Head operations

I am looking for an owners manuals regarding the head and pump out procedures for my boat. I bought my boat 3 years ago and it did not come with any owners manuals. We have always camped in places that had restrooms so we never needed to use it. We are going on a outing that is primitive camping and would like to use the bathroom on board. I have tried downloading the owners manual on Sea Rays web page but no luck as to specific procedures, just tells me to refer to a different owners manual, which I can't find. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It has a holding tank and macerator
2007 Sea ray290 SLX

It is a vacuflush head. Google it, but here is the basics from one of the manuals:


Operation

6.1 Toilet system start-up
1. Fill freshwater tank.
2. Turn on electrical power and water supply to VacuFlush toilet system.
3. Flush water through entire toilet system by pressing flush pedal for about 15 seconds. Release pedal, allowing pedal to snap back into original position. Vacuum pump will operate for about one minute, then shut off.

6.2 Normal toilet operation

ADD WATER TO TOILET BOWL Lift flush pedal until desired water level is achieved. More water is usually added only when flushing solids. (If pedal is raised too long, toilet bowl can overfow.)

FLUSH TOILET Press flush pedal down for about 3 seconds, then release it. Allow pedal to snap back into original position to assure vacuum seal. It takes about one minute for vacuum to recharge for the next flush. A small amount of water remains in bowl after every flush. If flush pedal is accidentally released before effluent leaves bowl, do not flush again until vacuum pump stops running.

DO NOT FLUSH FOREIGN OBJECTS CAUTION! Flush only water, bodily wastes and rapid-dissolving tissue paper. Do not flush wet wipes, sanitary napkins, condoms, diapers, razor blades, paper cups, cotton swabs, food, hair or liquids such as oils or solvents. Clogging or damage to the toilet system may occur. Note Make sure all guests understand toilet operation before use.

6.3 Indicator lights (requires optional VacuFlush status panel)

“OK TO FLUSH” INDICATOR On a VacuFlush status panel, a steady green “OK to Flush” light indicates when the toilet is ready to flush.

“DO NOT FLUSH” INDICATOR VacuFlush status panels include a red “Do Not Flush” light to indicate two toilet system conditions:
1. vacuum level in toilet system is not sufficient for complete flush.

2. holding tank is full and should be pumped out (only when connected to an optional holding tank level indication system). When the red light is on, electrical power to the toilet automatically shuts off to prevent possible overfilling of the holding tank.

Also, I have a laminated card on my boat that I leave in the head when I have guests on board (sticky tacked to the wall). You really need to have people follow these rules or you will get a plug and it is NASTY to clean out the duckbill valves in the line. This is what it says:

Instructions for the Marine Toilet

The toilet operates by vacuum suction and is similar to an airplane toilet.

The toilet can clog easily, and it is very hard to unclog (and not a lot of fun), so proper operation is important.

Important rules:

• Do not flush anything other than human waste and marine toilet paper.

• No other tissue, paper towels, or wipes can be flushed.

• Do not flush any hygiene products. They WILL plug the toilet.

• There are lined paper bags in the storage cabinet to use for hygiene products which can then be put in the trash bin.

Toilet Operation:

• Before use, lift up the foot pedal to let water fill the bowl about half full.

• Do not use a lot of toilet paper at one time without flushing.

• It is better to flush multiple times, rather than put a lot of paper in at once and risk a clog.

• Re-fill the bowl with water before each flush.

• To flush the toilet, push the foot pedal down and hold it down to flush the bowl. Let the water run a bit with the pedal held down after the flush, then release the pedal. Repeat if necessary.

• After a flush, it takes a minute or so for the vacuum pump to build pressure again before you can flush a second time. You can hear the vacuum pump run and then stop, and then it is ready.

Thank you this is very helpful

Great idea, i’m Stealing it for our boat! Lol

Creekwood said:

Also, I have a laminated card on my boat that I leave in the head when I have guests on board (sticky tacked to the wall). You really need to have people follow these rules or you will get a plug and it is NASTY to clean out the duckbill valves in the line. This is what it says:

Instructions for the Marine Toilet

The toilet operates by vacuum suction and is similar to an airplane toilet.

