Y Valve

[Btcowboy]

Having trouble finding the y valve that will allow me to switch between dock pump out and macerator on my 94 290 Sundancer. New to me boat and just learning the inner workings of my boat. Pictures would be awesome. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Bucit]

There will be a seacock (yellow handle) in the engine room, starboard side that you will open. Turn the "head" power on (on the mail electrical panel) and then turn the key in the head like your starting a car but you need to hold the key for it to work.

 

[Lazy Daze]

And just for a little more clarification, there is no "y-valve" to switch back and forth - it's simply the seacock that Bucit mentions in the bilge floor. In other words, in theory, you could be having a pump-out at the same time your macerator is spitting stuff out, as well. Well, hopefully you wouldn't do that right at the dock and would follow the pump-out laws for your area!

 

[Btcowboy]

Thanks guys that would explain why I couldn't find it. The owners manual says there is one, but couldn't find it.

 

[doug5790]

I spent 4 hours pulling panels, aft berth panels, side panels cabinets and more looking for a y valve that doesn't exist? nice. problem is........won't pump out dockside, and won't discharge through hull. Macerator makes pumping noise, through hull valve is open, ....nothing. When trying dockside pump out, I can hear the "suction" at the toilet. Holding tank remains at 1/2 tank. Where could the problem be?

 

[fwebster]

If at some point, you or a previous owner has left the waste discharge seacock open, dockside pump out vacuums are so strong that it is entirely possible that you have either reversed or completely removed the waste pump's duckbill valves. The waste seacock must be closed to pump out at dockside. If it remains open, all you do is to pull sea water back thru the waste pump in a backwards flow. Even if the waste pump isn't damaged, you will never empty the holding tank if the waste sea cock is left open.

 

[Captain Allen]

I had exactly the problem that Frank describes. PO had apparently pumped out with the seacock open. I found the duckbills reversed. Installed new duckbills and it works now. Not an expensive fix if it's just the duckbills, but it isn't a pleasant job.