American Coach American Allegiance, Owner'S Manual

Page: 70 / 114

06-5
Plumbing Systems and Holding Tanks
Draining the Holding Tanks
The holding tanks terminate in a valve arrangement
that permits draining each tank separately.
The valves are called knife valves. A blade closes
the opening in the sewer drain pipes. The blade
is connected to a T-handle and cable assembly
mounted in the utility compartment. Do not pull
the holding tank knife valve open when the
protective cap is installed on the pipe. Pull the
T-handle to release the contents of the tank(s).
During self-containment use, the sewer line is
securely capped to prevent leakage of waste
material onto the ground or pavement. Always
drain the tank into an acceptable sewer inlet or
dump station.
Drain the holding tanks only when they are at
least
3
⁄
4
-full. If necessary, fill the tanks with
water to
3
⁄
4
-full. This provides sufficient water to
allow complete flushing of waste material into
the sewer line.
Whenever possible, drain the holding tanks before
traveling. Waste water and sewage in the holding
tanks reduce the carrying capacity of the motor
home. See the Motor Home Loading chapter.
During extended or semi-permanent hookups to
sewage systems, waste materials will build up in
the tank and cause serious plugging if the tank
valves are continuously open. In these cases,
keep the valves closed until the tanks are
3
⁄
4
-full,
and then drain into the sewage system.
The holding tank drain valve outlet is to be used
with a removable termination fitting that locks
onto the outlet with a clockwise twist. Clamp
the sewer drain hose to this fitting. A protective
cap should remain in place when you are not
draining the tanks.
To drain the holding tanks:
1. Attach the sewer hose to the holding tank
outlet. Insert the end of the hose into the
sewer or dump station inlet, pushing it firmly
far enough into the opening to be secure.
In some cases, adapters may be necessary
or required between the line and the inlet.
Arrange the sewer hose so it slopes evenly.
2. Drain the black water holding tank first.
Grasp the handle of the black water knife
valve (the large one) firmly and slide the
valve open with a quick, steady pull.
3. Allow enough time for the tank to drain
completely. Rinse and flush the tank
through the toilet. When the tank is empty,
push the handle in to close the valve. Run
enough water (up to five gallons or so) into
the tank to cover the bottom. This will aid
the break up of solid wastes, and reduce
“pyramiding” of waste material.
3 NOTE
Local or state regulations may prohibit highway travel
unless the holding tank outlet is securely capped.
WARNING
Holding tanks are enclosed sewer systems and as
such must be drained into an approved dump sta-
tion. Both black and gray water holding tanks must
be drained and thoroughly rinsed regularly to pre-
vent accumulation of harmful or toxic materials.
!
Gray Holding Tank Dumping
Black Water Tank Dumping