How Many Pumps?

[Debra Blatnik]

OK - I have a new head, new sanitation lines, new (rerouted) vent line and a new holding tank. How many times do I need to pump this thing to be sure nothing stays in the lines? (Pumps per foot of 1.5 in sanitation line).

 

[Guest]

That depends...

On how far the tank is from the head. And it also tends to vary depending upon how straight the path of the hose is, with the amount of flush water used, how efficient the toilet is, and who's pumping it. Put somebody at the holding tank to watch and listen for the sound of new incoming arriving....commence to pumping and counting till the person at the tank yells "it's here!" Do it three times, then switch places and do it three more times. If the number of pumps varies, use the highest number. Or...you can do it the easy way: when you use the head, pump till you think it's enough. Once a day, pump about a gallon of water ALL the way through it to rinse out the lines. Once a week, follow that with a cupful of undiluted white vinegar at a time when the head won't be used for at least several hours...at the end of a weekend is best.And you might consider reading the article "Flush With Success" in the HM forum Reference Library.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Debra, where did you . . . .

put your holding tank? What kind and what size? And what make/model head did you install?During our daysails I ask people to simply clear the bowl with a couple of strokes. If it is used a lot I may go in there mid-day and add a couple of strokes of water, then a few "dry" strokes. But usually I wait until we are tied up to flush the hose. Then I add a little KO. If the head has had two weekends of moderate to heavy use then I stop at the pumpout station on the way in. We have a 30 gal. bladder tank in the center v-berth of our H37C.