Peggy, Terry, or? I just purchased a 42P Hunter(1990) with electric heads. I spent 1 night on her and had a problem when aft head flushed, originally would not flush empty, too late I realized it was running into the forward head and overflowed, a lot! This is after flushing the aft head several times over 10 minuets or so. Only 1 holding tank and I suspect the 2 head hoses go to a Y before entering the holding tank. I believe the heads are original. After reading some of your posts I suspect you would recomend replacement heads. If so the SeaEra Raritan "freshwater Solenoid", or "Straight Discharge" or? Peggy,I want to purchase your book on this subject, clicking on the link above brought nothing up, where can I buy your book? Thanks in advance. John
Electric Head
- Thread starter John Melton
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You have a plumbing problem, not a toilet problem
The toilet flushed, it just ended up the wrong place. Replacing the toilets won't solve that problem. You only SUSPECT that there's a wye in the plumbing to connect both heads to the same tank? First thing you need to do is find out how the system is plumbed. Only then can we figure out why the contents of the aft head ended up in the forward head instead of the tank. There are a number of possibilities, but the two most likely are: 1. a blocked tank vent that's pressurized the tank enough to prevent waste from going into it, so it's going where it can go--to the other toilet. 2. The tank is so full that incoming waste has nowhere to go but to the other toilet. Or both. When you know exactly how the system is plumbed, cleared the tank vent (the two most likely places for a vent blockage are the thru-hull and the connection to the tank--both the tank fitting and that end of the hose), pumped out the tank, get back to me if you still have the same problem. And btw...I'd open the deck pumpout fitting to relieve any pressure in the system before removing any hose connections. And as long as you're exploring, find ALL your thru-hulls, y-valves and other valves. When the boat starts taking on water is not the time to start looking for 'em. This link to my book should work.
The toilet flushed, it just ended up the wrong place. Replacing the toilets won't solve that problem. You only SUSPECT that there's a wye in the plumbing to connect both heads to the same tank? First thing you need to do is find out how the system is plumbed. Only then can we figure out why the contents of the aft head ended up in the forward head instead of the tank. There are a number of possibilities, but the two most likely are: 1. a blocked tank vent that's pressurized the tank enough to prevent waste from going into it, so it's going where it can go--to the other toilet. 2. The tank is so full that incoming waste has nowhere to go but to the other toilet. Or both. When you know exactly how the system is plumbed, cleared the tank vent (the two most likely places for a vent blockage are the thru-hull and the connection to the tank--both the tank fitting and that end of the hose), pumped out the tank, get back to me if you still have the same problem. And btw...I'd open the deck pumpout fitting to relieve any pressure in the system before removing any hose connections. And as long as you're exploring, find ALL your thru-hulls, y-valves and other valves. When the boat starts taking on water is not the time to start looking for 'em. This link to my book should work.
Hi John, Peggie offers some teriffic tips...
I suspect our boats are plumbed alike. Each head has its own raw water through hull intake and toilet bowl discharge hoses (no wyes). As Peggie suggested the first place to check is the tank vent, but based on your symptoms it sounds like the tank is full and needs to be pumped out. I have several articles in the 42 Knowledge Base, one that deals with my first experience with a plugged tank vent and what I did to clear the system and ongoing trouble free maintenance. Each head has its own electric solenoid operated anti siphon valve. The aft head valve is located in the main propulsion compartment on the starboard bulkhead. The forward head is located inside the forward most starboard cupboard in the main cabin behind a small screw out panel on the forward side. The electric heads are pretty simple, always work and trouble free. As long as they do the job I would keep them until they need replacing. Again, check out the numerous articles in the Knowledge Base. I think you will find them very helpful. Consider me available to answer any questions that you have. The P42 is a great boat. Congrats as a new owner. Terry
I suspect our boats are plumbed alike. Each head has its own raw water through hull intake and toilet bowl discharge hoses (no wyes). As Peggie suggested the first place to check is the tank vent, but based on your symptoms it sounds like the tank is full and needs to be pumped out. I have several articles in the 42 Knowledge Base, one that deals with my first experience with a plugged tank vent and what I did to clear the system and ongoing trouble free maintenance. Each head has its own electric solenoid operated anti siphon valve. The aft head valve is located in the main propulsion compartment on the starboard bulkhead. The forward head is located inside the forward most starboard cupboard in the main cabin behind a small screw out panel on the forward side. The electric heads are pretty simple, always work and trouble free. As long as they do the job I would keep them until they need replacing. Again, check out the numerous articles in the Knowledge Base. I think you will find them very helpful. Consider me available to answer any questions that you have. The P42 is a great boat. Congrats as a new owner. Terry
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