The Bog

[vyv_cox]

Re: RM69

I agree, the holding tank looks quite neat, although again the space available in my Sadler is so limited that I don't think the Y-valve will fit.

I also thought that the design of the R&M website typifies the design of their products. I couldn't read half of it because of the weird choice of colours.

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[ColdFusion]

Re: RM69

I notice that most of the posters to this topic are 'regular'.

Sorry, couldn't resist!


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[bigmart]

Re: RM69

Keep eating the prunes & make a few more posts. Soon you'll be regular too.

Martin

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[ColdFusion]

Re: RM69

What happens if I post too often? ;-)


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[suse]

Eat eggs - see 2nd post NM

.

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[Ohdrat]

Have you thought of putting in a chemi loo instead.. these actually incorporate a "holding tank" so are a better option when in harbour anyway.. you can still use the bucket..

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[suse]

If I could find a place to put one, in addition to a 'regular' loo and, of course, my bucket, I would. Still contemplating all the useful replies - thanks everyone.

suse

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[vyv_cox]

Low complexity holding tank article

[image]http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/bc/vyvcox/vwp?.dir=/Yachting&.src=ph&.dnm=Holding+tank.jpg&.view=t&.done=http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/bc/vyvcox/lst?&.dir=/Yachting&.src=ph&.view=t[/image]

Responding to requests, if all goes well, above see the photo of the tank design. Here's the article.

SADLER 34 HOLDING TANK
Before setting off on our retirement live-aboard trips I installed a holding tank in 'Monabha~ I had made a lengthy study of articles in the yachting press and the excellent advice supplied by Lee sanitation. However all the suggestions involved extra cocks, pipework and pumps and inevitably used up a lot of space, which on a 34 would be at a premium for long term cruising by two people who also had full diving equipment aboard! I decided that a much more radical and simpler approach was needed. In essence we could not afford the space for a large tank but wished to be able to be sociable in swimming areas and have at least a couple of days holding for places where discharge might be inappropriate. In the standard 34 layout there is a large dead space behind the toilet below the shelf unit. This space is also traversed up and down by untidy waste outlet pipework.
I therefore designed a tank to fill this space and made a full scale cardboard mock-up before getting final quotes from Tek- Tanks Ltd, who are most helpful.
The style is similar to that of a domestic low level WC water tank, i.e. you rest your back on it when seated. The Tek- Tanks plans came up with a 46 litre capacity which is almost as much as the original Sadler suggestions. By re-routing the toilet outlet pipework through the dead space at the back of the under basin lockers and incorporating the pipework through ihe tank it was able to be fitted right into the corners. The principle is simple. Effluent pumped out goes up and over (as before) connecting with the aft top of the tank via the 'down leg' of a Tee joint. The upper leg of the Tee 'crossbar' is connected to a pump out deck fitting, the lower to the fixed internal pumpout pipe which traverses the tank vertically, terminating in a 45 degree cut off immediately above the tank outlet to the outlet sea cock. Thus every toilet use stirs the contents of the tank and in the event of a blockage the outlet can be rodded with a wire from the deck fitting right through to the sea below. This is a pleasant alternative to the usual method, i.e. rodding from below wearing mask and snorkel!!
To 'hold' effluent the outlet seacock is closed. Discharge is into the tank. To empty at sea the outlet seacock is opened (ideally after doing a quick 'stir' by flushing) and gravity does the rest, the motion of the boat will rinse the tank.
To pump out to a shore station attach the shore hose to the deck fitting, having some one hold a fender in the toilet bowl to stop all the suction taking the easy option of just emptying the bowl! If more sophistication is desired a stopcock can be installed in the outlet pipe between the toilet and the tank. Having only come across three marinas with pump out facilities in three years of living aboard and not even having needed to use them we don't have the stopcock! I connected the vent pipe into the original shower pump outlet pipe by means of a 'Y' connection at a level below the loop, at about the level of the top of the tank. This pipe discharges above the waterline.
Tek-Tanks use 9mm plastic to manufacture their tanks. A tank made of stainless steel would have a slightly bigger capacity but could be more problematic in terms of galvanic action. The base of the tank is only 75mm above the waterline so when heeled with outlet seacock open the base of the tank gets rinsed. A further benefit is the extra shelf space which is fitted on top of the tank. I faced the front (inboard side) and top of the tank (shelf) with Formica, which matches the interior GRP and used a doubled piece of this to replace the 'hatch' that Sadlers .fitted, to provide access to the sink pipework with a half moon shape screwed to the sink pedestal. I found it simpler to remove the shelf unit while installing the tank as the old pipework holes could be blanked off and the new ones cut more tidily. Everything slotted into place, looks a lot better than before and has worked without any problems for three years. The attached diagrams should be self explanatory but I'll be happy to answer any questions. I suggest you make a cardboard mock up (or borrow mine!) before ordering the tank as sizes may well vary from boat to boat.
Fred Minchin ~~
01202-529801 (Winter only!!)



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[vyv_cox]

High complexity holding tank picture

Back to the drawing board!

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[suse]

Re: High complexity holding tank picture

I'd be REALLY interested in the picture - thanks for the article.

Susy

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[Anchorite]

Re: Pass me the pot

I'm fitting a 100 litre tank for the tideless Med which is still woefully under-equipped
with pump-out stations. However to inject a little commonsense into the use of
this set-up: in the States where the use of holding tanks is compulsory with
hefty fines for abuse, it is current to pump 'cups of tea' straight out: this seems
to me perfectly reasonable and should make a tank last say 4 times longer.

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[bigmart]

Re: RM69

You become regular too. Being a forum member is like an addictive laxative.

Martin

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