It doesn't...
Head seems to work great. Flushes easily and completely every time. However,
we have tried to pump out the holding tank twice now and we get nothing. If the smell coming from the deck/stanchion vent is any indication, the vent is working fine. We get a pretty strong odor the first time we flush after the boat sits for a few days. The smell gradually diminishes with each subsequent flush. The valves are set correctly (i'm 99% certain of it...it's not real complicated). There are 2 valves in the system. One either directs waste into the holding tank or directly overboard. It is locked in the "to the tank" position. There is another valve on the discharge side of the holding tank. It directs waste either to the macerator pump and then overboard or to the deck pumpout fitting. It is locked in the "deck pumpout" position.
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks,
Jeff
S/V Wind Ensemble
1987 C-36 Wing Keel
Universal M25XP 23hp
Hull #705
Coastal Alabama
Jeff, your right about one thing, it's a pretty simple system.
If you have enough suction at the pump out, deck fitting.
If you have a clear open path from the deck to the tank.
If you have a clear and open vent.
Bad stuff will flow out!
Nothing this side of Washington DC can stop it.
Look and ye shall find.
Bill Matley
Bill Matley
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan, Michigan
Lakes Huron, Michigan,
Canadian North Channel
"Spirit of Aloha" Hull #1252
Are you sure you're vent isn't blocked or partially blocked? Here's something I did: I detached the vent hose at the tank end. I took my gas horn and put it right up against the vent hose and gave it a couple of blasts. The next time I pumped out the tank, I could hear the air rushing in the vent opening. It's clear it was at least partially blocked since I'd never heard the air rush in like that before.
SF Bay
1998 C36
I'm not certain of it, but I think the holding tank would vent via the head, even if the vent to the stanchion is completely blocked. Last time I pumped out, I went into the head to pump some fresh water into the tank to help flush it out while it was being pumped. The head was gurgling merrily away as air was being sucked through it. The vent in the stanchion was partially blocked by mud, thanks to some spiders; not enough to prevent the head from flushing, or keep effluent from blasting out when the tank filled (surprising the spiders I'm sure).
Only the joker valve is between the head and the holding tank hose and that's a one way valve [I]toward[/I] the tank, so I'd think sucking air through there would easily allow a pumpout.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
Jeff,
I had something similar happen to me and was as simple as the hose clamp at the head of the pump out hose not being tighten down enough on the connection where the pump out hose connects. you might double check the fittings to make sure that they are good and tight, if not there will not be enough suction to pull the waste out. in my case it happened during a cold period but it is simple enough to check. just tighten the hose clamps and give it go.
good luck!
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
Thanks for the replies and suggestions everyone. I'll report back. Easter Sunday was a bit busy. I'll start diagnosing after I punch out from the day job tomorrow.
As for venting through the head, I don't know. We hear nothing down below...
Sure would be nice if it were a loose hose clamp. :-)
Jeff
S/V Wind Ensemble
1987 C-36 Wing Keel
Universal M25XP 23hp
Hull #705
Coastal Alabama
So far I have discovered that all of the clamps on the discharge side were somewhat loose. They weren't in any danger of falling off and I couldn't slide them over the hoses, but they didn't feel much beyond hand tight. I have snugged them down. We shall see.
Oh, and the holding tank is very full. "Stuff" came out when I removed the vent hose from the tank.
Thanks,
Jeff
S/V Wind Ensemble
1987 C-36 Wing Keel
Universal M25XP 23hp
Hull #705
Coastal Alabama
Hi Jeff
We had a similar problem recently, but it was not the vent pipe as this was replaced with a new pipe only a few months ago. The problem was traced to a blockage at the outlet of the holding tank just before the macerator pump. We had no access to any shore pump out facility. With the mind in overdrive, the deck fitting lid was unscrewed and 2 buckets of water poured down the waste pipe (reverse to the normal pump out operation). This action flushed the blockage/sediment back into the tank. The macerator pump was then used to pump the tank contents out. This was repeated twice and all is now clear. Since then we flush the system out with 1 litre of white vinegar allowed to stand for a few hours at a time. All is now clear and well.
Good luck.
Bernd Rominger
1995 Catalina 36Mk2, Wing keel, Hull 1413
'BORN FREE'
Gippsland Lakes
Australia
OK. Ran the macerator briefly and I believe there is no more clog. We'll attempt another pump out this weekend to hopefully finish the job, then rinse with fresh water/vinegar, etc.
However, after running the macerator, both ends of the hose that runs from the y-valve to the supply side of the macerator are dripping. No amount of adjusting the clamps solves the problem. We had noticed moisture in that area before, but could not see an active leak. Now after running it, we can see the drips. The hose is the white variety, which I understand is preferred, but I'm wondering if the installer may have done something wrong. I know it needs to be heated to install it. Is it possible it was overheated? The clamps were definitely not too tight and I don't think I over tightened them, but I suppose it's possible, though not my style usually.
S/V Wind Ensemble
1987 C-36 Wing Keel
Universal M25XP 23hp
Hull #705
Coastal Alabama
It may also be the result of how they removed the old hose. If they used a sharp blade to split the hose to make it easier to remove, they may have cut too deep and scored the nipple on the macerator. If that is the case, it is very hard to try and seal.
Tom & Janis Grover
C36 #0949
SR/WK, M25XP
Midland, ON
OK. So, it is a very simple system, but apparently just a little too complex for this simpleton. The Y-valve on the discharge side was in the wrong position! Logic and experience told me that the valve handle should point at or be in line with the open side of the valve. Not so with this Jabsco I have. Gate valve instead of ball valve. When I bought the boat the valve was locked in the overboard position, also contributing to my confusion. Anyway, after thinking about it and looking it up online, I found an exploded view of the y-valve....that cleared things up. Pump out was successful and the lines are in good shape...no built up crud, etc.
Of course, this was after removing the lower discharge hose to check for blockage, etc. Oh well, we know a lot more about MSDs than we did before. I still have to deal with the slow drip in the overboard/macerator side of the line, but with the pumpout side selected, the overboard side doesn't drip. That drip was another clue. :-)
Thanks again for the help everyone. I've said it before...this is a great forum.
Jeff
S/V Wind Ensemble
1987 C-36 Wing Keel
Universal M25XP 23hp
Hull #705
Coastal Alabama
Ego te absolvo.
[That's Latin for 'I hereby absolve you.']
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Glad you finally solved it.
I will freely, although shamefully, admit that more than once I made some simple assumption that led me astray for way too long.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
[QUOTE=WindEnsemble;8395]It doesn't...
We get a pretty strong odor the first time we flush after the boat sits for a few days. The smell gradually diminishes with each subsequent flush.
I would appreciate any suggestions.[/QUOTE]
Jeff,
That smell is from the water sitting in the intake hoses to your head.
The fix is simple: Reply #31 -- [url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4546.0.html[/url]
Your vent issue is a separate deal.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)