Winterizing a head system with a macerator.

R

Radiowaves

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Winterizing a head system with a macerator.

In the past I have winterized my head system at a boat yard. I would first have my head pumped out and flushed a couple of times with a little bleach until there was no more residue coming up the hose.

They would flush the necessary amount of Non-Tox pink antifreeze, I think about 2-3 gal into the holding tank. Open my seacock then turn on the macerator, then push the discharge button for a couple of seconds to allow the antifreeze to pass though the system. Then close the seacock turn off the discharge. Finally flush a bit more down to fill a couple of inches in the holding tank.

My big question is, how is that allowed in a NDZ, or is that standard practice since it is assumed that there are no pollutants.

How else would you winterize the overboard discharge part of the head system? Can you have the seacock closed and press the discharge button and the antifreeze would fill up to the through hull fitting?
 
I would do a great job of irrigating the head until clear water is pumped out. When on the hard I would run the macerator and pump clear water with mild bleach through that onto the ground. Then I would add enough non-toxic -100 RV antifreeze to the head, holding tank and macerator and look for pink at the macerator discharge fitting when the macerator is run. Not sure if this is legal but it will be safe and effective.
 
quote:
Originally posted by sbw1

I would do a great job of irrigating the head until clear water is pumped out. When on the hard I would run the macerator and pump clear water with mild bleach through that onto the ground. Then I would add enough non-toxic -100 RV antifreeze to the head, holding tank and macerator and look for pink at the macerator discharge fitting when the macerator is run. Not sure if this is legal but it will be safe and effective.

Click to expand...


I do mostly the same thing, but I am in the water for the winter and winterizing in water. Therefore, looking to see if there is another way other than opening the seacock and discharging a slight bit of non-tox. What is the system others here do who winterize in water ?
 
Vic, can you add anything to my question ?

I would think that a few RO's here keep there boat in the water in the N/E and have to winterize the head and macerator.

Brad
 
If your head flushes with raw water, it's fairly simple, and you're on the right track. You'll need about 3 gallons of RV anti-freeze (known as "Pink Pop"). Go to the inlet through-hull that supplies the flush water for the head and turn off the seacock. After turning off the seacock, remove the hose from the seacock. Stick the end of the hose in the jug of RV anti-freeze and have someone else flush the toilet. Do this until all 3 gallons of anti-freeze have been flushed through the head. Stick a wood plug in the end of the hose and leave it disconnected from the through-hull until spring. The head is now winterized.

At the other end, run your macerator for about 30 seconds, to pull the anti-freeze from the tank, through the macerator and overboard. You can have your confederate look over the side where the exit through-hull is for the macerator. When he/she sees evidence of the anti-freeze being pumped out in the water, stop the pump, turn off the through-hull, and you're all done. It's OK to discharge RV anti-freeze (pink pop) into the water, just not engine anti-freeze (green or yellow).
 
Vic, our holding tank is fresh water supplied, but the info you gave is very helpful

Thanks

Brad
 
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