Don't add "DAWN" or PALMOLIVE" to the black tank------why you Say ??

[ForBruce]

let me first say that for 30 years i was a professional in the commercial detergent manufacturing industry. So my reasons are based on fact not here say.

A low alkaline soap like Dawn or Palmolive (safe on hands) will generate suds when mixed with water. By adding 3-5 gallons of water and this soap to the black tank and driving you will generate a HIGH suds level in the tank .

Suds is made up of water and soap and as the mix takes place the expanded suds will rise above the remaining level of water. The problem is suds offers no "SPLASH" or scrubbing action to clean sensors or break down poop and paper.

Ideally adding an HE-detergent like what is used in a "Front loading " washing machine offers 2 features. It produces a LOW suds level and has "Surfactants" (makes water penetrate) and has a higher ALKALINITY (not good for hands) then pot soap which break down the greasy stool better along with paper.

This way as you drive you get more splash and scrubbing action in the tank.

So, make a mixture of "BORAX" and "Tide He-Laundry Detergent " ( or any He-detergent) . The borax will soften the water, release oxygen and increase the alkalinity (ph9 ) to help bacteria break down the nasties.
(even if your water is considered soft--soil loads have the effect of increasing hardness in the water )

the photos below show examples.

[Saxles]

Can you recommend a quantity of each to use when ‘dosing’ a black tank?

[ForBruce]

Can you recommend a quantity of each to use when ‘dosing’ a black tank?

sorry it's all experimental ... just make sure you dissolve the borax first in WARM water along with the he-detergent. When you arrive at you next spot dump the 5 or so gallons of water /poop and look at the color of the water --should be nice and brown if this works

[ajg617]

Interesting - was having this conversation with our sales guy at the dealership this past weekend. He uses Lavender Pine-Sol in gray traps and black tank to help control odors. According to Clorox safety data sheet for the product, PH is 10-11.

[Saxles]

sorry it's all experimental ... just make sure you dissolve the borax first in WARM water along with the he-detergent. When you arrive at you next spot dump the 5 or so gallons of water /poop and look at he color

Ok. Thanks for the information.

[BobinICT]

Well, I will attest to using Dawn, and, borax. We parked in March. Did a dump a few weeks afterwards. Sensors were still off even though I knew tanks were empty, normal in this gig. Anyways. Slowly added a little of water every few weeks in the tanks. Went a little more in the black tank through the toilette. Needed to run the rig to a shop 15 miles away. Hit the black tank with Dawn, just a few squirts down the you know what.

Did the run, hit the state park on the way back for a flush and dump. Clear water out of the black. All sensors are showing empty, non, noda.

[ForBruce]

Interesting - was having this conversation with our sales guy at the dealership this past weekend. He uses Lavender Pine-Sol in gray traps and black tank to help control odors. According to Clorox safety data sheet for the product, PH is 10-11.

the entire purpose of this post is the fact that suds is something you want to avoid ---pine-sol does suds

[NB Canada]

the entire purpose of this post is the fact that suds is something you want to avoid ---pine-sol does suds

I use pinesol and calgon. Works great
Zero issues


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[ForBruce]

Well, I will attest to using Dawn, and, borax. We parked in March. Did a dump a few weeks afterwards. Sensors were still off even though I knew tanks were empty, normal in this gig. Anyways. Slowly added a little of water every few weeks in the tanks. Went a little more in the black tank through the toilette. Needed to run the rig to a shop 15 miles away. Hit the black tank with Dawn, just a few squirts down the you know what.

Did the run, hit the state park on the way back for a flush and dump. Clear water out of the black. All sensors are showing empty, non, noda.

i'm not saying dawn will not work --i am saying a soap that suds is not as effective as a product that does not suds. Eventually even water works.....but when suds ties up the water level there is less to "SPLASH" against the sensors and you don't get full efficiency of the detergent

i'm not recommending one detergent over another . All i am saying is look for something that does not suds

[ajg617]

I use pinesol and calgon. Works great
Zero issues


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

I know I'm not happy with the little orange CAMCO bags.