sewage pump-out question..

[groundhog]

Hello all,

I've never had a pump out before, and I am working on installing my head. So,..

Is it a pump out nozzel or hose?

Is the nozzel or hose flexible or rigid?

The reason I am asking is that I am wondering if I need a perfectly straight shot from the pump-out hatch to the spot where I want the sucker hose to bottom out (or can it be somewhat curved?).

Thanks,
Roy

ps. how much do pump outs cost? Per event or per gallon?

[Jotun]

It is a flexible hose with a rigid nozzle. See this thread for more info:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...t-my-head.html

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by groundhog

Hello all,

I've never had a pump out before, and I am working on installing my head. So,..

Is it a pump out nozzel or hose?

Is the nozzel or hose flexible or rigid?

The reason I am asking is that I am wondering if I need a perfectly straight shot from the pump-out hatch to the spot where I want the sucker hose to bottom out (or can it be somewhat curved?).

ps. how much do pump outs cost? Per event or per gallon?

The pump out fitting for the tank should go to the bottom of the tank, or very close to it. It doesn't have to be directly underneath the pump out deck fitting, but the straighter the hose runs, the better off you will be.

The cost for the service depends on where you are. Most are per event, but some areas, like where I sail, the use of pump out facilities is generally free.

[HeadHoncho]

Most pumpout stations are funded by grants and are prohibited from charging more than $10.00/use. Many marinas find the bookkeeping involved to be not worth the hassle and so charge nothing. In the Bay Area, pumpout services run about $25.00 for a single service.

[yotphix]

Originally Posted by groundhog

Hello all,

I've never had a pump out before, and I am working on installing my head. So,..

Is it a pump out nozzel or hose?

Is the nozzel or hose flexible or rigid?

The reason I am asking is that I am wondering if I need a perfectly straight shot from the pump-out hatch to the spot where I want the sucker hose to bottom out (or can it be somewhat curved?)

Please forgive me if I misunderstand but from your question it seems like you have a mistaken idea of the usual set up.
To be clear, you will have a tank, with a pick up intalled either to a fitting at the bottom of one of the sides, or in the top with a pick up straw reaching almost to the bottom. Then you will have a hose, as straight as possible leading to a deck fitting, clearly labelled. The pumpout hose will be flexible, but will have a fitting on the end which will either be rubbery and conical, to be pressed and held into the opening of the deck fitting or there will be a female camlock fitting which will require you to thread it's male counterpart into your deck fitting temporarily each time you pump out.
The pumpout hose will not be inserted into your tank.
Again, sorry if I misunderstood, but it sounded to me as if you needed that cleared up.
Paul

[groundhog]

THanks for the info.

I surely didn't understand the process. In my mind, I thought that they would insert a hose down into my system.

At least it sounds like my hose from the deck hatch to the holding tank hardware does not have to be perfectly straight.

gh

[sailingdog]

There is no hose inserted into the deck pumpout fitting past the actual nozzle of the pumpout hose itself. That is often a screw-in modular type connector. The air pressure from the vent and the head itself will force the contents of the holding tank into the hose, once vacuum is applied to the hose.

As a general rule, I leave the bowl of the head filled with water when I go to pumpout the holding tank.... by monitoring the level of the water in the bowl, I can easily tell when the holding tank has been fully drained... as it will drain the bowl of the head as a final part of the process, and effectively rinse the holding tank and hoses a bit.