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Post by seasunofthesoul on Mar 2, 2020 15:51:24 GMT -5
'07 4460 ... pumped out for the first time yesterday ... at first everything was fine, but after a few minutes, the pump wasn't pulling anything out. I knew the tank wasn't empty. I pump was still pumping (I believe) so I closed the valve, put it down into the water, opened it, and it was sucking up water. Back to my pump out fitting, it took a little while (20s) but started pumping out waste again. This off and on process repeated itself and finally, after about 20 minutes, I was able to get most of the waste emptied.
Possible issue with the pump out that I used? I haven't filled the tank again to try another one to see. Otherwise, what could cause this? A slow air leak somewhere in the system? I thought that at first, but since there is an air vent for odors, there must be air in the system all the time ... but then again, how does the vacuum work with air in the system? Thoughts?
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Post by SandLapper on Mar 2, 2020 19:53:36 GMT -5
Could be the pump. My experience with my marina and others is the pump out systems are notoriously unreliable. However, assuming it was working fine, it could be that the vent line is clogged. The vacum is pulled on the liquid in the tank and the vent line lets air into the tank to replace the liquid being removed. If no or too little air can get into the tank, then you will truly be pulling a sealed vacum on the tank and no more liquid will flow. Here is a good Article from Boatus that might help. |
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Post by gofast24 on Mar 3, 2020 10:35:04 GMT -5
Agree, holding tank requires a vent to atmosphere to work. Also, pump out pipe should go to within a 1" of bottom of tank, possible some stuff (we have had some female guests that flushed done female stuff into our vacu flush toilets? and plugged the inlet to the tube at the bottom of the tank? New sign in both heads = "DON'T FLUSH DOWN ANYTHING YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY EATEN- EXCEPT TOILET PAPER). Just my thoughts. Good luck!
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Post by Rich on Mar 3, 2020 11:24:40 GMT -5
I'd also suggest to replace your vent line filter if you have one and haven't done it yet. You probably do have the filter.
It's possible the tank was overflowed at one time and this can cause the vent filter to become clogged.
It is possible to service these filters yourself and recharge them, but it's easier to just replace them with the newer versions.
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Post by gofast24 on Mar 4, 2020 11:06:47 GMT -5
I'd also suggest to replace your vent line filter if you have one and haven't done it yet. You probably do have the filter. It's possible the tank was overflowed at one time and this can cause the vent filter to become clogged. It is possible to service these filters yourself and recharge them, but it's easier to just replace them with the newer versions. Rich, Agree ! We did not have a activated carbon vent filter on the vent line but after one season of dock mates complaining about the smell I put one in. Last year, after the filter was done with doing its job after 2 years , took the filter out and instead of buying a new filter (Think $50 because it is marine) just took it home. cut it in half about 1.5" from one end, dumped out the old carbon, bought a pound of activated charcoal that is available for fish tank filters, put in that stuff, and used a 2" rubber drain pipe coupling that has two 2" full SS hose clamps to re attach the two halves of the PVC filter body. Works great and carbon purchased on Amazon $6.81 for 1.5 pounds! To again replace the carbon will just do the same thing again, have about a 1/4 pound of the original 1.5# of charcoal left so just buy another 1.5 pounds. PS: You need the "pellet" type carbon, not the granulated!! |
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Post by Rich on Mar 5, 2020 11:55:30 GMT -5
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Post by gofast24 on Mar 6, 2020 11:30:55 GMT -5
Thanks Rich, Agree, not good idea to cut it open, replace charcoal, then "glue" the two sections together.Sorry, after actually watching the whole video he is using two threaded couplings, dont need to "glue anything back together! Really easy to just loosen the clamps on the rubber coupling, dump out old carbon, refil, and connect it back together for another couple of years? Note= There is a fine mesh filter section on the inlet (the air flowing from the tank to atmosphere) that should be removed, cleaned, and replaced as it keeps the carbon from flowing down into the black water tank. |
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Post by Rich on Mar 9, 2020 9:00:32 GMT -5
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Post by gofast24 on Mar 9, 2020 10:45:27 GMT -5
Ya, the filter manufactures have figured out that making a oblong football shaped housing like shown for $129, folks like us cant just cut it open, dump out the old activated pellet charcoal, buy a pound or two of new pelletized fish tank carbon for $6, clean out mesh filter, re install it, fill back up, and use a 2" rubber drain pipe coupling to re assemble it for $6.49 on Amazon! Why else would these new filters have a football shaped plastic housing, for beauty or functionality??
