DRW K3ROYhttp://www.roanontheroad.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Water. All you ever need to use is ample water Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_ Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 (edited) We used DHMO or Hydric acid- MSDS HERE, HEED WARNINGS AND AVOID BREATHING VAPOR AND PROLONGED CONTACT IN SOLID FORM . MSDS: http://www.dhmo.org/msdsdhmo.html Do not mix with chemicals it is reactive with as explosions, fires, and burns are likely with some lethal. Used alone it is considered a universal solvent when used properly. It's available at most RV parks if you are willing to pay for it. It works! Safe travels! Edited February 18, 2020 by RV_ Quote RV/Derekhttp://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.Retired AF 1971-1998 When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Barbaraok said: Water. All you ever need to use is ample water In case you don't know, Barb is a chemist. I trust her completely when it comes to this type of question. Yes, you can use other chemicals but why would you when water does the job without the potential of causing damage to you or your tanks? Linda Sand Quote Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 1 hour ago, RV_ said: We used DHMO or Hydric acid- MSDS HERE, HEED WARNINGS AND AVOID BREATHING VAPOR AND PROLONGED CONTACT IN SOLID FORM . MSDS: http://www.dhmo.org/msdsdhmo.html Do not mix with chemicals it is reactive with as explosions, fires, and burns are likely with some lethal. Used alone it is considered a universal solvent when used properly. It's available at most RV parks if you are willing to pay for it. It works! Safe travels! It is pretty dangerous stuff Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_ Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Here is the website for DHMO research: http://www.dhmo.org/ Quote RV/Derekhttp://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.Retired AF 1971-1998 When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Why use chemicals when plain water does the job? Why do you need a spotless tank? You're just going to dirty it back up immediately. We've RV'd for 50+ years and water did the trick... never any stoppages..... never any smells. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_ Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 (edited) I was a Medical Lab Technologist for several years after five years as a medic and scrub tech, as well as sterile supply running the autoclaves before disposables, among other things, and we had to know the organic chemistry which includes poop and pee. We used dangerous chemicals and reagents daily including isolation of dangerous pathogens and tissues. We used a lot of hydric acid (DHMO) daily. I crosstrained out of medical fields in the Air Force after I found a better way to draw blood with no aids risk . . . the M-16! and taught them, shot all the ground weapons daily for my last twenty years of my 27 years in the AF, which includes a five year break in service for college, (LSU, when I was also in AFRES. My Industrial Engineering degree came in handy for all of it. DHMO is best for human excrement dissolution of organic as well as many inorganics. Edited February 19, 2020 by RV_ Quote RV/Derekhttp://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.Retired AF 1971-1998 When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Like Barb, we only use generous amounts of water when we flush and no chemicals of any kind, but because I do know that there is often some residue left behind on the walls and sides of the waste tanks, I do like to do some preventive removal of that material and have found a pretty easy way of doing so. Once a month or so when traveling and just before we store our trailer for a period of not using it, we fill the tanks about half full of water and then add a generous amount of cold water laundry detergent, just before we will be traveling for several hours. I then dump the tanks as soon as we arrive at the end of that trip. I really doubt that there is any need for the cleaning but it does make us feel better. 😊 We stopped using waste tank chemicals more than 15 years ago while we were fulltime. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 35 minutes ago, RV_ said: We used a lot of hydric acid (DHMO) daily. Do you think you've about beaten this bit of hilarity to death? Quote Mark & Teri 2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350 Mark & Teri's Travels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, RV_ said: We used DHMO or Hydric acid- MSDS HERE, HEED WARNINGS AND AVOID BREATHING VAPOR AND PROLONGED CONTACT IN SOLID FORM . MSDS: http://www.dhmo.org/msdsdhmo.html Do not mix with chemicals it is reactive with as explosions, fires, and burns are likely with some lethal. Used alone it is considered a universal solvent when used properly. It's available at most RV parks if you are willing to pay for it. It works! Safe travels! Too much of that stuff will kill a human. Edited February 19, 2020 by Ray,IN Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_ Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Yeppers Ray! Quote RV/Derekhttp://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.Retired AF 1971-1998 When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Since we boondocked a lot we often dumped our soapy dishwater into the toilet. Naturally, we had to drive to get to a dump station so we figured the soapy water cut down on some of the 'wall' stuff. That.... and water .... works. