Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-06-2019, 12:19 AM   #21
Senior Member
 
City: Berkeley, CA
Vessel Name: Andiamo
Vessel Model: Kha Shing Sundeck 40
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 200
What a money saver on the Noflex! Thanks!
Andiamo2018 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2019, 12:22 AM   #22
Senior Member
 
City: Berkeley, CA
Vessel Name: Andiamo
Vessel Model: Kha Shing Sundeck 40
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 200
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadMistress View Post
The 'burp' - It is at the waste port and it happens when I first open the valve for the pump out hose. If I open it any way other than really really slowly it sort of burps or hiccups...and some stuff squirts out.


Something has to be pressurizing the tank...Opening the deck pumpout fittingcreates an escape for the pressure. I don't know what else besides a blocked vent could pressurize a tank, but it's not gonna quit "burping" and spitting up till you find out and fix it.


--Peggie
The burp isn't when I open the deck waste, it's when I start the pump out. Right at the beginning if I open the valve on the pump out hose there is a burp. Maybe I should be opening that valve before I push onto the waste deck fitting?
Andiamo2018 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2019, 01:09 AM   #23
Moderator Emeritus
 
Comodave's Avatar
 
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,187
Maybe it is a problem with the pumpout. Do you always use the same pumpout? Do other people have the same issue with that pumpout? If your vent is open then your tank should not be burping so maybe it isn’t your boat...
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
Comodave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2019, 01:56 AM   #24
Guru
 
kapnd's Avatar
 
City: hawaii
Vessel Name: #31
Vessel Model: ex-Navy MUB 50 fish/cruise
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 873
Sounds to me like the vent line is trapping. It must run continuously uphill, along its length, so that any moisture it receives (like said flushout or condensation) can drain back into the tank, with the possible exception of a hump at the thru hull to prevent outside water from running in.
__________________
You can lead a horse to water,
But you can't make him ski...
kapnd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2019, 08:44 AM   #25
Guru
 
ranger58sb's Avatar
 
City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,088
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhays View Post
If you have a vent filter on your boat, the KO didn’t do anything for you. It requires an adequate supply of O2 to be effective and yet with the vent filter you are guaranteed to not have enough O2.

I know Peggie rails against vent filters, but our experience -- three separate boats -- is that the filters haven't ever caused any problems.

Not a recommendation to install one, and we only keep ours so we don't blast our dock neighbors every time we flush... but anyway, it's been a non-issue for us.

If OP is getting liquid "burp" out the vent fitting, sounds like either no vent filter, or one that's been saturated so isn't working... might even be the clog in the vent line that's causing the "burp."

Dunno if that can happen or not, though...

-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA
ranger58sb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2019, 01:36 PM   #26
Senior Member
 
City: Berkeley, CA
Vessel Name: Andiamo
Vessel Model: Kha Shing Sundeck 40
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 200
Our vent is pretty small. There are two holes the size of nostrils. I remember now that when we pump out the old vented loops (removed now as all goes straight to the tank) used to whistle. I usually pump out alone so I didn't hear it but the admiral remembered.

Going slow though took care of things as far as the burb goes.

The new solo tank monitor works great! We calibrated it last night and checked it out. I'm wondering if the next time we pump out about putting a lot of the cheaper amazon digester in the tank and filling it up with clean water. The go for a run around the bay. Maybe that would get our old in-tank sensor working too.

I still have to figure out the shower. When I was under things I could see the wood is pretty wet - water running down the back wall of the shower where there is a cabinet.
Andiamo2018 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2019, 01:50 PM   #27
TF Site Team
 
Bacchus's Avatar
 
City: Seneca Lake NY
Vessel Name: Bacchus
Vessel Model: MS 34 HT Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,826
I recently found a way to add a larger more direct vent. I also left my DIY 12V fish tank aerator operating. I dont see the value in the Groco system when you DIY for $50 or less.
Belt and suspenders good and no head odors in several yrs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhays View Post
More venting is great. However, you may find that with the additional vent you may not need the Groco Sweetank. Likewise, if you did install the Groco Sweetank you likely wouldn’t need the extra vent.

FWIW, I rolled my own holding tank aerator using a 12v bait tank aerator and a bit of pvp piping. The whole project was about $50 or about 1/7th the cost of the Groco.
__________________
Don
2008 MS 34 HT Trawler
"Bacchus"
Bacchus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2019, 02:01 PM   #28
Guru
 
Moonfish's Avatar


 
City: Port Townsend, WA
Vessel Name: Traveler
Vessel Model: Cheoy Lee 46 LRC
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,576
As liveaboards who regularly shower on the boat, we have a 12V engine room blower that is Y'd to the head. The vent in the head (which is up high near the overhead) can be open or closed. We leave it open to evacuate steam from showers, and close if underway and employing the blower for the engine room. We rarely need to use the blower for the engine room, as keeping the port lights open on each side of the ER keeps it from getting too hot in the PNW.

