head odors

[erps]

I will generally put a bit of bleach or vinegar in the water and then flush the toilet if I am leaving the boat for any long duration.

I replaced all the sanitation hose last year. My recollection is that it specifically warned about using bleach with the hose. As well as damaging the hose, it seems that it would kill beneficial bacteria in the holding tank.

[fishboyneil]

I agree make sure the vent screen is not plugged or corroded. Having good air flow in the vent line is important. I hung one of those sanitizer/deoderizers in the bowl (clamps on the rim) on a previous boat. The seawater carried just enough through the hoses to alleviate the odor problem. Just make sure it's well secured so it doesnt end up in the pump.

[camaraderie]

CD...sorry to edit your post but eurpderf seems to be Fred Johansen/FredPrue of the same company and patent holder who apparently has chosen to anonymously SPAM this forum by dredging up an old thread and with a post about his overpriced product. I see no reason to give his company free advertising.

[RAGTIMEDON]

I put in a new holding tank last year, much larger because I intend to spend a lot of time on the Great Lakes, a no discharge area. It costs just as much to pay for a pumpout of a five gallon tank as a fifty! My new tank came with an extra vent connection, intended for attaching a small air pump for constant ventilation to encourage growth of the oxygen loving bacteria, since they supposedly break down waste without the stench. So does anyone out there know where I can buy a low volume 12 volt air pump? Has anyone tried it, and does it really work? I have considered putting a 110v aquarium pump on it so I can try it on shore power in the harbor. If it doesn't work, and only forces the smell out continuously, my neighbors will threaten to sink my boat!
Another suggested smell cutter is a charcoal filter in the vent hose, but I am afraid to try it because if it plugs up, things will get worse in a hurry!

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

CD...sorry to edit your post but eurpderf seems to be Fred Johansen/FredPrue of the same company and patent holder who apparently has chosen to anonymously SPAM this forum by dredging up an old thread and with a post about his overpriced product. I see no reason to give his company free advertising.

I guessed he might be, which was why I put what I did in there. I just did not know for sure.

Don't worry about editing the post. I have to do yours all the time... especially when they discuss the merits of sailing a Catalina...

HEHE!

- CD

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by RAGTIMEDON

I put in a new holding tank last year, much larger because I intend to spend a lot of time on the Great Lakes, a no discharge area. It costs just as much to pay for a pumpout of a five gallon tank as a fifty! My new tank came with an extra vent connection, intended for attaching a small air pump for constant ventilation to encourage growth of the oxygen loving bacteria, since they supposedly break down waste without the stench. So does anyone out there know where I can buy a low volume 12 volt air pump? Has anyone tried it, and does it really work? I have considered putting a 110v aquarium pump on it so I can try it on shore power in the harbor. If it doesn't work, and only forces the smell out continuously, my neighbors will threaten to sink my boat!
Another suggested smell cutter is a charcoal filter in the vent hose, but I am afraid to try it because if it plugs up, things will get worse in a hurry!

I don't know why a fishtank pump would not work. Even a small one.

I spoke with Catalina a while back and they are actually kicking around the idea of doing that too (though I do not know it is with a fishtank pump... that is for Tayana 52's!!!!).

I will tell you what I have done that works VERY well. I cannot take credit for the idea... it was given to me by a guy that owns a Taswell and has been doing this for over a decade. Incidentally, this will NOT work on SS tanks... just plastic. Also, a couple more disclaimers, check with your hose and tank manufactuer first to make sure it is ok. It was on my boat.

I put an inline strainer on the boat at the intake, fairly close to the T-Hull. Initially, I put a plastic strainer in there, but then took it out as it is not necessary. Then, I dropped in CL tabs that you buy at the store for in-tank treatment for your toilet and dropped in a teflon (blue) tab with CL for same.

The teflon seems to have slowed the breakdown of the rubber in the head, which is about the only negative I have found from this system.

This is a very inexpensive, very easy way to fix your boat from head smells. I have no (NO) smells on my boat, at all. I have had this system for about 2 years now and the rubber gaskets (though showing wear now) are still fine and there is NOTHING wrong with hose or tank. The tanks manufacturer said it would never be a problem since they actually make their tanks to ship high molar conentratio CL and the hose manufacturer said it would not be a problem at those concetrations either.

Our head stays very clean and there seems to be no reprocussions and no smell. It is a nice change after dealing with years of that smell.

- CD

[petegingras]

John: Do yourself a favor and read any articles you can get a hold of by Peggy Hall of Peal Products (now Raritan Engineering, I think). One of said articles can be found at:

Full disclosure I have not or am not familiar with the Peal product. Now, I’ve installed and/or maintained three different holding tank systems. And the one that works best on odor includes routine pumping weekly or bi-monthly. It also includes two other factors, 1) charcoal filter installed, and changed/maintained, in the vent line, and 2) fresh water intake (sea water bad, it too introduces live organisms).

[westerly33]

Sorry CD, I did not understand anything from your explanation, could you please elaborate?
Thank you.

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by westerly33

Sorry CD, I did not understand anything from your explanation, could you please elaborate?
Thank you.

Put a strainer inline on the raw water intake side of the head. Break up a piece of a CL tab and a piece of a CL with Teflon tab and drop it in the strainer. From that point, everytime you pump the head, you will suck up the Chlorine and Teflon. It cleans your head and you will never have any more smells. The results are almost immediate.

Do NOT use this system:

1) WIthout veryifying with the manufacturer of your hoses and tanks that you can use this product,

2) If you have aluminum tanks.

The Cl could contribute to a faster decay of your rubber/platic fittings on your head. The Cl could/will be damaging to your SS/Aluminum tanks. Some old hoses could be damaged by it as well.

- CD

[westerly33]

Thank you for that.

"CL tab and a piece of a CL with Teflon" - that is what I do not undertand. What is the name of the product and where to get it?
Why to use two tablets if one of them has Cl and Teflon?

Thank you.