Adding/Using a "macerator"

[Donstar]

I am new to the RV world and pick up my Micro Minnie next week (2108 DS). We like the "full sized" washroom but have some concerns about making the use as normal as possible. We would like to be able to empty our tanks at home and am intrigued by the idea of a macerating pump to accomplish this task. Is there a pre-fabricated device that I can simply hook up a 3/4" hose to empty the black water into a residential drain system?

[ThomB]

Sani-Con® | Products | Thetford Corporation
We've got the "Box Mount" wired into our wet bay and is the only way we empty our tanks regardless of where we are located.

[Donstar]

I watched the video and this is just what I need (want)! The trailer doesn't have a wet bay, but the portable device should work fine.

[luvlabs]

Home plumbing these days is at least 3" PVC and you should have cleanouts located around the perimeter of your house. A standard RV sewer hose fits in those perfectly with the standard adapter. Unless you need to pump sewage uphill or a long distance, you don't need a macerator.

BTW, I wouldn't leave the campground with anything in my tanks - visit the dump station before you leave. You might want a macerator pump but if you don't need to pump sewage anywhere, save your money.

[Donstar]

Originally Posted by luvlabs

Home plumbing these days is at least 3" PVC and you should have cleanouts located around the perimeter of your house. A standard RV sewer hose fits in those perfectly with the standard adapter. Unless you need to pump sewage uphill or a long distance, you don't need a macerator.

BTW, I wouldn't leave the campground with anything in my tanks - visit the dump station before you leave. You might want a macerator pump but if you don't need to pump sewage anywhere, save your money.

Thank you. This is the type of advice I need! I recall lineups being a problem at campgrounds for emptying tanks. I imagine I'll soon discover the best times and places.

[jdkskyking]

I installed the Sani-Con by Thedford. Works pretty good so far. Also installed a remote (wireless) switch for additional convenience. Installed a spare 30 amp breaker in the electrical bay to feed a fuse panel. Fed the remote and Sani-Con from there.

[lewisedge]

Whenever we need to empty our tanks and don't have access to a dump station, we use a Flojet 18555-000A, Portable RV Waste Pump, 12 Volt DC, Macerator. It hooks directly to our Itasca Sunova waste outlet and will macerate and pump the waste through a standard 3/4" garden hose as far as 75-feet and even pump it uphill through a shorter hose. If I agree to fill my fuel tank I have found that most stations will let me empty my tanks into their public toilet. https://www.amazon.com/Flojet-18555-...macerator+pump

[BobC]

I have a macerator left over from my sailboating days that I've rigged up to use with my motorhome. I use it to dump at home when I need to do so since the bottom of my driveway is about 50 downhill from my sewer clean-out.

I prefer dumping at dump stations, but that's not always feasible plus, when I get home the macerator lets me make sure my black water tank is well rinsed, something that's hard to do at a dump station.

[robval1987]

I found this awhile back on the internet and thought I would share it. I purchased everything from Lowes Home Improvement store for under $120, I purchased a Badger 1/3 hp garbage disposal, 3 1/2 to 4 inch rubber coupler, 3/4 inch threaded pvc fitting. I placed the 3 to 4 inch rubber on the neck of the garbage disposal, then took an old sewer hose fitting and put it into the 3 inch end of rubber coupler and tighten both clamps (comes with coupler), I then installed the drain pipe rubber seal, elbow, clamp and two bolts (all of which come with new disposal). I then used pvc primer and glue and inserted the 3/4 pvc fitting into the end of the elbow. I did replace my cord on the disposal with a GFI cord end that I had lying around the garage (not required, but I wanted to use it). There is a barbed fitting that sticks off the side of the disposal it is not used (it is used under a sink and dish washer connects to it) it has a knock out fitting, DO NOT KNOCK OUT. I made this after I burned out a 12volt Macerator that I bought through Camping World and could not get it warranteed out so I was going to replace the 12 volt motor myself, but found this on the Internet so I gave it a try. Drains black tank (43 allons) in approximately 5 minutes or less, and has no problem chewing up the poop. I then rinse the tank with the bilt in flush kit, then drain the gray tank to clean out my Macerator. A little grease or vasoline on the rubber seal will allow you to rotate the elbow drain easily.

[BobC]

A garbage disposal is a great idea. The macerator I converted from my boat takes a lot more time to empty even a partially filled tank but some of this may have to do with my distance from the clean-out and the uphill climb it has to make.

This may be what robval1987 saw online:

http://rvnerds.com/2016/01/29/home-brew-macerator-pump/

[robval1987]

No that's not the one I saw, but it would work. The one I saw was connected straight to the rv sewer drain connection (between black and gray tanks) and was in his wet bay, but I choose to disconnect it and put on a cap (on sewer drain and on Macerator), just in case. I do like the flat discharge line and may go get me some as it would save alot of room, and it is available at Lowes or on Amazon. Thanks for the idea.