Marine toilet questions.

[lmannyr]

My boat originally had the bucket style toilet. Since I'm doing a complete restoration, this would be a great time to install a manuel marine toilet from Jabsco. The custom built in blackwater tank will be underneath the toilet. The inlet seacock will 2 feet aft of the toilet. The tank vent will run straight up to the deck along with the pump out fitting on the deck.

If I don't install a pump between the tank and pump out fitting, how would I pump out the tank? - an external pump?

Are pump out stations readily available? How much do they charge?

Anyone pump out into their home clean-out sewage pipe?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

sure you can pump out at home, but you will need a pump out pump.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

Like this pump?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

yes, you have make sure you have enough lift, to get to the top of pump out fitting, and any arc in the hose. bottom of tank to top of arc. this pump is 8 ft max.

 

[Coors]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

How far away is your home clean-out?
Sounds like work (more hose, flushing the hose, etc)
Marina pump-out.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

pipe could be run underground to where the boat is stored.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

How far away is your home clean-out?
Sounds like work (more hose, flushing the hose, etc)
Marina pump-out.

My clean-out is about 15 ft from the drive way. I like the idea of running the pipe to the boats parking spot. Cleaver.

Where can I get flexible sewage 1.5" pipe? I need this for the tank--->pump--->pump-out fitting pipe.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

home depot carries many sizes of flexible pvc hose, which will hold up very well.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

thanks!!! for that...

One more question, should I install a strainer for the inlet? If so, will any work? I've seen a few strainers with filters and I don't think I can trust an open seacock with one on. Thanks!!!

 

[fd1]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

This would probably work pretty well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8KOv4TFhnY

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

i would want a strainer on an open seacock. you may readdress where the vent goes, you want to smell crap and pee in the cockpit, every time it is flushed. it would be like putting a fan in a constuction portolet.

 

[thurps]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

You might check out some of the new composting toilets.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

it would be like putting a fan in a constuction portolet.

Imagine having a guy with face paint cheering you on as you were going to the bathroom... bad idea!

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

i would want a strainer on an open seacock. you may readdress where the vent goes, you want to smell crap and pee in the cockpit, every time it is flushed. it would be like putting a fan in a constuction portolet.

What options do I have to prevent the smell?

Also, is there anything wrong with using the same seacock for the inlet and dump using a 3 way valve (obviously not at the same time)? I have the space for it and would like to make the system as versatile as possible.

 

[Coors]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

Per running the pipe-you need to open up the cleanout and find the height of the invert.
You need at least 1/16" fall per foot, preferably 1/8" from the new connection.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

I came across this strainer here on iboats. Anyone have anything good or bad about this strtainer? Also, the description mentions an optional mouting bracket. What does the bracket look like and how is the strainer mounted with and without the bracket.

I'm getting real close to making a big purchase (toilet, fittings, pumps etcs.) for the toilet project.

Thanks.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

Ok, found the bracket on Sherwood's pdf reference. What do think about the strainer quality?

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

Jabsco's site doesn't saying anything about needing a macerator pump? Is this needed between the head outlet and black water tank? Or is it sufficient to use it as a discharge pump for pump out (at home or ocean). I don't want un-macerated poop to sit in the tank until it liquifies enough to be pulled through the tank outlet to pump.


thanks..

 

[jameskb2]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

Well,

From what I know, a porta potty uses a heavy chlorinated liquid in the tank. Most porta pottys don't smell unless they are over loaded. In fact, according to DEQ regulations, NO septic action should occur in a portable toilet. Basically, when you go #2 and it hit's that chlorine solution, it's dead. If there is too much waste in the tank, (it's not cleaned out and refilled properly) then it begins to stink because of the microbial action breaking down the waste.

So, it's also my understanding that holding tanks in vessels are under the same regulation? I thought you had to add the chlorine mix to your holding tank so there was not septic action in it. (Just like a porta potty)

A simple sewage pump will work to pump out the tank. You can buy them at Lowe's or Home Depot. They are typically installed in basement drain wells (sewage pit) to lift and eject the waste into the house's main stack. Installing it in there permanent, running the plug in cord out to wherever, and then plumb it to eject to a fitting you can put a hose on. (As TD said, the 1 1/2 flex hose is cheap and works well.)

When you're ready to empty the tank, plug in the hose to your discharge point, plug in an extension cord to your sewage pump, and drain it. It'll handle a linebacker's contribution of #2. No worry.

Finally, I'd flush a couple of 5 gallon buckets worth of clean water down the commode while the pump was running to flush it clean. Then refill the holding tank with the chlorine chemical and you're done.

That's my .02 worth.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Marine toilet questions.

James, thanks for that. It makes more sense now. Saves me from buying an extra pump. Now my head room will be neater without all the tube clutter. Thanks.... ALOT