Additive for a pumpable porta-potty

[David Foster]

Our h27 has a portapotty rigged to flush, and then pump out pump out before it gets too full. The there is no way the pump-out hose could be called an air source, since it rises 6 feet after a vertical s-curve to get it out of the holding tank.What should we use to control the odor? Biologic agents, or chemical? Your fan,DavidLady Lillie

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

It has to have a vent, or you couldn't pump it out

And if it's vented, you should be able to use a non-chemical tank treatment...K.O. or Odorlos.

 

[David Foster]

No vent, we open the bowl bottom to pump out

After flushing, and when not in use, a reasonably airtight cover seal off the holding part of the potty. That's the only way in, and the pump out is the only way out. (OK, I could unhook it and carry the holding tank out to dump.So no continuous air supply.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

That's not a safe arrangement

Methane is odorless, but it's flammable. Do not ever leave the boat with anything in the tank...it could explode. But that danger aside, I would not want to be in your shoes if you ever leave it even half full for a week in hot weather. Whether the waste breaks down aerobically OR anaerobically, it generates gasses...those gasses have to escape or they'll pressurize the tank. Enough pressure will crack the tank...but before that happens everything in it will spew out when you open it. If it were mine, I'd spend the $125 to replace it with a permanently installed--and properly vented--5.6 gallon model...the SeaLand 965 MSD is the pick of the litter. However, it's your boat, and you didn't ask what I thought of the system...so to answer your question: About the only thing that has a prayer of keeping the odor down in your system is white vinegar...fill the flush water reservoir with it instead of water. Good luck!

 

[David Foster]

Whoa, that's a red flag!

Thanks, Peggie. I'll do a complete system check this week, and come back to ask what you think we should do.Until we solve the problem, use will be very limited, and pump-outs daily.David

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

What I'd do:

You have a portapotty...you already have the hose going to a pumpout deck fitting... It wouldn't be that hard to modify what you have (although unless it's the larger 5-6 gallon model, it's prob'ly not worth effort)...all you really have to do is add a vent line. If it is a small one, swapping it out isn't that big a deal either. The larger models have the same footprint as the smaller ones, they're just taller...and again, the only new plumbing you'd need is a vent. Either way, it means putting a new hole in the hull for the vent through-hull, but that's the only major work. Once you have it vented, you can use K.O. or Odolos to keep it odor free.