Lectra San/ Holding Tank

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:08 am

Thanks Frank, I'll take you up on that. I'm not going to do anything until I have to, Lectrasan is just too easy for now. But it's never too early to think about it. How often do you have to empty that holding tank ? Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:06 am

I would like to have a Lectrasan, and a holding tank. Is there any reason you couldn't have both? Buzz buzzk 1988 Bertram 33 FBC Buzz Off Morehead City, NC

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:45 am

Buzz... I think other than space there should not be any issues with a dual system, but the piping and valving will take more space than you think, at least mine did. I used 1 1/2" PVC Sch 40 pipe and 1 1/2" sanitary hose, and the smallest 3 way valves I could find, and I still used more space than I expected. Rick... Have not been using the boat much since I am rebuilding her, so I can't answer based on experience. From what my neighbor says, no holding tank is large enough, but he has a wife and teenage daughter. I have sent you this AM my info.. my tank is a Ronco B-172 (23 gal). Right after I installed the system I filled the tank with salt water by pumping the head, and as I recall it took about 300 strokes of the head pump to fill it. Estimating (I think conservatively, I know I try to do it in 6-8 max) that you flush with 10 strokes, this equals 20-30 flushes to fill my tank. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:14 am

I have both! Had the lectra san rebuilt by Sergio for $300. I added a tank and a Y valve . I have yet to use the tank and still stink free!

Aussie Syd · Post by **Aussie Syd** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:55 pm

Would like to hear from anyone who has the same problem I;m experiencing with our holding tank with odour. It would seem from all the catalogues I received with our boat the Sealands holding tank and installation and plumbing is still the orginal from new, althought I did install a new toilet. The manual hand pump from the tank I did remove and service because I believe this would be the only place were the odour could come from having a rubber bladder. The rest of the system I believe should be completely sealed.I have used numerous types of chemicals designed for holding tanks but the odour still persists. particulaly if the boat has not been ventilated for a few days or the floor hatch is not left open in the saloon.Once the air gets a chance circulate the odour does begin disapate. Look forward to your comments Syd

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:56 pm

Syd, There is a good chance your hoses are permeated. Wet a rag with warm water & wipe your hoses with it. Then take a sniff of the rag. If you smell anything then replace the hoses. Al

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:39 pm

Syd... One of the things that I learned when I was doing the homework before designing and installing my head and holding tank system was that usually people install vents that are much too small.. The vent actually serves two purposes.. to vent the tank as you fill and empty it, and to let air find it's way into the tank. The bugs that make the smell are anaerobic, meaning they propogate when oxygen is absent, but when there is oxygen present aerobic bugs form, and they do not smell as much. The idea is to have oxygen be able to get into the tank through a larger vent than what is necessary to simply vent the tank during filling and emptying. Most tanks have very small vents since the thought was that they would keep the smelly gasses in the tank.. but this is backwards. A larger vent allows for less smell. I put a 1 1/2" vent in my tank. Also.. lots of the chemicals sold to "deodorize" the tank kill the aerobic bugs and simply try to mask the odors. Here is the best reference I have found on this subject.. http://www.marine-surveyor.com/newsletters/9910.html It is a long read, but it contains all you need to know about heads and holding tanks! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:07 am

Does anyone with an older single cabin FBC have a factory installed holding tank? Where the heck did they put it? Al

Aussie Syd · Post by **Aussie Syd** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:37 pm

Thanks for the tips Guys, and Frank that was a good read. I have taken note and will put the suggestions into practise Syd

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:01 am

Syd... Glad you found the article useful! I searched all over the net before I found it. I wanted to be sure of what I was doing when I installed my new system.. I really don't want to have to take anything apart after it has been put into service. That article answered all my questions. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:59 pm

Jeff, I just pulled the lectasan from my 33 FBC. I am going to a holding tank this year and Vacuflush next year. Vacuflush is pricey but no odor and uses very little water so you can get away with a smaller tank. I believe the lectrasan unit functions ok but I don't have much experience with it. Where I use the boat on Cape Cod is all 'no discharge' so keeping it in is not a option. Drop me a line if interested. Bill Arnold 1988 33 FBC 'Retriever' [/quote] Hi Bill, Just wanted to let you know I installed the LectraSan and it seems to work fine, thanks for the help. Jeff Now and Then

Grady Smith · Post by **Grady Smith** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:07 pm

I just went to the Raritan booth a few weeks ago at the Miami Show. I have been having problems with my toilet operating properly. We have changed the inlet water impeller, the outlet hose, and the flapper valve. It was supposed to have gotten all the kinks out of it but it still isn't working exactly right. Anyway I went up to the Raritan booth at the show and they will accept your old original toilet on trade for a new Raritan and give a 30% discount. Thought everybody would like to know that. It's not advertised that they do this. Grady

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:13 am

Thats good to know Grady. Years ago I replaced my Crown Head with a manual pump style. I got fed up with having to bail the thing out when it would not flush. I replaced the impeller and the motor and it still would not work about half the time. The manual pump works great, but the ladies don't like it. Jeff Now and Then

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:56 am

Jeff... Tell the ladies they have a choice... The manual flush head... or the traditional wooden bucket! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:58 am

I replaced the original Head about 3 yrs. ago with the Raritan. Best thing I ever did. I enforce the rule that nothing goes in it unless you ate it, and have not had one problem. This thing flushes like a ToTo (if you are familiar with it). It took 17 papertowels to plug it! Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC