Toilet Drain Hose

[Patriot]

My project for Saturday will be to replace the drain hose from the toilet to the holding tank. This makes a 180 degree bend from the toilet and then goes into the tunnel that goes from the head, under the cave, into the engine room, behind the water heater and then bents up to the inlet on the holding tank.

It looks like a messy, ugly job. What I'd like to know, is how hard is it going to be to (1) pull the old flex hose out and (2) route the new one through.

If this were wiring, I'd attach the new wire to the old one and pull it through as I pull the old one out. Can I do that with the hose? Do I need to? Or will it be possible to just stuff the new hose in and trust it to find its own way out? Weighty questions. Anybody ever done this job?

[heymagic]

At the very least I would use a piece of smaller hose to chase with. I've done many hose replacements, usually a good wrap or 6 of duct tape on clean hose will hold. You may need someone to push while you pull though. I would advise you to pump a bunch of fresh water through first...there's always a low spot that will somehow manage to hold enough waste to make you sorry... :shock:

On my previous boat I used plastic fittings to attach the old an new hoses together and I pulled the new hose with the old one. In addition, I used a blow dryer to warm up the hoses and make it easier to slip them on the tank fittings.

Raul

[Salmon Troller]

Good news & bad news. A warm sunny day will allow the new hose to limber up and may make the job easier. A really cold day would tend to hold the smell down. I seem to recall that attaching the new hose to the old and pull through is the only way to go and then to use lots of soap so it slides. At the end of the day, there is nothing that soap, warm water & alcohol will not solve. Best of luck on a thankless task.

[Go Aweigh2452]

1. go to the nearest boatyard... after you have enjoyed a nice cruising weekend
2. tell them what you want done
3. pay the going rate, you caneven supply thehose if you already bought it.
4. go home, watch the mariners, mow the lawn, go to work..whatever...
5. drink beer, enjoy the sunshine
6. pick up boat before next weekend and enjoy it.

[bradvo]

I like Dougs answer but if you choose to follow through with this endeaver along with using a hair dryer or heat gun to make hose limber do not forget to use some dish soap in the I/D portion of hose also, some fittings can still be a B*tch to get hose on. Splicing the 2 hoses together ,new and old also a good idea as metioned above.
You will also more then likely be inventing a few new swear words.
Oh yeah, close pin for pinching off nostrils.

[Seapuppy]

yep...dougs idea works best......or........or if you decide to do it yourself....gas mask.....get one....then I used wd40 to help push the hose...it evaporates off later......plus it works to install the hose on the fittings.....
get dictionary of foul language!!.....your gonna need it.....then have plenty of beer and Bengay afterwards....... :argh arrrr

[heymagic]

Be cautious of WD40. It is a petroleum product, won't actually evaporate, the carrier does. It can harm some plastic or rubber products, as well as get on hands, clothes, upholstery and on and on. Soap or soapy water is the best route. Hot water can also soften the ends to help slide over fittings. The marine fittings (white) aren't nearly as bad as the grey or black household fittings.

[bradvo]

I had the grey fitting on my holding tank and never did get that hose on as far as the one I took off, but damn if it is going to come back off, i got the hose so warm i have blisters on my palms- really. it was from trying to put the hose on, I swear. :D

[3788sam]

Bit of trivia-
The name WD40 = Water Displacement (formula) 40

[heymagic]

WD-40, as we are on that subject...is one of the worst 'penetrating" oils made. It is too thin, runs off too fast. It is nice for protecting metal, guns, fishing stuff, spray on yer boat engine before winter etc. PB Blaster is an incredible oil for rusty bolts. CRC556 is also a good "P" oil. JB80 "twice as good as 40" works well also. I've heard good things about Kroil but never had opportunity to use it.

[Patriot]

Thanks for all the adivce on this. Doug's idea is the best, but somehow I always elect to do it myself. Something about no boatyards in Canemah. As an old Navy guy, I think my vocabulary in up to the task, and I can handle that part like any pro (where bad language is concerned, Navy guys ARE the pros). I agree that the petrolium-based product is a negative. And I used to raise cattle, so I know that there's nothing they can get on me that I can't wash off with soap and water. I assume the same about the sewer line. I'll report back on Monday.

