need to pump holding tank into septic, what pump?

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Kastlercreative

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Greetings,

coming to the experts here, but looking for a way to pump our holding tank (28 gallon) into our septic tank a few times a year.

I Do not wish to use a shop vac, so what are my options?

Boat can back right over septic tank inlet and will sit on trailer. I would prefer something I can just screw into the pumpout fitting and pump from there... I doubt a macerator will have the suction/lift I need. I would prefer to create at least 10lbs vacuum.

Does anyone make something like this? I'm hoping to avoid buying a pricey waste caddy.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you!
 
you probably don't have a macerator already installed since you're inland otherwise jsut insert a hose in the TH and turn it on. making sure the hose stays in... :-)

why don't you add a macerator in the boat, using a pair of Y valves to bypass the pump out line.

cut the pump out hose, insert a Y valve on each end, link them with a piece of hose on one side, and a piece of hose with a macerator on the other side.

for normal pump out, leave the valves on the direct path. for assisted pump out, switch to the side with the macerator and screw in a waste hose/fitting on the deck fitting.

that shoudl work...
 
Hi Pascal,

I'm considering that, it would be pretty easy to do as the waste tank is in the engine room and actually has pretty good access...

I'd probably want to install this before we use the tank for the first time, less mess that way...

Thanks for the idea...I thought I'd seen some kind of hand pump before that would work too, but can't recall where I'd seen it.

At our new marina, which is about as least fancy as they come, all we'll have use of is a waste caddy, so I plan to bring her home a couple of times per season and do a good cleaning on the hull and tanks....

I wonder if I could get my ex to come over a siphon it out?
 
the hand pump you saw was probably a diaphram pump. They will pass junk without clogging.
 
http://www.boatfix.com/catalog/582.pdf
 
An inline macerator would probably do the best job. I use a drill pump to pump out my holding tank. I just run a line into the tank thru the pump out, works fine.
 
Consider this setup that I have been using for three years:

4259660_5_49537.jpg


The top photo is the macerator pump and adaper. It's powered by a cord and plug that fits the dash 12 volt outlet.

The bottom photo is the hose and the modification I made to the house waste system. It could be run into a septic system or an RV dump station.

BTW, the pump does have the necessary lift.
 
Ron,

That is exactly what I'm looking for I just didn;t know what Macerator/pump would have enough lift...

does it get it pretty clean?

Also, can you let me know what pump you're using, that setup would be perfect.

Thank you for the photos too!
 
Ron:

Nice setup.

Kastlercreative:

If possible, stick a garden hose in the vent (providing there is no vent filter in place) and turn it on full blast while pumping. It is what I do at the pumpout station. The water will help to scour the sides of the tank. Helps with odor a lot. Camco makes a product called a Tornado that RVer's I know use and like that accomplishes the same thing. It is just a slicker setup. I think GeeBee has one on his boat. Les may have them. Another way to keep the tank cleaner is to put water softener in the tank. It serves to put an oily film on the tank to preclude any waste from sticking to it. Calgon makes a liquid easily stored.
 
Thanks Kida for the ideas...

I was also curious if there is a hose going down from the macerator into the tank? or is it just sucking everything out right from deck cap.

Also, do you need to prime this to get it to work...

thanks again Guys!
 
It's a standard mascerator, a Jabsco, I believe. It was about $125.00 when I bought it. There's no hose going into the tank. Look at the photo. The mascerator would be able to screw directly into the pumpout fitting but the discharge nipple would hit the side of the boat while you're screwing it in. I got two PVC plumbing fittings at the home center, one that screws into the pumpout fitting (it has male threads) and one that screws onto the macerator (it has female threads and a straight portion that slips into the other fitting). All I have to do is remover the cover on the deck fitting, screw the PVC piece into the deck fitting, and slip the pump (its PVC piece stays on it) into it. Then attach the hose to the pump, put the other end of the hose into the drain, and plug the pump into the 12 volt outlet.

I think it gets it about as clean as the pumpout I used to use at the state park. If you're really concerned (like before long term storage) pull the pump out and run several gallons of water through the deck fitting, then pump again. It takes a few seconds before the effluent begins to flow. I haven't had to prime the pump but you could by sticking it into a container of water and running the pump.

I've had two questions by others who have seen this setup on the web:

1. Don't you think you need a hose clamp where the discharge hose connects to the pump? - No, it makes it much harder to deal with the pump and the hose hasn't fallen off yet! (There's very little pressure as the other end is open).

2. Why a clear hose? That's "yuckky"! - With a clear hose you can tell when you're finished. Just like the brown and white corncobs in the outhouse.
 
Ron,

thanks for the info... that'll work perfect for me, and is alot less expensive than the other options I was considering...

much appreciated!

Lou
 
NEAT setup! I think I'll build one. I'll put a hose clamp on the pump discharge though... I realize you've been using it for three years but if the hose ever blows off it could get "poopy"
 
quote:
Originally posted by stmbtwle

NEAT setup! I think I'll build one. I'll put a hose clamp on the pump discharge though... I realize you've been using it for three years but if the hose ever blows off it could get "poopy"

Click to expand...

Point the discharge port away from you when in use! ;)
 
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