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 10 hours ago, Ray,IN said: Too much of that stuff will kill a human. I suspect that it is bad for a septic system too. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 58 minutes ago, Kirk W said: I suspect that it is bad for a septic system too. But a septic system will not function at all without it... Quote Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy & Ann Posted February 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Thanks for your all your reply's. The problem, now is the gray tank, so lots of water is not the answer. I am not a chemist, so I don't feel qualified to use things that could kill me if I breath them or could blow up. Quote 2005 New Horizons 36ft 5th/upgrades-Generator, Disk Brakes, Solar Package, Inverter. and more2008 Ford F450 crew cab DRW K3ROYhttp://www.roanontheroad.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 In case anyone is still confused about "DHMO", the chemical symbol for DiHydrogen MonOxide is "H2O", commonly known as "water"... Quote Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 1 hour ago, Roy & Ann said: Thanks for your all your reply's. The problem, now is the gray tank, so lots of water is not the answer. I am not a chemist, so I don't feel qualified to use things that could kill me if I breath them or could blow up. Sorry we sidetracked your questions, it's the fun side of us I think. Back to your questions. I think most folks use liquid dish-washer soap in the both black and gray tank to remove grease and gunk. I do the same as others have stated they do for their black tank, allow it to fill ~ 1/2 way and add liquid diswasher detergent (some folks have used premixed water and Spic N Span) before beginning the days drive. I only do that once a year and our 20 yr old liquid level gauges read as designed. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 2 hours ago, Roy & Ann said: Thanks for your all your reply's. The problem, now is the gray tank, so lots of water is not the answer. I am not a chemist, so I don't feel qualified to use things that could kill me if I breath them or could blow up. Is the problem the grey tank not draining or smells from the grey tank (which can be as baad as the black tank). I routinely put baking soda in all drains to help buffer the water and 'sweeten' the pipes. Might be a vent problem (we put rotating tops on both the black and grey tank vents) or build up of grease in a pipe (do you pour boiling water down kitchen sink (draining pasta) on a routine basis - if not, do so. Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy & Ann Posted February 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 (edited) Barbaraok: Both tanks drain and work fine. The problem is the the SeeLevel gauge does not read correctly on the gray tank. I have had this problem in the past because of buildup on the inner wall of the tank. The sensor which is on the outside of the tank, cannot read properly. I have used Happy Camper Extreme in the past and it worked. The product is not made anymore, so I am looking for something to clean the inside walls of the tank. Edited February 19, 2020 by Roy & Ann Quote 2005 New Horizons 36ft 5th/upgrades-Generator, Disk Brakes, Solar Package, Inverter. and more2008 Ford F450 crew cab DRW K3ROYhttp://www.roanontheroad.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 I haven’t relied on waste tank gauges in 13 years. Dump black when it burps, dump grey after black or 7 days if using lots of water. You quickly learn how long you can go between dumps. Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbh Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 I use this stuff https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T3BXP3X/?coliid=I1SM45FJ7E21N9&colid=XYN4Z4HQXODB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it to replace Happy Camper in warm weather because Happy Camper is insufficient. Although not sold as a sensor cleaner it may work. I do note, however, that the same company sells a sensor cleaner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T3BXP3X/?coliid=I1SM45FJ7E21N9&colid=XYN4Z4HQXODB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it I don't know anything about it but I'd be inclined to give it a try. Maybe filling the tank 1/3 or so plus a big glug of Calgon and Dawn on travel day would help. I suspect you're getting a calcium "soap scum" buildup. Quote -C&J- CG reviews & more - www.fugawetribe.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 JBH, if you are getting odor in your rig then you need to look at the toilet seal and/or tank vents. Yes, in warm weather you will get a whiff when flushing, which means your black tank has bacteria working on the biomass, which is good. But you should smell it in your rig if everything is working as it should. Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Be sure your dishwashing liquid is NOT antibacterial. You want bacteria to dissolve things. That why most of us use blue Dawn. It works even in cold water. Linda Sand Quote Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 I don't think RVers have enough time before dumping for bacteria to really work as one hopes. Some use Rid-X for that purpose but again, we dump to fast. OP: Regarding your gauges.... they are notorious for not working all the time. As Barb said, you can really get an accurate 'feel' for when the tanks are full by making note of your own use. Good luck! Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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