| Author | Message | ||
     Jeff Roy New member Username: Jeffr Post Number: 82 Registered: 03-2001 Rating: N/A |
well I guess this system is just broken. Maybe I can put the photos as attachments.  | ||
| Jeff Roy New member Username: Jeffr Post Number: 80 Registered: 03-2001 Rating: N/A |
When I replaced my holding tank I set the following requirements for the job. Minimum 20 gallon capacity. No holes on the bottom of the tank. No Y-valves in the system. Oversized vent. No direct discharge, but be able to empty the tank overboard. Short runs on all hoses and minimal low spots that could collect "stuff". The first thing was to rip out all the old hoses and the old tank. Messy, disgusting job, YUK! In order to fit a tank of the required capacity I had to relocate the tank to under the V-berth. I found a really nice 24 gallon roto-molded thick-walled tank from Ronco-Plastics . It fits perfectly. The model number is B114; direct cost is $190.  After an initial search on of the thousands of tanks they sold I focused on this one. I made a cardboard mock up of the tank to insure it would fit and I could get it in place without tearing the boat apart. Once I was sure the tank would fit I ordered it. I bought mine through a local company Oceanlink Inc.. They charge more but they gave put in all the fittings (at additional cost) and gave me a lot of good advice on the installation. Ocean link installed 4 fittings on the top of the tank. One 2" input fitting, two 2" output fittings with internal pick-up tubes and one 3/4" fitting for the vent hose. I plumbed the hose from the toilet to the tank through the hole in the bulkhead that was originally used for the direct discharge. Because this required a tight bend in the hose I installed rigid PVC piping through the bulkhead with a 90 elbow on the head side and a 45-degree elbow on the tank side. This had to be glued in place. One output was plumbed to a Whale diaphragm pump (same as the cockpit bilge pump) mounted on the short bulkhead at the aft end of the V-berth area and from there to the through hull originally used for direct discharge. The other output was plumbed to a new pump-out through-deck fitting just forward of the main bulkhead separating the head from the V-berth. The vent was plumbed to a new through hull vent just under the pump-out through-deck. I fabricated and tabbed in 2 small bulkheads on either side of the tank to hold it in place. I then bedded the tank in construction foam so it was a nice tight fit. Finally I installed some polyester strapping over the tank to make sure it could not jar itself out of there under any circumstances. While I was at it I replaced the pump assembly on the PH-II toilet and gave the bowl a thorough cleaning. It now works, smells and looks like new. I also I ripped all the carpeting off the ceiling, walls and inside the cabinets. I ripped down the wallpaper too. They were all permeated with odor from years of life in the poorly maintained head. I faired in the areas that were carpeted with epoxy and then painted everything in Hatteras Off-White, which is a very close match to the gelcoat used in the sink and pan assembly. The final touch was a nice halogen dome light with dimmer switch to replace the obnoxious fluorescent. I am very happy with the end results. The head looks and smells like new. My wife and daughter certainly appreciate it a lot. We have gone away for 5 days and didn't fill it to capacity. The Whale pump works well for emptying the tank when offshore. The total project cost about $800 dollars. About half of that was for the tank and it's fittings from Oceanlink. | ||
| William Shirley Rating: N/A |
I am new to this site and looking at buying an S2 9.1 I used to own a 6.9....that had a porta potty so I have no expertise.....I can tell you that as a C-130 pilot in the AF, the lower structural members were known to have been severely corroded by leakage thru the urinal plumbing that vented to the outside. These are 30+ year old aircraft mind you, but I'd keep an eye on the fittings as well. | ||
| jroy Rating: N/A |
As soon as my boat was on the hard this fall I went about ripping all of the waste plumbing out and chucked everything but the head itself. Everything stunk badly due to permeation. My initial plan is to try and rebuild that, but I haven't even looked into it yet. My first objective is to design the system and buy all the components. Based on the measurements of the tank I estimate it to be between a 7 and 8 gallon tank -- very small. It would be impossible to put a larger one in the same place as the original so I am looking at putting one under the V berth. I hope to do coastal cruising with my wife and daughter and most of this area is now designated as DNZ's. Has anyone done this modificaton that can offer any advice? I will have to move the through deck fitting for the through hull for the vent. | ||
