recently bought 1986 c34 in great shape, low engine hours. the boat was at mooring from last april till i bought her in early sept. the holding tank was empty but a very unpleasant odor is present in the hanging locker where the head hose connects to a vented loop and then goes to a divertor valve to pump overboard or into the holding tank. there is no vent hose connected to the top of the vented loop and the surveyor told me that is why there is odor in the locker. also when i open up the compartment where the hold. tank is, the odor is strong. i was also told the vent hose there was the source of passing odor, just plain hose. i plan to change all the hoses and put a vent hose also onto the vented loop.i have bleached all areas and hoses but the odor is still present. any comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. i don't mind the smell as much as my wife does, so this must be corrected.thank you ...jeff kaplan
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Check with Peggie...
...our Headmistress has all the answers in her book available on this website. One extra note: some smell comes from the raw water intake hose as water stands for a week or two without use. I shut my seacock down, cleaned the hose with baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water. Now just use a gallon jug of fresh water from the sink, which does the double duty of running that water through the system.
...our Headmistress has all the answers in her book available on this website. One extra note: some smell comes from the raw water intake hose as water stands for a week or two without use. I shut my seacock down, cleaned the hose with baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water. Now just use a gallon jug of fresh water from the sink, which does the double duty of running that water through the system.
From yr description, I'd say hoses have permeated
That's an even stronger possibility if there's odor in all areas the hoses pass through. If the odor were confined to locker where the vented loop and y-valve are, it's possible that your y-valve is leaking (not uncommon if it's a Jabsco)...but whether the vented loop is the culprit depends on whether an air valve (a little one-way valve that usually threads into the hole in the nipple on the top of the loop that only allows air IN, nothing out) is installed in it...and hasn't failed or is in need of cleaning. The big clue: if there's no air valve, air isn't the only thing that will escape from the loop...it'll squirt waste/flush water. So unless you see some mess around the opening, I doubt that's the source of your odor. For that reason, I'm not a big fan of putting vent lines on vented loops...the diameter is so small that the stuff squirting into it creates a blockage at the loop after only a few flushes, especially any that include solids...which completely disables the ability of the loop to be an anti-siphon device, turning it into nothing more than just a high arch in the line. I suspect that once you've replaced all the hoses, at leat 90% of the odor will be gone. I'll tell you how to get rid of the rest then...fwiw meanwhile, bleach won't work.
That's an even stronger possibility if there's odor in all areas the hoses pass through. If the odor were confined to locker where the vented loop and y-valve are, it's possible that your y-valve is leaking (not uncommon if it's a Jabsco)...but whether the vented loop is the culprit depends on whether an air valve (a little one-way valve that usually threads into the hole in the nipple on the top of the loop that only allows air IN, nothing out) is installed in it...and hasn't failed or is in need of cleaning. The big clue: if there's no air valve, air isn't the only thing that will escape from the loop...it'll squirt waste/flush water. So unless you see some mess around the opening, I doubt that's the source of your odor. For that reason, I'm not a big fan of putting vent lines on vented loops...the diameter is so small that the stuff squirting into it creates a blockage at the loop after only a few flushes, especially any that include solids...which completely disables the ability of the loop to be an anti-siphon device, turning it into nothing more than just a high arch in the line. I suspect that once you've replaced all the hoses, at leat 90% of the odor will be gone. I'll tell you how to get rid of the rest then...fwiw meanwhile, bleach won't work.
C34 Association reference
Hi, Jeff, glad to see you here, too. Try the C34 website, FAQs. I also agree with Peggie that the large waste hose makes no sense to need a loop or a vent (on our boats), especially the way ours are run from the head right to the holding tank under the nav station. At least mine is, and I don't have anything but the vented loop for the supply after in my hanging locker at the nav station. I installed shelves in there. Later boats, but yours is earlier than mine, had all sorts of plumbing in the hanging locker. What a yuck! Stu Stu
Hi, Jeff, glad to see you here, too. Try the C34 website, FAQs. I also agree with Peggie that the large waste hose makes no sense to need a loop or a vent (on our boats), especially the way ours are run from the head right to the holding tank under the nav station. At least mine is, and I don't have anything but the vented loop for the supply after in my hanging locker at the nav station. I installed shelves in there. Later boats, but yours is earlier than mine, had all sorts of plumbing in the hanging locker. What a yuck! Stu Stu
Head Discharge Vented Loop
Jeff, My 1990 Catalina 34 originally didn't have a vented loop on the discharge side of the head. It ran straight into the wet locker where there was a Y valve to send the waste into the holding tank or directly over board. If you leave the Y valve to direct over board discharge, the thru hull open and the head left on wet or the wet / dry valve fails, you will find water up to the rim of the head. If your sailing and these conditions are true, you could end up with a boat full of water. I would leave the vented loop in place. There should be no odor coming from the vented loop if it's working properly. It's design to draw air in and not let any escape. I agree with everyone else, replace the hoses and see if the odors persist.
