A Sunline colonoscopy (You really didn't want pics.. Did you?)

EMD_Driver · 06-13-2011, 03:52 PM

When we were getting things ready for Buttonwood, I found that our black tank had a leak. The leak is coming from the top of the tank, but there was no way I could see it. The only possibility I had, was to drop the tank. Since the tank doesn't leak until full, I decided to put the repair off until sometime after Buttonwood.

Bill (Trailblazer) let me know that he has an inspection camera and would be willing to bring it to the M&G.... Great!

I really didn't want to "Dive in" to the black tank yet, but figured I had better get it over with. Bill brought the camera over and we got to work. I removed 15-20 of the underbelly screws, but we were unable to get the tip of the camera to a spot that would work. After getting all the underbelly screws back in, Bill asked if we might go in from the dump valve. I couldn't believe he was willing to put the camera up "There"!!

We got the camera in and up the pipe, as far as we could. About the only thing we could see, was that the tank had a layer of crud on the bottom.

After another failed attempt, Bill suggested going down "There" through the toilet. After turning off the water, we got to work. We could only get the camera to the top of the tank, but that was as far as we needed to go. Bill found a hole, just below the fitting at the top of the tank. It almost looked as if perhaps the tank inlet has split from the tank.

After thinking about a plan of attack, the decision was made that I need a new tool! Sweet!! Bill suggested going through the basement floor, with an oscillating saw:

Once I cut out the area, I can easily repair the fitting and easily repair the hole.

The prognosis for Sunny is a good one. It might be a couple of weeks, before I can get to the repair, but Sunny is strong and is willing to live with the injury until I can get it fixed.

**JohnB** · 06-14-2011, 05:44 AM

OK where's the pics? Or is this a test to see if we are looking....

BTW the new tool, Cool! I ended up with the same one fixing the rotted slide floor. Amazing thing what a lot of buzz can do....

John

EMD_Driver · 06-14-2011, 04:03 PM

We did not get any pics John. Kitty's camera had gotten wet, from being left on the golf cart during a thunderstorm.

You really did not want any, did you??

Trailblazer · 06-14-2011, 06:50 PM

Yeah, as Gary said, no pic's sorry. Besides the issue with Kitty's camera, really no one really wanted to get too close to Gary and I when we were holding the long probe, especially seeing what we were doing with it.

Gary, glad I was able to help find the problem. On a side note, how did the Happy Camper power work out. Did it eliminate the odors from the black tank?

EMD_Driver · 06-14-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailblazer

Gary, glad I was able to help find the problem. On a side note, how did the Happy Camper power work out. Did it eliminate the odors from the black tank?

Worked like a charm!

I'm going to order some!

Thank you!!

**JohnB** · 06-15-2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

Worked like a charm!

I'm going to order some!

Thank you!!

Yes good stuff, they have a tank cleaner type too if your tank sensors stop working from using a different type of tank treatment. And if you want to eat off the scum on the top of the gray tank too.

I found Happy Campers about 5 years ago and had changed to Sea-Zyme but then switched back to Happy Campers to re-compare. Both work well and work with my septic system at home. These types of tank treatments help speed up the break down of the wastes and the smelly bacteria.

**JohnB** · 06-15-2011, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

You really did not want any, did you??

Was more interested in how the tank was built. As far as "the area" anyone having to deal with backed up drains in their house or cleaning out a sepctic system knows what a RV tank looks like in side.... Somebody has to do the dirty work....

And at least I know enough to not hold 2 dump hoses over my head with a Y pipe connector.... But it does makes a funny movie

EMD_Driver · 06-16-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

Was more interested in how the tank was built.

The tank is a standard 30 gallon. the inlet to the tank from the toilet, is almost directly over the tank drain.

Drake · 06-17-2011, 07:28 PM

Okay, guys, what is "Happy Camper" ? I am assuming that since it just went through a colonoscopy AND an endosocopy that is is NOT EMD's Sunny!!!! Seriously, I have tried several odor preventatives and odor maskers, but the toilet odors persist!

EMD_Driver · 06-17-2011, 07:35 PM

Hey Drake..

HERE is a link to the stuff. If you search around, you can find it for better prices. I can attest, that it does eliminate the odors!

**JohnB** · 06-19-2011, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

Hey Drake..

HERE is a link to the stuff. If you search around, you can find it for better prices. I can attest, that it does eliminate the odors!

Gary

Have you ever found it anywhere else for sale? I have not and always bought it from that site.

John

EMD_Driver · 06-19-2011, 01:17 PM

Hey John..

I googled it and found it on several sites. HERE is the most recent place. They have a lot of other neat stuff too. Their site does tend to be a bit difficult to navigate sometimes though.

**JohnB** · 06-19-2011, 07:07 PM

Thanks Gary. Maybe more folks are now handling it. The last time I tried, now 3 years ago, searching for it I only came up with the main site so never looked any further. Seems we now have more options.

Jim-Bev-2363 · 06-22-2011, 07:55 AM

Gary,

I saw a solar powered vent pipe cap. My first thought was that it should draw odors outside. The fan runs continuous with light. "might" force odors outside by pulling a vacuum on the tank. This would keep odors from excaping into the campers guts, maybe.

jim

EMD_Driver · 06-22-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim-Bev-2363

Gary,

I saw a solar powered vent pipe cap. My first thought was that it should draw odors outside. The fan runs continuous with light. "might" force odors outside by pulling a vacuum on the tank. This would keep odors from excaping into the campers guts, maybe.

jim

Hi Jim,
We actually have one of them, but I haven't had time to install it.

Thanks!

Gary

OhhWell · 06-23-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

And at least I know enough to not hold 2 dump hoses over my head with a Y pipe connector.... But it does makes a funny movie

Completely off topic but is that what is featured in EMD's new avatar? And what the on earth is the story behind it?

**clueless campers** · 06-23-2011, 06:29 PM

EMD's avatar is Robin Williams in the movie "RV". If you haven't seen the movie (you would remember that scene if you did!), make a trip to the video store and rent it. Better yet, buy it. It is hilarious and you may want to watch it more than once. After watching Robin Williams, you won't feel so bad about your own camping mishaps.

**JohnB** · 06-23-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhhWell

Completely off topic but is that what is featured in EMD's new avatar? And what the on earth is the story behind it?

LOL, Yes what Dona said is right on. We still crack up laughing every time we watch it.

The Y pipe deal is a spoof on ones first trip to the dump station. Remember Robert Williams is staring in this as a comedy so they sort of over did it and then some.

Some even more uneducated RV'er then Robert Williams talk him into putting a Y fitting to connect 2 dump hoses together going to the dump hole and then to hold it up high so the dump will not flow out the 3rd open hole which is about over his head.... Well it's then blast off time... Some how throwing 5 gallons of water down the toilet to flush with fly's up 40 feet in the air of that y fitting.... What goes up must come down...LOL

It's a good one

John