[SomeSailor]

Funny story...

On the Lincoln I had finally managed to get myself my own office... with my own desk, locker and the works (major accomplishment on an aircraft carrier... even for a Senior Chief).

One day a couple of HTs show up (Hull Techs). They say there's been a problem in the CHT (sewage) lines above my space and they needed to open the access line and chase the clog from my office. Well... I was livid... NO WAY are you opening that crap pipe right over my desk! He assured me that no a drop would spill on my desk. They moved my desk, locker, and all my personal affects out in the Pway before they got started.

So this kid moves all my stuff brings in a 30 gallon trash can, and builds a large clear plastic enclosure surrounding the pipe, the area under the pipe and this trash can. It was perfect... nothing was going to come out when he opens that cleanout plug.

Well.... he carefully removes the plug and a dozen or so gallons of raw crap come barreling out. None of it spilled anywhere... it all went in the can. So now this kid is beaming... "See Senior... didn't spill a drop..." He then steps inside this new plastic containment area to get ready to fish out whatever disgusting piece of fecal material and feminine hygiene product that caused the backup. He had no more sealed himself inside when all hell broke loose... it must've been 500 gallons of CRAP came though that pipe. From drains nearly 8 stories above... all the pipes contents unloaded on this kids head. It was in his eyes, his ears, his mouth... you name it... To make it worse... when he tried to run, he trip on all the plastic and face-planted on the floor that was by now up to the scuppers (8") with sewage.

So much for having a new office.... I had them clean it up and gave it to my Division Officer the next day.

[heymagic]

Never a camera when you need one !

[Numbknots]

Another great lubricant and penetrate is Tri-flow! WD40 is only good for target practice with the 223 after you have shot up every other target in the truck (just my opinion)

Tim

by the way, Heymagic is an expert on getting into tight places to fix crapper hoses :P

[3788sam]

HT = Turd Herders!
I guy I worked with many moons ago and I was getting the old AF vs Navy crap. Looked his rating up (asked him often but only gave me his rank) found out he was a hull tech- end of the discussion!

[SomeSailor]

It is a NASTY job.

[Patriot]

The job is all done. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't as bad as I had expected. Going into it, I was not aware that the headboard piece in the cave would open right up to the drain hose. No wonder the smell got into the sleeping compartment! The 21-year-old drain hose had become gas permeable, and emitted fumes like an old cow on green alfalfa hay.

In the process of changing the hose, I discovered that there were cracks in the body of the toilet pump. That explains the puddle on the floor in the head. All this time, I thought the Admiral was being sloppy. So I replaced the old Jabsco toilet with a better model.

[SomeSailor]

All this time, I thought the Admiral was being sloppy. So I replaced the old Jabsco toilet with a better model.

She probably suspected your plumbing all along... you're lucky she didn't get a newer model :)

[Numbknots]

The other day I was at Oceanaire in Bellingham and while talking about holding tanks, toilets and plumbing it was suggested that "schedule 40 PVC be used instead of flex hose accept for the connection to the toilet? Has anyone else done this? seems that unions could be used for connection to the Vacuflush pump, holding tank etc. I have used a heat blanket to bend 1-1/2 PVC like a noodle and surely it would eliminate the chance of permeation of the hoses??

Comments?

Tim

[bradvo]

Tim there was a discussion about PVC on the boatered forums on the marine sanitation pages. I think Vic mentioned possible cracking if not properly supported but other wise I do not recall a problem with it.
I think the hose would be easier to work with myself, but I guess it depends on how the lines run.
I have had my fill of toilet work this year, hopefully no more.
I can think of one more item I may need to tackle that I may present soon for some comments or advice but I need to look at it again.
Brad

[heymagic]

There are 2 grades of PCV , the heavier one is nearly indestructable. Only thing to maybe watch is the sharp/sguare edge inside the union. This may be a good place to start a clog. Boats don't have the water flow a house does, even though Vacuflush moves the waste a high rate of speed. I would radius the inside lip of the pipe before I glued it into the fitting.

