Does anyone make a "portable pumpout" that I could power with 12vdc and pump out my holding tank overboard at sea?(legally) Something that I could slip into the pumpout access and hang a short hose overboard to empty. I recently replaced my head and removed the Y valve that allowed me to pump direct.(should make CG happy) Now I can only pump to holding tank at rear of boat under lazerette that only can be emptied at a pumpout station. I don't want to install another thru-hull and to pump to old thru-hull(under sink in head) would be another 15 feet of hose.
Portable pumpout?
- Thread starter WindDancer
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It can be done, but there's a major drawback...
There is no "kit" to do what you want to do...but it can be done with a couple of y-valves, a little hose, and either a manual diaphragm pump or a macerator. The y-valves and hose are needed to create the "by-pass" for the pump...'cuz a pump directly inline with the deck pumpout would prevent a dock pumpout from being able to pull anything out of the tank...it would block the line. You'd also need about 6-8' of hose to dangle over the side, with a cam coupler and threaded fitting on it to attach to your deck fitting (unless you want to make it 2 person job--one person holding one of those neoprene "universal" fittings tightly into the fitting, the other below pumping). So far, so good...you have the system installed, and it works...but now we come to the drawback: Unless you also come up with a means of rinsing out that piece of hose which dangles over the side, you're gonna have about 6-8' of smelly hose to store aboard. IMO, the smartest thing you can do is run a hose to the existing thru-hull and install either a macerator or a good quality electric diaphragm pump (SeaLand T-Pump is your best choice) to empty the tank. Properly installed, it can easily move the tank contents that far. And the cost isn't much more--maybe even less--than all the parts to do what you think you want to do.
There is no "kit" to do what you want to do...but it can be done with a couple of y-valves, a little hose, and either a manual diaphragm pump or a macerator. The y-valves and hose are needed to create the "by-pass" for the pump...'cuz a pump directly inline with the deck pumpout would prevent a dock pumpout from being able to pull anything out of the tank...it would block the line. You'd also need about 6-8' of hose to dangle over the side, with a cam coupler and threaded fitting on it to attach to your deck fitting (unless you want to make it 2 person job--one person holding one of those neoprene "universal" fittings tightly into the fitting, the other below pumping). So far, so good...you have the system installed, and it works...but now we come to the drawback: Unless you also come up with a means of rinsing out that piece of hose which dangles over the side, you're gonna have about 6-8' of smelly hose to store aboard. IMO, the smartest thing you can do is run a hose to the existing thru-hull and install either a macerator or a good quality electric diaphragm pump (SeaLand T-Pump is your best choice) to empty the tank. Properly installed, it can easily move the tank contents that far. And the cost isn't much more--maybe even less--than all the parts to do what you think you want to do.
Portable Pump
I was thinking more of an external pump with a short hose with "universal" fitting on inlet of pump and a short hose to dangle over the edge. When finished pumping the tank, I could drop the inlet hose into the water to flush the portable system. Do you think that a macerator will run dry long enough to prime the inlet hose every time without constantly burning up the impeller?
I was thinking more of an external pump with a short hose with "universal" fitting on inlet of pump and a short hose to dangle over the edge. When finished pumping the tank, I could drop the inlet hose into the water to flush the portable system. Do you think that a macerator will run dry long enough to prime the inlet hose every time without constantly burning up the impeller?
A macerator can do it...
Remember a macerator doesn't just pull waste out of the tank, it also pushes it the rest of the way to the thru-hull. According to the instructions, it can be up to 4' away from the tank and prime without damage to the impeller. It moves 12 gal/minute, so it should be able to get it another 10' to the thru-hull unless the route is really convoluted with no problem. Alternatively, consider going with an electric diaphragm pump. They cost a bit more, but they can run dry almost indefinitely without harm, so you can put it anywhere you can find room for it between the tank and the thru-hull. Or, the way you want to do it WILL work...but you have be on deck to use it (no fun in bad weather/heavy seas) and you still have to store the pump and hose aboard. IMO, the simpler the better.
Remember a macerator doesn't just pull waste out of the tank, it also pushes it the rest of the way to the thru-hull. According to the instructions, it can be up to 4' away from the tank and prime without damage to the impeller. It moves 12 gal/minute, so it should be able to get it another 10' to the thru-hull unless the route is really convoluted with no problem. Alternatively, consider going with an electric diaphragm pump. They cost a bit more, but they can run dry almost indefinitely without harm, so you can put it anywhere you can find room for it between the tank and the thru-hull. Or, the way you want to do it WILL work...but you have be on deck to use it (no fun in bad weather/heavy seas) and you still have to store the pump and hose aboard. IMO, the simpler the better.
Thanks Peggie!
I will rethink the whole project. Maybe I can find another route to run an additional 1.5" hose back to the existing thru-hull. The current hose path is very convoluted and has no room for an additional 1.5" hose. Thanks to you and Ross for the suggestions. Forrest
I will rethink the whole project. Maybe I can find another route to run an additional 1.5" hose back to the existing thru-hull. The current hose path is very convoluted and has no room for an additional 1.5" hose. Thanks to you and Ross for the suggestions. Forrest
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