Head Hose smell

[Oldlaxer1]

I will be changing out the hoses on two of my heads this off season. In the interim I've been using bromine tabs in the strainers on the raw water side which seems to help. I also took them out of commission and drained the raw water hose and left it for a week to dry and kill what was decaying in there. That did help quite a bit. On the discharge side, the hoses are fairly permeated. I spray the outside with Odor Gone and soak a wash rag with odor gone and drape it over the hoses which does help some also. I had a thought the other day that perhaps I should put some undiluted odor gone in the head and flush it enough to fill the discharge hoses and let it sit overnight to attack the problem from the inside as well. Has anyone tried this? The odor isn't that bad but I'm just thinking of short term improvements. Thanks

 

[oscarvan]

Won't hurt. But it would take years for it to soak the hose....

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I will be changing out the hoses on two of my heads this off season. In the interim I've been using bromine tabs in the strainers on the raw water side which seems to help. I also took them out of commission and drained the raw water hose and left it for a week to dry and kill what was decaying in there. That did help quite a bit. On the discharge side, the hoses are fairly permeated. I spray the outside with Odor Gone and soak a wash rag with odor gone and drape it over the hoses which does help some also. I had a thought the other day that perhaps I should put some undiluted odor gone in the head and flush it enough to fill the discharge hoses and let it sit overnight to attack the problem from the inside as well. Has anyone tried this? The odor isn't that bad but I'm just thinking of short term improvements. Thanks

Here's what works. The OdorGone on the outside is good. The Bromine helps with strainer growth and the saltwater smell and look in the bowls, and that's all. I switched to Aqua-Chem and am completely satisfied. I pour it in the bowl a little at a time (every time the head is used: little bit for #1 a little extra for #2) for the T-D-Bol look. Pretty soon, this stuff will out permeate your PP (pre-existing permeations). Now when I open my bilge accesses, there is not even a hint that my hoses are at least 6 years old (probably 15 years). To be clear, my hoses are wet exhaust hoses with just a few feet of the white sanitation hose at the thru hulls.

I used to use the powdered holding tank stuff (can't recall the name), and it liquified the waste fine while doing nothing for the odor. The Aqua-Chem has eliminated the odor and liquifies with modest dosing in our warm SC summers. I can't recall the last time I sprayed any OdorGone on waste hoses. The bilges actually have a hint of a fresh smell. I still use the bromine.

Amazon has been out of the stuff unless you pay a premium. Since I found it on Walmart.com, I've reordered and also giving them some of my other business as they have been providing better service.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Thetford-28614-Aqua-Kem-1-Gallon/155491931?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&&adid=22222222227066374240&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=170876687184&wl4=pla-275222517987&wl5=9010367&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=155491931&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsJS3mpbI6wIVGWKGCh0RSwy3EAQYBCABEgL79_D_BwE

This stuff is the Woody Wax of marine doo-doo.

 

[RonNP]

Kudos to Robert for the suggestion about Aqua Chem! I had tried everything in my heads and still couldn't get rid of that pesky sewer smell when the heads burped. I changed all of my stators and even then they would periodically burp a belch of tacos from a week ago.
I had tried dawn, Calgon water softener, NoFlex digestor and NRx nutralizer. None of them worked.

With one treatmenet of Aqua Chem my heads quit burping 99% and there is a fresh smell if they do. I could not be happier. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Sadey]

We also occasionally suffer from a post docko night’s indulgence when flushing our heads. We don’t have the permeated smell just the occasional burping when flushing. The admiral and I are very fastidious about keeping our heads clean so the smell is quite an attack on our sniffers and and afront to our efforts in cleanliness. To be clear you keep a bottle of Aquakem close at hand but is it before or after doing your business you splash a little in the bowl?

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

We also occasionally suffer from a post docko night’s indulgence when flushing our heads. We don’t have the permeated smell just the occasional burping when flushing. The admiral and I are very fastidious about keeping our heads clean so the smell is quite an attack on our sniffers and and afront to our efforts in cleanliness. To be clear you keep a bottle of Aquakem close at hand but is it before or after doing your business you splash a little in the bowl?

Here's the before use look.

