Pump out

[allanhendry]

My Albin 28 TE 2003 is rigged to pump into the holding tank, I then get this pumped out in harbor, when I go out to sea I would like to pump overboard, when I make the overboard discharge switch, it jsut switches itself off after 20 seconds or so.

Can you tell me what I am doing wrong

Thanks in advance

[Carl]

Did you open the overboard discharge sea cock? If not it most likely is building up pressure causing the breaker to kick. You also need to reposition the Y valve located next to the holding tank.

[allanhendry]

Thanks Carl

I know the Y valve, is the sea cock near the front of the engine?

Allan

[Carl]

Mine is a flush deck model and it is located just below the holding tank, next to the intake for the head. Just follow the 1- 1/4" white hose from the Y valve.
Where I boat I can not use this option, but last fall when I had the boat pulled, the marinas pump out was down, so while it was on blocks I had to use a 5 gallon bucket to catch the goodies!

[RobS]

so while it was on blocks I had to use a 5 gallon bucket to catch the goodies!

GROSS

[Carl]

Go to the document library under TE, pre-shamrock and scroll thru the drawings to the ones showing the plumbing.

[Mike]

Also check the macerator switch in the head.

[craw_daddy]

if you ran the overboard discharge (OBD) without opening the seacock you probably trashed the one-way duck-bill valves (DBV's). If you try to run the OBD now with the seacock open & you hear the macerator running, but your tank isn't emptying, you are probably need to replace the DBV's. You can find them online or from the manufacturer.

I bought some off ebay (Sealand Dometic Duckbill Valve 1-1/2" Pair 385310076) now I'm able to discharge overboard when I am offshore.
http://www.marinepartssource.com/produc ... 310076.jpg

[craw_daddy]

Also, prior to the replacement of the duckbill valves, you will want to do a very thorough pump-out. Do this by filling up yoru holding tank (whatever volume is available) with fresh water. Top off your freshwater tank & proceed to the pumpout station & pumpout that tankfull. Fill your holding tank to mid level with freshwater from the toilet & pump that out, repeat one more time.

If you don rubber gloves prior to working on the plumbing, at least now there won't be fresh sewage & you should avoid most of any unpleasantness. The duckbill valves are installed in the inlet side of the mascerator pump and in the output line exiting the mascerator. They both face the same direction -with the flow. Have your replacement valves nearby & disconnect the mascerator input & output lines. Remove the old valves and replace with the new ones. Open up your overboard discharge valve before trying the system.

With just freshwater from the toilet, fill your holding tank to the mid level while adding a good squeeze of liquid dish soap (acts as a pump lubricant). With the tankwatch monitor indicating 1/2 full, switch on the overboard discharge switch. Soon afterward, your tankwatch indicator should indicate low, then empty. Happy flushing!

--Dave

[zinbaad]

I wonder if my 31 has a gage for the holding tank? I didnt see one

[Carl]

My guage only works when I stick my head through the hatch and look at the tank!

[craw_daddy]

I have the tank-watch indicator lights mounted to the aft head bulkhead between the upper cabinet and the countertop. When the vaccum generator is on, one of four lights are lit empty, low, mid, or full indicating the holding tank level.

http://www.sealandtechnology.com/produc ... asp?pid=53

--Dave

[Russell]

If you do not use the macerator for a long time it can seize up and blow the circuit breaker when you try to activate it. On the end opposite where the hoses attach there is a slot for a screwdriver so you can free it. Unfortunately mine was mounted so the slot was against the bulkhead and the unit has to be detached to reach it.