420/44 DB Owners Club

alnav said:
Alex, if you haven't already done this, you might want to check the hose while the vacuum pump is running, assuming the hose is between the head and pump. That's how I discovered a problem; I could hear and feel the leak which was causing the pump to run often and causing a smell.
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Al, you're right, if the hose would have a leak that would create a lose of vacuum in the system and cycle the pump. However, mine doesn't cycle. But, it's a good idea to listen to the hose while the pump is engaged.

Greg said:
My setup is similar, hose runs under the floor along the port side. But no smell when I open the floor storage compartments....
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That could be a "hint" that even though things "look" good I may still have something going on there.
 
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You might want to try the permeated hose test: Soak a rag in hot water then lay it on the hose for 10 minutes. If the rag has an odor, you may have a permeated hose.
 
alnav said:
You might want to try the permeated hose test: Soak a rag in hot water then lay it on the hose for 10 minutes. If the rag has an odor, you may have a permeated hose.
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That's a good idea. I've never done such test. I'll give it a shot.

CAMELLA said:
Could it be a non vacuum flush related issue? A dead animal or spoiled food hidden somewhere?
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:lol: I hope we have no dead animals...:lol:

Previous owner had a dog and did vacuum good amount of dog hair. My wife first thought it's the dog smell, but I knew right away that it's head related smell. Later she agree that I'm right. I just have to find where it's coming from.

We cleaned everything very well, but I think this is coming from the spot we don't see or can't reach. I guess it's time for more intensive investigation.
 
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Re: 420 DB Owners Club

bridge a/c (this was a huge undertaking since I have three helm seats; low profile unit is mounted under the U-shaped seating)

Hey Festivus,
Can you elaborate on the bridge ac? I also have the three helm seat option and was told that it was impossible to install air. How many BTU's? Does it do the job? Did you add the shades before or after the ac install? Approx cost to install? I had one put in my Meridian 411 a few years back and it was a piece of cake but even 18000 btu's didn't do the job in Houston. It helped especially after installing sun shades on the sides and aft isenglass. thanks for your time.

Jet Lag
 
Alex, have you changed your duckbills? If they are open a bit it might let some smell back through the hose into the head?
 
Ken,

Wouldn't this create loss of vacuum in the system and making the pump go off periodically?
 
Not really sure. My aft head duckbills are slightly open and I seem to sometimes get a faint odor. Other than that the head works perfectly and the pump never runs without flushing.
 
Faulty duck bills would cause the pump to cycle periodically in order to re-pressurize the vacuum tank. Probably not the issue here. Alex, I'd call Northeast Sanitation and pick their brain. They have seen it all and may have some tricks to help you diagnose the problem.
 
rondds said:
Faulty duck bills would cause the pump to cycle periodically in order to re-pressurize the vacuum tank. Probably not the issue here.....
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That's exactly what I thought, Ron.

rondds said:
Alex, I'd call Northeast Sanitation and pick their brain. They have seen it all and may have some tricks to help you diagnose the problem.
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Thanks for the tip, Ron. I was thinking try sealing the hose with some kind of sleve and maybe also seal the cutouts for the hose.

BTW, the system stay intact and the pumps are silent indicating no lose of vacuum. I'm suspecting the hose being a contributer.
 
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Try the wet rag test, when it stinks replace the hose.

I think that Contributor Emeritus Frank W. made a statement (and I think you will also see it in your VacuFlush manual) to keep the foot pedal depressed for about 3 seconds after the flush to provide enough additional water to completely flush the lines. If nothing sits in the hose, then nothing can generate a smell.
 
Rick,

Contributor Emeritus sounds like I'm dead or gone. Neither of which is true.

It just seems like we have a number of folks who already know everything, so I just sit quietly on the side lines most of the time now.
 
fwebster said:
Rick,

Contributor Emeritus sounds like I'm dead or gone. Neither of which is true.

It just seems like we have a number of folks who already know everything, so I just sit quietly on the side lines most of the time now.
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I have just checked my Funk and Wagnalls and see that I have used the term Emeritus improperly. Emeritus indicates retired or honorably discharged from active duty, while retaining one's title or position, neither of which you are. I will now stop using $27.00 words in my posts.
 
Rick
What'd you get on your SATs (Verbal)?
 
mistercomputerman said:
Try the wet rag test, when it stinks replace the hose.

I think that Contributor Emeritus Frank W. made a statement (and I think you will also see it in your VacuFlush manual) to keep the foot pedal depressed for about 3 seconds after the flush to provide enough additional water to completely flush the lines. If nothing sits in the hose, then nothing can generate a smell.
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Yes, Rick I'm planning to do the test as soon as I get a chance (way too many projects in so little time). The problem is that if the hose is "bad" it's not 30min job to replace it. This hose is very long and access to fittings is my concern as well. I don't think I want to do this during the season. The issue seams to be minor and if the "rag test" reveals bad hose, then putting some kind of a sleave (hvac tape or something simple that keeps it covered) over it would be a short term solution.

We always use the head properly and there's always some water in the bowl, but thanks for pointing this out.

As "they" say, there's always a first time for everything, so this is my first issue along with non-working level reading (1/2 and Do-Not-Flush are not working) over all the years I own boats with vacuuflash system.

fwebster said:
.....It just seems like we have a number of folks who already know everything, ....
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:lol:

fwebster said:
...so I just sit quietly on the side lines most of the time now.
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Frank, please to be too quite, your posts aways help a lot and you can never post too much. :thumbsup: :grin:
 
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There's no sleeve that you can place over sanitation hose. Once it's permeated, it's done. I had the same issue. No tank treatment, vent hose replacement, filter replacing, etc will take care of a permeated hose. Once you replace it, your smell will likely go away. The issue with replacement is access. I hope Sea Ray did not zip tie your hoses where you can't access them. If they did, you're in for a hell of a fun time. I would recommend Trident #101 hose (black). It's a hell of a good sanitation hose. I have also heard good things about Sealand OdorSafe hose, but I have not personally used it. I would avoid any Sealand #148 or cheaper counterparts. One thing to keep in mind, the new hose has to be routed correctly without any low spots. Sometimes this can't be avoided, but that's where flushing additional water to clear the line helps. Regardless of how good the new hose is, if it's routed incorrectly, they can permeate within a short amount of time as well.

Doug
 
Doug,

I think that this foil dock tape should do the trick to get me by for the rest of the season. But, first I need to find if the hose has really permeated.

hvac_foil_dock_tape.jpg
 
Uhhh, this is from the sidelines.......but before you guys go putting condoms on your hoses, have you considered cleaning the system thoroughly, installing valves at the holding tank, then leaving nothing but fresh water in the lines?
 
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