the best marine sanitation hose???

[thinwater]

Doesnt this apply only to regular petroleum based oils, mineral oil is 'safe' to eat, granted it acts as a strong laxative when you do, but that just means it ends up in the plumbing that much faster...

Mineral oil is highly refined petroluem base oil, not very different from the type III base oils used in modern engine lubricants. It is a common misconception that mineral oil is somehow natural or food-related, but in fact it is highly pollished lubrication base oil from a catagory known as white oils. The same base, without certain impurities that cause toxicity. But the effect on EPDM and butly rubber is similar; rub some on a latex glove (this is why mineral oil is not used with condums) or bicycle inner tube (butyl) and wait a day.

If you really want to screw up (I've done this) use mineral oil on an EPDM pump seal or impellor. It swells, you may never get it on, and it won't last.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_oil

 

[FourPoints]

Mineral oil is highly refined petroluem base oil, not very different from the type III base oils used in modern engine lubricants. It is a common misconception that mineral oil is somehow natural or food-related, but in fact it is highly pollished lubrication base oil from a catagory known as white oils. The same base, without certain impurities that cause toxicity. But the effect on EPDM and butly rubber is similar; rub some on a latex glove (this is why mineral oil is not used with condums) or bicycle inner tube (butyl) and wait a day.

If you really want to screw up (I've done this) use mineral oil on an EPDM pump seal or impellor. It swells, you may never get it on, and it won't last.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_oil

ok, so I stand partly corrected, but since it might be part of what you pump through the head as part of it's job as an intestinal lubricant (hopefully not on a regular basis of course), wouldn't you be able to expect that to go safely through the plumbing without causing any problems?

 

[thinwater]

ok, so I stand partly corrected, but since it might be part of what you pump through the head as part of it's job as an intestinal lubricant (hopefully not on a regular basis of course), wouldn't you be able to expect that to go safely through the plumbing without causing any problems?

I'm not complelty sure. I'm assuming you are also pouring in some oil to lube the head pump, hence the question. The problem with oil as a hose lube is that it becomes trapped, soaking into the rubber over long periods. This has proven troublesome, weakening the hose just a little. Pouring a little in now and then as a lube, flushed through, is a different question.

I do know that in PS testing the ONLY holding tanks that had solids clumping and stuck to the walls were those that were lubed with small amounts of veggy oil. Given the potencial for pump-out problems, that is reason for me not to do that. I follow manufacture recomendations and lube with silicone grease every spring.

We also noticed that some oils are hard on neoprene joker valves (Jabso--other brands use nitrile, which is oil-proof) and o-rings. Olive and Canola oils were signifigantly less of a problem than corn oil due to slight differences in chemistry. Mineral oil was a problem because it is not degraded and is sticky.

Thus, the conventional (and supported by testing) view is that very occational olive oil (less is better) is OK and annual silicone grease (use lots) is better.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thus, the conventional (and supported by testing) view is that very occational olive oil (less is better) is OK and annual silicone grease (use lots) is better.

Yup, pretty much what Peggie recommends in her book.

 

[thinwater]

Yup, pretty much what Peggie recommends in her book.

^^ I like it when expereince and testing match up. It proves we also understand what we "know."

 

[FourPoints]

I'm not complelty sure. I'm assuming you are also pouring in some oil to lube the head pump, hence the question. The problem with oil as a hose lube is that it becomes trapped, soaking into the rubber over long periods. This has proven troublesome, weakening the hose just a little. Pouring a little in now and then as a lube, flushed through, is a different question.

I just installed a new head this season, and the boat goes in the water tomorrow. So I haven't done anything yet (other than lube the hose to help get it on the fitting), but I was planning on doing exactly that. I have another thought now... see below

Thus, the conventional (and supported by testing) view is that very occational olive oil (less is better) is OK and annual silicone grease (use lots) is better.

What about dropping a small clump of silicone grease down the head every once in a while and pumping it through? It would certainly lube everything very well, but would the clump actually cause issues by potentially sticking to things where it doesn't need to be?

 

[twistedline]

I wrapped my smelly hoses in Aluminium tape, I wasn't sure it would work but two years later and things are still smelling mighty fine.

 

[thinwater]

I wrapped my smelly hoses in Aluminium tape, I wasn't sure it would work but two years later and things are still smelling mighty fine.

I tested that for PS as well. Like you, I didn't expect much more than a delaying tactic. And yet the stuf was still going stong and tight after nearly 3 years outside, over a clear vinyl hose that was badly permiated!

Kind of boyscout, but I would recomend Nashau aluminum tape to anyone for diagnosis and to get through the summer, for sure.

 

[Joe]

Mainsail's comment gave me cause to review my head rebuild.... and I realize that WM didn't have trident 101... so I settled for the 148.. it's white... anyhow... I haven't had any issues, but I don't use the head excessively... it's vinyl, less expensive.. but not cheap. Someone had suggest heating with a hair dryer... absolutely did not work... but the boiling water method worked incredibly well. Since I only have one head, and expect this installation to last 10 plus years, Imy window for using the superior 101 has passed... unless I'm crazy enough to buy a bigger boat... and start all over again...

 

[gettinthere]

I have to disagree with the guru. Just replaced a thru hull and valve for the aft head. Hose is trident 101 that is 6 years old. I could not get the hose off the nipple until I heated it up with a heat gun. It then came off pretty easy. Heat can work on trident 101.