This forum has been very useful to follow and I appreciate it being here. OK with that general title I will start with a problem that is realling beginning to perplex me. We have an O'Day 35 with a MSDI Raitian waste processor in it. With the good advice from Peggy about what the rules really are, we piped the discharge from the waste processor to the seacock and not throught the holding tank any longer. The holding tank with two 1/2 in. vents, has been throughly flushed and and emptied has remained that way all summer. The waste processor and its lines have have been cleaned with vinegar several times and are flushed with shore water at the end of each weekend of use. The waste odor is gone, thanks. The bilge has been scrubbed and throughly flushed and remains nearly dry most all the time. However, the odor that remains is not a waste odor mildew odor. To me it smells like a chemical smell. My wife's nose being better than mine says it like a musty odor. It is strongest under the V-berth where the MSDI and the holding tank is. Anybody got any ideas as to what it is and where it is comming from. When I reran the lines I noticed that the y-valve that was in the line had a stong smell of it for several weeks away from the boat. I am wondering if their is a residual odor that is associated with waste process by the MSD I. Any help would be greatfully appreciated. Good Winds, Dave
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
My guess: Permeated hoses
If the odor is a sharp sour/sewer/chemical odor, that has to be it. To be sure: wet a rag in hot water...wring it out and wrap it around a hose. Leave it there till it cools...take it off and smell it. If you can smell the same odor on the rag, that hose has premeated. Check all the hoses the same way, using a clean rag each time. The only cure: replace the hoses. (Hey Phil.."Congratulations, I'm published WHERE??)
If the odor is a sharp sour/sewer/chemical odor, that has to be it. To be sure: wet a rag in hot water...wring it out and wrap it around a hose. Leave it there till it cools...take it off and smell it. If you can smell the same odor on the rag, that hose has premeated. Check all the hoses the same way, using a clean rag each time. The only cure: replace the hoses. (Hey Phil.."Congratulations, I'm published WHERE??)
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Tom Ehmke
Dave, it could be the holding tank
Dave, I followed all of the procedures prescribed by Peggy in the Head Mistress forum and still have odor in the area of the holding tank. I have changed all hoses, revamped the vent system, installed an inspection port, used the Raritan products, washed and disinfected the area and can only conclude that the tank itself is still giving off an odor. I'm not certain what to do, but the odor is so much less obnoxious than it was before that I will probably live with it. It is only troublesome if I have to get into the storage areas on both sides of the underside of the v-berth. What about wrapping the tank with Saran Wrap or some such product? Seems like I read about that on Peggy's forum. It was particularly strong the last time I visited the boat (on the hard) last week, but I have disconnected the head and there is no water barrier between the holding tank and the hose from the head. I have to thank Peggy once again for all that I've learned about waste disposal and odor on board over the past few years. (Yes, that is a compliment!!) Tom Tom
Dave, I followed all of the procedures prescribed by Peggy in the Head Mistress forum and still have odor in the area of the holding tank. I have changed all hoses, revamped the vent system, installed an inspection port, used the Raritan products, washed and disinfected the area and can only conclude that the tank itself is still giving off an odor. I'm not certain what to do, but the odor is so much less obnoxious than it was before that I will probably live with it. It is only troublesome if I have to get into the storage areas on both sides of the underside of the v-berth. What about wrapping the tank with Saran Wrap or some such product? Seems like I read about that on Peggy's forum. It was particularly strong the last time I visited the boat (on the hard) last week, but I have disconnected the head and there is no water barrier between the holding tank and the hose from the head. I have to thank Peggy once again for all that I've learned about waste disposal and odor on board over the past few years. (Yes, that is a compliment!!) Tom Tom
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Dave Mauney
Next Question
Peggy and Tom Thanks. My next step is to replace the hoses and the holding tank. It is orginal and I need to make the vents the full 1" as Peggy recommended. The question now is odor that is permeated the tank of the MSD I. I do not know if the material of that tank tends to get permeated and if so, is there something I can do to it such as let it sit in the sun while the boat is on the hard or do I have to replace it too? Peggy, Another complement. This forum has been the most helpful of all the web and written material that I could get my hands on. Thanks. Dave
