Richard Cassano wrote:
> Five years ago when I did this job I purchased the 1 1/2" Sealand Odor-Safe
> hose. This stuff was so difficult to work with because it is hard to bend
> that I abandon using it and installed Trident hose.

I wish we'd talked again before you did that, 'cuz using inline radius
fittings solves that problem and you wouldn't be faced with replacing
hoses again after only 5 years.

> Nigel Calder recommends the use of "rigid" PVC pipe runs for MSD systems
> (P.535) "Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual, 3rd Ed" and from
> experience I agree. (Note: there is a distinction between "Rigid PVC pipe
> and flexible PVC hose).

Nigel and I disagree about that, 'cuz the need to "soft couple" every
hard pipe connection to anything rigid to eliminate shock creates so
many connections, and the hard pipe sections are so short, that you
don't really gain much.

And btw, just 'cuz hard pipe doesn't permeate does NOT mean that sea
water calcium carbonates can't build up in it...so hard pipe is not
maintenance free, it just helps to reduce odor from permeated hoses.

> After the Groco KH head was installed I found it very difficult to get the
> intake water into the bowl. As the Groco installation diagram showed I
> installed a vented loop in the intake hose located amidships and above the
> healed waterline. As I discovered the head pump was unable to pull water
> because the vented loop allowed it to suck air. To get things working again
> I kept the intake hose well above the waterline but removed the vented loop
> and all worked wonderful. Now, I know this does not meet code...

You're ok with it. The design of the Model K and others like it--W-C
Skipper, Blake (made in the UK)--that have separate intake and flush
pumps actually makes a VENTED loop unnecessary...all that's really
needed is a loop that's at least 6-8" above waterline at any angle of heel.

> As standard procedure
> aboard GE, we close all thru-hull valves whenever we leave the boat. This
> way I can enjoy my stay ashore without worrying about the boat and water
> flooding in through the head intake.

That should be SOP for ALL boats. Thru-hulls left open when no one is
aboard is leading cause of boats sinking in their slips.
--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books/detail-books.htm?fno=0&sku=90&cat=1304


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Received on Wed Jan 04 08:27:52 2006