Peggy, I'm getting ready this weekend to replace the holding tank and all hoses in my '92 33.5. I have been struggling all summer with odors in the head, and have tried all of your other suggestions, and have come to the conclusuion that my hoses are permeated. Also my tank is aluminum and maybe at the end of its reliable life. So I bought a new heavy duty tank from Raritan and am ready to undergo the changeover. Here's my concern: The pump out holes for attachment of the hoses are on the side at the bottom of the tank, rather than at the top with standpipes as the aluminum tank was. Won't the waste sit in these hoses at all times and eventually permeate them as well? Is there a hose that is impermeable? Any suggestions appreciated.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
My first question is,,,,
You could have specified the tank fittings wherever you wanted them to be--including all on the top, with pick-up tubes to the bottom...so why didn't you? If you weren't given that opportunity by Raritan, you should have been...in which case, I think you have a case to get Raritan to exchange the tank. If the tank you ordered is too tall to allow for fittings on the top (you need at least 5" clearance above the tank), that's a different story. As for hose, I recommend SeaLand "OdorSafe" brand...it IS expensive...but it's the only hose on the market that's bullet-proof when it comes to odor permeation.
You could have specified the tank fittings wherever you wanted them to be--including all on the top, with pick-up tubes to the bottom...so why didn't you? If you weren't given that opportunity by Raritan, you should have been...in which case, I think you have a case to get Raritan to exchange the tank. If the tank you ordered is too tall to allow for fittings on the top (you need at least 5" clearance above the tank), that's a different story. As for hose, I recommend SeaLand "OdorSafe" brand...it IS expensive...but it's the only hose on the market that's bullet-proof when it comes to odor permeation.
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Geoff in Ann Arbor
Thanks Peggy
Your supposition about the clearance at the top is right on. We discussed this at length when I ordered the tank and found that top discharge just wouldn't work. Can you supply me with a source for the SeaLand hose?
Your supposition about the clearance at the top is right on. We discussed this at length when I ordered the tank and found that top discharge just wouldn't work. Can you supply me with a source for the SeaLand hose?
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Ed Schenck
Top clearance.
Top clearance for inlet and outlet can be resolved by placing them on the side but close to the top. With an elbow inside the tank you could still have a standpipe. I'll bet Ronco would have built that. Maybe Raritan can.
Top clearance for inlet and outlet can be resolved by placing them on the side but close to the top. With an elbow inside the tank you could still have a standpipe. I'll bet Ronco would have built that. Maybe Raritan can.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Won't work, Ed
Since the pick up tube is actually cemented to the thread-barb fitting, not the tank itself, it can only go in from the top and has to be a straight piece. That's the only way Ronco (who supplies Raritan's tanks, btw) builds 'em. Geoff, call SeaLand--800-321-9886 for the location of the nearest dealer for OdorSafe hose.
Since the pick up tube is actually cemented to the thread-barb fitting, not the tank itself, it can only go in from the top and has to be a straight piece. That's the only way Ronco (who supplies Raritan's tanks, btw) builds 'em. Geoff, call SeaLand--800-321-9886 for the location of the nearest dealer for OdorSafe hose.
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Geoff in Ann Arbor
Something just occurred to me ...
What if I came out of the tank and instead of using the flexible adapter, put a schedule 40 pvc elbow to a pvc riser then another pvc elbow to a flexible adapter? This would function like a standpipe, and if the sched.40 is impermeable, would solve the problem. Two uncertainties though: 1. Not sure if sched. 40 is impermeable. 2. Not sure if even short sections of rigid pipe should be incorporated into a sailboat.
What if I came out of the tank and instead of using the flexible adapter, put a schedule 40 pvc elbow to a pvc riser then another pvc elbow to a flexible adapter? This would function like a standpipe, and if the sched.40 is impermeable, would solve the problem. Two uncertainties though: 1. Not sure if sched. 40 is impermeable. 2. Not sure if even short sections of rigid pipe should be incorporated into a sailboat.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Sched 40 is impermeable...and
Straight sections are ok to use on a sailboat. However, it should be "soft coupled" to the tank with a foot hose that acts as a shock absorber. It only needs to be as high as the tank. That also means your overboard discharge pump will have to be higher than the tank if you don't want any standing waste in the hose going to it. Same caveats apply--use a short section of hose coming in and out of the pump and at the thru-hull. That will also mean you'd be well advised to use a diaphragm pump instead of an impeller macerator...putting it above the tank means it will take longer to prime, which means the impeller will run dry longer, which wears out impellers. Too long and the impeller "fries." Diaphragm pumps, otoh, can run dry without harm.
Straight sections are ok to use on a sailboat. However, it should be "soft coupled" to the tank with a foot hose that acts as a shock absorber. It only needs to be as high as the tank. That also means your overboard discharge pump will have to be higher than the tank if you don't want any standing waste in the hose going to it. Same caveats apply--use a short section of hose coming in and out of the pump and at the thru-hull. That will also mean you'd be well advised to use a diaphragm pump instead of an impeller macerator...putting it above the tank means it will take longer to prime, which means the impeller will run dry longer, which wears out impellers. Too long and the impeller "fries." Diaphragm pumps, otoh, can run dry without harm.
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Brian Leney
Not quite true, Peggy
Peggy, I received a new tank from Ronco yesterday with the pumpout fitting entering the side of the tank at the top, then an elbow inside attached to a pickup tube that goes to the bottom. How'd they do that? They installed a 4" inspection plate to get to the inside to fit the tube. This was per my spec to match the fittings on the original aluminum tank and seemed to be a normal request to them (Rich). As you preach, Ronco can do good work and with custom fittings. The tank looks like an excellent product--I'm impressed. My replacement is for a Hunter 37.5 I'm now collecting all the other pieces you recommend (Odorsafe hose, new Jabsco head etc) in prep for the install. Thanks for your help on all this, BTW.
Peggy, I received a new tank from Ronco yesterday with the pumpout fitting entering the side of the tank at the top, then an elbow inside attached to a pickup tube that goes to the bottom. How'd they do that? They installed a 4" inspection plate to get to the inside to fit the tube. This was per my spec to match the fittings on the original aluminum tank and seemed to be a normal request to them (Rich). As you preach, Ronco can do good work and with custom fittings. The tank looks like an excellent product--I'm impressed. My replacement is for a Hunter 37.5 I'm now collecting all the other pieces you recommend (Odorsafe hose, new Jabsco head etc) in prep for the install. Thanks for your help on all this, BTW.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Hmmmm...they used to tell me no
When a customer wanted it done that way. Must have changed their policies. Btw...IMO an inspection port is a "must" on all tanks.
When a customer wanted it done that way. Must have changed their policies. Btw...IMO an inspection port is a "must" on all tanks.
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