Filthy Job Warning

[nick8489]

One day before I was due to depart for a 10 day Chrisrtmas cruise my mascerator (H33 2004 #208) failed. I suppose 7 years is a reasonable life.
The tank was about one eigth full and I therefore studied carefully how I might effect the change without getting into the preverbial. The method basically was to quickly bend the inlet and outlet pipes upwards when released, fit the new pump and likewise quickly refit with the aid of lubricant.
I rushed round to the local chandler who fortunately has a replacement pump in stock. Back on board I carefully assembled all the tools within arm reach which might be necessary to prise off the old pipe, fitted rubber gloves opened all the hatches and was ready to go!
Then disaster, I discovered that the outlet on the new pump was on the opposite side to the old one. No matter which way I looked at it, it was too short and I had to replace the 2 metres of old pipe between the pump and the seacock. Those familiar with the H33 will realise that this pipe disappears into the bowels of the boat below the engine and goes through ackward contortions. The contents of 2 metres of pipe is not inconsequent and no matter how you attempt this job the foul contents will eventually be deposited in the the bilge. The smell was horrible and with the hatches open all the passing sailors on their way to to their own Christmas on the water wondered what was afoot. "Christ Nick what the hell are you doing down there"? was a typical reponse. There were no offers of help!
From start to finish took only four hours but it seemed like a week. I hesitate to tell you for fear of prosecution how the offending liquid was removed from the bilge only to say that my wife rang to ask how come I was still down there in the dark.
When cleaned up as best as possible I put a litre of that bright blue stuff, undiluted into the bilge (Peggy will know the name of it I'm sure) and amazingly by morning the smell had gone and we set sail for a gorgeous cruise to Moreton and Stradbroke Islands.
There is no real moral to this story unless readers can suggest one, but I hope that it might alert other H33 owners.
I'm glad that I got that off my chest!

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Now you know the value...

Of a y-VALVE inline ahead of a macerator pump instead of only a tee or wye fitting. How much simpler and cleaner the job would have been if you'd been able to shut off the flow of waste from the tank.

And much safer too. Anaerobic sewer gasses--hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and methane--are HIGHLY toxic, even lethal in high enough concentration...as dangerous as carbon monoxide in an enclosed area such as a bilge. From your description of the amount of time you spent in the bilge breathing those gasses, you were lucky. A holding tank leak on a cruise ship several years ago killed 2 crew and put 2 or 3 more who went into that bilge to clean up the mess without first donning HAZMAT gear into the hospital in serious condition.

Flush out the tank very thoroughly, then install a y-valve...'cuz it's not likely to be anywhere near 7 more years before that pump will need a new impeller or other service.

 

[Rick D]

OK, so I hate to tell you this now, but that macerator nose probably rotates 180 degrees
:-(

 

[Jimmy Jenkins]

Regular use of Odorlos will keep the poop from smelling, in good times or bad. I have always used it when I had holding tanks and have never had an odor problem. A little late for you current problem but for future isssues I highly recommend the stuff.
Jimmy

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

I wonder if having nitrator in the tank might have assisted in reducing the stench, as it is intended to dessicate the contents till, as one person described it, it is no worse than dried dog poop on your lawn. It also supposedly breaks it down enough that even with seawater flushing it flows easily out when you empty the tank.

 

[nick8489]

OK, so I hate to tell you this now, but that macerator nose probably rotates 180 degrees
:-(

I did think of this Rick but with very limited time I did not want to risk pulling it apart and perhaps creating a new problem. Tks for the thought though.

 

[nick8489]

Of a y-VALVE inline ahead of a macerator pump instead of only a tee or wye fitting. How much simpler and cleaner the job would have been if you'd been able to shut off the flow of waste from the tank.

And much safer too. Anaerobic sewer gasses--hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and methane--are HIGHLY toxic, even lethal in high enough concentration...as dangerous as carbon monoxide in an enclosed area such as a bilge. From your description of the amount of time you spent in the bilge breathing those gasses, you were lucky. A holding tank leak on a cruise ship several years ago killed 2 crew and put 2 or 3 more who went into that bilge to clean up the mess without first donning HAZMAT gear into the hospital in serious condition.

Flush out the tank very thoroughly, then install a y-valve...'cuz it's not likely to be anywhere near 7 more years before that pump will need a new impeller or other service.

Scary stuff Peggy!
However without upsetting the "World's acknowledged unmentionables expert" would not the addition of a y- valve ahead of the Mascerator be asling for potential premature blockage? Hunter fit a y-valve on the return line from the bowl but presuambly want the smoothest exit to the mascerator.

 

[sea_casper]

Y-Valve?

Of a y-VALVE inline ahead of a macerator pump instead of only a tee or wye fitting. How much simpler and cleaner the job would have been if you'd been able to shut off the flow of waste from the tank.

On my 2004 H33 the overboard discharge comes from a fitting on the bottom/side of the tank.
A hose runs from there to the mascerator pump and another hose runs to the thru hull valve. The head discharge is a single hose that runs to the top of the tank. Pumpout is via a short hose that exits from the top of the tank.

I am planting on putting a ball valve at the tank outlet before the hose that runs to the mascerator. I have never used the mascerator discharge and probably never will, but a future owner might.