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For some time now the problem of foul smelling gas eminating from the flushing water of the head has plagued us on board Tales.
It seems that the lifeforms in the water when locked in the flushing line, over time convert themselves to something very nasty and they make their presence felt next time the head is flushed.
The March issue of Cruising Helmsman describes the problem and outlined possible solutions.
I wondered if any of our members had any experience with rectifying situation?
Cheers,
Tom


Tom,

I always flush and clean the toilet every time I go on board, which is at least once a week, and to date have had no problems with smells. I do have the recommended toilet hose for in and out directions.

Phillip
SEAKA


Had the same problem. A mate recommended closing the inlet valve before flushing, flush, and then fill the bowl with fresh water. Get's rid of the living organisms which die when they're enclosed for a week or too. Works for me - assisted by a liberal application of the standard toilet deodorant/lubricant.

Mark,

Windy Business 1


I used to have this problem until I installed a holding tank and an
electric toilet. As I wanted to prevent premature corrosion of the
macerator I started to flush the system with a few cups of fresh water
every time I left the boat and since then I have had no problems with
odours.

I should mention that the holding tank is home made and curved to fit
the hull in the head compartment above the water line, so it is self
emptying (offshore) with no long hose runs or leaky Y valves. If
anyone wants to build one of these tanks let me know and I will take a
few photo's of the installation. It's all very neat looking and after
testing it out for eighteen months it's been trouble free an odour
free.

Cheers
Keith


Thanks for your thoughts fellas.
I do flush it every week but even 3 days is enough to cause a problem. Perhaps there are more bugs where she is moored as it is a very sheltered spot?
Some times the smell does come from the "exhaust" side I must admit. If I forget to pump it through before we sail and we heal a bit, the smell becomes evident.
Spoke to a bloke in Whitworths today and he splashes a bit of toilet conditioner in the last part of the final flush before he leaves the boat so I have tried that today.
That only leaves the inlet side plumbing for the bugs to die and that is my biggest problem.
The Cruising Helmsman artical suggests breaking into that line and adding biocide before leaving the boat so I may try that too.
Cheers,
Tom


Hi Keith,
Interested in some of your pics of your toilet installation. Am in the process of reworking the starboard side of the cabin on Papillon and among other things installing an electric toilet with a holding tank. I have removed the existing toilet cubical and installed the toilet to face the galley. I am going to install an above waterline holding tank of about 25litre capacity. Would be interested in seeing a pic or description of your piping arrangements and location of your holding tank etc. I have read the article in the March issue of helmsman and like the idea of flushing biocide through the system via the existing handbasin we have on Tophats.
Brian

Hi Brian

I have uploaded a document in the How To Do Things box titled Gravity Holding Tank.

Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or require additional photo's.

Cheers
Keith