TDX Chemical Treatment

F

fishingfever

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Joined
Jun 2, 2007
RO Number
26575
Messages
26
Help, is there anywhere to find parts for my TDX chemical treatment system on my Sea Ray.
 
TDX chemical system? What's that? We need more info....well, Vic doesn't...but most of the rest of us do.
 
TDX was a combination holding tank and batch Type I treatment system that was developed by Mansfield Sanitary, back in the '70's. When SeaLand bought out the marine Division of Mansfield Sanitary, back in the early '80's, they changed the name of the system to San-X. SeaLand discontinued the system around the mid-'90's, and to my knowldege, you can't get parts for it any longer. You can get the chemical for it however, contact NorthEast Sanitation and talk to Mike Starito. Do a websearch on Northeast Sanitation, you'll find it. They're based on Long Island, NY. You can also talk to Mike about the availability of parts for the system, but I wouldn't be very optimistic about it.

The system was Coast Guard-certified, and worked fairly well. It incorporated an 8 gallon holding tank (later models had a 9 gallon tank) and when it was full, it treated the contents all at one time (batch treatment). On the downside, the chemical used was a Formalyn solution (in English, formaldehyde). Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, and once that information became commonly known, the popularity of the system declined dramatically.
 
I've got one and it works. The other drawback other than the formaldahyde is that when you "batch" treat in clear water you get a big nasty cloud around your boat and nobody is going to believe you have a "legal" system or that it isn't "gross". We are always waiting around until nightfal to run it for this reason and it always feels like your sneaking around.

That's why I'm keeping my eye on the new treat n hold systems and see if they end up building a following or not.

I had to tear apart the pump that injects the treatment solution. If you touch or inhale the tinyest amount of that treatment stuff you will feel ill immediately. I'm not a big fan of it. The solution you can actually find all over the place. West carries it, so does most other chandleries. It runs about 25 bucks a gallon or so and is good for 4 treatments on my unit, which is labeled mansfield and is from 1980.

bp
 
Call Fleet Repair- 239-910-8102, he may still have some parts left. You can also try Environmental Marine, if they don't have any parts they can probably help you find them, 1-800-522-2656.

I just sold a nearly complete set of brand new SanX treatment parts I had as back up. Wish you'd been around when they were for sale.

ps. Get a Port Supply account with West Marine and the chemical is around $16.00 per gallon.
 
Keep in mind that when using a formaldehyde-based system you are not doing the environment any favors.
 
I've got the same TDX system in my 1980 Searay 360 Express, but the system is inoperative, so I have what amounts to a 9 gallon holding tank. Not very useful, so I'm thinking about just removing the whole system, keeping the vacuflush part, and putting in a normal 35 gallon holding tank. I believe I have plenty of room in the engine room where the TDX is currently installed. I have no problem with the occasional trip to the pumpout station, but a 9 gallon tank makes the trips too frequent. Any gotchas waiting on me with this modification?
 
Shouldn't be any real problem, just make the vent line from the new tank as large in diameter as you can, even if it means installing a new vent through-hull fitting. The bigger the vent line, the more air that can get into the tank, and as a result, the less odor out the vent.
 
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