My spirit 28 has a built in head, with below deck waste storage tank. On deck there is a fitting with a screw in plug labeled waste. It's approximately one inch inside diameter. I have no experience with marine heads and waste tank pump out procedures. Does a pump out connection fit vacuum tight to the deck fitting? I'm just curious to know the physics involved. Thanks in advance for any enlightenment.
waste tank pump out
- Thread starter Drake57
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pump out
At our pump-out station, and I presume it is the same on most, the pump-out nozzel is slightly tapered so that it fits into the pump-out hole on the boat. You simply turn on the vacuum and stick the nozzle in the hole until it fits snuggly and bingo magic happens. Somewhere there is an air vent from the tank. Make sure this isn't plugged with anything (dirt, bugs spider webs,wasp nests etc.) or you will not be able to pull the waste from the tank. Hope this helps.
At our pump-out station, and I presume it is the same on most, the pump-out nozzel is slightly tapered so that it fits into the pump-out hole on the boat. You simply turn on the vacuum and stick the nozzle in the hole until it fits snuggly and bingo magic happens. Somewhere there is an air vent from the tank. Make sure this isn't plugged with anything (dirt, bugs spider webs,wasp nests etc.) or you will not be able to pull the waste from the tank. Hope this helps.
Tight seal
Bill is correct on the procedure. As he points out, make sure your vent is clear or it will not work. I find that if you have trouble maintaining a seal around the nozzle, it helps to use a garden hose and run water around the nozzle to help maintain a seal.
Bill is correct on the procedure. As he points out, make sure your vent is clear or it will not work. I find that if you have trouble maintaining a seal around the nozzle, it helps to use a garden hose and run water around the nozzle to help maintain a seal.
Try to remove the plug on deck before you
go to the pump-out station. Regardless of material they all manage to weld themselves in place. At least in a salt water climate, I've had to chisel a few out.
go to the pump-out station. Regardless of material they all manage to weld themselves in place. At least in a salt water climate, I've had to chisel a few out.
Only thing I'd add...
Your pumpout deck fitting is actually 1.25". The marina pumpout may have a neoprene "universal" nozzle that seals just fine, but must be held tightly in place to do so...or it may have a threaded fitting. Some self-service pumpouts don't have either...you have to supply your own, which attaches to the end of the pumpout hose via a cam coupler. I suggest you acquaint yourself with what's needed and how to use it BEFORE your tank is full...which is likely to happen a lot sooner than you expect. And since you don't want it to overflow out the vent, I guess I'd better add one more thing: how to estimate how many flushes your tank can hold...'cuz they fill up a lot faster than most people think they will. The average flush is a little over 1/2 gallon. The average adult uses the toilet 5x/day...which means each person continuously aboard is gonna put roughly 2.5 gal/day into the tank. If you know how many gallons your tank is supposed to hold, basic math skills will tell you how many days it'll take to fill it. If you have no previous experience with marine toilets, you might want to check out the link below to learn how to use and maintain it...'cuz it's a lot easier to prevent problems than it is to cure 'em.
Your pumpout deck fitting is actually 1.25". The marina pumpout may have a neoprene "universal" nozzle that seals just fine, but must be held tightly in place to do so...or it may have a threaded fitting. Some self-service pumpouts don't have either...you have to supply your own, which attaches to the end of the pumpout hose via a cam coupler. I suggest you acquaint yourself with what's needed and how to use it BEFORE your tank is full...which is likely to happen a lot sooner than you expect. And since you don't want it to overflow out the vent, I guess I'd better add one more thing: how to estimate how many flushes your tank can hold...'cuz they fill up a lot faster than most people think they will. The average flush is a little over 1/2 gallon. The average adult uses the toilet 5x/day...which means each person continuously aboard is gonna put roughly 2.5 gal/day into the tank. If you know how many gallons your tank is supposed to hold, basic math skills will tell you how many days it'll take to fill it. If you have no previous experience with marine toilets, you might want to check out the link below to learn how to use and maintain it...'cuz it's a lot easier to prevent problems than it is to cure 'em.
Don't Worry
My wife and I were in the same situation as you just a few weeks ago. We found out the tank guage was broken when the head kept filling up by itself! Went to our Harbormaster and asked about fittings.. we felt like idiots when we got this quizical look.. WHAAAT fittings? You don't need no stinkin fittings! The hardest part was backing the boat up to the pumpout dock... then doing it again in the neighboring marina after our home pumpout pump starting smoking and shut down for the boat ahead of us. But the second time everything went fantastically. Its no problem, you just hold the nozzel tightly (its just a soft cone-shaped deal that matches all boats). Only took a few minutes including putting fresh water in several times to clean the tank.
Gary
My wife and I were in the same situation as you just a few weeks ago. We found out the tank guage was broken when the head kept filling up by itself! Went to our Harbormaster and asked about fittings.. we felt like idiots when we got this quizical look.. WHAAAT fittings? You don't need no stinkin fittings! The hardest part was backing the boat up to the pumpout dock... then doing it again in the neighboring marina after our home pumpout pump starting smoking and shut down for the boat ahead of us. But the second time everything went fantastically. Its no problem, you just hold the nozzel tightly (its just a soft cone-shaped deal that matches all boats). Only took a few minutes including putting fresh water in several times to clean the tank.
Gary- Status