Macerator/Pump retro fit to waste system?

Whitelighter

Whitelighter

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I have a holding tank on Whitelighter, but no pump or macerator - just a deck pump out of gravity outlet with a sea cock.

Is it an easy/inexpensive(ish) job to get a pump and macerator fitter in line, or should I not bother?
 
jez,
trust me don't bother it will be a few hundred to buy the macerater plus electrics and fitting , use the seacock outlet and pump out for marina use , nothing but trouble.
Ray
 
These guys will be able to tell you what stuff you need.

Currently talking to them about fitting a holding tank and macerator pump into Aurelia and have been very helpful so far, though it seems I'll need a custom made tank

I had a holding tank with macerator on my S24 and found it very useful as not everywhere has ability to pump out.
 
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though it seems I'll need a custom made tank

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Are you sure you'll need a custom tank, on a previous boat of mine I had a soft holding tank that would fit into any space like an inflatable... That way you should only need an approximate size to fit in the space available. On mime it was located under a spare bunk.

Must be a cheaper option, try 'Mailspeed' or someone like that.

Sorry can't help you Jez, but if you have a tank and the means to empty it, don't fix it I would suggest.
 
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I have a holding tank on Whitelighter, but no pump or macerator - just a deck pump out of gravity outlet with a sea cock. Is it an easy/inexpensive(ish) job to get a pump and macerator fitter in line, or should I not bother?

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I'm confused...you have a deck pumpout that empties the deck via gravity??? Since the deck is higher than the tank, how does that work?

If you mean that you can either pump out the tank via deck fitting or dump it at sea without a pump using only gravity, why would you need to add a macerator pump?
 
I agree with you Jez
Cant see how it would empty itself just under gravity.
Mine has a simple macerator pump and a short lenght of hose to a seacock (that we keep closed unless emptying).
Shouldnt be difficult to fit ine "in line" with the existing gravity outlet IMHO.
I think they draw quite a bit of power though - big motor.

Mike
 
Flexible tank an option, though apparently they are porus and can pong after a year or two, or so I'm led to believe. If yours didn't pong, may I ask which make it was?
 
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The second one. Because I am not convinced the gravity option will ever allow, how shall I say this, lager items completely out and as such will the tank ever be fully empty?

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That's easy to solve...and all that's needed is water--sea water OR fresh water:

Close the seacock and put about 1/4-1/3 tankful of water into the tank via the pumpout fitting...this sends it into the the tank at the bottom to stir up any sludge, and the more water pressure, the better. Open the seacock. Repeat about 3 times (or run the macerator) while continuing to put water into the tank till what's coming out is clear.

This should be done 2-3x/season--and especially in preparation for winter layup or any time the tank won't be used for an extended period--regardless of whether the tank empties via gravity or a pump, because a pump wouldn't remove any more sludge than gravity...the pump would only pull what flows downhill on its own. When the discharge fitting is on the side or end of the tank, not only is suction is broken when the level in the tank drops below the top of the fitting, but the bottom of the fitting is at least an inch above the bottom of the tank. So sludge can be an even greater issue than in tanks which drain out their very bottoms via gravity.

Note my use of the word "sludge." There shouldn't be any "larger items" in the tank unless it's dumped or emptied within literally minutes of being deposited. Solid waste is 75% water...is broken up going through the pump...and dissolves in water rather quickly...settling to the bottom of the tank to become, along with chemical and TP residue, "mud"--i.e. sludge. If sludge isn't flushed out of a tank, it can eventually accumulate to a sufficient depth to block the tank discharge hose...and if allowed to dry out during winter layup can turn to "concrete" that NOTHING will dissolve that won't also damage the tank and/or the plumbing.

If only every problem were that easy to solve or prevent!
 
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Flexible tank an option, though apparently they are porus and can pong after a year or two, or so I'm led to believe. If yours didn't pong, may I ask which make it was?

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Sorry, don't know the make, it was just like a heavy inflatable cusion approx. 20 galls capacity with large inlet / outlet valves like a dinghy. Never experienced any odour problems. It had been in use for a few years prior to my ownership too.

Certainly worth a look, eh?
 
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