Best type of head treatment?
- Thread starter Stephen OBrien
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I assume you mean "holding tank" treatment
There is nothing you can put down the toilet that will eliminate odors in the head--or for that matter, inside the boat...because a) nothing flushed down the toilet can get into the part of the head plumbing where odor originates...and b) the holding tank is rarely if ever the source of odor inside the boat...'cuz unless a tank is leaking, odor from inside the tank only has one place to go: out the tank vent. So if you're asking about what to use in your tank to prevent odor out the vent each time the toilet is flushed, there are only two products I recommend: Raritan K.O. or Odorlos. For more detail on the subject than is practical to post here, you might want to check out the link below. However
There is nothing you can put down the toilet that will eliminate odors in the head--or for that matter, inside the boat...because a) nothing flushed down the toilet can get into the part of the head plumbing where odor originates...and b) the holding tank is rarely if ever the source of odor inside the boat...'cuz unless a tank is leaking, odor from inside the tank only has one place to go: out the tank vent. So if you're asking about what to use in your tank to prevent odor out the vent each time the toilet is flushed, there are only two products I recommend: Raritan K.O. or Odorlos. For more detail on the subject than is practical to post here, you might want to check out the link below. However
Follow up question
Peggy, when you say "nothing flushed down the toilet can get into the part of the head plumbing where odor originates", do you mean the odor is originating from the hoses that bring water into the toilet from outside? If so, then that doesn't apply to me because I only flush with fresh water that I pour into the toilet -- I keep the raw water intake valve shut. I really appreciate your recommendation and will look into those products.
Peggy, when you say "nothing flushed down the toilet can get into the part of the head plumbing where odor originates", do you mean the odor is originating from the hoses that bring water into the toilet from outside? If so, then that doesn't apply to me because I only flush with fresh water that I pour into the toilet -- I keep the raw water intake valve shut. I really appreciate your recommendation and will look into those products.
Do you have odor inside the boat?
Or only out the tank vent when you flush? Or both? If you have odor inside the boat, nothing you use in the tank will cure it, 'cuz as I've already said, unless somethng is leaking, odor from inside the tank only has one place to go: out the tank vent. The head intake is only source of odors inside the boat...a wet bilge or sump in need of a real cleaning instead of just dumping in more bilge cleaner and/or bleach...dirty sumps...sanitation hoses that have become permeated with odor...stagnant water trapped somewhere...are all sources of odor that can make a boat smell like a swamp or even a sewer. And as the weather gets hotter, the odor will only get worse till you find the source(s) and eliminate it.
Or only out the tank vent when you flush? Or both? If you have odor inside the boat, nothing you use in the tank will cure it, 'cuz as I've already said, unless somethng is leaking, odor from inside the tank only has one place to go: out the tank vent. The head intake is only source of odors inside the boat...a wet bilge or sump in need of a real cleaning instead of just dumping in more bilge cleaner and/or bleach...dirty sumps...sanitation hoses that have become permeated with odor...stagnant water trapped somewhere...are all sources of odor that can make a boat smell like a swamp or even a sewer. And as the weather gets hotter, the odor will only get worse till you find the source(s) and eliminate it.
Pushing her book
Why is it that when Peggy answers any question she always pushes her book? Why not just answer the question period.
Why is it that when Peggy answers any question she always pushes her book? Why not just answer the question period.
Ken
That's how she makes a living (my guess). She has a lot of knowledge and paying a small price of a book for all her knowledge is a great deal. Me, unfortunately, hate to read (from books) so I don't buy many books. She has given tons of free advice and I am very happy because she has helped me get rid of odors and now I am considering moving onboard. I have no quaries with authors pushing books as long as they give some advice for free. Don is a big pusher too and like Peggy, he gives free advice and he has helped me learn a lot about sail trim. Summary: They are just trying to make a living and if you don't want to buy, then just filter through the writings to extract any info you can. Remember...all this is FREE!!!! IT A PRIVILIAGE...not a right.
