Will the SewerSolution Macerator System for RV Waste Tanks Work Off Grid?

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Question:

Will this work off-grid? Im looking for a better way to empty my black tank and there is no city water where my trailer is parked. I bring water in jugs and have a pump inside the trailer. I do have an external battery-powered pump that I can use for showering outside would that be sufficient? If not, do you have another suggestion? I run off DC power with a small battery, so while I do have an inverter Id prefer to keep any electrical inputs low to none like this one. I know it depends on how much flushing you do but is there an estimate of how much water is used? Thank you.

asked by: Kate F

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Expert Reply:

Hello Kate F, I too am a Kate F =)

Yes, the Valterra # SS01 Sewer Solution can definitely work off-grid, but there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure it works well in your setup. The great thing about this system is that it doesn’t need electricity at all. Instead, it uses water pressure to macerate and move the waste through the hose. That makes it ideal for boondocking or off-grid camping, as long as you can supply enough water pressure.

Now, that’s the key part: pressure. The Sewer Solution relies on a steady stream of pressurized water to work properly, usually around 35 to 60 PSI, which is what you'd get from a city hookup. Since you're bringing water in jugs and using a pump, the big question is whether your external battery-powered pump can provide enough pressure. If it’s strong enough (closer to 40 PSI), it just might do the trick! If it’s more of a gentle flow used for rinsing off, though, it may not generate enough force to push waste effectively through the system.

As for how much water the Valterra system uses, that’ll vary a bit depending on how much flushing and rinsing you like to do. A light flush might only use around 2–3 gallons of water, just to get the waste moving. A more thorough rinse could take closer to 5–10 gallons. If you're trying to conserve water, doing a test run with gray water or dishwater could help you figure out the most efficient way to operate.

One idea that might work well is setting up a jug of water with a stronger pump just for dumping purposes. That way you can keep your clean water for cooking or showering, and still have a reliable system for emptying your black tank.

What kind of water pump are you using? I would like to look up the PSI.

expert reply by: Kate F

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Kate F.

9/26/2025

Hey Kate F, did you find a way to make the Sewer Solution work with your setup? I'm curious if your pump provided enough pressure or if you tried a different approach. Your experience could help others in similar off-grid situations!

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Kate F.

10/2/2025

@KateF I put off purchasing a macerator and tried to make the wagon I already have work, but it's been really frustrating so a macerator it is. The pump I would be using is from Joolca: and it can push up to 1.6gpm through a garden hose. The septic tank is downhill from the camper across a maybe 25 foot span to get to a fixed 3" hose, and I know I can power the pump with my existing setup. Would the pump be strong enough to work, do you think?

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Kate F.

10/2/2025

@KateF Honestly, the Joolca pump you were considering really isn’t the right tool for the job. It’s designed for clean water transfer, so while it can technically move liquid at about 1.6 gallons per minute, it doesn’t grind solids the way a true macerator does. That means toilet paper and waste could clog it quickly, and even if it works once or twice, it’s not built to withstand sewage over time. Add in the fact that it would take half an hour or more to empty a full tank, and the frustration level will only get higher. That’s why something like the Valterra SewerSolution # SS01 is a much better choice. It’s specifically engineered for RV black and gray tank dumping. Instead of relying on a fragile impeller pump, it uses a water-powered jet system that creates suction to break down and move waste through a ¾" hose. This design means you don’t have to worry about damaging the pump with solids, and since there are no moving parts exposed to waste, it’s far more durable and easier to rinse clean. The included 10’ hose is rated for this kind of use, and you can easily extend it if needed. For your setup, just 25 feet downhill to your septic, it would handle the distance with no trouble at all. In short, the SewerSolution system is purpose-built, cleaner, and more reliable than trying to repurpose a small transfer pump. You’ll spend less time wrestling with clogs or cleaning up, and more time just dumping and moving on. It’s one of those upgrades that pays for itself in saved hassle almost immediately.

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Kate F.

10/2/2025

@KateF Thank you for the quick reply. In this case, I don't plan to use the Joolca as a macerator, but rather as a replacement for city water. We are off-grid and I bring water in totes. I am interested in the SewerSolution because I don't have a lot of battery capacity and most macerators don't list how much power they draw, but since I don't have city water I'm worried that the Joolca will not be powerful enough for the SewerSolution to work. Would 1.6gpm be enough pressure into the SewerSolution or will I need to look for an electrical macerator?

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Kate F.

10/3/2025

@KateF thanks for explaining how you’re planning to use the Joolca. The short answer is that it will probably move some waste through the SewerSolution, but it’ll be very slow and not nearly as effective as when it’s fed by city water. The system really depends on a strong water jet to break things up, and the Joolca’s 1.6 GPM at about 35 psi is right on the edge of what it needs. For gray water or very diluted black water it might limp along, but with a full black tank you’ll likely run into frustration. If you want something that’s reliable off-grid and doesn’t depend on water pressure, a true 12V macerator pump is the better fit. We carry the Seaflo 12V Macerator Pump # SE64FR, which moves up to 12 GPM and has a built-in chopper to handle solids and paper without issue. That type of pump would give you much more confidence and speed compared to trying to make the Joolca work with the SewerSolution.

Helpful Links

tv-review-seaflo-macerator-pump-se64fr.aspx

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