Finally found the source of the odor in my H31

[IH82BL8]

After 3.5 years I've finally found it!

In 2012 I replaced the head and all associated hoses and clamps. The odor began soon after. Folks on this forum suggested that it might be a problem with the hoses, but I discounted those suggestions because the hoses were all new. As it turns out the hoses were the problem. The new pump out hose was longer than the old one so it had a big sag in it where sewage pooled. It didn't take long to permeate the hose in that spot. The hose was discolored in that area but I didn't see it because it was on the underside. So for 3.5 years I've been searching every else for the source of the smell. I've pulled out the hose and the smell is gone.

 

[centerline]

After 3.5 years I've finally found it!

In 2012 I replaced the head and all associated hoses and clamps. The odor began soon after. Folks on this forum suggested that it might be a problem with the hoses, but I discounted those suggestions because the hoses were all new. As it turns out the hoses were the problem. The new pump out hose was longer than the old one so it had a big sag in it where sewage pooled. It didn't take long to permeate the hose in that spot. The hose was discolored in that area but I didn't see it because it was on the underside. So for 3.5 years I've been searching every else for the source of the smell. I've pulled out the hose and the smell is gone.

what brand/model of hose was it?.... but its proof positive that one should spend to money and get the right stuff the first time, because its always cheaper that way.... with less hassle.

 

[Sailor_Jeff]

Thank you for posting this. Permeability of hose is a big deal with smell. Is it possible that even though you purchased the hose new, it was possibly on the shelf for a few years before you purchased it? Where did you get the hose? Can you send a photo of the hose? Does the hose have a brand name written on it? Proper head hose should be sble to hold sewage as you described without leaking through. Perhaps the hose became damaged during installation? I would really like to know.

After 3.5 years I've finally found it!

In 2012 I replaced the head and all associated hoses and clamps. The odor began soon after. Folks on this forum suggested that it might be a problem with the hoses, but I discounted those suggestions because the hoses were all new. As it turns out the hoses were the problem. The new pump out hose was longer than the old one so it had a big sag in it where sewage pooled. It didn't take long to permeate the hose in that spot. The hose was discolored in that area but I didn't see it because it was on the underside. So for 3.5 years I've been searching every else for the source of the smell. I've pulled out the hose and the smell is gone.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I'd bet money that the hose was either Trident or Shields #148--the so-called "standard" sanitation hose, which is a single walled flexible PVC hose--the least expensive. I've posted several times here that it permeated on one of my own boats in less than 90 days...and, like this poster, it was the last thing I was willing to consider because a) it was brand new..and b) the same hose had been on my previous boat for more than 7 years without a trace odor.. When I'd eliminated every other possibility, I finally gave up and tested it. Both the toilet discharge hose and the pumpout hose had permeated. #148 hose is suitable only for head intake, vent lines and fresh water.

Don't confuse brand name with quality...both Shields and Trident make excellent odor-resistant hoses...Trident #101/102 (identical except for color--101 is black, 102 is white) are double-walled rubber hoses that have been on the market for nearly 20 years without a single reported odor permeation failure....price: $7-9/ft. The only downside to Trident 101/102 is that it's stiff as an ironing board, which makes it necessary to use inline radius fittings in all but the shallowest bends. Shields "Poly-X" hose has a lifetime warranty against odor permeation, but working life of ANY hose--fuel, exhaust, fresh water or sanitation--is about 10 years, so "lifetime" in actual practice is subjective...price: about $15/ft. SeaLand "OdorSafe" hose is about the same price as Trident 101, and they tout it as being odor impermeable, but I've been on at least half a dozen boats and heard of dozens more on which it had permeated in less than a year.

Until recently, Trident 101/102 has been the only sanitation hose I've recommended. But about 6 years ago, Raritan introduced their SaniFlex hose, which is also about $12-15/ft, but is so flexible it can make a U-turn without kinking and there's never been a single reported odor permeation failure. I'm now recommending it too, especially for use in systems that have a lot of bends in the plumbing.

All of which y'all would have known if you'd just spent a little time searching for information on hoses--and everything else pertaining to sanitation systems--in the decades of posts to the plumbing and sanitation forum. There's a wealth of information about just about everything to do with boats in the archives of the various forums here...an hour doing some homework online and asking questions BEFORE you buy can save you a whole bunch of misspent time, effort and MONEY on your boats!

 

[IH82BL8]

It was Shields #148. Miss Peggy, thanks for posting (and for spending 45 minutes on the phone with me a few months ago). FWIW the problem occurred before I bought your book. I had been a boat owner for only a few months when I installed the hoses. Anyway, I'm now prepared to spend whatever necessary to prevent this problem from occurring again.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

You're welcome to give me another shout on the phone if you need help in deciding what to buy...it doesn't have to be the most expensive to be the best choice.