I recently purchased a 1980 srv240 weekender and I' am having a difficult time understanding how the head works. I have what looks like a glorified portipotty with the holding tank underneath it. If your looking down at the front of the head there is hand pump on the rear of the left side and a manual flush in the right side. Here is where it gets weird, on the right rear corner of the unit there is a 1 1/2" discharge hose and a 1/2" vent. The vent is simple it leads straight out the side of the boat. The waste line runs back around the side into a T fitting, the top of the T exits straight into the underside of my waste fitting on the deck. The other side of the T fitting leads to what looks lke a macerator pump. On the top of that pump there is a 3/4" hose that leads out the side of the hull to a male hose fitting with a removable cap. The pump works when turned on but just makes noise and doesnt move water anywhere. Is anyone familiar with what I'm talking about? And if so, how does this work? Thank you.
Head Help
- Thread starter richpwb
- Start date
Sounds like it may not work. But it needs material to pump, and there should be a shut-off somewhere in the hosing. I've never seen a hose with a removable cap outside of the hull. Normally, the macerator just led to an open thru-hull just above the water - really close actually. Sounds like something was changed, which is scary so close to the water.
The rules on macerators have changed. You probably don't have the required locks. And they do inspect those things on boardings. I would suggest removing the macerator and having the hole sealed by someone who knows what they're doing, which will remove that sinking risk too. Plan on just using pump-outs to empty the head. If your toilet is old you may want to consider getting something newer and reliable. Otherwise, you'll find yourself with a full porto-potti and nothing working.
The rules on macerators have changed. You probably don't have the required locks. And they do inspect those things on boardings. I would suggest removing the macerator and having the hole sealed by someone who knows what they're doing, which will remove that sinking risk too. Plan on just using pump-outs to empty the head. If your toilet is old you may want to consider getting something newer and reliable. Otherwise, you'll find yourself with a full porto-potti and nothing working.
wprice0511
New Member
- Jun 9, 2008
- 31
Okay, well here's a dumb question. I think I have the same arrangement on my newly purchased 1985 Sundancer 260. I too looked at the head, determined that it looks like a porta-potti, but then noticed the hoses coming out of the right rear of it. I think I just had a beer at that point and decided to worry about it later.
Except now, this advanced porta-potty that frightens and confuses me with its octopus of hoses sticking out is nearly full. The one hose appears to be a vent and the other one goes to the chrome deck fitting marked waste. I've always had plain old porta potties. How do I pump it out? Are pump stations equipped with a vacum of sorts that I merely stick down into the deck fitting marked waste?
I realize that's a pretty basic question, but I try not to make a complete ass of myself all the time. Point is, my arrangement looks like a porta-potty with at least one hose leading up to a deck fitting, and I'm not sure how to empty it. I've tried to just order everyone to go over the side, but they just ignore me, much like when I ask someone to hand me a dockline or make me a sandwich
I will have to look and see if there is a T-fitting that branches off to a pump.
Thanks,
Warren Price
MARINE WOLF
1985 Sundancer 260
Port Clinton, Ohio
Except now, this advanced porta-potty that frightens and confuses me with its octopus of hoses sticking out is nearly full. The one hose appears to be a vent and the other one goes to the chrome deck fitting marked waste. I've always had plain old porta potties. How do I pump it out? Are pump stations equipped with a vacum of sorts that I merely stick down into the deck fitting marked waste?
I realize that's a pretty basic question, but I try not to make a complete ass of myself all the time. Point is, my arrangement looks like a porta-potty with at least one hose leading up to a deck fitting, and I'm not sure how to empty it. I've tried to just order everyone to go over the side, but they just ignore me, much like when I ask someone to hand me a dockline or make me a sandwich
I will have to look and see if there is a T-fitting that branches off to a pump.
Thanks,
Warren Price
MARINE WOLF
1985 Sundancer 260
Port Clinton, Ohio
LOL..wprice. I did the same thing when I first looked at the contraption. And had another one the second time I tried to figure it out which is why I'm here now. In response to Quint, I have both the fitting in the side(but it's male with a removable chrome cap) as well as the line to the cap marked waste on the deck. I think its an either/or situation. I played with the macerator last night and established thats where parts of the problem is. So I'll rplace that and get a proper Y fitting and see how things go from there.
Maybe that's what I'm doing wrong - I don't screw in the pump-out hose!
No, they never screw in, you just have to jam them in the hole. But if you've never done it get some help or you can cover yourself with a little spray of the doo.
Also, if you have the macerator setup you'll have to figure out the details to make sure that any Y-valves to the deck fitting are open before you pump, and any valves to your overboard are definitely closed. As I said above, the macerator setup on these older boats adds complexity, usually doesn't work, and may not be legal any more. And for newly acquired boats, check the condition of the hoses - not just intact, but you shouldn't be able to squeeze them. The suction could cause a bad hose to collapse and break. What a mess!
No, they never screw in, you just have to jam them in the hole. But if you've never done it get some help or you can cover yourself with a little spray of the doo.
Also, if you have the macerator setup you'll have to figure out the details to make sure that any Y-valves to the deck fitting are open before you pump, and any valves to your overboard are definitely closed. As I said above, the macerator setup on these older boats adds complexity, usually doesn't work, and may not be legal any more. And for newly acquired boats, check the condition of the hoses - not just intact, but you shouldn't be able to squeeze them. The suction could cause a bad hose to collapse and break. What a mess!
charlesk16
Member
Re: Head Help.
Maybe someone could clarify what's LEGAL to use in 2008. My 1982 260 express also has the Porta-Potty with pump out setup. I'm in the process of replacing all the 1-1/2" sewer hoses. I have a Macerator with plastic "Tee" fitting attached, that seems to allow pump out either thru pump or deck fitting. There is a key switch on head wall for pump. I have heard that I have to have that key removed while underway or at dock. ONLY to be used when well offshore. I was told that was legal? But not sure now after hearing the posts about this subjet.And If I was inspected, having that key removed was OK.
Do I now need a "Y" valve instead of the "Tee" to be legal ??
ANY help will be appreciated.Thanks
Maybe someone could clarify what's LEGAL to use in 2008. My 1982 260 express also has the Porta-Potty with pump out setup. I'm in the process of replacing all the 1-1/2" sewer hoses. I have a Macerator with plastic "Tee" fitting attached, that seems to allow pump out either thru pump or deck fitting. There is a key switch on head wall for pump. I have heard that I have to have that key removed while underway or at dock. ONLY to be used when well offshore. I was told that was legal? But not sure now after hearing the posts about this subjet.And If I was inspected, having that key removed was OK.
Do I now need a "Y" valve instead of the "Tee" to be legal ??
ANY help will be appreciated.Thanks