Note: This condition would be the same for defecation as well as elimination. Seat position is not applicable.

Here's the after action look.


Caution: Use of AquaChem is not recommended while driving the China bus.

 

[Sadey]

Duly noted and much appreciated. As tonight is our annual Docko taco night we will put it to the test. Of course hopefully tomorrow sometime. Currently I’m on my second blue margarita and although I’m not planning on driving the porcelain bus tonight if the need should arise the end result between our bus and yours might look similar. I am however hoping that the fluid in our bus is of the liquid type and not the less desirable partially used docko night fare. Thank you again for the tip.

 

[Oldlaxer1]

Thanks Robert. Ordering it today! I'm sure the wife will also like the tidy-bowl look.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I’ve got a new neighbor two slips away. He’s new to bigger boating and his new to him Mainship. I’m trying to find a tactful way to tell him he doesn’t have to endure the smell from his hoses. You can smell the hoses, not what’s in the tank, on the dock when he opens up his cabin. Went onboard to give an assist a while back and couldn’t do mor than five minutes in there. Being a trawler guy, he’s just one step up the evolutionary ladder from a sailboater. Therefore, I’m sure he’ll have sensitive feelings.

 

[Oldlaxer1]

 

[oscarvan]

My boat is odor free, but I want to keep it that way.

Have ordered the AquaChem. I have experience with that in the porta potty space and like it.

I am also finding gallons of OdorGone on board. Wonder if PO sent that down the toilet. Any reason not to use it for that?

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

My boat is odor free, but I want to keep it that way.

Have ordered the AquaChem. I have experience with that in the porta potty space and like it.

I am also finding gallons of OdorGone on board. Wonder if PO sent that down the toilet. Any reason not to use it for that?

Doesn't do much that route. See it for surface use. I add some to carpet cleaning machine.

 

[mgernes]

Up until last winter we had the original lines and GM heads on board our 1973 53MY. When arriving at the boat, the first flush almost caused me to throw-up. After the new heads and lines were installed, we have not had a wiff of odor coming from the heads.

I remember our Marina staff talking about how their entire work building smelled horrible until they finally put the old GM Heads and lines outside.

Converting to the Vacu-Flush system may have been one of the best upgrades that I have made. Plus I really like these new heads that sit higher.

Marcus

 

[cenger]

The new style sanitation hose is way better than the balck hose Hatteras used in the 70's and 80's. It makes a big difference changing them out. The #1 rule on SCUSI is no #2 though not everyone follows the rules (including me). At our marina the bathrooms are very close so I ask everyone to use them for #2 whenever possible.

I 2nd the Aqua Chem use. Each weekend when I leave I add a squirt to each bowl and flush so it sits in the hose and bowl and eventually gets to the holding tank.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Every Walmart stocks AquaChem so when in a pinch, its never too far away. They also stock the Campa-Chem brand which is the same stuff made by the same company(Thetford) just in another label. I buy whatever one is cheaper as I think they are the exact same stuff.

 

[Oldlaxer1]

Robert, I can't thank you enough. After a couple of weeks of using the Aqua-Chem the hose smell is completely gone!

 

[oscarvan]

The #1 rule on SCUSI is no #2 though not everyone follows the rules (including me). At our marina the bathrooms are very close so I ask everyone to use them for #2 whenever possible.

While that is certainly and effective method, I refuse. I paid a lot of money to sleep in my own comfortable bed and I want to also..... ah, finish the story color the pictures.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Robert, I can't thank you enough. After a couple of weeks of using the Aqua-Chem the hose smell is completely gone!

So now you’re obligated to pass on an ah-ha moment pearl of wisdom from your experience (Or send check or money order to R Clarkson, RFD, Charleston, SC, BR549).

 

[Oldlaxer1]

So now you’re obligated to pass on an ah-ha moment pearl of wisdom from your experience (Or send check or money order to R Clarkson, RFD, Charleston, SC, BR549).

Bitcoin ok?

 

[Sadey]

We not only do both on Benedetto but we use all three, not at the same time. Although the restaurant at our marina serves food that makes it possible. I use and empty ketchup squirt bottle with diluted Aquakem after each flush. Thank you Robert!