Jeff, My 1990 Catalina 34 originally didn't have a vented loop on the discharge side of the head. It ran straight into the wet locker where there was a Y valve to send the waste into the holding tank or directly over board. If you leave the Y valve to direct over board discharge, the thru hull open and the head left on wet or the wet / dry valve fails, you will find water up to the rim of the head. If your sailing and these conditions are true, you could end up with a boat full of water. I would leave the vented loop in place. There should be no odor coming from the vented loop if it's working properly. It's design to draw air in and not let any escape. I agree with everyone else, replace the hoses and see if the odors persist.
I didn't say that...
I said I didn't like putting a vent line on a vented loop instead of an air valve. Besides, he has a y-valve in his head discharge line that allows him flush into the tank or directly overboard...so he does need a vented loop.
I said I didn't like putting a vent line on a vented loop instead of an air valve. Besides, he has a y-valve in his head discharge line that allows him flush into the tank or directly overboard...so he does need a vented loop.
Odor Chemicals requested
Peggie: I wrote you several weeks ago about the bad odor problems and you suggested a product to use. I bought your book which is great. Problem!I misplaced the book and can't remember the product you suggested. Does "Flow-jo" or or something like that sound like the stuff you recommended I couldn't tell if the name you used was the Brand name, chemical name or what. I'm trying to buy it and use it this week so a quick answer would be helpful. Also buying a second copy if I can find it in s local book store or marine supply You definitely said don't use deodorents so it was some that biologically solved the problem. I want to use the stuff before I replace the tanks as the last resort(already changed the hoses).
Peggie: I wrote you several weeks ago about the bad odor problems and you suggested a product to use. I bought your book which is great. Problem!I misplaced the book and can't remember the product you suggested. Does "Flow-jo" or or something like that sound like the stuff you recommended I couldn't tell if the name you used was the Brand name, chemical name or what. I'm trying to buy it and use it this week so a quick answer would be helpful. Also buying a second copy if I can find it in s local book store or marine supply You definitely said don't use deodorents so it was some that biologically solved the problem. I want to use the stuff before I replace the tanks as the last resort(already changed the hoses).
KO?
Raritan K.O. is a holding tank product... Submitted by Peggie Hall-HeadMistress on 07/29 at 12:43PM regarding Hunter 34 ...It's live bacteria in liquid suspension that "eat" spores and bacteria that create odor...similar to--but MUCH more potent and less expensive--the microbial products sold in pet supply stores to eliminate odor from pet accident sites. It'll get rid of any organically caused odor. Available at all major boat stores and the online chandlery here: http://shop.hunterowners.com/detail.tpl
Raritan K.O. is a holding tank product... Submitted by Peggie Hall-HeadMistress on 07/29 at 12:43PM regarding Hunter 34 ...It's live bacteria in liquid suspension that "eat" spores and bacteria that create odor...similar to--but MUCH more potent and less expensive--the microbial products sold in pet supply stores to eliminate odor from pet accident sites. It'll get rid of any organically caused odor. Available at all major boat stores and the online chandlery here: http://shop.hunterowners.com/detail.tpl
Holding tank odor in air conditioning
Hello all. Just read these posts/replies on odors and thought I'd ask a question. We have a 2000 C400 MKII and all was well regarding odors until I decided to add A/C. I duplicated the factory install with the larger unit beneath the V-berth on the starboard side. Now, when the A/C kicks on, the lovely smell of the holding tank wafts through the cabin. I've changed all the hoses to Sealand Odorsafe Plus and also changed the macerator. Still same smell, maybe a little less. I've searched for leaks, checked the vented loop, and even tried to block behind-the-wall air flow out of the holding tank area--all to no avail. It's not the bilge--the bilge is basically odor-free; I've also installed a ozone generator in the holding tank compartment with only mild improvement. It makes me wonder if the tank itself is leaking the odors and I'm on the verge of ripping out the tank and installing a LectraSan. Anyone else had this problem and can share thoughts with me? Thanks a bunch.
Hello all. Just read these posts/replies on odors and thought I'd ask a question. We have a 2000 C400 MKII and all was well regarding odors until I decided to add A/C. I duplicated the factory install with the larger unit beneath the V-berth on the starboard side. Now, when the A/C kicks on, the lovely smell of the holding tank wafts through the cabin. I've changed all the hoses to Sealand Odorsafe Plus and also changed the macerator. Still same smell, maybe a little less. I've searched for leaks, checked the vented loop, and even tried to block behind-the-wall air flow out of the holding tank area--all to no avail. It's not the bilge--the bilge is basically odor-free; I've also installed a ozone generator in the holding tank compartment with only mild improvement. It makes me wonder if the tank itself is leaking the odors and I'm on the verge of ripping out the tank and installing a LectraSan. Anyone else had this problem and can share thoughts with me? Thanks a bunch.
