Keep It Clean

[MedDreamer]

Being a new boy, I am still finding strange switches etc with purposes unknown.

Whilst cleaning at the weekend I found two switches for the Macerator. The switch board had severe warnings about the dire consequences of misuse.

I know that the macerator relates to the holding tank but how do I use it?. Is it to "liquidise" the - er how shall I put this - more solid contents of the tank (paper etc) when emptying?

Also there are two switches why?

I am sure, having read many of the posts on this forum that there are experts amongst you and I look forward to your replies. -

Keep it clean please I do not want the answers Kimmerising - I need to know

 

[hlb]

The switch is as you say, for pumping out the eerrumf. Antikimerisation word. Poo!! from the holding tank. Mashes it up and pumps it out. Most pumps do not like running dry. So this is probabley why it says. Err what ever it does. Dont know why you have two switches.

<font color=red> No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Haydn

 

[wakeup]

Re: 2 Switches

Could there be two switches, one for pumping overboard at sea and one to pump out to a pumping station???

yada yada..

 

[hlb]

Re: 2 Switches

Thought pumping stations sucked it out. But never used on with my boat. Only into sea. Or sneakily!!

<font color=red> No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Haydn

 

[wakeup]

Re: 2 Switches

or is one switch the 'comedy' switch that pumps the holiding tank contents back into the head at high pressure.

Only to be used when there is a victim in the head with the head door properly shut.

I am sure someone once wrote a long story about exploding heads, perhaps their SWMBO pressed the wrong switch.


yada yada..

 

[Bejasus]

Re: 2 Switches

You need to check the plumbing as ther are a couple of methods fro running holding tanks.
1. You may have a macerator pump between loo & holding tank and another from holding tank to seacock discharge.
2. You may have a pump from loo to holding tank and one to pump-out connection
to enable you to discharge without boatyard suction pump to a disposal tank.
Visit www.jabsco.com look at marine site & follw directions to appropriate plumbing options.

"I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul."..........I think????

 

[Bejasus]

Re: 2 Switches

You need to check the plumbing as ther are a couple of methods for running holding tanks.
1. You may have a macerator pump between loo & holding tank and another from holding tank to seacock discharge.
2. You may have a pump from loo to holding tank and one to pump-out connection
to enable you to discharge without boatyard suction pump to a disposal tank.
Visit www.jabsco.com look at marine site & follw directions to appropriate plumbing options.

"I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul."..........I think????

 

[hlb]

Re: 2 Switches

Hmm! Seem to remember writting such a story along time ago. But best method for this action, is to leave holding tank half full for long periods of time. Till the presure builds up!!
Hope this helps./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<font color=red> No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Haydn

 

[MedDreamer]

Re: 2 Switches

This could be a very useful feature, the only problem is the switches are unmarked and I would hate to press the wrong one when SWMBO was "inspecting" the head -this would almost certainly result in loss of priveledges for a considerable length of time!

Thanks to all for your help on this. You guys certainly know how to handle s**t.

 

[KevL]

Ask SYD

He knows all about misuse of switches labeled Macerator don't ya syd.....

Tee Heeee....

KevL

--
It may be the early bird that catches the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.

 

[MedDreamer]

Re: Ask SYD

This looks like an important (if messy) development in my quest of safe s**t handling - come on Syd I need to hear from you, and the rest of the forum could do with a good laugh.

 

[andyball]

Possible that one switches the pump to "auto"...so it starts/stops when a float switch tells it to? the other being manual operation? (just read useful bumf from lee sanitation, so now "expert"<g>)

Better trace the wires, looking for float swiche(or not) on holding tank etc.

 

[tcm]

A lunctime answer

I always have fun with the toilets. So before investigating these, you could prepare some food first. I recommend light snacks such as a ham sandwich, followed by beef and onion soup. Take a couple of buckets too, one with some clean water in it.

First, you have to establish where the pipes go. From the lavatory itself, you'll need to track the flexy pipe through to the holding tank. First note that there is likely to be a lever beside the closet itself, which permits sea or holding tank discharge. You can check that this lever is labelled correctly by flushing the loo, holding the ham sandwich in the other hand, open the holding tank inspection hatch and check for gurgling noises. Take a large bite of the ham sandwich to settle your stomach.

It's obviously best to get wifey or friend to fluch the loo whilst you inspect. Whilst you are checking that the holding tank setting does function correctly, flick some of the beef and onion soup over you face whuislt they are out of sight and shout "JEEZ URG!". When they arrive, wipe your face with your sleeve and sniff bits of the soup closely, possibly even popping a finger into your mouth. Mmm.

If there are no gurgling noises, and especially if you haven't quite turned a horrid shade of green, then the system is likely to be already set to discharge to the sea.

Alterntively, depending upon where the holding tank is located, the switch for sea/holdingtank discharge may be above the holding tank. It's obviously much better near the holding tank, as this avoids small children urinating on the sea/holding tank switch and /or changin the setting during their patient hours sitting on the toilet.

