beneteau 43 head backflow

[sam C]

I have a 2008 B43 with two quiet flush jabsco heads. I have fought backflow since day one. We have changed joker valves way too many times. The holding tanks (yes they are above the head) both have clear vents. There really isn't a way to ensure dry bowl discharge line full evacuation other than holding the electric button down a bit longer. I am ready for a durable fix (whatever that is!). Will changing the aft head to a Raritan manual with a real 1 1/2 duckbill style joker do the trick? Will changing the forward head out to a Sea Era work?

Help. It is really disappointing to have a new boat smell like a twenty yearold one. Jabsco and Beneteau definitely missed the cloboration boat on this one!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Even if the holding tanks are above the heads, are the inlets of the holding tanks from the heads into the top of the tank? If so, where do you think the backflow is coming from?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

What???

Even if the holding tanks are above the heads, are the inlets of the holding tanks from the heads into the top of the tank? If so, where do you think the backflow is coming from?

Tank higher than toilet, which means a hose that runs uphill...no "dry flush" function...Think about it, Stu! <sigh>

 

[Stu Jackson]

<sigh> back

Tank higher than toilet, which means a hose that runs uphill...no "dry flush" function...Think about it, Stu! <sigh>

Peggie, OK, a little lightbulb over me typing fingers: it's NOT a manual head so there's no dry bowl function.

Am I close?

Would it work if there was a manual head with a dry bowl lever? F'rinstance, the C350s are like that and I've always wondered about that plumbing <lack of> design.

Glad it's a quiet weekend when everyone else is out sailing where I can exhibit my stupidity!

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Maybe...

Any toilet, manual or electric, with a dry bowl function would definitely help. But I'd like to talk with him to figure out if there's a better place to put the tank. That's a lot easier, less expensive solution.

"Glad it's a quiet weekend when everyone else is out sailing where I can exhibit my stupidity!"

:dance: You're doin' fine...Like most people, you just need to take a little time to think before you start typing. With any luck, I may succeed in training SOME of y'all to do that before they cart me off to the nursing home!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Nah, not a nursing home, but we could start meeting at physical therapy!

So the dry bowl can pump four to six feet. Even if the outlet of the head is below the tank, and the inlet to the tank is on the top, can't the pump push it up enough over the "top", keep the hose empty by having pushed the contents out of the bowl, through the hose, into the tank, and not have any waste in the hose, and no backflow? That's what I was getting at earlier. Assumes that this is all within 4 to 6 feet.

 

[mac1840]

Sam,

Just to let you know, I have the same boat, same problem and earlier wrote to Peggy about converting one of the tFresh water tanks to a fresh water flush system, which after reading the consensus of opinions, I didn't do. I did have Beneteau replace the hoses and joker valves which helped greatly. The standard hoses are not the best and the broker out here is now replacing them as the boats come in as their standard delivery procedure. The stench was horrible, its now gone.

Peggy, any suggestions on too clearing much paper, plugging the pump? Guests on board...

Good luck..

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

A couple of solutions, Mac

Peggy, any suggestions on too clearing much paper, plugging the pump? Guests on board...

1. Put a trash can and some ziplock sandwich bags in the head and instruct your guests that NOTHING they haven't eaten first goes into the toilet...EVERYTHING else including TP goes into the trash can. No guests who ignore that instruction should ever set foot on your boat again...if you must continue to socialize with 'em, do it on land.

2. If only quick-dissolve TP is available onboard, and you're 100% certain that the clog is only a TP overload--that nothing else (like a wet wipe) has been flushed--the clog will dissolve on its own in an hour or two. Meanwhile, your guests will just have to cross their legs or go swimming.

3. Upgrade the toilet to a Tecma, Raritan Atlantes or other high-end model that can even chew up a tampon.

 

[mac1840]

Re: A couple of solutions, Mac

Peggy

Thanks, we're making a sign and removed the KleenNex box that was in the head..You an guess what was plugging the pump at this point. Thank god for needle nose pliers..

 

[Guest]

Head

Here is my story and I'm sticking to it.

Our 1991 P42 that we purchased in 2002 has two original Jabsco electric heads that draw raw water for flushing into one holding tank locate below the waterline. The power panel has one switch for both heads and a macerator switch for the overboard macerator pump. Each head has a through hull for raw water flushing. The head uses a combo pump and macerator motor to bring raw water in for flushing and a macerator for chewing up the material on its way to the holding tank during the flushing operation.

Each head has an electrically operated anti siphon solenoid valve; aft is located in the engine compartment and forward is located inside a small compartment forward of the main cabin cabinets starboard side. These help to prevent water from siphoning into the bowl after flushing since both the heads and holding tank are below the waterline.

The holding tank on our boat is located beneath the main cabin sole starboard side by the setee. The through hull seacock for the macerator pump is located on the forward side of the holding tank. A small sole compartment hatch on the starboard side next to the compression post is where we have two seacocks; one for the forward cabin head raw water intake and the other for the holding tank macerator pump. Our macerator draws from the tank via a wye valve arrangement.

When it's time for use I first open the through hull, turn on the head switch and activate the flush button to bring in some raw water to the bowl. When ready I hold the flush button down for at least five full seconds to allow enough time for the bowl contents to reach the holding tank. I return everything to their normal position when done.

If our tank is close to full, there is no pump out facility nearby and we're in a legal place to dump I will open the macerator pump through hull and activate the macerator switch until the tank is empty. The pump sound will change to a slightly higher but distinctive pitch at that point. Close all through hulls when done. Raw water will slowly seep back into the holding tank if left open.

Ever since I cleared the plugged tank vent line shortly after taking possession and following Peggie's tank pump out cleaning procedures the system has operated trouble free ever since.

Terry Cox