Black water discharge?

[TomEllis]

I just got a 1996 24' SCR.
The previous owner said the waste from the head went into the black water holding tank.
When I pumped the head it discharged over board (not good)
Is there a valve some where to switch to holding tank and overboard?
This boat also has a macerator pump and standard pump out on the stern.
Thank You
Tom

[mmwjr]

The basic set up is the holding tank with a waste pump out on the starboard stern for vacuum suck out at a pumpout station. Since you were able to discharge overboard you must have pressed the two switches simultaneously. These are only for overboard discharge.

[TomEllis]

yes that is correct there is 2 switches for the macerator pump under the dash below the steering wheel to the right.
I did not push them, All I did was raise and lower the handle at the head, like you would do when you flush.
That is why I was wondering if there is a valve some wear that needs to be turned?

[mmwjr]

Sounds like you might have a valve. The holding tank is in the engine compartment on the starboard side, look in that area for the valve. My 97’ did not come from the factory with one nor a macerator.

[TomEllis]

Thank you, I will keep looking.
Since you have 24' SCR. Do you ever get water in the forward bilge? If so where does it come from? I took about 2 gallons out of mine today and have no Idea where it came in from.

Thanks again
Tom

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by TomEllis

Thank you, I will keep looking.
Since you have 24' SCR. Do you ever get water in the forward bilge? If so where does it come from? I took about 2 gallons out of mine today and have no Idea where it came in from.

Thanks again
Tom

Yes the top is broken off my hawse to anchor locker which lets water in and drains into the forward bilge I believe.

[shrew]

Offshore boats, like sailboats will have this configuration. There is a Y valve that diverts between direct discharge and the holding tank. This allows them to discharge directly at sea, and then switch to a holding tank when they come into port.

The other configuration option most are describing is a macerator that discharges from the holding tank itself. The OP sounds like he has the former option, which is very unusual.

[sph801]

Just want to throw one more idea out there. I had a clogged vent on the waste holding tank. The pressure when I flushed would build up in the tank and force waste out through the macerator pump.


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[shrew]

Originally Posted by sph801

Just want to throw one more idea out there. I had a clogged vent on the waste holding tank. The pressure when I flushed would build up in the tank and force waste out through the macerator pump.

If you have the setup which has the macerator drawing from the holding tank and either the macerator discharge is above water, OR if the discharge is below water and the seacock is open, then yes I could see this occurring.

[sph801]

Originally Posted by shrew

If you have the setup which has the macerator drawing from the holding tank and either the macerator discharge is above water, OR if the discharge is below water and the seacock is open, then yes I could see this occurring.

My macerator draws from the tank and the discharge is above the waterline.


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[shrew]

You'd be having a difficult time pumping out and would more than likely hear pressure release when you open the pump-put deck plate, if that were the case.