Porta potti pump out procedure

[Chris Nowell]

It just occurred to me that I may be doing this wrong; Our 240 DA has a simple porta potti type head with a pump out fitting on the gunwhale. When we pump it out I leave the flush valve in the "open" position and don't close it until I'm finished pumping and rinsing twice. Should the valve be in the open or closed position for these types of devices? I'm thinking "open" to allow the air to replace the effluent as it is pumped??????? :smt017

 

[bbwhitejr]

Don't know for sure, but your logic certainly makes sense. If you have no vent, and do not leave the valve open, something is going to pressurize and collapse.

Bennett

 

[rpasquarello]

It just occurred to me that I may be doing this wrong; Our 240 DA has a simple porta potti type head with a pump out fitting on the gunwhale. When we pump it out I leave the flush valve in the "open" position and don't close it until I'm finished pumping and rinsing twice. Should the valve be in the open or closed position for these types of devices? I'm thinking "open" to allow the air to replace the effluent as it is pumped??????? :smt017

I leave ours open slightly when pumping out. I also learned to fill it again with just clean water after pumping it out the first time and doing it again before the pumpout boat leaves or before I leave the dock. That way it gets all the material out. Since it only holds either 2 1/2 or 5 gallons, it really doesn't take that long and helps keep the odors down.

I also put more waste tank treatment mix in, as it is relatively inexpensive and well worth it to keep things smelling nice.

 

[KC_Sundancer]

I leave ours open slightly when pumping out. I also learned to fill it again with just clean water after pumping it out the first time and doing it again before the pumpout boat leaves or before I leave the dock. That way it gets all the material out. Since it only holds either 2 1/2 or 5 gallons, it really doesn't take that long and helps keep the odors down.

I also put more waste tank treatment mix in, as it is relatively inexpensive and well worth it to keep things smelling nice.

I do the same with our 5 gallon.

 

[k-nutz]

It just occurred to me that I may be doing this wrong; Our 240 DA has a simple porta potti type head with a pump out fitting on the gunwhale. When we pump it out I leave the flush valve in the "open" position and don't close it until I'm finished pumping and rinsing twice. Should the valve be in the open or closed position for these types of devices? I'm thinking "open" to allow the air to replace the effluent as it is pumped??????? :smt017

Well this thread certainly helps me out a little bit... I was scratching my head slightly when I attempted to pump out for the first time recently and NOTHING came out. I was positive that there would be something that should come out since my kids use the head occasionally. When I attempted pump out the flush valve was fully closed. So based on you saying you successfully pump out with the valve opens leads me to believe you are doing it the right way and I was doing it the wrong way.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Good to know. The Admiral keeps watch over the potti when we pump out and I actually use the fresh water hose at the pump out station to fill the holding tank back up with fresh water through the pump out fitting. Then we pump it out again, and fill and pump it one more time to make sure it's rinsed. Sure be nice to have a bigger holding tank though. On the hook for a day and night usually means a trip to the pump out dock ASAP.

 

[Molson]

There should be a vent line attached. You shouldn't have to open the flush valve, I don't see how it would hurt, but you shouldn't have to if the vent is working properly.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Right, shouldn't have to open the valve. If it's needed, then there is probably a blockage or kink in the vent line. But, yes, can't hurt.

Chris - do you have the small "holding tank" (2.5gallon)? The one about 5" tall? There's a replacement holding tank available that is double the size.

 

[k-nutz]

There should be a vent line attached. You shouldn't have to open the flush valve, I don't see how it would hurt, but you shouldn't have to if the vent is working properly.

I'm gonna have to do some troubleshooting then cause I dunno why mine wouldn't pumpout. I had everything hooked up right, just didn't have anything come out

 

[Chris Nowell]

Right, shouldn't have to open the valve. If it's needed, then there is probably a blockage or kink in the vent line. But, yes, can't hurt.

Chris - do you have the small "holding tank" (2.5gallon)? The one about 5" tall? There's a replacement holding tank available that is double the size.

Dennis,

Yea, our tank is the small one. Any ideas are appreciated. PM me if you have a part # and/or procedure, thanx.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Procedure is simple as the larger bottom portion is a direct replacement. The pictures below are out of one of my supplier catalogs that I keep at home (disregard the pricing - that's full retail - you'll find it for less). I don't have a direct part number for the bottom portion as any time I've ordered it I've just called the order in to my supplier. But I'm sure you can get it through someone locally or on the internet. Make sure you get the "MSD" style for pumpout use.

I believe this is the style you currently have (if it's the original and I'm remembering correctly)



This is the newer style, FYI. But must be bought as an entire unit.

 

[Joe5.0]

I'm sure you have a vent, as its kind of needed to pump out correctly. The previous comments are spot-on, definitely keep adding clean water to the "holding tank" as you're getting it pumped out. If its like mine it will still leave a 1/2" of liquid on the bottom, so the more water you run through the less chance of any smell.

I definitely would do everything possible to make it a "number 1" only toilet. I cant imagine it being able to pump out anything solid very well.