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Bathroom & Plumbing System

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:18 am
by Tranquilo
Does anyone have a basic schematic of how the toilet system works?

I have a 28ft 73, that I just bought and I see the toilet fills (manual pump) but doesn't go anywhere (namely the tank..)

I tried the different lever positions on the Jacobson toilet but it seems only to draw in. I found some switches that connect to the old evac/discharge motor but I just get a strange "clunking" rhythm when those are turned on.

I killed an hour trying to figure it out. Old owner died and my marina doesn't know anything about these systems (not sure how thats possible)

Any tips? Should I replace the toilet?

Re: Bathroom & Plumbing System

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 11:26 am
by yooper
I have two systems. My 1988 has a toilet with a built in 9 gal tank. It is fed from the water system. It has two outlet hoses. One to a macerator pump. Another small hose to an overflow connection in the hull. The macerator pump grinds up the stuff in the toilet tank and discharges through a hose into the top of a 20 gallon holding tank. There are two outlets from the holding tank. A large pump out hose is routed from the bottom up to the deck to a pumpout fitting. A small overflow hose is routed near the top of the tank and tees into the other overflow connection to the side of the hull. This system is legal because it uses a holding tank.

My 1980 is not legal. It does not have the holding tank. The macerator pump discharges overboard. There is a tee before the pump to a pumpout fitting on the deck. You need to look a some other boats to fully understand toilet system and use google to find some diagrams.

Re: Bathroom & Plumbing System

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 12:23 pm
by Roger2
I don't think it's legal.

Re: Bathroom & Plumbing System

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 1:16 pm
by Tranquilo
Thanks for the reply!

Mine has a tank and the old crap-shooter.

I guess my issue is that the toilet will draw liquid in but not send it back into the tank. It just keeps filling up with water.

My only thought is that its a toilet pump issue or massive clog. The boat has been sitting for years and have no clue about when it was used last (maybe 10 years..)

The electric "clicking" is what threw me off

Re: Bathroom & Plumbing System

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 1:28 pm
by jralbert
Tranquilo wrote:. I found some switches that connect to the old evac/discharge motor but I just get a strange "clunking" rhythm when those are turned on.
That clunking may be a malfunctioning macerator (your evac/discharge motor) trying to turn. These systems are usually pretty straight-forward. Either they use the macerator pump to send waste overboard (not legal) or the waste drains into a holding tank for later dockside pumpout. Sometimes, the macerator is rigged to feed waste into the holding tank.

Re: Bathroom & Plumbing System

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:15 am
by Tranquilo
Cool - thanks

Re: Bathroom & Plumbing System

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 10:37 am
by ddependo
Tranquilo
After 10 years sitting it would be a good idea to rebuild head. You can get parts breakdowns on line. Should be a name somewhere. The holding tank is most likely dried *** and the joker yalve i'm sure needs replacing. Joker yalve is a rubber diraphm with a slit in it to let crud out but not alow it to back up. Much easyer working on it on a work bench than trying to do it in the boat.
My 2 cents, Wayne

Re: Bathroom & Plumbing System

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 1:45 pm
by yooper
If you have an original aluminum holding tank get rid of it. Uric acid eats right through it. Also use clean water to test an old or rebuilt system.

Re: Bathroom & Plumbing System

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 6:40 pm
by Tranquilo
Thanks for the tips! I'll go out there tomorrow evening and pull it out (thankfully it hasn't been used in a while:) )

Re: Bathroom & Plumbing System

Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 9:28 am
by Vtnurse2004
Has anyone replaced their holding tank? We have a 1989 Marinette 37 ft. The tank has rotted out and leaks into the bilge. To take it out our guy is talking he will have to remove hot water heater and water tank just to get at it...? Anyone have diagram of this type of boat and size of holding tank? Any suggestions?