Smelly heads

[Boofleman]

Hi all,
I'm new to this site so go careful with me.
Recently installed a new electric Jabsco head. Popped it in exactly where the old manual head went.
Waste is to a holding tank about 8 meters from head unit.

Head flushes fine, plenty of incoming water and all waste cleared from pan. However, after a couple of hours the flush water disappears from the pan and a nasty smell is coming up (which I assume is coming from the holding tank).
This didn't happen with the manual unit so me thinks it is something to do with the new one. Any ideas anyone?

many thanks

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Boofleman.

[ranger58sb]

What model of Jabsco? What water supply, fresh or sea water?


A first thought: if odor really is returning from the holding tank, and if you have a joker valve in the system... it may be failing, or installed badly, something like that...


-Chris

[a64pilot]

Easiest thing to check first would be the vent for the holding tank I think.
Peggy will be along soon I think and can better advise

[Boofleman]

Thank you

[Boofleman]

Hi. At present I'm drawing raw fresh water (I'm on a river). Is a joker valve a kind of non-return device?
I suppose if this joker was failing it would make some sense. I'll check it out.
Thanks

[Greenhand]

Are you saying that it never really functioned properly?

-Does your system have all the proper vented loops?
-8 meters is a looooong run of hose. Does it go up and down in all the right places, with no sagging low spots?
-Was the joker valve installed properly (see owner's manual, as this is usually part of the toilet itself, right where it meets the sanitation hose)?

[Boofleman]

Hello Greenhand.
The manual toilet on the same pipe system worked fine. I then installed the electric Jabsco unit (which is new) and it does not keep water in the bowl.
Most of the sanitation hose I cannot see so don't know about sags, etc. Not sure what a vented loop is! How would I know if I have one? I've not owned the boat (an old cruiser) that long so still learning.
Thanks

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by Boofleman

Hello Greenhand.
The manual toilet on the same pipe system worked fine. I then installed the electric Jabsco unit (which is new) and it does not keep water in the bowl.
Most of the sanitation hose I cannot see so don't know about sags, etc. Not sure what a vented loop is! How would I know if I have one? I've not owned the boat (an old cruiser) that long so still learning.
Thanks

Follow the hose. A vented loop is a big U shape, probably black or gray plastic, at the highest point of the hose. It should be above the water line at all times, even healed over. It will have a little cap at the top of the U. It is possible that the work done knocked some debris loose that is now clogging the little duckbill valve in that cap.

It sounds likely that there was a problem with the installation. If you had it done professionally, get them back. If DIY, check *everything* against the troubleshooting section of the manual.

[JPA Cate]

Peggy Hall is a member of this forum, so you could PM her. She knows more than anyone else about "Marine Toilet Odors and What to do About Them." Google her for the correct title of her book. You'll teach yourself what to do in this situation. The book is a sort of "everything you wanted to know about marine sanitation devices but were afraid to ask."

Ann

[Stu Jackson]

Get Rid of Boat Odors