Glad spring is here! Our lake (Lake Lanier) is 7 feet above full pool(lake full pool is 1071 feet above mean sea level) and we set a new record rainfall for year to date, 15" surplus + new record!
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Post by Rich on Mar 10, 2020 8:26:34 GMT -5
Ya, the filter manufactures have figured out that making a oblong football shaped housing like shown for $129, folks like us cant just cut it open, dump out the old activated pellet charcoal, buy a pound or two of new pelletized fish tank carbon for $6, clean out mesh filter, re install it, fill back up, and use a 2" rubber drain pipe coupling to re assemble it for $6.49 on Amazon! Why else would these new filters have a football shaped plastic housing, for beauty or functionality?? Glad spring is here! Our lake (Lake Lanier) is 7 feet above full pool(lake full pool is 1071 feet above mean sea level) and we set a new record rainfall for year to date, 15" surplus + new record! It's redesigned to solve the issue of the charcoal settling and creating an air gap which allows unfiltered airflow. Here's a photo that shows this:  They overfill it into the wider areas, so when it settles, the activated charcoal settles into the smaller space in the center and there is no more airgap. This seems to make sense, who knows if it really works. They also say it's built with less (thinner?) plastic to be more eco friendly. I guess they didn't need it to be schedule 40 PVC as an air vent is never under positive pressure so it doesn't need to be as strong or thick walled as the older filters. I don't think they did this in an attempt to keep a few boat owners from refilling it, as this design doesn't stop that at all, so I don't think there is any need for such a conspiracy theory.  I think I will try this new style this year, and then next time I'll work on refilling it. |
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Post by Mypleasure on Mar 10, 2020 9:12:15 GMT -5
Good post Rich.....I've never seen a cut away of the new filter and after staring at it I think its a good design...Nicely done
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Post by Rich on Mar 10, 2020 9:41:31 GMT -5
Thanks!
Looking at it I agree, and that's why I'm thinking of trying it, even for the extra initial cost. From time to time I do notice odors coming from my vent filter, and after refiling it myself a few times, I have had the same concerns of how to keep it full enough as things settle.
If the charcoal of the old filter always covered the inlet and outlet, then a little settling wouldn't be a real issue, but when doing the cut-apart, and refilling it, you can never get it completely full. The new design may help a lot with this issue. So I may give it a try.
So back to the original topic, seasunofthesoul did you make any progress on your issue?
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Post by gofast24 on Mar 10, 2020 9:47:27 GMT -5
My thoughts= As the 2" PVC tube filter is pointing uphill from the tank to the thru hull vent any carbon pellets that will settle will settle into the inlet side and compress to allow a more concentrated carbon layer for the fumes coming from the black water tank to the thru hull fitting? When I have changed out the pellets I shake them down to fill the void on the top then pour a little bit more into the tube to fill back up the chamber completely. Dont think much settling will happen when running the engines as there is virtually no vibrations getting to the filter as it is connected with two rubber hoses, one on inlet and one on outlet. Just FYI, the last time I changed the carbon pellets out the housing was still full from top to bottom, so not worried about the settling? So, bottom line, $129 for a new expensive football shaped filter that will be difficult to do the mod with the 2" rubber coupling and $6 of activated pellet carbon or just change out the carbon pellets for $6 in a modified "old style" 2" ID PVC based pipe housing? With the market today I can not afford to sell $129 of mutual funds to buy a new filter  |
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Post by Mypleasure on Mar 10, 2020 11:05:23 GMT -5
Your thoughts about mounting the old filter vertical.....Regal mounted mine horizontal so that's the way it is today....just thinking out loud...Rick
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Post by tc33obx on Mar 10, 2020 15:06:28 GMT -5
Seasun, On my 2005 4460 I had this issue as well and I had someone flush the Vacuflush while they were pumping out to see if that helped and in my case it did. I also went to another pump out first and it was doing the same thing. Therefore, I figured it was the filter. I replaced it with one I purchased off Amazon link shown below and it didn't cost $129. Only $49 and to me that is easier than dealing with refilling and the mess involved. I actually bought 3 so I had a backup with me and ended up changing it about every other year during ownership. On my 4460 the filter was to the right of the rear air conditioner unit in the access hatch at the head of the aft cabin berth. you need to move the mattresses aside to get to it and it's a bit of an effort to squeeze in there to remove it, also wear a mask if you can, it's a stinky job! But new filter got the pump out working again. You may want to measure your inlet and outlets on your existing setup to make sure you order the right filter. However, we have the same boat only a year apart, I'm pretty sure you's will be the same size as what I ordered in the link/ Amazon AirForce Holding Tank filter. |
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