When the metal holding tank is full enough, the bowl fills with liquid and seems to stop just at the rim. This is my indication that the tank needs pumped out. Is there a one-way valve that's broken? Should I empty the thing more frequently? I can't remember the model or make right now.
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Your tank is obviously OVERfull
It's running back down the intake/head discharge line to the toilet. Put a tank level monitor in it so you'll know when it's just full. Part of the problem *MAY* be that the intake fitting is too low on the side of the tank. That seems to happen more in metal tanks than in plastic...but when owners spec or install their own fittings locations anything is possible. However, unless you want to replace the tank, there's nothing you can do about it except install a monitor that let you know when the level is just below the level of the fitting. And btw...don't flush any more when you get the first indication that the tank is full, whether it's the backflow or the "full" light on the monitor. Unless it fills the bowl VERY slowly...just seepage, it's also highly likely that the joker valve in your toilet is way past due for replacement. In which case, if the toilet is more than a couple of years old, it prob'ly needs a complete rebuild.
It's running back down the intake/head discharge line to the toilet. Put a tank level monitor in it so you'll know when it's just full. Part of the problem *MAY* be that the intake fitting is too low on the side of the tank. That seems to happen more in metal tanks than in plastic...but when owners spec or install their own fittings locations anything is possible. However, unless you want to replace the tank, there's nothing you can do about it except install a monitor that let you know when the level is just below the level of the fitting. And btw...don't flush any more when you get the first indication that the tank is full, whether it's the backflow or the "full" light on the monitor. Unless it fills the bowl VERY slowly...just seepage, it's also highly likely that the joker valve in your toilet is way past due for replacement. In which case, if the toilet is more than a couple of years old, it prob'ly needs a complete rebuild.
Ok, I know it depends but....
anyone know approximately how many uses a holding tank should be good for before it needs to be emptied? Yep, new boat owner worrying about everything! Bill
anyone know approximately how many uses a holding tank should be good for before it needs to be emptied? Yep, new boat owner worrying about everything! Bill
Average amount per flush is about a gallon
Rinsing solids out of the bowl can double that. The average person uses the toilet at least 5 times a day...so you can figure on 5 gals/day/person. How long it should take to fill YOUR tank depends upon the size of the tank. Read all the articles in the Head Mistress forum reference library to learn how to operate and maintain your system correctly.
Rinsing solids out of the bowl can double that. The average person uses the toilet at least 5 times a day...so you can figure on 5 gals/day/person. How long it should take to fill YOUR tank depends upon the size of the tank. Read all the articles in the Head Mistress forum reference library to learn how to operate and maintain your system correctly.
Much less.
It is such a pain to get to the pumpout that we use much less than one gallon. We have a Raritan Cricket head which uses very little anyway. But to know that everything was in the tank would still take a lot of water with seven feet of hose. We just pump in a cupful of water, then a couple of pumps, then turn to "dry" and a couple more pumps. Just clears the bowl. Then at the end of the day I use a cup to take water from the sink and flush the system clean. I think Peggy told me that way back. We have about four weekends with kids and grandkids sitting in a 22 gallon tank. And yes, Peggy, I do check and it is not full.
That new Ronco tank is easy to check.
It is such a pain to get to the pumpout that we use much less than one gallon. We have a Raritan Cricket head which uses very little anyway. But to know that everything was in the tank would still take a lot of water with seven feet of hose. We just pump in a cupful of water, then a couple of pumps, then turn to "dry" and a couple more pumps. Just clears the bowl. Then at the end of the day I use a cup to take water from the sink and flush the system clean. I think Peggy told me that way back. We have about four weekends with kids and grandkids sitting in a 22 gallon tank. And yes, Peggy, I do check and it is not full.
That new Ronco tank is easy to check.Access to view the tank
We've hinged the access panel on the locker that holds our tank. It snaps shut and is easy to open when the v-berth cushion is lifted. Every three weeks or so I peek in there with a flashlight and can see the level. We're weekend boaters and use the facilities at the marina as often as possible to avoid wear and tear on our ship's systems. Plus, I'm a big fan of toilet paper and have a hard time doing the sailboat-endorsed amount of paper.
We've hinged the access panel on the locker that holds our tank. It snaps shut and is easy to open when the v-berth cushion is lifted. Every three weeks or so I peek in there with a flashlight and can see the level. We're weekend boaters and use the facilities at the marina as often as possible to avoid wear and tear on our ship's systems. Plus, I'm a big fan of toilet paper and have a hard time doing the sailboat-endorsed amount of paper.
CHRIS, MY H28 HAD A SIX GALLON...
holding tank. One time when we finished using it we did not firmly move the lever to dry bowl and the tank filled up as did the bowl. Usually we could get between eight to twelve good uses before the tank filled up. Our boat had a manual pump out that we never used, in the event of an emergency we could pump out the tank overboard. Good luck. Terry
holding tank. One time when we finished using it we did not firmly move the lever to dry bowl and the tank filled up as did the bowl. Usually we could get between eight to twelve good uses before the tank filled up. Our boat had a manual pump out that we never used, in the event of an emergency we could pump out the tank overboard. Good luck. Terry
Relying on the dry/flush valve to keep water
out of the bowl between uses--and especially when you're away from the boat--is a good way to sink a boat. Not only do dry/flush valves fail, but people fail to leave them in the dry position. And any time water outside the boat has an opportunity to seek its own level INside the boat, it will. Head seacocks left open while there's no one aboard is the #1 cause of boats sinking in their slips. CG safety standards call for keeping ALL seacocks closed except when actually in use...but boatbuilders now put seacocks in places that make that so inconvenient as to be impossible. So if your bowl or any part of it is below the waterline, the only alternative is a vented loop in the head intake that's at least 8-12" above the waterline at any angle of heel. The loop not only provides a siphon break, but also a "hill" in the intake higher than the waterline. The loop cannot go between the thru-hull and the pump because it will prevent the pump from priming and holding a prime. It has to go between the pump and the bowl, replacing the short piece of hose that connect the two.
out of the bowl between uses--and especially when you're away from the boat--is a good way to sink a boat. Not only do dry/flush valves fail, but people fail to leave them in the dry position. And any time water outside the boat has an opportunity to seek its own level INside the boat, it will. Head seacocks left open while there's no one aboard is the #1 cause of boats sinking in their slips. CG safety standards call for keeping ALL seacocks closed except when actually in use...but boatbuilders now put seacocks in places that make that so inconvenient as to be impossible. So if your bowl or any part of it is below the waterline, the only alternative is a vented loop in the head intake that's at least 8-12" above the waterline at any angle of heel. The loop not only provides a siphon break, but also a "hill" in the intake higher than the waterline. The loop cannot go between the thru-hull and the pump because it will prevent the pump from priming and holding a prime. It has to go between the pump and the bowl, replacing the short piece of hose that connect the two.
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