Forward Head

[trey261@aol.com]

I have a hunter 410 '00 and the forward holding tank under the forward bunk has a bad urine smell to it. We contacted hunter and they said it is suppose to have an odor to it but there is no way it is suppose to smell like that because the aft holdind tank doesn't smell at all. There was a small leak in the sensor but we had that replaced and it only showed up because we filled the entire tank up. Outside of that there was no other leaks that we could see.thank you

 

[Steve Dion]

It's suppose to smell like - - - -?

You know when I hear something like this, I just wonder why the person that told you this is still working for the company. They should "can" that person.That aside, I would make sure that the entire area is neutralized (ask Peggy what to use). Then you should completely flush out the tank. Then I would refill it with food coloring and water until it overflows the vent and see if you still have some type of leak. If you see any colored water in the boat or bilge you still have a leak.Obviously you should re-check the connections on the tank, including the vent lines to make sure they are secure.PS: I would write a letter to Hunter and let them know what this person said to you and give them their name.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Hunter said WHAT???

(Eddie...are you listening???)Steve called it spot on...take his advice. Meanwhile, pump the tank...rinse the bejabbers out of it till you're sure it's clean...use fresh water and C.P. Cleans Potties (available from the online store right here). Fill the tank with clean fresh water....then make sure that every fitting and the area around it is completely dry. Plug the tank vent...and then flush that head till you start to feel to real resistance (don't over do it!). Let it stay that way overnight. IF anything is leaking, you'll find moisture around it the next morning. If everything is still dry as a bone, you have no leaks. Don't forget to unplug the tank vent. If you have no leaks, get back to me. I'll give you other things to look for and tell you how to find or rule them out.

 

[Guest]

long hose run

The hoses in the forward berth are over 8 feet long and run horizontally for most of that length. Raw water growth, especially sea water, collects in the hose. The hoses must be flushed constantly if you use the raw water intake to keep the hoses wet and the things growing from smelling when they die (and with the hose running horizontally, you will collect growth). You can effectively eliminate the odor by shutting the intake thru hull and putting the intake hose in a gallon bottle of fresh water (which has to be filled every 2-3 flushes). Good if you only use the boat/head occasionally, but a nuisance for a liveaboard.