Holding Tank and Macerator vs. none...

[langstonelayabout]

I'm reviving a new to me boat bought at 'a good price' and in need of TLC.

The current bits to fix involve the heads, especially the non-working Jabsco Macerator pump fitted to the 'standard' holding tank and the stainless seacock that is corroded open.

Thing is, replacing the Jabsco macerator pump and seacock will cost me circa £250. Just changing the seacock to feed the head straight over the side will cost me £50.

Trouble is, people and places are becoming more restrictive about discharging black water. So, is it worth the extra £200 to replace what seems to be an unreliable pump or should I simply run it all into the oggin? I normally sail on the Solent so the discharge will make little difference to the colour of the water.

Your thoughts please?

TIA

 

[James_Calvert]

Lots of handy shoreside conveniences in the Solent. How do you manage a holding tank system there anyway?Would you have to sail a few miles south of St Catherine's point before you can properly discharge one?

 

[Pete7]

How many yachts in the Solent do you think have holding tanks and when was the last time your saw a pump out station?

If you do decide to keep the tank do you really need a macerator pump? why not use one of these?

http://www.mackengineering.co.uk/products/50890%2d1000-12V-DIAPHRAGM-WASTE-PUMP.html

 

[Lucky Duck]

I would have thought it better to discharge into the Solent proper rather than somewhere like Port Solent.

My club has a pump out facility as part of the planning permission for their marina and I don't think it get used more than 10 times a year.

 

[James_Calvert]

I would have thought it better to discharge into the Solent proper rather than somewhere like Port Solent.

Places like Port Solent have very superior loos and showers. No need to use on board facilities ever. (If it's raining, you can always take an umbrella.)

 

[James_Calvert]

And hair dryers and piped music. Heaven!

 

[Lucky Duck]

Unfortunately I have little need for a hair drier

When in marinas I do use the facilities provided but I'm now on my second boat with a holding tank fitted (both part of the standard spec) and I'd expect the next one to have one also

 

[Tranona]

Replace the macerator with diaphragm pump and the seacock with a DZR or composite valve and fittings. Assume you have a Y valve so you can pump either straight through or via the holding tank.

 

[langstonelayabout]

Replace the macerator with diaphragm pump and the seacock with a DZR or composite valve and fittings. Assume you have a Y valve so you can pump either straight through or via the holding tank.

Alas no: the head discharges straight into the holding tank which has to be pumped out using the macerator pump. The head has the usual 1.5" pipe but the macerator outlet only 1" pipe.

My previous boat discharged straight over the side but this new one was designed to have the holding tank. A dilemma I know... The vibes so far suggest that I should run the head straight over the side, r move the tank and save it for the owner after me... ��

 

[Tranona]

Alas no: the head discharges straight into the holding tank which has to be pumped out using the macerator pump. The head has the usual 1.5" pipe but the macerator outlet only 1" pipe.

My previous boat discharged straight over the side but this new one was designed to have the holding tank. A dilemma I know... The vibes so far suggest that I should run the head straight over the side, r move the tank and save it for the owner after me... ��

Think I would put a diverter valve in so that use of the tank is optional. Passing everything through the tank only really works if it is gravity. Relying on a macerator is probably not a good idea. If you do keep the macerator you will need to put in a new 1 1/2" seacock for the straight out mode.

 

[skyflyer]

had almost the same situation as the OP. fitted new macerator and new diverter valve (at least we had option of holding tank or overboard) but within 2 years the macerator pump was leaking, the Y valve was caking up with crystals and we never seemed to be able to get the tank properly empty.

Since then, have changed boats and the new (secondhand) one has an unused holding tank and macerator pump; it's going to stay that way. If we are somewhere where we can't discharge overboard [TMI-warning] we line the bowl of the heads with a plastic bag, seal it in a nappy bag and double bag it in a bin liner and stow it until we can next dispose of it properly [/TMI-warning]