Upgrading Head

[Mark Johnson]

First, forgive the ignorance, what does MSD stand for? Second, has anyone tried to upgrade the SaniPottie in their h22 to a regular marine head and holding tank? Thanks Mark

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

MSD = Marine Sanitation Device

The "legal" definition is "any device for installation aboard a vessel intended to receive, retain, treat or discharge sewage (which, as it pertains to vessels, is defined as "human body waste and the waste from toilets")...however, in common useage, MSD is almost never used to describe a marine toilet any more...but to describe treatment devices (Type I and II) and holding tanks (Type III).As for upgrading from a SaniPottie to a marine toilet and holding tank on a 22'...do you really want to give up at least 1/3 of your storage space to a holding tank? If your portapottie is only of the 2-3 gallon models that you have to carry off the boat, you'll end up with something that will hold as many flushes as a 12-15 gallon holding tank with a marine head, but only take up the same amount of room as what you have now if you upgrade to a 5-6 gallon "pumpable" SaniPottie. The only plumbing it would require is a pumpout hose, deck fitting and a vent.

 

[Pat Hooyman]

Upgrade Kit for SaniPottie

PeggyWhere can I order an Upgrade Kit for a SaniPottie? Also what modifications have to be made to a H26 to allow pumpouts?thanks Pat Hooyman

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Cheaper to just replace

There is no such thing as an "upgrade kit"...you just need the larger tank that's already fitted with pumpout and vent fittings and new hold down brackets. However, none of the discounters (West, B/US etc) carry replacement tanks and brackets as stock items...they'd have to be a special order, which they always sell at full list, and which will cost you as much as--or even more than--a whole new pumpable unit off their shelves. You'd have to buy hose and pumpout deck fitting anyway, so you might as well just buy it all at discount. SeaLand's pumpable 5.6 gallon Sanipottie is the "965MSD"...Thetford makes one too...in fact, they have an "electric" model than runs ons 6 D cells. And there are a couple of other brands. Just stay away from any of the recirculating systems!