[C320-list] Head odors

[Charles Holbrook]

 Art:
I went down to my boat today and looked at the holding tank filter. If you Google search "SaniGuard holding tank vent filter" a whole bunch of filter options pop-up from Amazon, Ace Hardware, eBay, West Marine and other places ranging in price from around $20.00 to more than $100.00. The filter carried by Amazon called YatchZmarine runs $42.99 and looks just like the one I installed. behind the cabinet above the commode.  The filter is about 15" long and about 2" diameter. You should not need mounting brackets or any additional hardware.  The filter just screwed into the vent line with garden hose type connections. I don't think Walmart carries the SaniGuard filter any longer but when I found mine it was only around $30.00 nine years ago.  The carbon filter did solve the outside odor problem I was experiencing when on a starboard tack. 
Hope this helps.
Charlie HolbrookCat 320 "Nautigirl"

 .    
    On Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 02:21:48 PM EDT, Ferris Wills via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  
 
 Hi,

When I bought  Argo (505), she had a mild but persistent head odor. After many flushing pump outs and bio treatments, I replaced the toilet and its hoses, but the odors persisted. Frustrated, I then replaced all related holding tank hoses and the macerator. I also removed the tank and power washed it. 

Not a pleasant job, but it completely eliminated the odor. I found that the macerator, tank  inflow, outflow and vent hoses were original and  all had a deeply embedded foul smell. No amount of cleaning, flushing, or treatment was going to fix it!

Hope this helps,
Ferris

Typos by iPhone

> On May 30, 2024, at 10:37 AM, Steve Weinstein via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
>  Oh, one other thing -- if the smell is coming from the head compartment itself, you may have a worn out or clogged joker valve in the Jabsco pump mechanism or a leaky seal in there somewhere.  Check to see if anything is back-flushing into the head unit.  Changing the joker valve is easy, it's just a bit of a messy, stinky job.  If the pump mechanism is old, it might be easier to change the whole thing rather than doing a rebuild.  On a prior boat, I actually got a whole new toilet bowl and pump unit for less money than buying the various repair kits.
> Just a thought.
> Steve Weinstein,2000 C320 #722, Vega
> 
>    On Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 01:25:57 PM EDT, Steve Weinstein via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  
> 
>  Sounds like you have a leak either in one of the hoses or the holding tank itself.  Open up the hatches above the holding tank and look around to see if you are leaking somewhere under there.  Use some white paper towels (wearing gloves, of course) and wipe down the hoses and the tank and see if anything shows up.  Check the hose clamps to make sure they are snug.  If the hoses have not been changed in a long time, they may well be the culprit.  Also, check the vent for the holding tank.  It's a favorite place for bugs, especially spiders, to take up residence and can block the vent.  Gases can build up in the tank and when you start sailing they can escape into the interior rather than venting out if it's clogged.  Some holding tanks have an inspection plate on the top.  That can be a problem as well.
> 
> If the hoses are clean and the tank is not leaking, consider flushing the tank out with fresh water a couple of times, and then using a tank deodorant in there.  Once you have the tank clean, consider using fresh water to flush the tank rather than sea water.  Use the nozzle in the head sink to put water in the bowl for flushing rather than pumping in raw water.  It makes a big difference in the amount of smell.  Just make sure you've flushed the tank out really well before making the changeover.
> Hope that helps,Steve Weinstein2000 C320 # 722, Vega
> 
>    On Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 12:54:01 PM EDT, Laura Gwinn via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote: 
> 
> A friend of mine recently suggested using about a tsp of Oxyclean once a
> week.  Followed by a good flush if wster.  Let it sit in hose for a short
> time then re-flush.  It has helped with odor.
> 
> Sent from Gmail Mobile
> 
> 
>> On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 12:45 Jeff Hecht via C320-list <
>> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hey guys I have hull 17. I have been having an issue where when I have
>> been out on the water the head starts to stink. When I got to my boat
>> yesterday there was little to no odor, but after a race, with great winds
>> and some heeling, the odor was significant. Any suggestions?
>> 
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> Jeff Hecht
>> 973-563-5260
>> 
>  
>