Peggy and Tom Thanks. My next step is to replace the hoses and the holding tank. It is orginal and I need to make the vents the full 1" as Peggy recommended. The question now is odor that is permeated the tank of the MSD I. I do not know if the material of that tank tends to get permeated and if so, is there something I can do to it such as let it sit in the sun while the boat is on the hard or do I have to replace it too? Peggy, Another complement. This forum has been the most helpful of all the web and written material that I could get my hands on. Thanks. Dave
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
It's highly unlikely that the holding tank
ha permeated. You can find out very easily by simply doing the same "hot wet rag test" on the side of it. And since the shell of the Raritan Lectra/San is metal, there's -0- possibility that it has permeated. Any odor from the inside of it is escaping, either from a connection or is coming back up the head discharge hose. However, if it's been installed correctly, and is being maintained and operated according to directions, there shouldn't be any odor from the inside of it. Read the manual...if you don't have one, you can download it from the Raritan website at http://www.raritaneng.com If you still have odor after replacing the hoses, it's time to look beyond the sanitation system for the source. Read the article "Boat Odor Isn't All in Your Head" in the HM Reference Library. Over the years I've had calls from at least 100 people who've torn their hair--and most of the sanitation system--out, trying to cure what they THOUGHT was "head odor"...when all they needed to do was clean--really CLEAN, not just pour bleach or bilge cleaner into it--their bilge and/or sumps.
ha permeated. You can find out very easily by simply doing the same "hot wet rag test" on the side of it. And since the shell of the Raritan Lectra/San is metal, there's -0- possibility that it has permeated. Any odor from the inside of it is escaping, either from a connection or is coming back up the head discharge hose. However, if it's been installed correctly, and is being maintained and operated according to directions, there shouldn't be any odor from the inside of it. Read the manual...if you don't have one, you can download it from the Raritan website at http://www.raritaneng.com If you still have odor after replacing the hoses, it's time to look beyond the sanitation system for the source. Read the article "Boat Odor Isn't All in Your Head" in the HM Reference Library. Over the years I've had calls from at least 100 people who've torn their hair--and most of the sanitation system--out, trying to cure what they THOUGHT was "head odor"...when all they needed to do was clean--really CLEAN, not just pour bleach or bilge cleaner into it--their bilge and/or sumps.
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Dave Mauney
Raritan Lectra/San Tank
I removed and cleaned the Lectra/San tank last year and it was a plastic not metal. Were there some changes in the tank material over time? I believe that the cover is metal though. I will try the rag test on the tank though. I have cleaned and scrubbed the whole bilge with bilge cleaner and vinger based on Peggy's guidance. When I have my head in the bilge there is virtually no odor. Peggy I need to get some products from you. If you would be so kind as to give me web page, email or phone number I would appreciate it. Thanks Dave
I removed and cleaned the Lectra/San tank last year and it was a plastic not metal. Were there some changes in the tank material over time? I believe that the cover is metal though. I will try the rag test on the tank though. I have cleaned and scrubbed the whole bilge with bilge cleaner and vinger based on Peggy's guidance. When I have my head in the bilge there is virtually no odor. Peggy I need to get some products from you. If you would be so kind as to give me web page, email or phone number I would appreciate it. Thanks Dave
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Cover IS metal, inner liner is plastic
I should have made myself clearer, but my point was--there's no way the Lectra/San cabinet could have become odor permeated. Dave, I don't have any products to sell any more...I haven't since I sold my company to Raritan nearly 3 years ago. However, the online store here carries the whole Raritan Peal Products line...you can order whatever you need from them and make Phil very happy. And btw, it is not necessary to open the Lectra/San to clean it. The manual gives complete instructions for cleaning it with a solution of muriatic acid poured down the toilet. In fact, opening the cover should be avoided unless a part inside fails and has to be replaced, because opening it destroys the gasket that seals the top on--requiring a new one any time you do have to open it.
