Black Tank Flush

We have been pretty satisfied with our SeeLevel II tank monitoring system.  Except when it doesn't work.

Over the last 7 or 8 months we have been getting faulty readings.  I flush the tanks pretty well each time because I am thinking that some residue may be hanging on the inside of the tank.  And it reads "46" when I know it is empty and should read "0".

We have also put used dish water down the toilet at regular intervals in hopes that it may dislodge any remnants of stuff.  Sometimes it works--sometimes it doesn't.
Sometimes we put ice cubes down the toilet before we leave a campground and drive to the next destination.

But the fancy, push-a-button-and-get-the-tank-readings-machine --- isn't working like it is supposed to!

I asked around at Quartzsite and heard about a "Happy Camper" product but didn't know much about that.  Instead, I found the vendor at the RV tent that was selling the "See Level Tank Monitoring Systems" and asked what she recommends.

She asked a few questions and suggested we buy a couple of jars, one for an initial rinse and one for a second rinse a few weeks later.

Then we got our things organized for the clean-out:

I read and re-read the instructions.

Pam got the 5 gallon bucket and poured the cleaning agent into the bucket.

Mean while, I emptied the grey tank and emptied and rinsed the black tank.

Sadly, the black tank still registered 50% full.  (Which is the reason we are doing this exercise.)

While I was doing that, Pam finished filling and stirring the bucket.

Then with a smaller bucket, she put some down every drain:  the kitchen sink,

And the two bathroom sinks and the shower

Then the other half of the 5 gallon bucket went down the toilet.

We did all this before we departed Yuma.  We had a short drive to Gila Bend that day and during those couple of hours, the cleaning agent jostled and sloshed around the tanks.   When we got to our campground and got hooked up.  I emptied all the tanks again.  

Then I checked the readings on the See Level monitor and it read:

Would you look at that!  

But time will tell if it really worked.  So far it has been about two weeks and the gauges seem to be working correctly again and I haven't seen any false readings.  When I empty the tanks, they read 'zero'. 

At this point we are going to claim 'success' and keep watching the readings.  The lady at the booth at Quartzsite said she did her tanks a second time about a month later, but we figure we will save the second jar and not do it again for a while unless we get some faulty readings.

We saw the product for the first time at Quartzsite.  And then we saw it again at a Swap Meet setup in Yuma.  Probably the easiest way to get it is from Amazon.com.

I wanted to pass along our results in case your tanks need a good clean out.  Other products may work just as well, but we recommend this product.  

Are there any others out there you would recommend?

That's all for now on the Roadrunner Chronicles.  Thanks for joining us!!  Until next time...

Mr. Bob's Screwdrivers

Pam and I left Seal Beach, CA and returned to the FamCamp at March ARB in Moreno Valley, CA.  It was a two hour ride and we had no problems (e.g. red 'Stop Engine' lights) at all.  The Roadrunner ran great and it was an uneventful and quite comfortable ride.

So we spent the day with Bob and Sue in Redlands and basically 'hung out'.  Which is always fun to do.

Bob is a unique guy and is very handy.  I've never met one who can do as many things as he can.  He is a true 'fixer' and figures things out or invents a way to get the job done.  A real problem solver.  Most problems are not problems to him.

One of the most fascinating things about him is his garage.  His garage has always been a thing of wonder.  He has more things in his garage than anyone I know. Despite the fact that there is a lot in there per square inch, he knows where everything is.

And he has a world class woodworking and invention center right out side his back door.  He built his house that way on purpose.  Contractors did the majority of his house but he did a boat load himself.

For a couple of years now he has 'turned' some wood on his lathe to make the screwdrivers.  I decided to document some of the steps in his process and some of his inventions...

First -- he gets screwdriver materials from his supplier for the new screwdrivers which is similar to those shown below.

Except the ones he uses have  both a Philips head and flat head insert in each end: with a 3/4" and a 3/16" tip

His supply are orange plastic screwdrivers initially.  He takes the orange head and cuts the orange handle so he can pound out the inside sleeve that holds the stem which he will later use inside his new handle.  If you look closely you can see one of his inventions.  He welded a socket onto the end of another screwdriver and then pounds out the cylinder for use in the new screwdriver.

He also "glues up" different colors of wood for future use on the lathe for screwdriver handles.  The lower right two pictures show him and Pam gluing sheets of veneer inside a cut of wood that he screws down/clamps down tightly with wood glue in between each layer.

So he gets the pieces ready the new screwdriver handle.

And he gets different pieces of wood glued together that he will use on the lathe to shape into a screwdriver handle.

(Note the jig/clamp.  It is another invention he welded together with nuts and finger bolts so he could get lots more pressure along the entire side of piece he is gluing.  Much better than standard clamps.)

Then he puts the wood on the lathe and does his turning magic

And shaves the handle down into the precise shape and size of handle that he wants.  He usually does quite a few at a time but in this case he was showing us the whole process so he just worked on one.

When it is about the right size, he focuses on the tip where he will be placing his signature copper band.  He cuts 1" copper tubing band for the end.  Then he shaves away on the handle so the band will fit on the tip.

If you look real close, you can see the caliper that he uses to make sure he cuts it down for a snug fit. Note another invention - the caliper.  He welded pieces together the measurement for the copper tubing/ring to slide snugly onto the end.

Next, he epoxies the copper band onto the hand.

Later he puts it back onto the lathe to "sand" the copper band and finish sanding the handle.

After he sands the handle down well, he begins with the smooth and shiny finish process.

He puts on about 10 coats of Stick Fast Glue and Activator.

He puts the Glue on a paper towel, applies it to the handle, then sprays the Activator.  It dries immediately.  Then more Glue, more Activator etc.

Then some wet sanding.  He got a package of 9 sheets of fine sand paper, cut them into small sections and then numbered them 1 to 9.

After letting the sandpaper sections soak for a few minutes, he used each sandpaper section one at a time and went over the handle 9 times.  It is really really fine sandpaper, so after he does that, he wipes the screwdriver down, inserts the stem and it is done.

The finished product!

Unless you want it with your name on it.  Then there is some more work to do.  But after all that he sells them for $35 w/o name; $40 with engraving.

It is a hobby, not something he is going into business doing.  But sometimes he sets up a table with his screwdrivers.

Bob and wife Sue will be joining us for a few days at Quartzsite, AZ for a couple of days.  We will probably set up a table in front of our rig at the 'Tiffin Gathering 2014' at La Posa South area in the BLM.

If you are in the area, come by and check some out.

In the mean time, hope you have a good week.  Thanks for joining us on the Roadrunner Chronicles! Until next time...