HEADS UP!

Molly Brown · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 8:18 pm Post subject: HEADS UP!

Literally...Arrived at the marina for a pump out, removed the waste cap and was greeted by the most awful mess. First thought was that I'd waited too long to empty the head but after having thought about it decided that it must be a plugged vent line. Sure enough, the elbow vent to the outside of the boat was plugged and let me know it as soon as I removed the line coming up from the tank. It was a little problematic cleaning it out but persistence and a little ingenuity got the job done. I'm positive that some of you could devise a neat little trick to keep that thing cleared out. We don't use any chemicals in ours electing instead to let bacteria do the work so a mechanical solution would be preferable. The vent is a 90% bend and about a quarter inch. Heads been in use 2 years so this item will be added to our maintenance schedule.
Best regards to all Brats in Dory Land.

P.S. Hey DA NAG !!! We have a section for freshwater systems and I submit a humble request for a waste water section since it appears that more and more Brats have onboard waste tanks. Glad to contribute if you guys are still looking for support.

TyBoo · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 8:41 pm Post subject:

How's this, James and Betty on the TomCat Molly Brown?

Good idea. Thanks.

And, oooh, sorry about your incident.

Molly Brown · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:18 am Post subject:

Holy Cow!!! Less than 30 minutes to have the site modified...that's amazing. Thanks Mike. Hopefully people won't have too much to contribute to this particular topic. We've never had a head on board but I guarantee my wife won't give it up and I admit that it's convenient and user friendly compared to the porta potty I used to deal with....

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:53 am Post subject:

Just wait until Pat and Patti give us a Potti report. At present they are using a porta potti in the head/shower. How-ever they are waiting for their composting toilet.

TyBoo · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:43 pm Post subject:

Molly Brown · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 5:41 am Post subject:

Hey Brats:
Maybe Pat and or Patti could chime in and give us some particulars on that composting toilet. I didn't know one was made for boats. I'd used the ones in the Tortugas and they work well but are rather large. Maybe that is a reflection of their "load" and not design.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:42 am Post subject:

OK, here is the link for AirHead Composting Marine Toilets. Bear in mind, we have not received or installed it yet, when we ordered it, it was backordered eight week. Read the materials and decide for yourself...

Aiviq · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 9:44 am Post subject:

A company called Sun-Mar also makes a composting marine head. From what I can see, the Sun Mar unit is a little bigger, and it doesn't separate the liquid wastes from solids the way the AirHead does. The Sun Mar takes a slightly larger current draw than the AirHead (333mA, as opposed to 120mA - this according to my feeble understanding of electronics. Sun Mar reports its electrical usage as 3 Watts). The Sun Mar unit might be a bit easier to use, in that it doesn't require the "coffee filters" for catching solid waste, or any separate handling of a liquid waste tank. Here is a link to their web site: http://www.sun-mar.com/products/sunmarmobile.php

Byrdman · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:44 pm Post subject:

It is great to see the Molly Brown back in action after the last years "H" season... I do not even want to say the word....
I have my head out again. 1st round was to replace the electric motor, which "froze-up"....and was able to get it going with a smack or two with the trusty hammer... but then....it hit the same spot again. Factory sent me new one free of charge. Then, on the Nashville Gathering Cumberland River trip, we had a little "backwash" issue....off the "dirty side" hoses. After removal, I have a part that had split. Sorry, left it on the boat so I can not call it by name...but will bring it home this weekend after Thurs-Saturday trip to the boat. Thank God for the showers and head at the marina!!! Now, as for putting it back together and attempting to get all the lines/clamps and hoses to seal.... talk on our dock is to use 4200/5200 on the "outsides" of the fittings prior to plugging on the hoses...?? Then, just really.... REALLY tighten down the stainless clamps. Any other words of wisdom out there on this?