Water tanks 1 & 2

[WhiteNow]

My Bene 340 has fore and aft h20 tanks both filled. Though on control panel tank 1 display exhibits empty. At galley sink it was sucking and spitting at sink and pump wouldn't shut off. And under setee the pump window only fills 1/2 way. So Turned off valve on 1 and went to tank 2. Tank 2 is working fine.

 

[Ron20324]

If the pump runs when all the faucets are off, then it is starving for water- or, less likely, the tank ONE vent line is blocked? A blockage between tank and pump is most likely. My 2006 B323 had about the same problem. I found there is a check valve in the output fitting of the tank. I found it only becasue when i took the hose off the tank, nothing came out. Stuck a screwdriver in, and it pushed the valve into the tank. It's pretty small, the spring looks like one from a ball-point pen. Valve removed, everything works fine for the past 5 years.

 

[arf145]

So #1 shows half full visually, shows empty on a sensor display, and acts like it is empty? I like Ron's answer about the check valve. Only other thought is if that line has its own filter screen, it may be clogged.

 

[WhiteNow]

Thanks Ron & Tom,
I noticed when I filled #1 no overflow at the vent Like when filling #2.
I'll look to see how to access that vent. Then go to the aft tank hose. You say remove the hose from tank connection and check there vs where it connects to the pump?

I noticed in the clear cover on the pump some little flakes floating around with what looked like a little strainer basket in there but couldn't unscrew the cover, I figured it was pressurized system and didn't want to go that deep if it needed bleeding thereafter. But would probably be good to get those flakes out of there asap too. maybe they're part of the problem.

Do you have the similar pump systems on your boats?

 

[arf145]

Don't worry about pressure or bleeding...it's not like the fuel system on a diesel engine. It's been rare that I couldn't get a freshwater system pump primed just by turning it on with an open tap.

 

[WhiteNow]

Reading is fundamental! Okay with a closer look at the tanks I finally noticed that one said WASTE not WATER. I filled the waste with H2O.....Okay now my waste tank is full of fresh H20 hope that's not bad? At least I didn't fill
The one marked Diesel. Okay will go 3mi off to dump it.

So opened everything up followed All the hoses and realized that there was a stern port water fill nozzle and that aft tank 1 was actually empty. Felt so stupid. But all about getting to know the boat.

Thanks again for the input

 

[Gunni]

Check your waste tank plumbing, many US Beneteaus have no provision for gravity dumping the waste tank. You have to pump out via the deck fitting.

 

[arf145]

Good one! And don't worry...the water in the diesel and the diesel in the water tricks have been done!

 

[WhiteNow]

Went 3KM off to see if I could dump
It through the macerate via gravity. But got occupied with by electronics and good winds and forgot.

Haven I messed with the equilibrium of the waste tank by filling with water. since now there is no room in there I suppose.


Have

 

[WhiteNow]

Would think it could dump out macerator out valve. As when clearing it of other waste.

With that said. I don't really understand the head system. Does it only get its water supply from the hull intake. And that water continually goes to waste tank. Is there a monitor to let you know it full or needs to be dumped.

 

[arf145]

OK, my waste tank has no sensor or indicator, but so far as I know, any gauges out there measure what is in the tank, not how it got in. You haven't messed up anything by filling it with water-you just have the nicest waste in town. Pump it out by normal means (which, on my 331, would be only through vacuum pump out at the dock) and you're good.

 

[WhiteNow]

thanks. arf145. Took it for the pump out and guy looked at it and did confirm it would pump and drain through the macerator line next time if offshore. Glad she's all good.

 

[Ron20324]

thanks... drain through the macerator line next time if offshore. ...quote]

After you macerate, run some water through the macerator to get all the "dirt" out of the system. Otherwise it will dry hard and whack your mac.

 

[Grouperhound]

I have Sailvac and the sensors in my holding tanks stopped being reliable this past summer, barely 1-1/2 years new. I have not pulled them yet since keeping the vacuum functional has been a bigger priority. That is for another thread.

One thing I learned as the sometimes(well maybe often) clueless newb that I am was to drain the waste seacocks and run the pumps to pull glycol after going hard. I have never used the macerators or dumped at sea so it really was not in my mind for winterizing. Fortunately I did not damage anything after my first winter.