Re: [a/s] SewerSolution

[Susi and John Burchard <saluqi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm sure the Sewer Solution is a nifty gadget but I have personally never felt
the need for it ... I dump the black water tank when it is nearly full (which
takes a while) and really flush and wash it out a couple of times a year, and
have never (in 6 years plus, 120,000 miles on the road) had any problems with
it.  The black water tank dumps through a 3" gate valve.  The gray water tank,
although it dumps through the same final fitting, discharges through a 1 1/2"
gate valve into the 3" pipe downstream of the 3" black water gate valve.  You
make sure the gray water tank is reasonably full so you can dump it right after
the black water, and so flush out the end fitting and the hose.

There are things you can dump into the gray water tank to control odors if you
need to ... sometimes a bit of grease gets down there, that's mostly a matter of
your dishwashing style and I am reasonably careful.

In my 1978 28 foot motorhome (Argosy by Airstream) the end dump fitting is
nearly but not quite horizontal, it is a Thetford fitting at the rear driver's
side corner of the vehicle and the only problems I've had with it are from
whacking it on the ground (I sometimes drive in where angels fear to tread
...).  There is a bottom cover over the whole plumbing bit which is simply a
large rectangular plastic pan held on with a dozen or so sheet metal screws ...
right now I have it off to repair some cracks in it, from hitting it on the
ground.

When I really want to flush out the black water tank I use a "wand" which
directs a strong jet of water against the sides, etc. of the tank from inside. 
I lower the wand through the toilet.  There are fancier solutions of various
kinds but I haven't felt the need of them for something I have to do once or
twice a year.

I'm interested in your diesel conversion because if I'm not mistaken you have
essentially the same motorhome I do (OK, mine is painted, yours is silver ...)
and I'd be grateful for further information about it.  What did you put in, how
much of a problem was the conversion, what sort of mileage do you get, etc.,
etc.  My current engine is a GM 454 gasoline burner, carburated version, which
provides adequate power and torque (except for heavy towing at 10,000 feet) but
consumes far too much fuel (6.5 mpg at 70 mph, 8 mpg at 60 mph).  Since I do a
lot of travelling, that adds up most painfully.

John

Susi and John Burchard
Tepe Gawra Salukis
saluqi@ix.netcom.com