I am in the process of installing a holding tank, replacing the toilet and
all the hoses, and cleaning up the space. Basically a general overhaul of
my head. As such, I’ve been diligently researching best practices. The
most common practice for head installation, by far, seems to be the classic
vented loop intake to the toilet, followed by a vented loop outtake to the
holding tank if the tank is below the waterline. However, I found this link
which I thought was interesting.
Does anyone have this kind of installation? I love the simplicity of the
design and, as someone who feels increased peace by shutting the intake
seacock after each use, I wonder how important the vented intake loop is for
safety. It would be best if I could get the lip of the toilet above the
waterline, but I am not sure that’s practical. Still, there would need to
be a double failure for a disaster to occur - the seacock failure/left open
and a toilet value failure.
As a beginner, I guess I am looking for someone to tip my opinion one way or
the other or, at the minimum, maybe just start some controversy.
Paul,
I owned an Albin Ballad many years ago that had it’s holding tank set
up that way. You pumped up to the tank and gravity did the rest. It
worked perfectly. I suppose that some factors which you may consider
though are the effect of weight above the waterline on trim and
stability, leakage and rupture above the waterline and potential
backflow .
The Lavac which currently is supplied by SLM works very well and
certainly could be adapted.
None-the - less, my .02 is go for the conventional set-up. It is
without any of the aforementioned potential problems although the Lavac
does requite a vent to bleed off vacuum pressure.
Jim Hiller
On Sep 28, 2004, at 11:50 AM, Worner, Paul wrote:
I am in the process of installing a holding tank, replacing the toilet
and
all the hoses, and cleaning up the space. Basically a general
overhaul of
my head. As such, I’ve been diligently researching best practices.
The
most common practice for head installation, by far, seems to be the
classic
vented loop intake to the toilet, followed by a vented loop outtake to
the
holding tank if the tank is below the waterline. However, I found
this link
which I thought was interesting.
Does anyone have this kind of installation? I love the simplicity of
the
design and, as someone who feels increased peace by shutting the intake
seacock after each use, I wonder how important the vented intake loop
is for
safety. It would be best if I could get the lip of the toilet above
the
waterline, but I am not sure that’s practical. Still, there would
need to
be a double failure for a disaster to occur - the seacock failure/left
open
and a toilet value failure.
As a beginner, I guess I am looking for someone to tip my opinion one
way or
the other or, at the minimum, maybe just start some controversy.
I ( shipyard) installed a new system on Sea Star last year. I purchased tank, Sealand pump and all fittings from Oceanlink. Unlike the schematic on their website I have no vented loop in my overboard discharge line. With the seacock valve, a check valve, a positive displacement pump and, the flush valve providing protection from the sea, Oceanlink suggested that the vented loop was a backup for a redundant backup. The premo tank level indicator is the way to go if you have some spare height above top of tank. I like the system and the people at Oceanlink are knowledgeable and helpful.
[David W. Kent] -----Original Message----- From: Worner, Paul [mailto:paul.worner@thomson.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004 10:50 AM To: 'bcc@yahoogroups.com' Subject: [bcc] The Head
I am in the process of installing a holding tank, replacing the toilet and all the hoses, and cleaning up the space. Basically a general overhaul of my head. As such, I've been diligently researching best practices. The most common practice for head installation, by far, seems to be the classic vented loop intake to the toilet, followed by a vented loop outtake to the holding tank if the tank is below the waterline. However, I found this link which I thought was interesting.
Does anyone have this kind of installation? I love the simplicity of the design and, as someone who feels increased peace by shutting the intake seacock after each use, I wonder how important the vented intake loop is for safety. It would be best if I could get the lip of the toilet above the waterline, but I am not sure that's practical. Still, there would need to be a double failure for a disaster to occur - the seacock failure/left open and a toilet value failure.
As a beginner, I guess I am looking for someone to tip my opinion one way or the other or, at the minimum, maybe just start some controversy. ;-)
That's a good point. Based on the feedback from Jim and David, as well as yourself, I am starting to lean toward the "classic" setup with a Lavac system.
Yeah, I wish I could have made it. I was thinking about that as well. Not only plumping options, but ideas for the forward compartment as a whole. Maybe next time.
Take care and say hi to Bernie,
Paul
-----Original Message----- From: Kate Christensen [mailto:kate@roguewaveyachtsales.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004 2:13 PM To: bcc@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [bcc] The Head
Hi Paul,
So, you are the Head Mechanic! Nice!
Just remember, if you do sell your boat one day, you want it to pass the survey and you will therefore want the famous vented loop!
Wish you were at the Lyle Hess Tribute to inspect the plumping options!
I’ve lived with the standard Lavac set up for three years now. The head
is great. I have removed the holding tank to overboard connections as I
sail the Great Lakes and that’s not an option here. I am thinking about
changing the connections for my y-valve to have the head to overboard (for #1) be the vented loop connection and to plumb head to holding tank direct
with a short run off the y-valve.
My goal is to use less water per flush into the holding tank yet clear the
hoses completely. Initial calculations suggest I would have to be sailing
at about 50 degrees with a completely full holding tank before I needed to
worry about siphoning back into the head. More measuring this winter.
I would suggest using SeaLand hose for the runs. They also make pvc hose
end fittings that work well. You can then buy the 1 1/2" pvc 45 and 90
degree bits at any hardware store…don’t buy the SeaLand versions.
