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The water valve thingy under the v berth

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esailor
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USA
118 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/27/2006 : 23:07:58

How can I tell if it is open or closed? I understand if the head is not in use it should be closed to prvent the holding tank from filling with lake water, is that true? How can you tell how much is in the holding tank?

Pete Hagar
Dayton,Ohio
Indian Lake
2770 82/SR/SK/9.9 evinrude

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2006 : 23:31:01

If you have the plastic valve, the off position is when the handle is at a right angle to the valve. You should leave it closed to prevent the boat from flooding and sinking. If the head pump malfuntions, that can happen.

Finding the level of the holding tank is best done with a flashlight if your tank is clear.

Tom.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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1561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 06:42:03

Yes by all means use the flashlight. I made the mistake of opening the cap on top of my tank, which had not been pumped for three years, and my body just started invonentarily puking. It was the most horrible smell I'd ever encountered. My boat is a 1977 and has the brass valves. so all the way in is off.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 07:33:34

Hi again, Pete... You got your answers... But this is an example of a question that can be answered more specifically if we know the year of your boat--things changed a lot between 1977 and 1990. (I know it's an '82 from your introduction thread...) The more you specify in your profile "signature", the easier it is for people to give you the best answer. (I may have overdone it in mine...

)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/28/2006 07:37:09

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 08:49:06

when smells come out of the vent when you pump, watch out.
when "stuff" cometh out of the vent when thou pumpeth, thou runneth over.

Dennis, it should not be that bad, remember that it is vented and the same smell should be coming out of the vent on hot days or when you pump. Make sure the little bugs in there are not dead (ours died when we forgot and cleaned the bowl with bleach). Solution: pump water in and pump out a few times, then add enzymes, bacteria, etc until the vent smells ok.

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djn
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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 08:55:06

We have tried all the solutions mentioned in the book about getting smells out of your boat, and at this point, we are going to replace all the hoses and the tank itself. The actual head was replaced two years ago. All the hoses are permiated and I want to get rid of the old tank because I can see the beginings of cracks forming on top. For $200.00 I'll have peice of mind and no smells. ps, maybe more than 2 bills because I AM NOT GOING NEAR THAT THING AGAIN. Cheers.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 10:25:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 ...we are going to replace all the hoses and the tank itself...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
A knowledgable friend told me that the most common source of odors is the waste line, and to always get the most expensive stuff made specifically for that application--$8.49/foot at WM, and supposed to be worth every penny. (I hate the smell in boats.

)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/28/2006 10:26:13

Leon Sisson
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1893 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 11:31:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">A knowledgeable friend told me that the most common source of odors is the waste line, and to always get the most expensive stuff made specifically for that application--$8.49/foot <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I completely agree about using only the best waste hose. And I would guess the second most common source of odors is the intake line if it's pulling seawater.

My head intake is plumbed so it can draw from either a thru-hull or the head sink drain by switching a valve. On day trips I flush with fresh water via the head sink. On longer trips I flush with whatever the boat is floating in, but purge all the head hoses with fresh water the end of the trip. I prefer the bio-active holding tank treatment to the colorful poisons and perfumes.

-- Leon Sisson

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ilnadi
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Response Posted - 07/28/2006 : 13:10:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by esailor
 How can I tell if it is open or closed? I understand if the head is not in use it should be closed to prvent the holding tank from filling with lake water, is that true?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">On second reading, are you talking about the "sink drain /head intake" or the "overboard discharge/tank"? The latter may not all be routed the same way. Ours is a "Y" that connects the head discharge to the tank or overboard. I don't think that can flood the tank either but may flood the head if left "overboard"

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dblitz
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240 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2006 : 20:03:58

The head discharge hose should have an antisiphon setup to prevent the boat from sinking if the head pump malfunctions when you are heeling and the toilet is below the waterline.

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2006 : 21:30:41

My question is this. Are you in salt water or fresh. Salt water creates more smell and stink than fresh. If you sailing in Salt then when you are done with the boat flush about a gallon of fresh water through the head. It flushes out all the criters that live in the salt water traped in your hoses.

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