Do you flush TP?
- Thread starter jonelli
- Start date
Methinks those who don't know when to quit have never figured out the difference between having something to say and just having to say something! 
(Since I just posted again, I guess that has to include me!)
(Since I just posted again, I guess that has to include me!
)
Well, as much as I don't like to say it, I TOLD YOU SO.
I'm on my way back into Long Beach with a completely full overflowing holding tank and nothing comes out of the macerator.
I've never had a clog until now and never put toilet paper in the head either.
Now I'm not sure if I've burnt up my macerator by letting it run for 5-10 minutes and nothing coming out.
Hoping that the pumpout station at the marina is working today. What's the recommended way to clear this and make sure the macerator is working? Is there some safe dye tablet I could stick in there and flush with fresh water?
I'm on my way back into Long Beach with a completely full overflowing holding tank and nothing comes out of the macerator.
I've never had a clog until now and never put toilet paper in the head either.
Now I'm not sure if I've burnt up my macerator by letting it run for 5-10 minutes and nothing coming out.
Hoping that the pumpout station at the marina is working today. What's the recommended way to clear this and make sure the macerator is working? Is there some safe dye tablet I could stick in there and flush with fresh water?
It must be a diet problem. Sorry
I hope we never have this problem, but we only use it for number 1 and the wife swears she puts paper in the basket.
I hope we never have this problem, but we only use it for number 1 and the wife swears she puts paper in the basket.
Any macerator that can't suck out and grind up 'marine' TP is defective or junk. Seriously. Take a piece of that TP and drop it into a pail of water, and see how quickly it disintegrates.
Correlation does not mean causality. Maybe something else got into the tank? Or the macerator just finally gave up? How old is the macerator?
Correlation does not mean causality. Maybe something else got into the tank? Or the macerator just finally gave up? How old is the macerator?
If waste is actually spewing out the vent now, it's not likely that the vent is blocked...but if it's only a trickle, it likely is and the tank is seriously pressurized, forcing waste to escape wherever it can....enough that continuing to flush the toilet can burst the tank or create an eruption in the toilet. Don't use the toilet again--use a bucket if you have to!-- till you've cleared the vent. You won't be able to pump out against a blocked tank vent either. When you get to the pumpout, open the deck fitting cap VERY carefully, hanging tightly onto it...'cuz the pressure can easily spin it out of your hand. There's also likely to be a geyser...so be sure that side of the boat is to leeward--and you should be too...and have a hose at the ready.
And btw, if you let your macerator run for more than a minute or two without pulling anything out, yes...you've burnt out the motor.
And btw, if you let your macerator run for more than a minute or two without pulling anything out, yes...you've burnt out the motor.
When you check this out, see what king of build-up is in the hoses. When I changed out mine, I had less than 3/4 of an inch free in the hose. Good luck!
Okay. System is cleared out.
I disconnected the vent hose at the tank (yes it was a bit messy) and it still would not pump out at the station. I even took off the elbow fitting so I could see the top level of liquid in the tank. It still would not pump out.
What eventually dislodged whatever the clog was, was to remove and replace the suction hose over and over. The vent was not clogged but everything was overflowing.
Sucked it all out, flushed it with sea water then fresh water. Reconnected everything, cleaned up and sprayed old spice.
My frustration is with not knowing how full the tank is so when trying to empty it out at sea without burning up the macerator, I am never sure. Stupid system.
I am going to find some kind of dye to put in it so I can always know.
I disconnected the vent hose at the tank (yes it was a bit messy) and it still would not pump out at the station. I even took off the elbow fitting so I could see the top level of liquid in the tank. It still would not pump out.
What eventually dislodged whatever the clog was, was to remove and replace the suction hose over and over. The vent was not clogged but everything was overflowing.
Sucked it all out, flushed it with sea water then fresh water. Reconnected everything, cleaned up and sprayed old spice.
My frustration is with not knowing how full the tank is so when trying to empty it out at sea without burning up the macerator, I am never sure. Stupid system.
I am going to find some kind of dye to put in it so I can always know.