What size vented loop?

[DannyS]

I'm ordering all of my parts and pieces for my full head, tank, hose replacement project and I need to know what size vented loop I'll need between the pump and toilet bowl. I assume I'll also need a longer hose there as well. Any suggestions? I'm installing the Raritan PHII.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I'm ordering all of my parts and pieces for my full head, tank, hose replacement project and I need to know what size vented loop I'll need between the pump and toilet bowl. I assume I'll also need a longer hose there as well. Any suggestions? I'm installing the Raritan PHII.

You'll need 3/4" sanitation line (use Shields or Trident #148) and vented loop...and yes, you'll need enough hose to put the loop high enough to make sure that it's at least 6-8" above waterline AT ANY ANGLE OF HEEL, not just when boat's at rest...which, on most sailboats, puts it 2-3 feet above the bowl.

The inlet fitting on the PHII is on the front of the pump, so you may need a long intake line too. This might be a good time to re-route it to tee into the head sink drain line.

 

[DannyS]

Thanks Peggie, I wasn't planning to re-route the sea water intake. Lake Superior is really clean and cold and not much grows in our lake so I'm thinking that if this to eliminate the added micro-organisms to the holding tank stew, I don't think this is necessary. Is my rationale flawed?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Your logic is sound...

Superior is so cold that flushing directly overboard would actually have NO environmental impact--positive OR negative--on it, 'cuz there's almost -0- bacterial activity below 50 degrees...none at all below 40 'cuz that's where bacteria become dormant 40. I'm not advocating it...it is illegal. Just noting a biological truth.

So you certainly don't have to worry about intake odor!

 

[DannyS]

I guess my point was that as I understand it, re-routing the sea water intake would allow me to use freshwater from my tanks for flushing via the sink, which allows less critters in from the seawater intake, correct? So the fact that Superior has little to no bacteria, the seawater intake should be just fine without re-routing my intake to the sink drain. I don't have an overboard discharge on my boat so that's not in the equation. Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I guess my point was that as I understand it, re-routing the sea water intake would allow me to use freshwater from my tanks for flushing via the sink, which allows less critters in from the seawater intake, correct?

Correct. But you're in fresh water, so there isn't any need flush any sea water critters out. But if you ever move to salt water, you'll already have the answer

So the fact that Superior has little to no bacteria, the seawater intake should be just fine without re-routing my intake to the sink drain. I don't have an overboard discharge on my boat so that's not in the equation. Am I understanding this correctly?

Yep...you've got every bit of it right. But you do still need the vented loop in the intake. Boats sink just as easily in fresh water as they do in salt.

However...FYI to all reading this... In the south where the lakes are a lot warmer and therefore a lot more "organic," there are some places where fresh water CAN get just as skanky as sea water if left to sit in the system. So just being in fresh water doesn't guarantee no intake odor, it just reduces the odds considerably. If you have the problem, the fix is the same, whether you're in fresh water or salt.

 

[DannyS]

Thanks Peggie! Installation begins this week.