Raritan LetroSan Head Dumping

[ravinracin]

LectroSan head, I am not sure where to post this question, Health and Safety, Rules, or Plumbing.

I have a Raritan LectroSan head on my new (to me) boat. I got it working properly, now I have been told by a couple of boaters docked near me that I can't use it. Everything I read about the unit says it is the only USCG approved head you can legally dump in US waters. Where do I find the rules? Does anyone know or is this just scuttlebutt I am hearing. Do I really need to install a holding tank? If you can, please help me with this one.

[mr_f]

Here is a map of the no discharge zones in California:

http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/no-...pFinalRule.pdf

In the areas marked in yellow, you are not allowed to use the lectrasan. Everywhere else, you are good.

EDIT: here is more information:

http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/no-discharge/

[HopCar]

Actually there are realitively few areas where you can't discharge treated waste. The Florida Keys is one area and you may be in another where you can't discharge. If Peggie Hall sees this thread she can tell you. I'd give Raritan a call. I bet they keep track of that.

I see Mr F has given you a better answer before I hit the submit button.

[HopCar]

If you travel in and out of no discharge zones it's a good idea to have a hold and treat system that allows you to hold sewage on board until you can legally treat and dump it.
Raritan can help you set it up using your existing treatment system.

[ravinracin]

HopCar, Mr F, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much. I just got the system back on line yesterday and it looks like I am good. Now the mast lights and I can take this thing out! It is supposed to be in the high 70's on Saturday, hope there is a little wind.

[mr_f]

Worth noting: not sure about CA, but around here, a marina may have rules against using it at your slip (and your local divers may be happier if you use shore-side facilities while in the marina even if the lectrasan is allowed).

[KadeyKrogen38]

Please note that your are dumping treated waste with this unit, not untreated. Treated waste can be discharged in a navigaable waterway in most areas.

[Boatyarddog]

These lectrosan systems are garbage in my opinion, rarely do they perform as advertised, and you wouldn't know its working unless you tested the effluent.
There not legal in a No discharge zone.
For the costs to install and purchase this system you can add a holding tank.
Remember, no paper in that system, it will clog it and make the Cathode plates ineffectual.


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[cal40john]

Originally Posted by Boatyarddog

These lectrosan systems are garbage in my opinion, rarely do they perform as advertised, and you wouldn't know its working unless you tested the effluent.
There not legal in a No discharge zone.
For the costs to install and purchase this system you can add a holding tank.
Remember, no paper in that system, it will clog it and make the Cathode plates ineffectual.


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If I understand the OP, he fixed an already installed Lectrosan.

My limited experience cruising on a friend's boat was that it worked fine, as you state I have no idea how well it actually treated the sewage. I can't remember seeing any negative reports, what is your experience that it is crap?

The WA eco czar trying to make Puget Sound an NDZ also says they "probably" don't work as advertised. She apparently has no data, but has trashed a product to advance her campaign. Not related but disturbs me was her stating as a reason to make Puget Sound an NDZ was that other states have NDZ's and WA has none. Really!!! That's sound reasoning.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by cal40john

If I understand the OP, he fixed an already installed Lectrosan.



My limited experience cruising on a friend's boat was that it worked fine, as you state I have no idea how well it actually treated the sewage. I can't remember seeing any negative reports, what is your experience that it is crap?



The WA eco czar trying to make Puget Sound an NDZ also says they "probably" don't work as advertised. She apparently has no data, but has trashed a product to advance her campaign. Not related but disturbs me was her stating as a reason to make Puget Sound an NDZ was that other states have NDZ's and WA has none. Really!!! That's sound reasoning.

You won't see negative reports of these systems, as they are basically uninspectable.
You must have a sense of how this system is supposed to work to see that they are relying on the user to monitor, inspect for external leakage and use relatively complicated amperage calculations ,and salt content in the add-on tank to achieve the expected results.
These units are tested in mostly non marine environments, where salt concentrates are un decernable in the water the boat sits in.
Even with the tank that the user must maintain.
Every one that I've inspected needed cathodes replaced, as well The batteries that supplied amperage to break down the salt into bleach were not up to specs.
I just tell folks not to buy them, they are junk!
My opinion.


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[Boatyarddog]

The OP probably doesn't really know if it's doing the job correctly, if they rely on the control features to support claims this unit is indeed working thats not accurate as its only showing the equipment working, not the out of the discharge port results, that requires a composition study.


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[senormechanico]

Here's a link to the owner's manual.
I don't see ANYTHING saying no TP.

http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/...scanmanual.pdf

Imho, you have a pretty low opinion of boat owner's intelligence in your posts.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Here's a link to the owner's manual.
I don't see ANYTHING saying no TP.

http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/...scanmanual.pdf

Imho, you have a pretty low opinion of boat owner's intelligence in your posts.

Try it and see what happens oner time.
You ever had one of these units?
I've had 2 and both were in need of repair.
I've said nothing of the intelligence level of anyone.
Your bias, in that assumption.
You should be asking me that question, not assuming it.
I do know for fact that you cannot be certain of these units efficiency.
As well your not going to know its efficiency unless you do an analysis.
That's not going to happen unless your really into knowing that info.
With a holding tank its assured that it's not affecting water quality.


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[senormechanico]

I have both a holding tank and an ElectroScan.

The manual of the ElectroScan (not referring to the Lectrasan) has error codes and tells you what is happening.
It also recommends cleaning the unit every six months.
If people don't follow directions, that's not the fault of the manufacturer, and not proof they "are junk".

Don't give a 16 year old a Lambo and call it junk when they crash into a tree while powersliding around a tight curve.

[roverhi]

Had a LectroSan on my previous boat. Worked find for 10 years, 3 of theose years in daily use and we did use toilet paper though it was single thickness paper not Charmin. Have an ElecroScan, newer model in current boat but haven't hooked it up yet.

FWIW, sewage does not need to be treated in salt water. Pathogens are very short lived in salt water. Not a good idea to have a ton of boats in a confined marina using the head but doubt there are very many that do if the shore facilities are functioning. Of course, every time they have a hard rain, the shoreside sewage treatment plants dump untreated sewage by the millions of gallons into the local waters. Questionable whether using the marina's heads is doing anything under those circumstances.

The stampede to NDZ is just the poo nazis and politicians trying to justify their enormous salaries.