Mod Description:

It’s probably no secret to you that your RV holding tanks have the potential to create a source of undesirable odor within your coach. Even with proper use of deodorizing chemicals and rinsing of tanks, odor can still be a troublesome problem. Here’s how to virtually eliminate odors from your tanks, using a fan-type device called the Lil’ Stanker, providing a stink-free RVing experience.

Mod Difficulty: 

Lil Stanker Odor Control Fan

Holding Tank Roof Vent Cap

Holding Tank Roof Vent Cap Removed

Holding Tank Roof Vent Pipe Height

Lil Stanker Fan Seal

Lil Stanker Fan Wire Routing Options

Lil Stanker Fan in Place

Lil Stanker Fan Wire Routing Through Vent Pipe

Securing Lil Stanker Fan Vent Pipe Wiring

Wiring Diagram for Fan Switch

Fan Switch Mounted Using Switch Enclosure Provided

Fan Wiring Connection Color Codes

In this mod, we’re going to walk through the steps required to install the Lil’ Stanker fan. When you buy this fan, it comes with a installation kit and containing all necessary parts, including a power switch to turn the fan on and off. Each step in this mod has a corresponding image above and the images are in the respective order of the steps below.

First, locate the correct holding tank vent cap. On the roof of your RV, you may have more than one holding tank vent pipe cap. If you do, pick one pipe and follow it down to the tank it’s attached to. Ensure that the vent pipe you select goes to the BLACK tank. Remove the cap by giving it a gentle tug. It should just pop off. Sometimes, both the gray and black water tanks will vent through a “Y” fitting into a single vent pipe. If this is the case, you will only have one vent cap on the roof.

Next, confirm that the tip of the vent pipe is no more than 1-7/8 inches above the roof’s surface. (Any greater height will interfere with the fan’s mounting). If necessary, shorten the vent pipe with a hacksaw, and remove any sealing boot or cover mounting base pieces that would otherwise interfere with the fan’s fit. Temporarily set the fan over the vent pipe, until its mounting base rests on the roof. Confirm that nothing prevents the fan from resting solidly on the roof’s surface.

Now use sealant/adhesive to fill-in any air gaps where the vent pipe passes though the roof. (If the fan wires are to be routed along the outside of pipe, leave a small gap in the sealant where the wires will pass through). The goal is to minimize air leakage between the outside of the pipe and the roof hole it passes through. If the fan wires are to be routed through a hole in the roof, drill this 1/8″ hole now. Pick a hole location that will be sheltered underneath the fan after final attachment.

The next step is to route the fan’s DC power wires either (1) down the outside of the vent pipe, (2) down the inside of the vent pipe, (3) through the previously-drilled 1/8″ roof hole, or (4) under the bottom edge of the fan. If the fan is to be attached with the 4 mounting screws (included in kit), use the fan to mark the locations of the mounting screws on the roof, and drill 1/8″ holes approximately 1/4″ deep into the roof at these points.

Next, thoroughly clean the roof’s surface where the fan will be mounted, and apply a bead of sealant/adhesive all the way around the bottom of the fan’s mounting base (and inside the 1/8″ roof wire-routing hole, if used). Set the fan in place, securing it with the mounting screws (if used). Apply sealant to the tops of the screws (if used).

If the fan’s DC power wires are not being routed down the inside of the vent pipe, skip the next step. Otherwise, proceed as follows: Locate a convenient point somewhere along the vent pipe, near a source of DC power. Drill a 1/4″ hole in the pipe at this point. Insert the hooked end of the Snare Wire (included in the fan kit) into this new hole, and snare the power wires with it. Gently pull the power wires out though the hole.

At the point where they exit the hole in the vent pipe, bend the power wires flush with the pipe’s surface. (Make sure that most of the slack wire has been pulled out of the hole, in order to prevent any chance of accidental wire contact with the fan blades). Secure the wire in place several inches below the hole with the Plastic Wire Tie (included in the kit). Tightly apply the Sealant Patch (included in the kit) around the hole and wires until an air-tight seal is formed.

Next, select a convenient, non-metallic mounting surface for the fan shutoff switch inside a closet, cabinet or other compartment, near the fan’s power wires. Cut the fan’s wires next to this mounting location. Strip approx. 1/4″ of insulation off both cut ends of both wires, twisting any frayed wire strands back together again. Insert these bare wire ends into the holes in the sides of the green terminal block on the switch as shown as shown in the image above, and tighten each of the 3 screws on the top of the terminal block with a small screwdriver. Note that both WHITE wires go to the same CENTER hole in the terminal block.

Now mount the switch in the switch enclosure (or your own panel), securing it with one switch nut. Use the two mounting screws to attach the enclosure (if used) to a flat mounting surface, after routing all wires out the small slot on the side.

Finally, strip the ends of the power wires and connect them to a FUSED source of 12 volt DC electrical power (GREEN fan power wire to POSITIVE, and WHITE fan wire to NEGATIVE). IMPORTANT: MAKE CONNECTIONS EXACTLY AS SHOWN. FAN WILL NOT WORK IF WIRING OR BATTERY CONNECTIONS ARE INCORRECT.

The recommended fuse size is 0.25 amps (for 1 fan) or 0.5 amps (for 2 fans). This completes the installation.

To run the fan, simply flip the switch to either the LOW or HIGH positions (LOW is recommended for most conditions). The green indicator light on the switch will illuminate whenever the fan is running. The fan may be left on whenever the RV is occupied, but should be shut off before putting the RV into long-term storage.

Although black water tanks are usually the worst odor offenders, many RVers will further benefit from the installation of fans on both holding tanks. This eliminates the gray water tank as a source of odors previously masked by the black water tank

You can source parts for this mod from these links:

Holding Tank Odor Control Fans
http://www.lslproducts.com/MK-IVPage.html

General Reference
http://www.ehow.com/how_2097794_empty-rv-holding-tanks.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2182280_manage-water-usage-rv.html

1 Comments For This Post

1. RV Camping World (October 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 am)

   I do sleep a better knowing the Lil Stanker is working !!

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