Heads plumbing / Decent Y Valve?

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MerchantMatt

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My, new to me boat, was used a liveaboard for about 5 years and as such the heads wasnt used in that time.

It has a holding tank and a system that uses 2 Y valves to divert to - tank or overboard and to pump out the tank via a gusher pump to the same exit seacock.

The Valves are these Jabsco units -

http://cdn6.bigcommerce.com/s-494hj...valve_467__83178.1422502082.1280.1280.jpg?c=2

Neither can be moved, i fear if i force them any more the handles will snap.

I assume they are seized or gunked up?

Any better valves to replace with or, is there better system to use? I was thinking pump to tank always then pump out when full, no need for the 3 way jobbies then.

Any input would be great.
 
I fitted the Jabsco Y valves Paul has mentioned about 8 years ago when I fitted our holding tank system, which sounds very similar to th OPs. The valves have proved very effective and have the advantage that they can be dismantled for cleaning, a necessity in a sea water system as no matter how much sea water you use to flush with, it always seems to build up a fine coating of scale.
 
duncan99210 said:
I fitted the Jabsco Y valves Paul has mentioned about 8 years ago when I fitted our holding tank system, which sounds very similar to th OPs. The valves have proved very effective and have the advantage that they can be dismantled for cleaning, a necessity in a sea water system as no matter how much sea water you use to flush with, it always seems to build up a fine coating of scale.
Click to expand...

I have the same valves (for a "black tank" which is never used). I do try to remember to excercise the valves fairly regularly.
 
Matt: since you seem to be about to replace things, you might consider whether you need Y-valves at all, or even the discharge pump.

The simplest arrangement (and simple is good where heads are concerned) is to pump everything into the holding tank. Whether this stays there or not depends entirely on whether the discharge seacock is open or closed.

Such a set-up obviously depends on the holding tank being above seawater level, which isn't always the case, or practicable. If not, a discharge pump would of course be required.
 
MerchantMatt said:
My, new to me boat, was used a liveaboard for about 5 years and as such the heads wasnt used in that time.

It has a holding tank and a system that uses 2 Y valves to divert to - tank or overboard and to pump out the tank via a gusher pump to the same exit seacock.

The Valves are these Jabsco units -

http://cdn6.bigcommerce.com/s-494hj...valve_467__83178.1422502082.1280.1280.jpg?c=2

Neither can be moved, i fear if i force them any more the handles will snap.

I assume they are seized or gunked up?

Any better valves to replace with or, is there better system to use? I was thinking pump to tank always then pump out when full, no need for the 3 way jobbies then.

Any input would be great.
Click to expand...

why dont you just undo the screws holding the valve together and the east it apart

You do not neet 2 divert valves. I have a similar system with only one divert valve directing the flow to sea of tank.

I have a 2 separate discharge pipes from my holding tank one teed into the outlet just before the seacock with a loop up to deck level between the tank and tee. My discharge pump is between the tank and the outlet pipe loop.

Gravity discharge is better is you have room. I don't have room for a tank above water level.
 
Thanks for all the input,

So for starters the 2 valves linked above are far better, thanks.

So, if my holding tank is above the water line the best/simplest method would be a gravity empty system? I would need to purchase a new run of pipe but thats cheaper than valves anyway. Any draw backs to this system?
 
MerchantMatt said:
Thanks for all the input,

So for starters the 2 valves linked above are far better, thanks.

So, if my holding tank is above the water line the best/simplest method would be a gravity empty system? I would need to purchase a new run of pipe but thats cheaper than valves anyway. Any draw backs to this system?
Click to expand...

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Better if the top pumpout access is directly over the discharge seacock
 
Rogershaw said:
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Better if the top pumpout access is directly over the discharge seacock
Click to expand...

Thanks, so assuming I cannot get my tank high enough for gravity drain then I could add an electric or manual pump on that last run of pipe?

My tank does exit at the bottom the same as pictured
 
MerchantMatt said:
My tank does exit at the bottom the same as pictured
Click to expand...

What Roger means is that ideally the "deck pump out" entry should be situated directly vertically above the exit out of the bottom of the tank. This makes it a lot easier to clear out any blockages with a broom handle or length of wire of even proper flexible rods using the deck pump out as the access point.

Mine is designed like this and its been a Godsend on the two occasions that charterers have used the wrong type of paper.

Richard
 
the advantage of dismantling and cleaning out the existing valve is that you won't have the utter ball ache of fitting hoses to the new valve! Although if you ARE fitting a new one, it might be wise to fit new hoses at the same time.

My 21 year old boat has a holding tank that has never been used (so said the PO) and thus I assume nor has the cheapy Jabsco valve, like yours, ever been exercised. It was seized solid.

It took 15 minutes to remove the handle, undo the securing top plate (3 screws) pull out the valve body and descale it, firstly mechanically with a screwdriver and finally with vinegar, then replace everything. Now smooth as silk and I will exercise it every time we open or close the other seacocks to keep it that way.
 
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