Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 11-21-2013, 11:13 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
enthe0gen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Denver, Co
Posts: 31
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: 3800
Engine: IH DT466e
Rated Cap: 65
Let's talk dirty - as in Black and Grey water tanks....



Now that i have your attention.....

I am in the process of designing my plumbing system for my skoolie.I've read a few articles about using a combo black/grey tank, since grey water has to be dumped in approved locations in most areas nowadays. Would there be any disadvantages or reasons not to do this? It seems like this would save me $200 or more for the extra storage tank and the hassle plumbing it all together.

I am planning on installing a toilet that is mounted directly over the black water tank (for easy plumbing), and then running my drain from the sink into the combo black/grey storage tank. The only draw back i can think of to this scenario would be the need to purchase a larger tank, since it needs to do double duty (get it!). I'm thinking of using a 40 or 50 gallon tank to accomplish this - would this be big enough for 4 to 6 adults to use boondocking for 3-4 days?

Do any of you have a similar setup? Can anyone think of a reason NOT to do this? As always, your help and suggestions are appreciated.

__________________
"In the universe, either we are alone or we are not. Either possibility is terrifying." - Arthur C. Clark
enthe0gen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2013, 12:51 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: Let's talk dirty - as in Black and Grey water tanks....

as long as no showers are taken, it might be enough
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2013, 03:25 PM   #3
Bus Geek
 
turf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,536
Year: 1993
Coachwork: bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins, Allison AT1545
Rated Cap: 2
Re: Let's talk dirty - as in Black and Grey water tanks....

my setup is similar(45 gallon waste combo) and i was planning on 2 people/3days
__________________
.
Turfmobile Build Thread
turf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2013, 04:18 PM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
enthe0gen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Denver, Co
Posts: 31
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: 3800
Engine: IH DT466e
Rated Cap: 65
Re: Let's talk dirty - as in Black and Grey water tanks....

Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
as long as no showers are taken, it might be enough
I am planning on having an outside solar shower for most outings. I guess we'll see!
__________________
"In the universe, either we are alone or we are not. Either possibility is terrifying." - Arthur C. Clark
enthe0gen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2013, 04:35 PM   #5
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: Let's talk dirty - as in Black and Grey water tanks....

That is what I started with, 2 solar showers and a shower/pottie tent

I plan to use a regular toilet "de-tuned" for water use, so I figured high at 5 gallons of toilet waste for 2 people and a couple inches/gallons of water; so paper and stuff doesn't just ...ugh... stick and harden, so that's about 50 gallons a week(I know it's high better than low)

after dump I plan to add water (fresh would be best, no proteins from grey cooking, washing etc water to stink up the black tank), and this will coat bottom of black tack to help control "stacking")

and for grey, it depends a lot on what we doing? I figure a gallon per night to cook with (pasta, steamed veggies and shell fish etc)

and dish washing 3 or 5 gallons (pure guess) so 50 gallons plus showers etc.

Now so far 90% of our camping has been at FHU sites with bath houses (that is why bath area is so low on the list) I know a lot of folks just pour out strained cooking water so...no discussion on that )

So it will depends on how you dispose of water, dry camping with a crate under your shower tent is fine in a lot of places...others it is frowned on


So figure out what you think you will need and go a little bigger
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2013, 06:25 PM   #6
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Let's talk dirty - as in Black and Grey water tanks....

Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
That is what I started with, 2 solar showers and a shower/pottie tent

I plan to use a regular toilet "de-tuned" for water use

Let me know how de-tuning that toilet works out for you. A gallon per flush is about as low as I seem to be able to get to work.

However there are porcelain RV toilets that use 1\4 as much water for around $200. Here a low flush regular toilet cost's $100, so the RV one is only twice the price.

http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/US ... taid=91878


Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."

Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
nat_ster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2013, 09:42 PM   #7
Bus Nut
 
syke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: from: Prescott, AZ currently: Denver, CO
Posts: 469
Year: 1992
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: All American RE
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Let's talk dirty - as in Black and Grey water tanks....

We used that exact toilet. Works great and a fraction of the water usage.
__________________
Ryan
Bluebird All American RE: Great White Buffalo (gone but not forgotten)
Our build thread: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10065
syke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2013, 10:14 AM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
Diesel Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,489
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/AT545
Re: Let's talk dirty - as in Black and Grey water tanks....

Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
...I plan to use a regular toilet "de-tuned" for water use...
I've been wondering about regular household toilets in an RV. Are you at all concerned about the water that remains in the bowl sloshing out when driving?
__________________
Gallery:
https://www.skoolie.net/gallery/v/Skooli ... l_dan_bus/
Conversion Thread:
viewtopic.php?t=4959
Diesel Dan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2013, 12:26 PM   #9
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: Let's talk dirty - as in Black and Grey water tanks....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel Dan
Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
...I plan to use a regular toilet "de-tuned" for water use...
I've been wondering about regular household toilets in an RV. Are you at all concerned about the water that remains in the bowl sloshing out when driving?
I don't think that will be an issue, Most of the time we have a drink or two "just laying around" unless I hit brakes hard they don't really move

I did see were someone had cut a plunger handle down and set it in the bowl(round bellow type) it controlled the slosh, we will have to see
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
help on black water and grey water hookups heath692 Plumbing, Water and Waste 8 04-18-2015 06:57 PM
Need thru tank fittings!! for black water tanks ddpartybus Conversion General Discussions 5 04-18-2015 03:56 PM
Fresh, grey, and black water tank size. what do you have? Jerry Campbell Plumbing, Water and Waste 3 10-31-2008 10:56 AM
benefit of having a separate black and grey water tanks? Roasting8 Conversion General Discussions 0 10-28-2008 04:53 AM
grey water tanks bocephus Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 1 12-23-2005 12:21 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:46 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.