Obsolete knowledge

Steve Dion · Dec 27, 2009

Bill:

Ronco will place the fittings where ever you want them, so I must assume that they will install whatever you want in those locations.

Assuming that you currently have a holding tank, just remeber that you will have to enlarger the vent fitting etc.

My friend at our harbor, just installed a Ronco tank in his HC'37. He removed the tank that was under the shower seat and placed the new on under the vberth. I think that it is about 22-24 gal. He is using the standard size vent hose fitting.

Guest · Dec 27, 2009

Tank

Hi Bill, the original system on our P42 still works well with a SS tank. When it comes time I will go with a Ronco replacement. The macerator pump is below the tank with no vented loop. None needed here because the pump connects to a sea cock, which I normally keep closed until used. This hose tees with the pump out hose. The tank vent also does not have a vented loop nor a sea cock since it is above the waterline. Never been an issue here other than making sure the vent line remains clear; another story.

As I recall some hoses connect to the tank side, others to the top. Top clearance is one reason for a side connection. I've never had a need to service the tank so no big deal here. Peggie will be a good source for vent pipe size. I know the info is in the archives, but finding it could be a challenge.

Congrats on your new boat.

Terry Cox

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Dec 27, 2009

Steve is right....and you remember correctly.

Bill1565 said:
I am going to install a holding tank in my recently purchased 1979 Hunter 37 c. What I remember from Peggy Hall in the 90's...

Would that put us both on the old CompuServe OLYC together?

Bill1565 said:
...was 1" vent with few to no turns. Current (2009) Ronco Catalog shows 5/8" vent and vented loop in line down to thru hull.

Ronco's catalog example is just for illustration.. Steve is correct..they install fittings in any sizes and locations specified by the customer...and that includes discharge on the top with pickup tubes.

I would put the inlet and vent fittings toward the centerline of the boat, away from the hull...to prevent waste from spilling out the vent and/or running back toward the toilet when the boat is heeled.

Bill1565 said:
Last time I made an installation, I ran two drains down from the top with pipes inside the tank on the theory that hose on top of tank would be easier to service. Also I vowed never to mess with a y valve again.

Exactly the way I'd do it. And if the head is forward in the cabin, I also highly recommend the v-berth location. But not if the head is aft because the tank needs to be no more than about 6' from the toilet.

You do need a vented loop in the overboard discharge line, between the macerator and the thru-hull. You do NOT need one in the head discharge line to the tank.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Dec 27, 2009

Why rectangular?

Ronco has more than 100 NON rectangular shapes and sizes...try to find one that fits the space, to give you the most capacity. I'll be glad to help you figure out the fittings locations via email once you've found the best fit.

To find a good fit, flip the drawings, rotate 'em...any orientation. You can even put the point of triangle at the bottom. 'Cuz there is no top or bottom till the fittings go in, and you're gonna decide where they go.

Guest · Dec 27, 2009

Tank

Hi Peggie, why do you need a vented loop in the overboard discharge line, between the macerator and the thru-hull? I suppose if one preferred to keep the macerator through hull sea cock open all the time rather than closing it when finished then I can see the need. I always keep ours closed because of its rare use.

Terry Cox

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Dec 27, 2009

Because....

ABYC standards call for one. YOU may keep the thru-hull closed except when actually dumping the tank, but that's no guarantee that anyone else will.

Ed Schenck · Dec 27, 2009

Here is my Ronco installation: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...&cat_id=38&aid=7012&page=article&mn=37-cutter . You can see that I had Ronco put the plumbing closest to where the hoses would connect.

When I bought the boat the tank under the shower seat was already gone. There was a bladder tank hanging in that same center locker. The Y-valve was gone and the thru-hull was capped. I also installed a new Raritan head and new hose.

Guest · Dec 27, 2009

Tank

Hi Peggie, I'm curious. Bill is talking about placing the tank beneath the forward berth, likely most or all of the tank above the waterline. With the macerator below the waterline, where is the risk? His boat is a 1979 model, ours is a 1991. Does that mean we both need to modify our boats to meet current standards? It would seem to me that the standards apply to new design and construction, effective with the version of the time.

Terry Cox

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Dec 27, 2009

You're starting from a false premise

Unless your v-berth is a hammock, the tank isn't likely to be entirely above waterline. Nor is that particular standard new...it's been in place as long as I can remember.

However, whether you choose to modify the system on your own boat to conform to it or not is up to you.

Guest · Dec 28, 2009

Tank

Hi Peggie, would you please explain the false premise? I fail to comport such a position. The fresh water tank beneath our forward berth is almost, perhaps entirely above the waterline. Assuming I were to replace it with a waste tank, again I do not see the risk of placing a macerator pump below waste tank level without a vented loop. Even leaving the through hull valve open, sea water will rise to water level posing no risk of water intrusion.

Since I'm unwilling to purchase a copy of the professional ABYC standards that details the specific requirement, it seems it is what it is, a standard. It is my understanding the purpose of a vented loop is to prevent water back flow, and with our macerator through hull almost in the center of the hull, virtually no chance water can back flow into the boat under almost any state of position.

Terry Cox

Head Master18695 · Dec 28, 2009

Terry, when it comes to leaving out vented loops, it'd be best to speak with your insurance underwriter before making any decisions...

Guest · Dec 28, 2009

Vented loop

Our 1991 model Hunter was built with a macerator pump and without a vented loop. I suspect ditto Bill's 1979 model. What I'm trying to find out, without much success up to this point, is where's the risk given what I described earlier? The question of a vented loop has yet to enter any discussion by our insurance underwriter. Ditto our certified marine surveyor when we purchased the boat. So, I see little value in entering into a discussion with our underwriter or for that matter adding a vented loop into our system where one was never designed.

Thanks for the input.

Terry Cox

Ron20324 · Dec 28, 2009

Leave out the loop, close the thru hull, the tank doesn't fill. Period. Besides, with thruhull open, how much back-flow can you tolerate to enter the tank and take away from normal use? 5 gallons? Ten? My friend with a Catalina 30 didn't know there was a thruhull to close, but wondered why his bag/tank kept getting filled so quickly from use. He closed the thruhull, problem solved.

Head Master18695 · Dec 29, 2009

It isn't the issue of the holding tank filling up when you don't want it to, but let's suppose the seacock was left open and a hose slips off, or a fitting breaks?

The boat goes "a-glub."

That's the reason for having a vented loop between the macerator pump and the through-hull. Safety, nothing more.

Guest · Dec 29, 2009

Tank

Nonsense! Hypothetically speaking a vented loop or the absence of one has no bearing on whether the boat sinks because a hose slips off or a fitting breaks. For that matter even if the sea cock were closed the boat can still sink from a variety of factors.

Terry Cox

Obsolete knowledge

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