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Topic ClosedSeptic malfunction

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AllenD View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Aug 2016
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Septic malfunction
    Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 2:43pm
Been traveling solo for last two weeks. Septic has worked fine until last couple of days started noticing foul odor. Before I left Pensacola Fl emptied gray and black tanks . After arriving in Arkansas for a couple nights in Hot Springs noticed odor tank should be empty but gauge still shows 3/4 full.? Any idea what's wrong?
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 2:52pm
You need to put one of those biocide digesting deodorant liquids in your tank.  Every one has his/her favorite.  But most of them work ok and will likely get rid of the odor.  

As for your tank gauge, don't believe it.  It lies.  Crud sticks to the sensors and sends false results.  Ours has been at 3/4ths full since we first got our trailer in 2016.  I tried all the tricks to clean off the sensors and none worked worth a darn.  Now, I use the zen of tank capacity to determine how full it is.  When it seems like it ought to be full or when it is really convenient to dump, I take care of it. 
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 3:19pm
Be sure you have some water in the sink and shower drain traps, that is often the source of smell as the water tends to drain through when the trailer is in motion. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 3:31pm
+1 to Offgrid. I have noticed the same thing. The shower one is the most likely culprit. The sinks tend to get used but if the shower isn't, the trap can dry out and then there is a clear path for odors, especially if you are running the vent fan.

As for the sensors, I use a biological tank treatment. TankTech's Rx is one product. Unique Products RV Digest-It is another. Happy Camper makes one but I have not tried that one. The principle is to seed the tank with bacteria that will break down solids and break down the odor causing compounds instead of just masking them with a strong perfume like some non-biological products do. The side effect is that it can help with keeping the sensors working (gray tank) or helping so that when the black tank is emptied and flushed, the sensors may start reading again. That is, until it is used the next time and things slosh around as you are going down the road.
StephenH
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 3:35pm
+1 to offgrid's suggestion.  We have even had that problem in our home for showers we never use.
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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