That's how she makes a living (my guess). She has a lot of knowledge and paying a small price of a book for all her knowledge is a great deal. Me, unfortunately, hate to read (from books) so I don't buy many books. She has given tons of free advice and I am very happy because she has helped me get rid of odors and now I am considering moving onboard. I have no quaries with authors pushing books as long as they give some advice for free. Don is a big pusher too and like Peggy, he gives free advice and he has helped me learn a lot about sail trim. Summary: They are just trying to make a living and if you don't want to buy, then just filter through the writings to extract any info you can. Remember...all this is FREE!!!! IT A PRIVILIAGE...not a right.
That's NOT true
Ken, I think you're wrong. Peggie's not always pushing her book. Don Guilette's a little more assertive. What she's most likely having trouble with, as are many of us, is that people don't read. They don't read what she tells them. They don't read the referenced material. They don't do any of their own homework. They don't use the forum archives, even if there's been a lot of discussion on similar topics. Quite frankly, I'm amazed at her persistence. How many times does she have to repeat "how to clean your water tanks?" And then have people disagree with her? And what's wrong with this picture: having spent years putting together a book that people can use, then they read it and then they ask questions that are already answered in the bloody book. In another thread last week, Herb mentioned that in owning a boat, most folks need to at least begin to understand that they have to start to build up a library. A library of reference books, a library of edresses, a library of Internet references, etc. It just seems that too many people want to post questions without doing any of their own research. In fact, many of the questions on this forum, while repetitious in nature simply because of new boaters joining in (great!) can readily be answered by looking at even the MOST basic of boating books, and a basic boating book oughta be in everyone's library, because it's like mechanics: they're not going to be out there on the water when you need 'em most - or does everyone have 24/7 email coverage when out sailing? An example is the new post: "How much chain do I need?" C'mon. Yeah, I started somewhere, too, but I bought books before there was an Internet, and I still keep buying them. But the few basic books should answer most of these questions - Dutton's, Chapman's, Royce's, Hiscock's, etc. - hell even Hunter gives Chapman's away with their new boats!! And I always cringe when I see "what's the best way..." questions. All boats are compromises, as are all systems. "What's the best girl for me to marry?" Posting on Peggie's Expert column also is a giveaway, there are previously posted questions right there to review. I congratulate Peggie for her perseverance. The repetition must be crippling her typing fingers. Peggie, keep up the good work. Stu
Ken, I think you're wrong. Peggie's not always pushing her book. Don Guilette's a little more assertive. What she's most likely having trouble with, as are many of us, is that people don't read. They don't read what she tells them. They don't read the referenced material. They don't do any of their own homework. They don't use the forum archives, even if there's been a lot of discussion on similar topics. Quite frankly, I'm amazed at her persistence. How many times does she have to repeat "how to clean your water tanks?" And then have people disagree with her? And what's wrong with this picture: having spent years putting together a book that people can use, then they read it and then they ask questions that are already answered in the bloody book. In another thread last week, Herb mentioned that in owning a boat, most folks need to at least begin to understand that they have to start to build up a library. A library of reference books, a library of edresses, a library of Internet references, etc. It just seems that too many people want to post questions without doing any of their own research. In fact, many of the questions on this forum, while repetitious in nature simply because of new boaters joining in (great!) can readily be answered by looking at even the MOST basic of boating books, and a basic boating book oughta be in everyone's library, because it's like mechanics: they're not going to be out there on the water when you need 'em most - or does everyone have 24/7 email coverage when out sailing? An example is the new post: "How much chain do I need?" C'mon. Yeah, I started somewhere, too, but I bought books before there was an Internet, and I still keep buying them. But the few basic books should answer most of these questions - Dutton's, Chapman's, Royce's, Hiscock's, etc. - hell even Hunter gives Chapman's away with their new boats!! And I always cringe when I see "what's the best way..." questions. All boats are compromises, as are all systems. "What's the best girl for me to marry?" Posting on Peggie's Expert column also is a giveaway, there are previously posted questions right there to review. I congratulate Peggie for her perseverance. The repetition must be crippling her typing fingers. Peggie, keep up the good work. Stu
Uh, back on topic, ok?