Now, the macerator. This is a mincer, a high speed grinder not unlike a waste disposal unit in that it grinds and pumps and filters, Except that instead of grinding poato peelings or bitof egg sheels, it is able to grind down even the most impressive log that can be sqeezed down the WC in the first place, possibly at least 2" diameter or more allowing for the fact that the turds will actually absorb water whilst floating in the holding tank and expand significantly. This expansion will be noticeably more pronounced if you have a diet of cream crackers or sponge pudding. You might want to demionstrate this to other crew members using a powerful torch after using a holding tank for a day or so, pointing out the different floating properties of the lazily floating items therein.

Anyway, you mustn't use the macerator IF the WC's are set to sea discharge. Since it has evidently taken a whilke to notice the macerator, then either you aren't using the toilets or (more likely) it is set to sea discharge. Otherwise it would be running whilst dry, rather than happily chewing its way through whatever you and your crew chewed through the day before.

The second button is, I believe, and indicator button. You press and it lights a little LED if the holding tank needs emtpying. If no LED comes on, it's still ready for several more helpings from the bogs. Or depending io the model, a green LED comes on when ok, and a red one indicates that it emptying time.

Unless the holding tank is bone dry (in which case it's never been used, so if in UK that's quite good) then it's a good idea to check the operation of the macerator: flush the loos whilst they are set to discharge to the tank so there enough for the macerator to get its teeth into. Ask friend to press the macerator switch: it will buzz and exhaust the contents of the tank, perhaps slowly grinding occassionally as it gobbles the more awkward and tougher and less well-soaked lumps. But eventually the speed will accelerate - indicating that it can't suck any more and it's time to stop.

You can of course flush the tank with water, which will again need a torch, and running the macerator each time to exhaust and fully clean out the tank.

The fittings around ther tank are often not very marine-grade, so give them a good wipe down, and perhaps spray with wd40. Then take the other bucket which has the clean water in it, inspect the contents closely in front of crew, swill with fingers whilst wincing, then sniff fingers and finally taste fingers. Pronounce that all the crew would seem to be in good health, but that cook should perhaps reduce the amount of salt used when cooking on board in future. Then retrieve ham sandwich, dry hands on the bread (which crew think are covered in gllops but actually you have now washe) and take a large bite, and suggest booking a restaurant for this evening. I quite fancy a curry.

 

[Guest]

My Boat also has two macerator switches, they are connected in series. The idea is that they both have to be pressed at the same time to prevent accidental discharge.

 

[coliholic]

Re: A lunctime answer

ROFL.

One of your better ones.

 

[syd]

Firstly I must emphasise that the incident Kev L(Git) is refering to was my first ever encounter with holding tanks.

My Bayliner had just been taken off of the lorry from Wales, where I bought her three days before, and placed on blocks to spend the winter on the hard. Being the first one to arrive she was gradually surrounded by yachts and cruisers that were also wintering ashore.
My EX FRIEND, Graham, is the fella who removes the antifoul, cleans, polishes, repairs and paints all the boats in our club, in fact he is a really handy bloke to know. It was my ex friend Graham who commented on how well my new purchase looked and laughingly joked about how his services would hardly be needed this year, how much he admired American boats, and how much he and his lady were looking forward to his New Years Eve party that we were always invited to every year.
Then off he went to do his work.

After circling my boat, occasionaly running my fingers loving along her smooth gel coat as I went, I climbed aboard. There I was, a kid with his new toy, and look, yippee, a flybridge, in two sprightly strides I was up the ladder, with my bum plonked sollidly in the middle helm seat I surveyed the dash trying hard not to hold onto the wheel and make engine noises.
Trim,tilt,horn,nav lights,bilge pump, etc, they were all there, but what does the red button with MERCERATOR written under it do?

I could hear the quiete hum of a motor, this was then accompanied by a soft gurgling. there was a gentle sound of heavy liquid landing gracefuly, but forcefully onto something soft. With my finger still on the button I peered enquisitivey over the side to see what was happening. It was then the smell hit like one of Bruno's finests. Through watering eyes and gagging breaths I could just make out the hugest pile of sh*te I had ever seen in my life. My eyes were like dinner plates when this huge pile of sh*te crawled out from under the next boat and stood up!
I couldn't make out everything Graham was trying to say in between long gasps, vomitting and swearing, but I gathered from his body language that he would never work for me again, my boat was a bigger pile of sh*te than he was in at present and as for the invite.... Where the sun don't shine was mentioned but not as polite.
Some people have no sense of humour!

Syd

 

[tcm]

Re: Fantastic! (nm)

.

 

[KevL]

I knew if I tried long and hard enough we'd get this out of you sooner or later...

It's about 12 months ago when you first told me and every time I have looked at that little switch on the flybridge of my 2556 (now sold) I fell about in raptures of laughter much to the bemusement of all around.

Take care Syd

KevL

--
It may be the early bird that catches the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.