.
What would cause black waste (raw sewage) to come up the stanchion vent?
It has happened a couple of times now.
I keep the through-hull valve closed, the one that empties out the holding tank.
Do I have a blocked hose or something that makes it come out the vent?
Thanks!
.
—
Captain Rick Powers
(USCG OUPV)
1999 Catalina 36 mk II
Hull#1745
Std Rig, Fin Keel
Palo Alto, California
San Francisco Bay
Rick,
Had this issue with my boat. Found the seacock for overboard discharge was not fully sealing. Up to that point I assumed it was my crews over active bladders and there fondness for my beer. I was able to exercise the valve and get a tight seal. My holding tank has much greater range now.
Found out about the waste coming out the stantion vent when it sprayed me in the face when the lab window was open.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
Rick, You probably already know all this, but...
Remove the cushion and board covering the holding tank and you will see a fitting with an elbow at the top center of the tank connecting the vent hose. In order for the vent to spill waste several feet above the tank, it takes pressure. That same pressure will actually cause the tank to expand when the toilet pump is used.
It would seem (as Steve suggests) that your tank has to be getting full, even though you don't think it should be. On way to confirm is to carefully remove that tank fitting and check with a thin rod. Be prepared with a bucket and lots of paper towels to catch any spillage.
I can't think of any reason waste would vent out unless the tank was full. A leaking seacock seems like the logical answer.
Good luck.
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/
You might want to install a tank monitor to let you know when the tank is full
Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1
For a Mk II (not sure about the Mk I):
Do you discharge at sea or do you pump out at the dock? When discharging at sea it is important to *immediately* close the thru hull upon the macerator ceasing operation. Any delay in closing the thru hull will allow sea water to partially backfill the holding tank, thus reducing it's capacity. The MK II holding tank has a 14 US gallon usable capacity (carefully measured by myself) provided that it is properly pumped out.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
.
I took a closer look this morning with all cushions removed.
The main discharge seacock was not quite fully closed, so maybe over time (and with cruising speed for several hours) the tank must have filled, over-filled, and had enough fill pressure to pump waste up the several feet to the stanchion vent.
So to add to Larry's advice, close quickly, and completely!
I also found the elbow fitting that goes from the tank top to the vent. A bit loose, so I slightly tightened and sealed that fitting.
Anyhow, closing the seacock valve completely might do it.
What is the recommended tank fill monitor to use?
.
Captain Rick Powers
(USCG OUPV)
1999 Catalina 36 mk II
Hull#1745
Std Rig, Fin Keel
Palo Alto, California
San Francisco Bay
There are several out there Raritan and Wema are two. I like the wema because I can use the same gauge for all 3 of my water tanks and the holding tank. I buy most of my stuff from Fisheries Supply in Seattle but Defender.com has a good selection
Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1
.
Larry,
What was the measured depth (height) of the holding tank ?
(for length of sender unit, see image below)
Anyone?
.
Captain Rick Powers
(USCG OUPV)
1999 Catalina 36 mk II
Hull#1745
Std Rig, Fin Keel
Palo Alto, California
San Francisco Bay
I don't know, Rick, but it's easy to measure: just remove the port off the top center of the tank and measure it with a stick. Be aware that the tank is kind of V-shaped, as the bottom & side of the tank must conform to the inside of the hull.
Interesting ultrasonic sender you posted. I wonder how it works, and whether it would work properly on a tank that doesn't have a flat bottom. Has anyone else used this sender satisfactorily?
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
.
I measure 12", for the record.
.
Captain Rick Powers
(USCG OUPV)
1999 Catalina 36 mk II
Hull#1745
Std Rig, Fin Keel
Palo Alto, California
San Francisco Bay
.
OK, the level sensor package arrived.
It took 2 hours to do a good quality install, snaking wires and doing a nice job.
I installed the gauge on the VHF radio black box face, inside the cabinet.
Now I can see when my holding tank is empty or full. The ultrasound sensor works great.
The gauge worked perfectly the first time.
A true joy! Mastery of my septic system.
.
Captain Rick Powers
(USCG OUPV)
1999 Catalina 36 mk II
Hull#1745
Std Rig, Fin Keel
Palo Alto, California
San Francisco Bay
Rick,
Sounds like a nice system. I am certain that you tested the system well off shore where it would be legal to discharge the tank. And I am also certain you now have that thru hull secured in the closed position as the fine for not having it secured in our area is more a problem than a full holding tank.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
Rick, any photos of the sensor installation?
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
.
Hi Larry,
Here ara two photos of the sensor.
Installation was a simple 1" hole drilled in the top of the black tank.
Once I penetrated, I quickly covered the hole with tape for odor control.
The ultrasonic sensor sender unit is just a flat disc, similar to what a M.D. would use for an ultrasound. It just pings a signal out and measures the return. This is ideal with no moving parts to get clogged with paper and *%@$.
Again, overall a very satisifying upgrade. At only $154 from defender, it was the one of the cheaper options, and works great.
.
Captain Rick Powers
(USCG OUPV)
1999 Catalina 36 mk II
Hull#1745
Std Rig, Fin Keel
Palo Alto, California
San Francisco Bay
Rick, you haven't stated for the record what brand and model sensor package you installed.
Also, did you find the system you installed easy to calibrate? I think that the V-shape of the tank might make a simple level reading misleading...when the level indicated is at, say, 50%, the tank is only perhaps 25% full, etc. I think what I would do is pump out the tank, then gallon by gallon fill the tank (via the vent access port) with water and ensure the gauge is accurate - or - make a calibration chart that relates actual gallonage fill volume with gauge reading.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
.
Ah, yes. The whole unit was purchased from Defender (see image).
It is a US Marine Ultimate Waste Tank Gauge/Sender Unit #301951 for a 11-13" tank height. $145.99 and well worth it.
Regarding the strict accuracy, well, not so much. Primarily because the gauge dial sweep is short, not finely graduated, and not calibrated. But also because of the various reasons that Larry mentions (tank shape, etc.)
However, real use shows that I care about three levels:
1) Empty
2) Some stuff in tank
3) Full and needs empty
It does that very well. I guess the only next trick would be to attach an alarm to sound when full.
In my case, full happens due to sea water coming in the through hull valve (either left open or not fully closed) rather than too much flushing.
Ok, enough of this topic, back to sailing!
.
Captain Rick Powers
(USCG OUPV)
1999 Catalina 36 mk II
Hull#1745
Std Rig, Fin Keel
Palo Alto, California
San Francisco Bay