Difference between revisions of "Smelly Head"

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The Head Mistress aka Peggy Hall is the expert on marine heads and holding tank systems.  Her book is available at most marine stores or online.  She moderates a forum at www.catalinaowners.com  select forum, then expert forum, Marine Sanitation.  Here is the link  http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/menunew.tpl?fno=31
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The Head Mistress aka Peggy Hall is the expert on marine heads and holding tank systems.  Her book is available at most marine stores or online.  She moderates a forum at www.catalinaowners.com  select forum, then expert forum, Marine Sanitation.  Here is the link  http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/menunew.tpl?fno=31 One thing to note is that Peggie does NOT recommend the use of head vent filters - they only make things WORSE! 
 
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'''Why does the Head Smell FAQ'''  [http://c34.org/faq-pages/faq-head.html]
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Two projects from Capt Al to reduce head smell.  Fresh water flush and a head vent filter.  [http://www.c34.org/projects/projects-head.html]
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Why does the head smell? [http://c34.org/faq-pages/faq-head.html]
 
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'''Vent Filter'''
 
I just finished building a vent filter for the holding tank. The breakthrough thought came from my wife, while we were discussing the possibilities, and I asked what the filter medium could be.  She immediately suggested activated charcoal, which makes perfect sense, and I was soon off to Hechingers for parts.  I built a U-tube structure with 2" PVC sanitary piping and 3/4" elbow end fittings to connect into the vent tubing where it rises up past the electrical panel in the aft-most cuddy on the port side.    The U is about 12" long, and 8" wide, and is filled with a mixture of straight activated charcoal and something called "Ammocarb".  These came from a pet store, where they are sold in bulk to people who own fish.  They are used to filter out the same noxious gases in fish tanks.  I have never seen the commercial product, and didn't know how big the absorber bed is, so I figured that a bed that was 2" in diameter by about 30" long should be fine.  If not, I can extend it by adding some more loops. The U also has a side tap so that I can empty and refill it when the  charcoal is exhausted.  The whole thing cost about $20 in parts,and about $10 for the charcoal.  And I can re-fill it very cheaply. I filled one leg with Ammocarb, and the other with straight charcoal. It works very well, and we now don't have to worry about stinking up a whole raft of boats any more! (Ralph Caruso)
 

Latest revision as of 05:43, 30 January 2009

The Head Mistress aka Peggy Hall is the expert on marine heads and holding tank systems. Her book is available at most marine stores or online. She moderates a forum at www.catalinaowners.com select forum, then expert forum, Marine Sanitation. Here is the link http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/menunew.tpl?fno=31 One thing to note is that Peggie does NOT recommend the use of head vent filters - they only make things WORSE!

Two projects from Capt Al to reduce head smell. Fresh water flush and a head vent filter. [1]

Why does the head smell? [2]