I'm new at having a boat with a system for pump out. So I've taken my Hunter 31 to the pump out station. Each time the attendent said that there wasn't much in the tank. Now I know how much I use my head, so I am a little concernd that maybe I'm missing a step in the "Pump Out" area. Is there a valve that I need to open for pump out? How do I tell if my tank is full? Thanks for helping out a new kid on the block.
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no valve
the deck fitting should be plumbed directly to the holding tank. There is also a vent line to the tank which is critical for proper operation. That boat doesn't have a large tank. Is it possible you have a y valve opened and you are doing overboard discharge? That would explain a very empty tank
the deck fitting should be plumbed directly to the holding tank. There is also a vent line to the tank which is critical for proper operation. That boat doesn't have a large tank. Is it possible you have a y valve opened and you are doing overboard discharge? That would explain a very empty tank
Depends on how you are plumbed!
Paul: It really depends on how your tank is plumbed. Our H'31 has a 'Y' valve between the overboard pump out and the deck fitting. If you are going to pump overboard the 'Y' valve may be in one position, if you are using the deck fitting it is in the other. I would suggest you try pumping the tank yourself (if that is a possibility). You should hear air being sucked in through the vent. If there is no air being sucked into the tank, there is probably no sewage being pumped either We alway flush our vent out after a pump out. Then we rinse the tank with 3-5 gal. of fresh water. There are other setups, so you need to figure out how you are plumbed to determine the position of the valves. Be sure to make the positions once you figure out what is what!
Paul: It really depends on how your tank is plumbed. Our H'31 has a 'Y' valve between the overboard pump out and the deck fitting. If you are going to pump overboard the 'Y' valve may be in one position, if you are using the deck fitting it is in the other. I would suggest you try pumping the tank yourself (if that is a possibility). You should hear air being sucked in through the vent. If there is no air being sucked into the tank, there is probably no sewage being pumped either We alway flush our vent out after a pump out. Then we rinse the tank with 3-5 gal. of fresh water. There are other setups, so you need to figure out how you are plumbed to determine the position of the valves. Be sure to make the positions once you figure out what is what!
Check tank vent for a blockage
The vent on all tanks--water, fuel, waste holding--has two essential functions: it allows air IN to replace contents as they are drawn out, and it allows air displaced by incoming water, fuel or waste to get out. Therefore, it's absolutely essential that all tank vents be kept open, because unless air can be pulled in through the vent to replace the waste (or anything else in ANY container) being pulled out, a vacuum is created in which nothing more can be removed--but in which the suction CAN crack the tank. And a pressurized tank can have equally disastrous consequences--anything from a geyser when the deck fill or deck pumpout cap is removed to a backup in the toilet, to blown out fittings, to a cracked tank. Since most blockages do occur in the through-hull, that’s the first place to look. Blast with water; if that doesn’t remove the blockage, use the tip of a screwdriver to scrape it out. The next most common place is the connection on the tank. Remove the hose and scrape it out if necessary. If there’s no blockage in the through-hull, check the vent hose for a kink or sag in which water or waste has pooled. Remove the vent hose and clear any clog by blasting water through it (or, it may be easier to replace it). Shorten it to remove any sag.
The vent on all tanks--water, fuel, waste holding--has two essential functions: it allows air IN to replace contents as they are drawn out, and it allows air displaced by incoming water, fuel or waste to get out. Therefore, it's absolutely essential that all tank vents be kept open, because unless air can be pulled in through the vent to replace the waste (or anything else in ANY container) being pulled out, a vacuum is created in which nothing more can be removed--but in which the suction CAN crack the tank. And a pressurized tank can have equally disastrous consequences--anything from a geyser when the deck fill or deck pumpout cap is removed to a backup in the toilet, to blown out fittings, to a cracked tank. Since most blockages do occur in the through-hull, that’s the first place to look. Blast with water; if that doesn’t remove the blockage, use the tip of a screwdriver to scrape it out. The next most common place is the connection on the tank. Remove the hose and scrape it out if necessary. If there’s no blockage in the through-hull, check the vent hose for a kink or sag in which water or waste has pooled. Remove the vent hose and clear any clog by blasting water through it (or, it may be easier to replace it). Shorten it to remove any sag.
Actually-
I've always wondered if the the handle for should be open or in "dry bowl" position when pumping out. Does having it open allow more air in or does it pull in sea water?
I've always wondered if the the handle for should be open or in "dry bowl" position when pumping out. Does having it open allow more air in or does it pull in sea water?
It should have no effect
'Cuz any air pulled in through the toilet wouldn't go through the pump. However, if the tank is adequately vented, the pumpout shouldn't have to pull in air from any other source. If you hear a hissing sound in your toilet during pumpout, it means the tank vent isn't adequate...that it's trying to get enough air from any source it can. The vent may be partially--or completely--blocked...or be kinked or partially collapsed...or there may just be too many bends in it to allow enough air to pass through it at the same rate tank contents are being pumped out. And btw...there shouldn't be any noticeable noise from the vent thru-hull either.
'Cuz any air pulled in through the toilet wouldn't go through the pump. However, if the tank is adequately vented, the pumpout shouldn't have to pull in air from any other source. If you hear a hissing sound in your toilet during pumpout, it means the tank vent isn't adequate...that it's trying to get enough air from any source it can. The vent may be partially--or completely--blocked...or be kinked or partially collapsed...or there may just be too many bends in it to allow enough air to pass through it at the same rate tank contents are being pumped out. And btw...there shouldn't be any noticeable noise from the vent thru-hull either.
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