| Jeff Roy (Jeffr) Rating: N/A |
Gary, Did anyone involved in your replacement show concern about using any kind of metal for a holding tank. The reason I ask is becuase I was reading this page ----> MARINE SANITATION : Fact vs. Folklore. Note the section on holding tanks and the following quote. "no metal of any kind should ever used to hold sewage. Urine is the most corrosive material it’s possible to put next to any metal." The author of those pages is considered "the expert" on this subject. Peggie gives seminars all over the country and I think she has written a book on the subect. Over the years she has given out tons of free advice on the Cruising World General Message boards and almost everyone she has advized has come back to thank her and comment on how accurate her advice was. I would keep an eye on the hose fittings because if things did start to corrode, that would be the most likely to go (IMHO). | ||
| Gary Hendrickson Rating: N/A |
Here's an update on the new holding tank I installed a year ago, which I had made from my own drawing. It's worked out just fine. The tank doesn't leak. I had the tank fabricated by Metzger Metal Fabricators in Racine. They are at 1600 Layard Ave., Racine WI 53404. Phone 262 633-6844. They charged me under $250 for it. Some caveats about Metzger's: Palmer Johnsons in Racine gives them boat-related jobs occasionally, but it's a small family business with numerous jobs going. It took them several weeks longer than they estimated to finish my job. The guy assigned to the job used the wrong grade of aluminum sheet, which doesn't tolerate corner bends as well as 5081 does, so he had to weld every edge instead of using more bends as I had specified I had to file off a little of the slightly oversize welding bead, but then the tank fit into the existing framing around it without modifying the framing in anyway. . Last Spring I also replaced the old original accordian-style sanitary hose with the much stiffer heavy stuff that looks like kerosene fuel hose. The location of the hose nipples as shown on my sketch seem to be working out OK. Contact me with any questions. | ||
| Russ Fender (Commodore) Rating: N/A |
Gary, I'm in need of a new holding tank for my boat. Is you new tank working well? Can you give me the contact info for the fab. company that made it for you. Thanks, Russ | ||
| Gary Hendrickson (Garyh) Rating: N/A |
Greg, I haven't checked this board for a while! My new aluminum holding tank has worked out very well indeed. | ||
| greg g Rating: N/A |
The holding tank in my boat is developing some small cracks and going to need to be replaced before long. Does anybody have a line on who makes a similar sized tank for replacement? The original was made specially for S2 by Rotec. It appears they no longer exist. The closest I've been able to locate is a 6 gal. by Todd. I'd rather not install one that small if I can avoid it. | ||
| Gary Hendrickson Rating: N/A |
Those plastic (polyethylene) tanks tend to develop cracks and leaks at their threaded fittings and around the pads for these. A company in Milwaukee (can't remember name right now) also claims to have made holding tanks for the 9.1 and has a polyethylene one in their catalog that appears to have dimensions pretty much identical to the one that was in my boat, for $350 list. When you order, you tell them where you want them to locate the 3 hose fittings. But I decided I'd rather have a metal tank - stainless or aluminum. Took measurements of my tank and its mounting area, made a drawing showing the dimensions and close tolerances needed, and put it out for bid to fabrication shops in the Racine Wisconsin area. Got several offers with prices ranging mainly $500 - $650. However I ordered one from a small fabricator that makes aluminum ones occasionally for Palmer Johnson's Marina in Racine for about $225. It should work out to be basically a "drop-in." When I get it installed, I'll post a review. Reason for choosing aluminum? Odors can't "leach" through a tight metal tank like they can thru plastic, even polyethylene. I plan to replace the inch and a half vinyl sanitary hose to head with heavy-construction diesel fuel-type hose as suggested in Practical Sailor, and now offered by West Marine and BOAT/US, for same reason. My drawing specifies an alloy of aluminum that tends to tolerate 90 degree bends without cracking, so that I could reduce number of welded seams, per advice from my surveyor. I'm happy to provide particulars once this proves out. Incidentally, the water and fuel tanks in my boat, both aluminum, look pretty decent, and the OEM fabricator might be a good bet as a supplier if still around. Hull 94 | ||
| Greg Grassle Rating: N/A |
Any feedback on how your new aluminum holding tank worked out? |
