eeeewww I hate boat toilets!!!

MTurvey · Post by **MTurvey** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 5:23 pm

I don't know what's up yet, but our macerator pump stopped pumping, and the toilet appears to be "full".

I am thoroughly grossed out with what I suspect comes next......

just thought I would share

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 5:28 pm

I have never used a macerator; my first boat ha done but it was disconnected by law. I do, however, know how they function.

Do you not have a holding tank that is connected to the head? Or perhaps you are saying that the holding tank is full and the macerator is not functioning. I would assume that you could then have it pumped out like I do when mine gets full.

Is that not the case?

MTurvey · Post by **MTurvey** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 5:41 pm

I am really not sure what is going on with it - we can discharge overboard as long as we are 3 miles offshore. Not a problem normally. I think something is clogged up since we left last weekend with 2 rolls of toilet paper and we were out of TP in a day.....my 11 year old son is looking rather guilty.

We do have a small holding tank - I am guessing it can't be more than 10 gallons. I just found out that our harbor has a waste pump - I've never used one of those before, but I am sure it beats the heck out of the hand pump & a bucket idea I was faced with just moments ago. bllleeeecchh.

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:47 pm

There is a solution providing composting heads work in cold climates. No one has to put up with hauling sewage around on their boats. Have you ever stopped offshore to pump out when it was calm and see what you are putting on the sea life? No, I don't sell composting toilets...just believe it was the solution to all my 'boat sewage' problems since I installed one last year. Search previous threads.

MTurvey · Post by **MTurvey** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:21 pm

I've never heard anything good about composting toilets up here, but some people do use incinolets (incinerator toilets). Its a bit much for our boat, but it sounds interesting.

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:08 pm

I researched Incinolets before I bought a composter. They burn the waste up with electricity. Probably good for a work boat but I didn't want to have to run the genny 4 hours every toilet use. Check out http://www.natureshead.net. I have not yet dumped the solids container. The pee bottle holds 2.2 gallons and I have emptied it several times. No kidding...the crap and paper just disappears.

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:33 pm

Sheesh. Just use the pump out facility at your marina. They'll show you how it works. All that TP most likely blocked up the sewage outlet from the toilet, just like it would in your home toilet. You may have to pump ou the holding tank and then pump water into the bowl and use a plumber's helper (plunger) to get the rest of the TP plug through and into the holding tank. It may have also plugged up the macerator. Maybe your son can learn to pump out the head. It could be a good lesson and a chore for him to earn a few bucks once in a while.

I would definitely steer clear of an incinerating toilet on board. Things could get REALLY warm and toasty on board........

jddens · Post by **jddens** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 10:49 pm

Wow and I was just about to head in for dinner........heads can really ruin your day....I have an electrosan treatment unit and it normally works great. Last year someone flushed a tampon and then the fun began.......long story short the head and treatment unit came home for dis-assembly and repair. Bought a new toilet while it was out and life has been good since......I now have a plaque stating " don't put anything in this head unless you have eaten it first".............so far so good...............also...put a restriction on how many squares of paper can be flushed at a time.....sometime the double flush method is required.................John

MTurvey · Post by **MTurvey** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 2:19 pm

We used our harbor's waste pump out thingy - apparently it's new. I've never seen anyone use it!
Call me weird, but it was kinda fun to use. Maybe because the alternative was a 5 gallon bucket and a hand pump. gah....

We got everything emptied out, then refilled & repumped with water several times. The macerator pump still seems to be at a standstill, so I imagine there is something between the macerator and the fitting in the hull.

Oh well, one more project for this fall's haul out

We've got a shower pump that doesn't work and a washdown pump for the deck that is also nonfunctional. We've got our work cut out for us!

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 3:13 pm

But at least you got your problem solved without getting your hands.....ummmm...dirty!

MTurvey · Post by **MTurvey** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:05 pm

well not exactly.... I didn't discover the harbor's pump right away

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:40 pm

Your 11 year old is a perfect age for pump out duty (or is that doody)! Especially if you pay a fair price. The kid at our marina pumps out heads for 10 bucks a pop. There a a lot of people who gladly pay it. He started when he was about that age. I think he owns the marina now!!