Vented Loop/In-line Strainer Install

[Harry Cowgill]

Hi Peggie, I have a new PH II installed in my Catalina 27 and have a few questions about the hose install process. I plan to install both the 1 1/2 and 3/4" V/loops but I'll somewhat confused about venting the larger one.From the Raritan Web Site:>Water comes out from vent of my vented loop? What should I do?>Vent from vented loop (1 1/2") should be vented outside. Also vent should be vented higher >>than the loop. Vented loop supplied by Raritan does not have check valve (duckbill valve) in >the vent. If vent is vented higher than loop, then vented loop is more reliable without duckbill >valve. Sometimes water will still drip from vent if discharge lines are temporarily clogged. 3/4" >and 1" loops need not be vented outside if not used with effluent. A duckbill valve is recommended for these loops).Peggy...wake me up here...The 1 1/2 "Forespar" loop I bought does have a little duckbill in it and it does not appear to be made for venting outside. In your opinion could it bubble effluent at the vent inside the boat or will the duckbill keep it from doing that? Last question..I would think using an In-line strainer on the 3/4 sea water line would be a good idea..yes? Thanks for time,Harry

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Air valve should eliminate need to vent to outside

Raritan takes the safest stand, assuming that there is no air valve in the vented loop...in which case, a vent line to the outside would solve an already existing "squirt" problem. I disagree. Most people have a hard enough time keeping a minimum 5/8" tank vent from becoming blocked because they ignore it and/or let the tank overflow out it. A vent off the nipple of a vented loop is only 1/4" or less..."stuff" will ALWAYS go into it...making the odds of it getting blocked and staying that way--which totally defeats the whole purpose of a vented loop as siphon break--just about 100%. Your vented loop has an air valve...until/unless it starts to squirt, you're fine. Air valves DO require periodic cleaning and occasional replacement, btw...'cuz they can clog up and wear out.As for whether you need a strainer in the head intake...if you're sucking up weeds and other animal or vegetable sea life, you need a strainer--not only on the head intake, but on the engine intake too. If that's not a problem, you don't need one.