Holding Tank Question

[Freebird]

I just had a neighbor at my marina call and say the holding tank alarm was sounding on my 41DC here in TN.

I haven't been aboard that boat since Friday before last, so I have no idea why the alarm would be sounding as of this afternoon. Unless, of course, someone came onto the boat and flushed a head, very unlikely even though it is not locked. I had a guy fix my generator, but that was weeks ago. Maybe he had a pain while working on another boat, and he knew my boat was unlocked!

I went to the marina after work, the smell in the boat would knock you down! I disabled the alarm and inspected the heads. They are Vaccuflush heads and were still holding water in the bowls. No sign of any problems in the bilge or around the tank itself. I'll have to wait until Saturday to pump the tank.

In addition, I found the marine AC/heat had tripped a breaker and was not running as I had left it. I can't see any link between the two problems, but found it somewhat strange. The only time I've had to reset the breaker on that AC is when the power cycled on and off at the marina. That certainly can have no connection to the 12V heads.

What the heck is going on?

 

[Pascal]

is there an underwater thru hull for the macerator ? problem with the vented loop allowing water to flow back ? luckily with VF, it can't back up and flood the boat thru the heads.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

My 12pt alarm will sound after a power fail. Did the power surge or cycle on and off and then trip the breaker and also sound the alarm? Just a thought. Maybe the tank isn't full, just a false alarm.

 

[Freebird]

Okay guys, for the record, I posted this question on the Sandbar and it got moved. I hope this isn't viewed as me not making good on my promise to stay off the tech side to keep the peace. I further hope that such a promise was not neccessary because I have always respected those with more knowledge than I have in regard totechnical issues.

I thank you for you offers of assistance. That being said, I saw no visible signs of leakage, but I did discover this morning that I have ruined a perfectly good and almost new Hatteras jacket I bought from Deep River Traders! It seems I got some battery acid on the sleeve which made nice little no so neat holes in it!

I know, it's my own damn fault for not having the batteries in boxes with lids. I had them that way, but I had to do a quickie exchange to meet a deadline last time I took the boat on a cruise.

As stated, the boat smells like ship, so I am sure there had to be an overflow somewhere, but I have never taken the time to see how the tank is set up for such issues as that. I will do that this Saturday when I take the boat to the fuel dock to pump the head. The individual pump-outs for use at the slip are out of service for the winter.

As I've often said, ship happens. I'm sure I'll figure it out.

 

[thoward]

Well, I happen to have flooded my engine room with a similar issue. It turns out there is a small metal line that connects the 2 sides of GM VF units. I have found the water will travel across this line and fill the holding tank. If you look at your GM diagram it is the line that should go to the sanitizer option. Now for the flooding part ....The FSPO felt the need to drill a hole in the ER floor in to the holding tank . I can only assume this was done to drain the walkway after washing(but I digress). Once the holding tank is full it flows upward in to the ER. If you have that line and the VFs are below the water line then the line should be removed and the holes should be pluged....

 

[Freebird]

Thanks Todd!

I will diagnose this problem Saturday and let you guys know the "outcome" of the "input".

I've owned this boat for less than one year, but have had no problems in this area before. I called the PO and he has no clue either.

File it under ship happens I guess.

 

[Boatsb]

3 drinks and you may confuse the closet and the head. Did you check the closets?

 

[ThirdHatt]

HAHAHA, especially when the GOOSE is loose!!

Seriously, good luck with that problem Randy.

 

[Freebird]

I pumped the tank today and found no problems to account for the one I posted about.

Thanks for all the responses, except the last two!

Check out the Country Cruisin' thread if you want more on this story.