[Numbknots]

Gene,

I would agree on the sharp edges. It would demand that you be pretty exact on cutting the pipe and gluing the fittings. I am thinking of heating the schedule 40 PVC and using as few fittings as possible. Do you know if the threaded connectors on most tanks are NPT? If so it should be no problem getting threaded connectors.

Brad, What tye of toilets do you have on your Navigator? I am considering the Electic Toilet the one with the macerator/discharge pump built right into the toilet base? The vacuflush toilets I have work well except the plumbing is a nightmare, and there is way to much hose/fittings and ratmaze of lines that permeate the smell. My forward tank/routing is fine, but the aft one is terrible!

Anyone have any experience with the electrics??

Tim

[bradvo]

Tim,
I have the Raritan crown electrics- so far they seem to be really good units. I had the Jabsco add on electrics on my 39 and they were also very good to me.
Just make sure you get a small sea strainer filter that is easy to access for your intake water, ( 25 bucks at most) this will keep any foreign crap from getting into your impeller. I never had an issue with my Jabsco heads in 5 years- Raritan will have to be darn good to match it.
I will say if the Raritan electrics were to clog they sure made it easy as heck to clear.
I am surprised to say you want to replace the vacu flush, most of the folks I talk to wish they had them. But I seen you did not want to deal with the hoses, problem is sounds like either head you choose, the hoses are gonna have to go.
Brad

[heymagic]

Tim, the tanks should all be NPT. We currently have an electric jabsco on the Chris. They use very little water, but make a wee 8) bit of noise when flushing....Jabsco takes a beating by ol' Peg Hall . I've sat on a buttload of them..and they are a great head. I have had trouble with both Raritan and Wilcox-Crittenden though

[Numbknots]

Gene,

Have you any experience with the Tecma electric. The Guy at Oceanaire swears by them except for the expense. They are supposed to pump uphill to 11ft and push over 80ft!

Tim

[Randygh]

Tim--I purchased a new electric toilet on eBay this winter. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&tc=photo&item=4557969145&category=26449

It is made overseas and is used in Australia and Europe quite alot. The price is very reasonable. We have used the head on two weekends and I'm very pleased with its operation. I really macerates the waste and doesn't use much water to flush the bowl. It is very well constructed and I give it a 5 star rating. The vendor on eBay shipped quickly and the purchase was a smooth transaction.

[Numbknots]

Thanks Randy,

Guess the best way to find out which is best is to just have Spud make up some of his chilly and SS some Dogs and all of us will anchor in a Wagon wheel and just eat and go boat to boat (now that is an ugly visual)

Tim

[heymagic]

Unfortunately I'm busy that weekend....

[Numbknots]

Gene,

Aw come on, it will just take a half an hour :lol: :lol:

Tim

PS how did your trip beyond the breakwater go?

[heymagic]

Tim, the trip was good. The old boat ran 18 kts or so at 2200 rpm. It takes wakes and chop very nicely, soft ride with no roll. They did it right back in the dark ages.

[bradvo]

Tim, can I come use your head soon, I just engulfed a pound of clams 3 dinner rolls to sop it up with, half my wife's steak and 5 beers. yum, yum. oh a cup a chowder also.
Time for spandex shorts :shock:
Brad
Guess I am on vacation, only 6 more work hours left :o

[Numbknots]

Gene,

From the looks of how much I am using the Tolly I should just mail you the keys and you could hook up with Brad and show him your expertise with them ther crappers. The ol Tolly would surely get more sea time then with me at the helm. Heck Missy would have the cobwebs swept out in no time!

Have a great Weekend!

Tim

[heymagic]

Tim....we'll talk. There are professional dog walkers, house sitters and so on. I guess I could be a boat gigilo... 8) But Brad ain't gettin to clog up those hoses!!