I should have made myself clearer, but my point was--there's no way the Lectra/San cabinet could have become odor permeated. Dave, I don't have any products to sell any more...I haven't since I sold my company to Raritan nearly 3 years ago. However, the online store here carries the whole Raritan Peal Products line...you can order whatever you need from them and make Phil very happy. And btw, it is not necessary to open the Lectra/San to clean it. The manual gives complete instructions for cleaning it with a solution of muriatic acid poured down the toilet. In fact, opening the cover should be avoided unless a part inside fails and has to be replaced, because opening it destroys the gasket that seals the top on--requiring a new one any time you do have to open it.
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Dave Mauney
Bingo, Thanks
Peggy You may have hit on part of the problem. My Electra/San was installed by a previous owner. It is not in a steel cabinet. I did not realize their was one. So the liner is exposed to the bilge air. Thanks again for the help. Good Winds Dave
Peggy You may have hit on part of the problem. My Electra/San was installed by a previous owner. It is not in a steel cabinet. I did not realize their was one. So the liner is exposed to the bilge air. Thanks again for the help. Good Winds Dave
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Sorry Dave...NO bingo.
In all my years in the marine sanitation business, I've never heard of a Lectra/San cabinet permeating with odor. It's just not possible. Nor is it possible for anyone to install one that isn't complete...iow, without the inner and outer shells. Test your hoses...replace if necessary. Remove any residual odor in the lockers they pass through by saturating all the surfaces with K.O. If that doesn't get rid of the odor, start looking beyond your sanitation system for the real source.
In all my years in the marine sanitation business, I've never heard of a Lectra/San cabinet permeating with odor. It's just not possible. Nor is it possible for anyone to install one that isn't complete...iow, without the inner and outer shells. Test your hoses...replace if necessary. Remove any residual odor in the lockers they pass through by saturating all the surfaces with K.O. If that doesn't get rid of the odor, start looking beyond your sanitation system for the real source.
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Dave Mauney
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fred miller
Same Problem Solved
OK here is the story. After I super cleaned everything [I mean totally]including scrubbing out the holding tank itself the odor still persisted. Something like a rotten egg smell.So, I took a rag and rubbbed it along all of the hoses and the Y valve and guess what . they smelled. Answer is the odor actually permeated and saturated the hoses, the Y-Valve and plastic holding tank itself.I was told the only type of plastic that will not pick up odor is Nalgene and that is only used for hospital application and in the space shuttle.Unavailable for this type of application. I replaced everthing, hoses, tank and Y valve. A disgusting mess! The odor under the bunks and in bilge did not disappear as the wood and fiberglas had also picked up the odor.Incredible , but true. So the next stop was to a pet supply store where I purchased a deodorizing chemical used to get pet urine stains out of carpeting. It is some form of enzyme I think. I put it in a spray bottle and saturated everything I could get to. Ventilated the area well and did it a couple of times more. The odor is gone. Hope that helps. Fred S/V M Squared
OK here is the story. After I super cleaned everything [I mean totally]including scrubbing out the holding tank itself the odor still persisted. Something like a rotten egg smell.So, I took a rag and rubbbed it along all of the hoses and the Y valve and guess what . they smelled. Answer is the odor actually permeated and saturated the hoses, the Y-Valve and plastic holding tank itself.I was told the only type of plastic that will not pick up odor is Nalgene and that is only used for hospital application and in the space shuttle.Unavailable for this type of application. I replaced everthing, hoses, tank and Y valve. A disgusting mess! The odor under the bunks and in bilge did not disappear as the wood and fiberglas had also picked up the odor.Incredible , but true. So the next stop was to a pet supply store where I purchased a deodorizing chemical used to get pet urine stains out of carpeting. It is some form of enzyme I think. I put it in a spray bottle and saturated everything I could get to. Ventilated the area well and did it a couple of times more. The odor is gone. Hope that helps. Fred S/V M Squared
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