H40.5 Holding tank removal - HELP!!

[davidpackwood]

I know I have seen this post/article somewhere, but now when I need it I cannot find it!
I have tried searching to no avail, please point me in the right direction.
We are on our boat and the smell is getting worse. I have reconditioned the toilets, the water was coming back into the bowl, a new valve stopped that. I really want to rip the floor up and check the holding tank to see if its leaking?

Does a 1996 H 40.5 have a plastic holding tank or metal?

Many thanks for your help, waiting...waiting...regards, David

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The original tank is (was) aluminum and most owners have replaced them by now with plastic. It is pretty easy access. Remove the sole plates adjacent to the nav desk which is similar to a jigsaw puzzle but a little common sense will lead you to the proper steps. You don't need to remove anything else to allow the removal of the plates.

Triple M Plastics in Maine has the pattern and is the source most of us have used min the past. As you will see, it's a pretty unique shape.

 

[davidpackwood]

The original tank is (was) aluminum and most owners have replaced them by now with plastic. It is pretty easy access. Remove the sole plates adjacent to the nav desk which is similar to a jigsaw puzzle but a little common sense will lead you to the proper steps. You don't need to remove anything else to allow the removal of the plates.

Triple M Plastics in Maine has the pattern and is the source most of us have used min the past. As you will see, it's a pretty unique shape.

Don, thanks very much, got to the tank, it was very full. Had it pumped out.
Can anyone recommend an electronic gauage to display how full the holding tank is?? Would like to fit a gauge before I put all the woodwork back. Thanks again for your help, David

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

David
As you know, the 40.5tank is very wide and thin. Just a slight heel or "list" will cause wide fluctuation in any level monitor. I defer to anyone who actually uses one on this tank but my presumption is that unless the boat resides in very calm water, you might get dizzy watching the monitor.

Hopefully someone with this specific boat will respond with their experience.

 

[davidpackwood]

David
As you know, the 40.5tank is very wide and thin. Just a slight heel or "list" will cause wide fluctuation in any level monitor. I defer to anyone who actually uses one on this tank but my presumption is that unless the boat resides in very calm water, you might get dizzy watching the monitor.

Hopefully someone with this specific boat will respond with their experience.

Don, thank you for your insight, hopefully some one with a 40.5 who has a gauge will respond. Appreciate you input, many thanks, David

 

[artboas]

Tank guage

Don, thank you for your insight, hopefully some one with a 40.5 who has a gauge will respond. Appreciate you input, many thanks, David

On my 40.5 I put in a Wema guage.
I believe the sensor was about 12"

This is a tricky install. I suggest taking great care to do it properly.

 

[Ken Kindrick]

Four months ago I installed an Air Head composting toilet. No more pump outs or macerating. No more stinky lines or sewage smell in the boat. No more backed up toilet when the tank is full.

 

[jeffreylyne]

Don, thank you for your insight, hopefully some one with a 40.5 who has a gauge will respond. Appreciate you input, many thanks, David

David, I have a 37 Legend and the tank is in a different place and shape but you might like to check out the "Gobius" level indicator. The sensors adhere to the outside of the tank and it's electronic. Not cheap but it is very reliable. As for taking a reading, typically I only check the level when at anchor or at dock.
Regards, Jeff

 

[windward54]

On the last boat a Hunter 40.5, I switched from the WEMA sensor to a New Providence Marine Tank Monitor. The WEMA worked fine as long as you kept it clean, but I just didn't want to put a large hole in the top of a new plastic tank. The New Providence system worked fine, although as noted, the boat had to be at rest to get a good read on the tank.

 

[Mtn Marriah]

I've only had my H40.5 for a year and from reading this thread, I discovered what I suspected; there is no way to monitor the level of the tank. If the tank is full, how long do i need to run the Macarator to clear the tank? How long should the Macarator run at one time?

 

[artboas]

You can monitor tank

I've only had my H40.5 for a year and from reading this thread, I discovered what I suspected; there is no way to monitor the level of the tank. If the tank is full, how long do i need to run the Macarator to clear the tank? How long should the Macarator run at one time?

I successfully installed a Wema guage. It worked fine.
Just do a careful job when you install

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I've only had my H40.5 for a year and from reading this thread, I discovered what I suspected; there is no way to monitor the level of the tank. If the tank is full, how long do i need to run the Macarator to clear the tank? How long should the Macarator run at one time?

A precise answer may be impossible but could approach the pump rating if you know that as the head against which it pumps is small. Most people probably don't have the OEM pump given that model is approaching 20 years old.