I don't think it's the holding tank
Did you have any odor in the compartment where the tank etc are before you installed the heat/ac? If not, nothing in that compartment is the source of your odor. The bilge is "basically" odor-free? If there's ANY bilge odor, I'm betting it's the source...that you have trapped water somewhere that the air handler is picking up. Trapped stagnant water can smell just like a sewer, and Hunters are famous for bilge areas that can't drain. Find it...open up that area and drain it and clean it...and you'll get rid of the odor in your heat/ac system. That you've installed an ozone generator in the very small confined area where the tank is just about confirms that...'cuz in an area that small, it should take care of ALL odor emanating from it...the source of the odor has to be somewhere else. But if you're running an ozone generator while running the heat/ac...putting ozone into the air you're breathing, you've only tried to solve one problem by creating a far worse problem: a SERIOUS health hazard. Read this (scroll down to the table of contents): http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html and this: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/warnings/1999/99_62e.htm Get rid of that thing! Not only is ozone harmful to your health, but also highly corrosive and destructive to rubber and hoses. Clean your bilges...don't just dump in more bilge cleaner and/or bleach--really CLEAN 'em, with plenty of detergent and water followed by thoroughly flushing out ALL the dirty water...if that doesn't cure the problem, find any trapped water...and you'll cure your odor problem. Pull out the ozone generator and sell it on eBay to someone else who doesn't know how harmful they are.
Did you have any odor in the compartment where the tank etc are before you installed the heat/ac? If not, nothing in that compartment is the source of your odor. The bilge is "basically" odor-free? If there's ANY bilge odor, I'm betting it's the source...that you have trapped water somewhere that the air handler is picking up. Trapped stagnant water can smell just like a sewer, and Hunters are famous for bilge areas that can't drain. Find it...open up that area and drain it and clean it...and you'll get rid of the odor in your heat/ac system. That you've installed an ozone generator in the very small confined area where the tank is just about confirms that...'cuz in an area that small, it should take care of ALL odor emanating from it...the source of the odor has to be somewhere else. But if you're running an ozone generator while running the heat/ac...putting ozone into the air you're breathing, you've only tried to solve one problem by creating a far worse problem: a SERIOUS health hazard. Read this (scroll down to the table of contents): http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html and this: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/warnings/1999/99_62e.htm Get rid of that thing! Not only is ozone harmful to your health, but also highly corrosive and destructive to rubber and hoses. Clean your bilges...don't just dump in more bilge cleaner and/or bleach--really CLEAN 'em, with plenty of detergent and water followed by thoroughly flushing out ALL the dirty water...if that doesn't cure the problem, find any trapped water...and you'll cure your odor problem. Pull out the ozone generator and sell it on eBay to someone else who doesn't know how harmful they are.
A/C holding tank odors
Thanks for the reply, Peggy. To clarify, the bilge is, to my nose, odor-free. The smell coming out of the A/C is identical to the one in the holding tank compartment. Did follow your recommendation and pulled the ozone generator--not too much difference in smell overall. And yes, the smell was in the holding tank area before the A/C--it's also in the other holding tank compartment but the second compartment is not in the vicinity of any A/C return. Thanks again.
Thanks for the reply, Peggy. To clarify, the bilge is, to my nose, odor-free. The smell coming out of the A/C is identical to the one in the holding tank compartment. Did follow your recommendation and pulled the ozone generator--not too much difference in smell overall. And yes, the smell was in the holding tank area before the A/C--it's also in the other holding tank compartment but the second compartment is not in the vicinity of any A/C return. Thanks again.
When you replaced the hoses...
Did you have any spills...even small ones? Did you replace ALL the hoses, including the vent line? We may need to take this to email or even the phone to dig into it deep enough to find the source of your odor...but we will find it.
Did you have any spills...even small ones? Did you replace ALL the hoses, including the vent line? We may need to take this to email or even the phone to dig into it deep enough to find the source of your odor...but we will find it.
All hoses changed
Yes, I replaced even the vent line. The old vent line did have some overflow into it which may have accounted for some of the odors. I put a tank sensor (the external kind) to make sure I never fill the holding tank prior to emptying. I didn't see any spills as I put cloths down when changing the hoses and macerator. Nevertheless I flushed the area with soapy water and then freshwater via a hose for about an hour (I've done this several times but no improvement afterwards). Now you can understand why I suggested maybe the tank itself is the problem--maybe a small leak just enough to keep putting out odor??? My email is mkfcdl@yahoo.com if that's better. Thanks.
Yes, I replaced even the vent line. The old vent line did have some overflow into it which may have accounted for some of the odors. I put a tank sensor (the external kind) to make sure I never fill the holding tank prior to emptying. I didn't see any spills as I put cloths down when changing the hoses and macerator. Nevertheless I flushed the area with soapy water and then freshwater via a hose for about an hour (I've done this several times but no improvement afterwards). Now you can understand why I suggested maybe the tank itself is the problem--maybe a small leak just enough to keep putting out odor??? My email is mkfcdl@yahoo.com if that's better. Thanks.
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