Adding a Macerator / Dump out

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Pete K

Have a Beneteau 351. The boats toilet current only has the function to pump to holding tank or direct out. I want to add a Macerator to Dump out the holding tank at sea. Do I need another Thru hull Connection ? and how do you piece in a Macerator to the holding tank? Any Suggestions on how to proceed appreciated.
 
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress

It depends on where the existing through hull is..

...and where the tank is. If it's close (within a few feet), you can tee or wye into the head's discharge thru-hull. Do NOT connect the macerator directly to the tank...in fact, never connect anything "hard" directly to anything else "hard ...that's a good way to end up with a cracked tank. Always "soft couple" with at least a foot of hose to act as a shock absorber. Install a y-valve in the pumpout line...the hose coming out one side goes to the deck fitting (as it does now), the hose coming out other side goes the macerator, then up and over a vented loop that's at least a foot above the waterline at any angle of heel...and to the thru-hull. The macerator should be close to the tank and at or below the same level as the discharge fitting on the tank, so it will prime quickly...running a macerator dry burns out the impeller in it. Macerators are 1.5" in (same as your tank discharge fitting), but only 1" out. Your existing head discharge thru-hull is 1.5"...so if you go back to that through-hull, you'll need either a 1" x 1.5" reducing adapter, or a 1" x 1.5" tee or wye to connect 'em. If there's already a vented loop AFTER the wye valve in the head discharge, tee or wye into that line ahead of it--between the y-valve and the loop--and you won't need another one.
 
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Andy F

Pump from out

Peggy, can a macerator (or any) pump be connected to the deck pump out fitting, so that it vacums the tank? Our marina has a hand prime/pump out cart. I was thinking about getting a pump to screw on the deck fitting, with a discharge directly in to the pump caddy tank. Will that work?
 
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress

It can be done...

But the plumbing can be interesting. Before I can tell you how to set it up, I need some answers: What are the odds you'll ever need to pump out at any other marina or dump the tank at sea? And how big is the tank?
 
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Pete K

It depends on where the existing through hull is..

Peggy, Thanks for your reply. As it turns out the distance between the Head/through hull and the holding tank (which is in the aft tail section is about 7feet. I am still not sure how you connect the Maserator at the bottom if the connections for the vent, deck pump out and the input are all at the top of the holding tank. As you suggested the Maserator should be at or below the bottom of the holding tank and I gather gravity fed. Do I need to purchase an replacement holding tank ? The boat is a new purchase and currently being delevered next week. Would appreciate your suggestions so that I can get a jump on this when the boat arrives. -- Thanks
 
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