Ducato Waste water query

[Saltez]

Hi, We have just purchased a Fiat Motorhome but are a bit puzzled by the waste water set up. The waste from the toilet doesn't go into a cassette it goes into a reservoir which just empties right out the bottom of the van. But where do we empty it? The guy we bought it off said that all camping and caravan sights have drains which you park the motorhome over and then empty directly into. We hope he is right?????

We are just wondering if some sort of hose is maybe missing? Is this set up normal as we have never come across it before, but have never owned a motorhome before.

Hope someone can help out. thank you!

 

[Crossingkeeper]

Hi, Most campsites only have a manhole to discharge into which will mean very careful positioning & even then the initial surge will make probably you unpopular with the staff

Most folks with the marine-type holding tank attach a 3" (?) convoluted hose to the tank outlet and drop the end of this into the disposal point.

As this system is mainly used in American RV's you may find you can get this hose from a specialist supplier e.g. http://www.starspangledspanner.com/about-us/info_1.html

 

[varesecrazy]

Hello, and welcome,

I would carefully look under the body of the van.. the component parts should be fairly obvious = then you can see what you need to buy,
any Marine / chandler should keep suck hoses + fittings,

Charlie - Oxford

 

[doblovert]

"The guy we bought it off said that all camping and caravan sights have drains which you park the motorhome over and then empty directly into. We hope he is right?????"

The guy is correct- normally there is a waste water disposal point.This may be actually on the site,or at the entrance,and is usually marked by a blue plaque with a wavy water sign beneath it. This, however, is for GREY water only- the water from your shower (if fitted), sinks etc, not toilet waste.All this water, "grey", is normally collected in a reservoir or holding tank, with a drain tap somewhere beneath one edge of the van. You just park up with the outlet over the sink,and open the drain valve.

Toilet waste should be collected separately, in a cassette,and emptied at a different location, with sluicing facilities. It should not be going into the same reservoir as your grey water- this is effectively open to your van thru the pipework leading from sinks etc- hardly hygienic,and likely to produce odours in hot weather. Plus,it's normal to add chemicals into your WC- pink in the flush reservoir (if a separate reservoir is fitted) and blue into the cassette- hence the term "chemical toilet".

Was the motorhome built by a company,or has the guy done a home conversion, and not installed the WC system properly?

What kind of toilet is fitted to the motor home, eg Thetford etc? . Is there a hatch door in the motorhome side by the loo?- it's normal to have one- if so,is there a space for a missing cassette, and has it been altered/bypassed? Are you sure you don't have a stand-alone "porta-potti" type, where you put flush water in the top, and it collects the waste beneath the WC in it's own reservoir/cassette,which you then need to remove and carry away to the emptying point?

 

[varesecrazy]

the ago of the van will have a bearing on this,

my ancient 1990 ducato SWIFT,
has a Thetford cassette, and an underslung"waste-tank" ( grey)

but more modern units may well have it all underslung, certainly the US RV we have used is all dumped from underneath,

Charlie

 

[stevebill]

Hi. Im in Morocco in our Ducato motorhome. Peeing down with rain, so Im reading through the forum..... When you say "reservoir" Im assuming you mean a tank, either underslung or between floors if you have room? The colour of the tank will be grey or black. To discharge, position your van over the grey water discharge grid - if there is one. If there isnt, buy a flexible plastic bucket from ASDA- holds about 10 litres- ad keep going backwards and forwards with that. Cost about 2 quid. I also went down to the tip and rescued a vacuum cleaner hose 1200mm long. it slips straight over the outlet in your tank, and you can then direct the flow into the grey water drain. I reckon anyone buying a special hose for this must be nuts or too wealthy!! Treat yourself to a pair of industrial gloves from the pound shop before you get involved with either grey water or cassette toilets.
Inn our cassette toilet we use LIDL bio washing machine liquid, or the tabs if they are on offer. A lot cheaper than the official "Blue" liquid, and it doesnt contain chemicals like foraldehyde either. Most of the vans travelling Europe do this.
Never dispose of grey waste in the storm water drains, and ditto the sewage.
Enjoy the motorhome, weve been away since October and its great until it rains!!