I've got the leaky macerator blues........

[Jeff Bacon]

... and want to remove the macerator.I sail on the Great Lakes and it is illegal to use a macerator, and, I plan to sail to the Bahamas via the ICW next month, making use of the macerator unlikely during most of that trip.Since my macerator is leaking at the gaskets, I have ordered new ones, but want to take this opportunity to eliminate the macerator to avoid any unneceaasry incursions with the Marine Authorities. But, I want my cake and eat it too. I want to retain the unit for reinstallation when appropriate.My dilema is how to effectively "Plug" the hose that comes off the bottom of the holding tank. My system is set up so that there is a PVC elbow that comes out of the bottom of the tank which is connected to a short piece of sanitation hose (about 8 inches) then connected to the macerator. The PVC elbow cannot be removed without damaging it, or the tank (take my word for it on that one), so I am stuck with trying to plug the end of the sanitation hose, or, plug the part of the macerator that is attached to the sanitation hose when the actual pump is removed from the system.Any "plug it" ideas would be greatly appreciated.Thanks....... Jeff

 

[Dick 119]

Jeff...why don't you just remove the handle

from the thru hull and and Y valve and disconnect the wires from the pump. In most cases that will demonstrate that the pump can't be used. As I understand most no discharge laws, it is not illegal to have the ability to discharge, it's just illegal to diacharge.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Dick gave you good advice...

But you don't have to go quite that far to be "legal." 33 CFR 159.7 lists the following acceptable methods of securing a holding tank from overboard discharge:(1) Close each valve leading to an overboard discharge and removing the handle;(2) Padlock each valve leading to an overboard discharge in the closed position; or(3) Use a non-releasable wire-tie to hold each valve leading to an overboard discharge in the closed position.

 

[Jeff Bacon]

Being legal is not really my issue....

.... I need to stop the leak. Hopefully the gaskets will do it, but I am not sure, so, I want to plug it, but don't have a god idea on how.Jeff

 

[Benny]

Peggie I'll be honest, I don't have the urge to

to go through the Federal Regulations but I thought those measures pertained only to special EPA designated areas. Please set me straight as I would not want to break e law. Tampa Bay Area.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Why not just replace the macerator?

You have to remove it to replace the gaskets anyway, so why not put a new one back in its place and be comfortable in the knowledge that you'll have a working leak free macerator when you need it? 'Cuz if you haven't used it in several years, the gaskets prob'ly aren't the only rubber parts in it that have dried out and need replacing. Plus, you should also replace the impeller too...that should be done every couple of years. So by the time you've bought a complete rebuild kit for it, plus whatever you've spent for the gaskets that may or may not stop it from leaking, you'll have spent more than half the cost of a new one. Replace it and be done with it!Just closing the seacock SHOULD keep the water out of your boat while the macerator is out. As for plugging the tank discharge hose TO the macerator, unless you have separate discharge lines--one to the pumpout fitting and one to the macerator, there has to be either a tee in the tank discharge line. Replace the tee with a y-valve--which is what should be there instead of tee anyway--and keep it closed to the macerator side.If you have separate tank discharge lines...since you can't get the fitting out of the tank to replace it with a threaded plug, about the only thing you can do is put a "cork" in the end of the hose after you remove the macerator. Check your local plumbing supply houses for a 1.5" bung.And you've just provided an excellent example of the reason why no sealant or "glue" should ever be used in sanitation system connections.Btw...before removing anything, pumpout and thoroughly rinse out the tank and the plumbing. Then put a gallon of white vinegar in about half a tank of water, and let it sit for a day or two. Won't be nearly as unpleasant when you remove the macerator.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Don't know what you mean by

"Special EPA designated areas." There are no "special" EPA designated areas...all of 'em are designated by the EPA and federal law applies on all navigable interstate waterways. In fact, only the EPA can designate any waters a "no discharge" zone. The state decides that it wants a particular area to be "ND"...it applies to the EPA, the EPA either approves the application or disapproves it (in actual practice they've never disapproved one, nor even bothered to make sure that the information in the application is true...they just rubber stamp every application that claims there are enough pumpouts--whether there are or not, or any other criteria have been met--"approved.")...and federal law applies to all navigable interstate waterways, which would include Tampa Bay. Federal law also prohibits states from enacting laws that supercede federal law (TITLE 46 > Subtitle II > Part B > CHAPTER 43 > § 4306). The rules can be different on non-navigable inTRAstate (contained entirely within the boundaries of a state) inland lakes, though. They're ALL "no discharge," and a state CAN make it illegal even to have a macerator or other overboard discharge pump installed or any sanitation plumbing--except a head intake line--connected to any thru-hull. But that wouldn't apply to any coastal waters. FWIW, Tampa Bay is NOT a "no discharge" zone...there are only ND zones in the whole state of FL--the Keys and Destin Harbor. That doesn't mean it's legal to dump a tank everywhere else, though...in fact, in on the Gulf side you must be at least 12 miles offshore to dump a tank or flush directly overboard. But it does mean that you can use CG certified Type I or II MSD (device that treats waste to legal standards and discharges it,...i.e. Lectra/San) instead of a holding tank.