However, beyond just using a vent fan for the shower, we also use a dehumidifier. On average, it runs about 8 hours a day during the winter when the boat is continuously closed up in an effort to keep the heat in.
__________________
Darren
m/v Traveler - '79 Cheoy Lee 46 LRC, Port Townsend, WA
https://www.boatertested.com
https://www.theboatgeeks.com
Moonfish is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2019, 08:32 PM   #29
Veteran Member
 
BradC's Avatar
 
City: Chattanooga
Vessel Name: Dream Chaser
Vessel Model: 38' Marine Trader FB Aft Cabin
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyWright View Post
I thought NoFlex had some sort of solids-digesting microbe or bacteria that thrived in the O2 rich environment. Now that I read the page closely, it appears that I am mistaken.

https://www.marinesan.com/Noflex-digestor-p/noflex.htm

https://www.marinesan.com/Tank-Teria...tank-teria.htm
Here is the MSDS sheet with the ingredients. The Sodium Percarbonate I use is a very similar chemical to the disodium carbonate which makes up 80% of NoFlex.
http://algoma.msdsworld.com/msds/English/34525.pdf
__________________
Ragbagger turned stinkpotter.
"Shells sink, dreams float. Life is good on our boat."
BradC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2019, 06:33 PM   #30
Senior Member
 
City: Berkeley, CA
Vessel Name: Andiamo
Vessel Model: Kha Shing Sundeck 40
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 200
It sounds like it mostly just make oxygen which lets the bugs already there do their thing. I'm going to try it out for sure.
Andiamo2018 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2019, 07:14 PM   #31
Member
 
ebbtide's Avatar
 
City: Bellingham, WA
Vessel Name: EBBTIDE
Vessel Model: GRAND BANKS 32
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 17
My Amazon review for the Voker vent filter.$47.99

7, 2019
Verified Purchase
In a world where nothing really works, I would have been happy with any improvement to my holding tank smell. But this filter worked 100%. Easy to install. I went from a toxic cloud that swept the dock killing every living thing, every time I flushed, to no smell whatsoever. I was worried at first that the vent was actually plugged by the filter. But confirmed by the slight breeze that air was escaping. It lasted almost exactly one year on my liveaboard boat. Just installed my second one. And, no more chemicals.
ebbtide is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2019, 06:46 AM   #32
TF Site Team
 
Bacchus's Avatar
 
City: Seneca Lake NY
Vessel Name: Bacchus
Vessel Model: MS 34 HT Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,826
I could write a similar review for a $30 fish tank aerator that has worked well for about 5 seasons.
Get air into the tank and smell ceases.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ebbtide View Post
My Amazon review for the Voker vent filter.$47.99

7, 2019
Verified Purchase
In a world where nothing really works, I would have been happy with any improvement to my holding tank smell. But this filter worked 100%. Easy to install. I went from a toxic cloud that swept the dock killing every living thing, every time I flushed, to no smell whatsoever. I was worried at first that the vent was actually plugged by the filter. But confirmed by the slight breeze that air was escaping. It lasted almost exactly one year on my liveaboard boat. Just installed my second one. And, no more chemicals.
__________________
Don
2008 MS 34 HT Trawler
"Bacchus"
Bacchus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2019, 07:43 AM   #33
Senior Member
 
Westiculo's Avatar
 
City: Boston
Vessel Name: Rose Mary
Vessel Model: 42 Grand Banks Motoryacht - 1985
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 271
I second the drain vs sump comment. Our shower is below waterline so can't run it directly out. Instead, we installed a regular drain to a shower box with a gulper pump from the shower box out. Installed a water witch 'float' sensor in the box to turn on the pump when it's full. Has worked for 2 years straight no clogs, no smell, and no gross sump in the shower.
Westiculo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2019, 10:16 AM   #34
Senior Member
 
wpc691's Avatar
 
City: punta gorda, FL
Vessel Name: Blue Bayou
Vessel Model: Hatteras 43MY
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 149
Both my forward shower and v-berth air handler condensate drain emptied into the forward bilge/sump which was drained by a bilge pump. It was always wet. I plumbed them both into a Whale Gulper IC manifold and pump. The manifold has a solid state sensor that turns the pump on when water rises in the manifold, then shuts off with a 15 second delay. Bilge is now bone dry, and pump has been completely problem free. Planning to install another to handle the aft shower and aft deck sink drain. [picture is rotated 90 deg clockwise]
Attached Thumbnails
6777431E-DD98-430C-8FB9-70A364740C8A.jpg  
__________________
Punta Gorda, FL
wpc691 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2019, 12:54 AM   #35
Guru
 