The toilet can clog easily, and it is very hard to unclog (and not a lot of fun), so proper operation is important.

Important rules:

• Do not flush anything other than human waste and marine toilet paper.

• No other tissue, paper towels, or wipes can be flushed.

• Do not flush any hygiene products. They WILL plug the toilet.

• There are lined paper bags in the storage cabinet to use for hygiene products which can then be put in the trash bin.

Toilet Operation:

• Before use, lift up the foot pedal to let water fill the bowl about half full.

• Do not use a lot of toilet paper at one time without flushing.

• It is better to flush multiple times, rather than put a lot of paper in at once and risk a clog.

• Re-fill the bowl with water before each flush.

• To flush the toilet, push the foot pedal down and hold it down to flush the bowl. Let the water run a bit with the pedal held down after the flush, then release the pedal. Repeat if necessary.

• After a flush, it takes a minute or so for the vacuum pump to build pressure again before you can flush a second time. You can hear the vacuum pump run and then stop, and then it is ready.

Click to expand...

I’ve got laminated instruction cards in my heads too but the problem is getting people to read them.

If you aren't willing to wipe it up then sit your ass down... Your mom isn't on board !!!

Newest twist. Weak vacuum lead me to believe the duck bill valves need to be replaced. Head was seldom used but it is a 2008 boat.

Now mechanics tell me they located a leak in the sanitary line from the head to the rear of the boat flush system. The line needs to be replaced. It runs under the deck and they will not touch this repair as its way too big from them.

Anybody our there have any idea about all this? Doesn't sound too good.....

Creekwood said:

Also, I have a laminated card on my boat that I leave in the head when I have guests on board (sticky tacked to the wall). You really need to have people follow these rules or you will get a plug and it is NASTY to clean out the duckbill valves in the line. This is what it says:

Instructions for the Marine Toilet

The toilet operates by vacuum suction and is similar to an airplane toilet.

The toilet can clog easily, and it is very hard to unclog (and not a lot of fun), so proper operation is important.

Important rules:

• Do not flush anything other than human waste and marine toilet paper.

• No other tissue, paper towels, or wipes can be flushed.

• Do not flush any hygiene products. They WILL plug the toilet.

• There are lined paper bags in the storage cabinet to use for hygiene products which can then be put in the trash bin.

Toilet Operation:

• Before use, lift up the foot pedal to let water fill the bowl about half full.

• Do not use a lot of toilet paper at one time without flushing.

• It is better to flush multiple times, rather than put a lot of paper in at once and risk a clog.

• Re-fill the bowl with water before each flush.

• To flush the toilet, push the foot pedal down and hold it down to flush the bowl. Let the water run a bit with the pedal held down after the flush, then release the pedal. Repeat if necessary.

• After a flush, it takes a minute or so for the vacuum pump to build pressure again before you can flush a second time. You can hear the vacuum pump run and then stop, and then it is ready.

Click to expand...

No one is going to read that unless they are sitting on the toilet for a long period of time…. Then the damage is done

I say pee only ...nothing else...and point to the waste basket if youre not sure

Martin777int said:

Newest twist. Weak vacuum lead me to believe the duck bill valves need to be replaced. Head was seldom used but it is a 2008 boat.

Now mechanics tell me they located a leak in the sanitary line from the head to the rear of the boat flush system. The line needs to be replaced. It runs under the deck and they will not touch this repair as its way too big from them.

Anybody our there have any idea about all this? Doesn't sound too good.....

Click to expand...

Usually the leaks happen at joints, so, assuming the section under the deck is just one long run, I'd be scrutinizing the end connections. If it turns out to be the hose itself, hire a skinny teenager to snake a new hose in.

Short and simple, and will be posted in front and behind the head in my boat "Do not flush anything that didn't first come out of your body".

Nater Potater said:

Usually the leaks happen at joints, so, assuming the section under the deck is just one long run, I'd be scrutinizing the end connections. If it turns out to be the hose itself, hire a skinny teenager to snake a new hose in.

Click to expand...

I'm headed to the boat today or tomorrow. Time to scrutinize it myself. Shitty job (pun intended)

"You clog it, you fix it."

-Chris