[C320-list] Emptying Holding tank at sea

[jonvez at comcast.net]

The older pumps cannot run dry without ruining the impeller. The way to tell is if you get a high pitched sound (as when the tank is empty) even when full. The newer pumps have a run dry feature which allows for some protection from leaving it on accidently once the tank is empty--which may be your situation.

I just got back from two weeks in Maine and the one thing I'm seriously considering doing is adding a manual discharge pump in place of the Jabsco. One of the boats we cruised with has one from whale and it is fool proof. 

My biggest headache during this trip was hoping the macerator would work as the tank approached full. I regularly have to turn the screw that Jeff mentions at the top of the pump and I am constantly worried about burning up the impeller (made that mistake the first year we had the boat). If you don't have a working macerater and no pump out facilities readily available--well, it's not pretty....

Regards,

Jon

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Joe Barrett" <joe at dolphinmortgage.com> 

> Jabsco makes an impeller rebuild kit. We left the macerator on for an 
> extended period while motoring with the stereo on and had to change out the 
> impellers. 
> Joe Barrett 
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com 
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Mike Paris 
> Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2007 9:51 PM 
> To: c320-list at catalina320.com 
> Subject: [C320-list] Emptying Holding tank at sea 
> 
> My holding tank does not empty at sea. The macerator runs but the tank does 
> not empty. Is the likely problem a clogged line? What steps should I take to 
> find the problem? The head functions and I am able to empty it at a pump-out 
> station. 
> 
>