Whew, this thread sure took a nasty turn. First of all, Peggy is so generous with her time and knowledge that we all owe her a debt of gratitude. Second, putting a link to her book on her posts is hardly "pushing" her book. Third, she does in fact answer questions thoroughly. Fourth, her book is probably one of the few written for sailboat owners that is worth the money. Fifth, don't be ignorant. Peggy, I disassembled the pump and discovered that a plastic weight that was attached to the flapper valve had come loose and wedged itself into the joker valve. As a result, neither valve worked properly. Even though my Mansfield head is no longer supported by the after market, I was able to find a rebuild kit that was close enough. Now it works great and I bought some active enzyme tank treatment for good measure. Thank you for all your wonderful service to the boating community. You are a treasure.
Whew, this thread sure took a nasty turn. First of all, Peggy is so generous with her time and knowledge that we all owe her a debt of gratitude. Second, putting a link to her book on her posts is hardly "pushing" her book. Third, she does in fact answer questions thoroughly. Fourth, her book is probably one of the few written for sailboat owners that is worth the money. Fifth, don't be ignorant. Peggy, I disassembled the pump and discovered that a plastic weight that was attached to the flapper valve had come loose and wedged itself into the joker valve. As a result, neither valve worked properly. Even though my Mansfield head is no longer supported by the after market, I was able to find a rebuild kit that was close enough. Now it works great and I bought some active enzyme tank treatment for good measure. Thank you for all your wonderful service to the boating community. You are a treasure.
I'm buying the books
I have to agree with Stu and Franklin, buy the books and read them. I've been sailing for a number of years but never had a big boat with all the devices my current boat has. I'm learning something every week from this Forum and from other boaters. I bought Peggy's book and I just received Don's book and charts. Peggy's book is great, slowly working through all the suggestions she has on getting out the odors. I'm really excited about Don's book and practicing his suggestions for sail trimming. I think many people get overwhelmed with the technical descriptions in some books and turn to this forum to look for a simplier explanation. I know I get overwhelmed pretty quick when it comes to electrical problems. Peggy's and Don's book are easy to read and understand. Anyone have a suggestion for electrical books? By the way, it's hotter than hell here in Texas and no rain, can you imagine that!
I have to agree with Stu and Franklin, buy the books and read them. I've been sailing for a number of years but never had a big boat with all the devices my current boat has. I'm learning something every week from this Forum and from other boaters. I bought Peggy's book and I just received Don's book and charts. Peggy's book is great, slowly working through all the suggestions she has on getting out the odors. I'm really excited about Don's book and practicing his suggestions for sail trimming. I think many people get overwhelmed with the technical descriptions in some books and turn to this forum to look for a simplier explanation. I know I get overwhelmed pretty quick when it comes to electrical problems. Peggy's and Don's book are easy to read and understand. Anyone have a suggestion for electrical books? By the way, it's hotter than hell here in Texas and no rain, can you imagine that!
Suggestions for Electrical Books
Wanna know everything: Calder's Boatowner's Manual for Electrical and Mechanical Systems Wanna know enough: Don Casey Start: Google boat electrical systems. Try Sailnet's articles. All good, all there, go get 'em. Stu
Wanna know everything: Calder's Boatowner's Manual for Electrical and Mechanical Systems Wanna know enough: Don Casey Start: Google boat electrical systems. Try Sailnet's articles. All good, all there, go get 'em. Stu
Thanks Stu
Sounds good. I have been reading the articles in Sailnet and they are good. I have read several articles by Don and actually printed one as it was very good at explanining the basics of boat electricity. I'll check out his book.
Sounds good. I have been reading the articles in Sailnet and they are good. I have read several articles by Don and actually printed one as it was very good at explanining the basics of boat electricity. I'll check out his book.
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