macerator pump installation

[galynd]

I'd like to put a macerator pump into my beneteau. I don't have room next to the holding tank. can the pump be located as far as 3 feet away from the tank, below the tank level? Would it still receive the waste that far away?

Thanks, Greg.

 

[Tim R.]

Doesn't that tank normally gravity empty? Is the pump going to be used to empty the tank overboard via through-hull? If yes then it should work fine 3 feet from the outlet on the way to the through-hull.

 

[JoeWhite]

Macerator pump can be as far as 10 feet away.

 

[galynd]

Doesn't that tank normally gravity empty? Is the pump going to be used to empty the tank overboard via through-hull? If yes then it should work fine 3 feet from the outlet on the way to the through-hull.

I'm told it gravity empties but have never tried it. I don't trust that idea. wouldn't it get stopped up?

 

[Tim R.]

I'm told it gravity empties but have never tried it. I don't trust that idea. wouldn't it get stopped up?

Your potty probably does a decent job of chopping when pumping. I have an electric head that macerates into the tank and a gravity drain. It empties fine.

 

[galynd]

My boat does not have a macerator pumping into the tank. No macerator at all. Does anyone have this setup and does it work?? I can pump into the tank or overboard. From the tank I've never dumped. I've only vaccumed out.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I'm told it gravity empties but have never tried it. I don't trust that idea. wouldn't it get stopped up?

Doesn't your galley sink drain? No difference. Stopped up by what?

 

[Tim R.]

Doesn't your galley sink drain? No difference. Stopped up by what?

Agree with Stu, not much to clog it but I would suggest you use TP that dissolves easily as that is the most likely culprit in a clog. Aside from the stuff someone might toss in there that was not eaten first.

 

[galynd]

Doesn't your galley sink drain? No difference. Stopped up by what?

Well, I won't be explicit but I don't put the same down my sink drain that I put into the toilet. lol.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Before Peggie Hall retired, she discussed, many times, what happens to "stuff" in a holding tank, and noted that 90% of #2 is water and that it breaks up pretty rapidly, especially in a moving boat. Since you can't dump overboard inside 3 miles you'll be doing a lot of moving before then I think.

You have two choices: keep it the way it is or install a macerator, but before you do you should confirm that it doesn't work, since I doubt Beneteau would have built it that way if it didn't and we'd have heard of a LOT of skippers complaining about it before (and we haven't). Have you checked any Beneteau boards other than this one about the design?

Good luck, either way.

 

[galynd]

Thanks everyone. I'll give it a try next time I'm out far enough, before installing a pump. I've asked others and no one seems to comment other than stating it's gravity dumped. I'm planning to cruise soon and don't want to find out it doesn't work then.
Again, thanks to all.

 

[Steve Dion]

A macerator toilet should do the job of chopping everything up before it gets to the tank. Our Sea-era has the option of a one inch discharge line to the tank.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Thanks everyone. I'll give it a try next time I'm out far enough, before installing a pump. I've asked others and no one seems to comment other than stating it's gravity dumped. I'm planning to cruise soon and don't want to find out it doesn't work then.
Again, thanks to all.

I lived on a Benteau 36cc for a couple of months in the Bahamas (no pump outs!). The outlet will get plugged up on occasion. We found the solution was to use the dinghy air pump on the tank vent, sealing it up with wet cloth. A bit of air pressure and it empties fine. I don't think you need a pump. Use a minimal amount of TP !

Good luck, Bob