BruceK's Avatar
 
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,329
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bacchus View Post
I could write a similar review for a $30 fish tank aerator that has worked well for about 5 seasons.
Get air into the tank and smell ceases.
Glad it works, makes sense that it would. Does the excess air escape via the vent?
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
BruceK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2019, 01:34 AM   #36
Moderator Emeritus
 
Comodave's Avatar
 
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,187
We had an 80 gallon holding tank in a previous boat that would knock you off the dock when we flushed a head. I tried a bunch of different chemicals and nothing worked. Talked to Peggie and she recommended a Groco Sweetank. I installed it and in 2 hours the smell was absolutely gone. Had that boat for another 7 years and never put a drop of chemicals in the holding tank and no smell. Yes the excess air just goes out the vent. I am going to put a Sweetank in our current boat this winter.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
Comodave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2019, 05:09 AM   #37
TF Site Team
 
Bacchus's Avatar
 
City: Seneca Lake NY
Vessel Name: Bacchus
Vessel Model: MS 34 HT Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,826
Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceK View Post
Glad it works, makes sense that it would. Does the excess air escape via the vent?
Yes but it's so lo flow it's hard to tell. It runs 24/7 and amp draw is also very lo
Cost about 1/10 a Sweettank so I figured not a big loss if it didn't work. If I needed to replace the pump every year it was still a bargain but running for 4-5 yrs now (short season in NE) w no issues.
__________________
Don
2008 MS 34 HT Trawler
"Bacchus"
Bacchus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2019, 12:56 PM   #38
Senior Member
 
City: Berkeley, CA
Vessel Name: Andiamo
Vessel Model: Kha Shing Sundeck 40
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 200
If we ever have to remove our genny I'll probably install a sweettank / air pump type deal. But as it is I can barely reach the tank - just enough to tape on the Solo external monitor.

While I was installing that monitor I discovered that our shower sump needs to be cleaned more often than annually It isn't smelly but it looks awful - and probably does smell but the looks of it made me not want to stick my head down close to find out.
Andiamo2018 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2019, 01:40 PM   #39
Senior Member
 
City: Amsterdam
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 120
well, we just remodeled our shower.
Had a PVC pan made with 4 inch sided and a lower drain opening in which we mounted the intelligence Whale shower pump. The drain has sensor and connects to the pump which is about 6 feet away , about 2 foor above the shower pan. For walls we used two standard shower panels which were made of this aluminum with a picture printed on them
For ventilation I first thought of making a humidity control fan with an Arduino, but while searching on ebay, I found a complete humidity control unit ( 12 or 24V) for only a few $$ more than JUST the sensor, connected the unit to a small computer fan and it turn on once the humidity goes above a set point

dutch-barge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2019, 02:31 PM   #40
Senior Member
 
City: Florida
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 215
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andiamo2018 View Post

Shower handheld head? Ours dribble a lot when you push the button to turn them off. Is there a brand that turns off entirely? We often use the handheld shower to rinse out the toilet bowl. Seems like it uses less water and gets the job done quickly. (Both of our heads can now be flushed without adding water.)
The best handheld showerhead is the Oxygenics - good pressure with minimal water use even with a low pressure pump. We love ours. See:
https://www.amazon.com/Oxygenics-Whi...=thedrive09-20
The Oxygenics comes with a push button shut off but it dribbles like all the rest. I've been told that this is a government requirement to avoid scalding from a pressure difference in the hot and cold water lines. If you turn the water off completely, the pressure in the hot water tank can push the cold water back down the pipe a little and when you turn the water back on you can get a blast of 100% hot water. I've found that to be the case occasionally, but the water isn't hot enough to scald me. So, I installed a valve to turn the water off completely without changing the hot/cold mix. Here's the one I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's plug and play with the hand held shower hose so easy to install.

If you keep your hot water scalding hot, a tempering/mixing valve installed at the hot water heater can solve the problem. Here's one for 1/2" water lines:
https://www.amazon.com/Thermostatic-...38&s=hi&sr=1-6
MOJO is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
bathroom, head, pump out, shower, toilet

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:58 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012