Well. don't I feel stupid. Just finished replacing the marine toilet on my 1990 Hunter 30' Open Transom. The job went smoothly enough but I just don't understand the principle of how it works. Question #1: What's the holding tank next to the sink in the head for? What's it do? Question #2: the hand pump next to the holding tank - What's it do? Question #3: What's the bung on the deck marked "Waste Water" do? Do I fill it with water? and lastly, Question 4: How's the waste exausted? Would sure appreciate some enlightenment from someone smarter than me out there. Thanks in advance.
Duh. What's this pump for?
- Thread starter smartthinking
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#1 Most boats only have 1 "holding" tank, it holds "waste water" (toilet discharge)
#2 Hand Pump ? I'd have to see what it's connected to.
#3 It's to stick a vacuum hose in to empty "waste water" see #1
#4 If you are on a lake, only legal way is #3
#2 Hand Pump ? I'd have to see what it's connected to.
#3 It's to stick a vacuum hose in to empty "waste water" see #1
#4 If you are on a lake, only legal way is #3
Some photos would help
2. That leads me to think it's the sewage holding tank...the pump was installed to dump it at sea.
3. The "waste" deck fitting is the fitting through which the sewage holding tank is pumped out by a marina pumpout. No, you do NOT fill it with water except to rinse out the tank, which should be done several times a season.
4. Waste is either pumped out or dumped at sea through a thru-hull that should be below waterline, but may be in the hull just above the waterline.
Installation, operation and maintenance instructions that illustrate how toilets are holding tanks are typically plumbed were in the box along with your new toilet...you need to READ 'em! You also need to trace all the plumbing to find out where it goes and what it does.
1. It may be an owner installed flush water tank (to avoid using salt water)...or it may be the sewage holding tank. There have to be hoses connected to that tank...what are the other ends of 'em connected to...very specifically?
2. That leads me to think it's the sewage holding tank...the pump was installed to dump it at sea.
3. The "waste" deck fitting is the fitting through which the sewage holding tank is pumped out by a marina pumpout. No, you do NOT fill it with water except to rinse out the tank, which should be done several times a season.
4. Waste is either pumped out or dumped at sea through a thru-hull that should be below waterline, but may be in the hull just above the waterline.
Installation, operation and maintenance instructions that illustrate how toilets are holding tanks are typically plumbed were in the box along with your new toilet...you need to READ 'em! You also need to trace all the plumbing to find out where it goes and what it does.
smartthinking, Peggie's probably correct on all counts. It sounds like the tank next to the toilet is the toilet waste holding tank. The manual pump next to it is most likely a manual bilge pump that is used to empty the holding tank when out to sea. It should connect to the bottom of the tank, and at the other end, to a through-hull fitting. You open the seacock at the through-hull fitting, then pump the pump to empty the tank out into the water. Note: you can only do this legally if you are 3 miles or more out in the ocean. You cannot do it in coastal waters or in any lake or river - only 3 miles or more out in the ocean. There's a hefty fine if you get caught...
The bung on the deck, marked "Waste" is the access for pumpout of the tank, either at a dockside facility or via a pumpout boat. There should also be another (smaller diameter) hose coming off the tank that goes to a vent through-hull fitting on the side of the hull, usually up near the toe rail. This vent must be clear at all times, so that air can come into the tank when it is being pumped out, and air can escape from the tank as it fills. If this line becomes plugged-up, you won't be able to have the tank pumped out, and you will have difficulty flushing the toilet. If the air cannot escape from the tank as it fills, the air will compress inside the tank, pressurizing the tank. This will cause the toilet to not flush properly, and could cause the toilet to back up. It can also cause a "brown guyser" to erupt from the deck fitting when you remove it. When loosening the "waste" cap, do it very gingerly - if it starts to hiss as you loosen it, STOP and wait until the pressure relieves itself before continuing.
As Peggie and others have mentioned, you should crawl around the boat and find and discover every single component on the boat and determine what it does and why it's there. Then, when problems develop - and they will every now and then - you'll know where to look, and what to look for. Marine plumbers depending on where you are, charge anywhere from $50.00/hr. to $150.00 per hour. So the more you understand your onboard systems, and the less you have to call them in, the better off you are.
The bung on the deck, marked "Waste" is the access for pumpout of the tank, either at a dockside facility or via a pumpout boat. There should also be another (smaller diameter) hose coming off the tank that goes to a vent through-hull fitting on the side of the hull, usually up near the toe rail. This vent must be clear at all times, so that air can come into the tank when it is being pumped out, and air can escape from the tank as it fills. If this line becomes plugged-up, you won't be able to have the tank pumped out, and you will have difficulty flushing the toilet. If the air cannot escape from the tank as it fills, the air will compress inside the tank, pressurizing the tank. This will cause the toilet to not flush properly, and could cause the toilet to back up. It can also cause a "brown guyser" to erupt from the deck fitting when you remove it. When loosening the "waste" cap, do it very gingerly - if it starts to hiss as you loosen it, STOP and wait until the pressure relieves itself before continuing.
As Peggie and others have mentioned, you should crawl around the boat and find and discover every single component on the boat and determine what it does and why it's there. Then, when problems develop - and they will every now and then - you'll know where to look, and what to look for. Marine plumbers depending on where you are, charge anywhere from $50.00/hr. to $150.00 per hour. So the more you understand your onboard systems, and the less you have to call them in, the better off you are.
where is Cross Lake?
please tell me it is not near or connected to the Chesapeake Bay.
Seriously; welcome to the wonderful world of boat plumbing. The previous owner (PO) no doubt had his own ideas about plumbing the head. Just wait till you have an electrical problem. you are going to love it (provided you aren't on fire)
Count it all as joy, embrace the horror
please tell me it is not near or connected to the Chesapeake Bay.
Seriously; welcome to the wonderful world of boat plumbing. The previous owner (PO) no doubt had his own ideas about plumbing the head. Just wait till you have an electrical problem. you are going to love it (provided you aren't on fire)
Count it all as joy, embrace the horror
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