Rule manual pump

[dave h]

Regarding a 1988 Hunter 28.5:The manual discharge pump (RULE) from the waste holding tank is leaking and actually squirts water into the lazarette when the head is pumped. We're not having much luck finding replacement parts. Any suggestions would be appreciated.Also, there is treated water backing up into the head. We recently pumped out the tank, but it still backs up. How many gallons does a standard w/w tank hold on this boat. If anyone else has had this problem, we could use some advice. Thanks.We just bought this boat and it is our first, so we have much to learn.

 

[Alan Claunch]

Water backup

I don't know about Rule parts though West Marine has a extensive line of Rule pumps in their catalog. The waste water backup may be due to a bad joker valve in the base of the head. This is a flap type valve to allow waste/water to flow from the head into the holding tank but not to back up into the head. You can get a rebuild kit for the head from the usual outfitters (West, Defender or Boat US) and it should have a joker valve. It needs to be checked/changed periodically; reportedly putting a small amount of cooking oil in the head periodically will keep it lubricated. Good Luck

 

[Kevin]

Pump

I agree it sounds like your joker value is bad, I had the same back up probelm with my 28.5. I also had my manual Rule pump diaphram go bad. I was able to get a replacement diaphram from Defender for about 15$. Although I am interested in why when you pump the head ( I assume you mean when empting the bowl) you get a leak at the manual Rule Pump? This pump is used to empty your holding tank over board. If you are "energizing" this leg of your head system, you must be dead heading your head pump to this leg of your system. Which may indicate your Y value is in the incorrect position and your head is accually trying to pump , not to the holding tank, but directly over board. I found the head system on the 28.5 some what over done and completely replace all the lines and eliminated several connections in the simplfication process. I modeled after the system in the West Marine cat. as described as the system they favored. The 28.5 system is simular to the one they describe as have as amny values a a nuclear reactor. The change over was relatively simple and all the Tee coneections are gone. I reused the rule pump and Y valve, but lost almost 8 feet in "extra' head lineKevin

 

[Marc Honey]

Vented loop

Installation of a vented loop between head discharge and holding tank cured all my head back-flow problems. Previous response sounds right, too...you must be pumping from head to overboard to be getting a leak from the Rule manual pump which is intended to be used to evacuate the holding tank and pump waste overboard. Don't ever let Peggie hear you are putting ANY kind of oil (vegetable or otherwise) into your head!!! Not a good idea.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

I think I'd replace the pump and see...

whether that cures the back up problem. The next thing to check is the discharge hose from the toilet to the tank. . I doubt that it's actually backing up from the tank...I think it's in the hose. Unless regularly flushed out with a solution of white vinegar and water, urine crystals and sea water calcium carbonates can reduce a 1.5" diamter hose to less than half and inch in a year. Before you go ANY further, read the articles in the Head Mistress forum reference library (on the home page of the HM forum). None of 'em address your problem directly, but they will give you a much better understanding of how your system is supposed to work. Then I'll be glad to work with you directly to solve your problem.