Pump out fun

mcraigchr · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:11 pm

Gents,

New 248 owner (2003 model). Slowly but surely, I am learning the boat. I discovered the holding tank meters yesterday in the head. They say that my fresh water is empty and my gray and black water are full.

First, it completely disgusts me that I purchased this boat in Colorado and pulled it all the way back to Texas with someone else's crap in it.

On to my questions:

1) On the starboard rear of the boat, I have 4 steel caps. One is the fuel, one says "WASTE", (which I assume to be the black water) ... and here's where it is slightly confusing: I have two caps that say "WATER". I read the manual and it briefly mentions that the "WATER" cap directly in front of the "WASTE" cap is the gray water holding tank. Which means that the cap that is actually on the angled piece of the hull (closest to the fuel cap) is the fresh water fill up?

Can anyone tell me for sure before I go to the pump out station and create a bio-hazard?

Thanks,
Craig C.

Flyer51 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:54 pm

Well that's pretty crappy of them :lol:

I don't recall my gray water waste cap saying water so I'm guessing they replaced one of yours. They are not attached so they can easily fall into the lake. Yes the one in front of the in the group of two on the starboard side is the gray water on my V278. I am assuming yours is the same. It could be a problem if the waste has been in there for a long time or the sensors could be defective. I know that has been discussed in another thread.

mcraigchr · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:11 pm

Flyer51 wrote:

Well that's pretty crappy of them :lol:

I don't recall my gray water waste cap saying water so I'm guessing they replaced one of yours. They are not attached so they can easily fall into the lake. Yes the one in front of the in the group of two on the starboard side is the gray water on my V278. I am assuming yours is the same. It could be a problem if the waste has been in there for a long time or the sensors could be defective. I know that has been discussed in another thread.

That is where my confusion is ... the manual states that there are two "WASTE" caps ... I only have one, but I have two "WATER". So, as you stated, the gray water "WASTE" cap probably fell in the lake and the previous owner replaced it with a "WATER" cap.

I recall reading that the sensors might be defective ... but how would I know for sure? The tanks themselves appear to have a covering that conceal the ability to "eyeball" the level. I think my only choice is to attempt a pump out of the black and gray water tanks.

Since I plan to flush the fresh water system at the same time, I should at least get something out of the gray water tank after running the faucets (provided my shower sump is functioning). I'll flush the head a few times to drive some lake water into the black water tank as well.

I'm a "Pump Out Virgin" as this will be my first time ... ever. Any advice?

I intend to put 1 gallon of bleach in with the 20 gallons of fresh water to flush/disinfect the fresh water system. Then fill it up and drain it 3-4 times. This should take care of disinfecting the gray water tank as well. With the black water tank, I'll add some of the cleaner/deodorizer solution (not bleach).

Sound reasonable?

Craig C.

bhurley · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:24 pm

As for the pump out. In NH it is free at marinas that sell gas. The attendant will do it for you. They will pump out both tanks. I am not sure if it is the same in texas. It is customary here to give a decent tip after that.

If you have to do it yourself. Just make sure once it starts dont move the hose.

Good luck
Bill

lake_norman_vic · **Joined:** Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:14 am **Posts:** 72

Check out this thread, too:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3790

Flyer51 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:52 pm

I don't know how to tell if the sensors are defective and I'm certainly not saying yours are. I do know that when our gray water fills up the sink water will not go down. You could always start by trying that. I still live in fear of my black water tank filling up to max. I haven't had that happen as I am pretty cautious about getting it pumped out once it goes up to the third sensor. I think your sensors might be different. Just this past weekend I had to stay on the boat longer than we had planned before pumping and I was worried about it filling up. Perhaps someone here can tell us what happens when the black water tank gets maxed. I've heard it is not wise to do that but I don't know for sure.

On our lake you can dump the gray water and I was always having a problem with my gray water tank filling first. I ended up routing everything but my galley sink into the same line as my bilge pump. I may even add that line so it goes overboard this weekend. If you are interested I can fill you in on how I did it. I used the bilge line so I would not need to cut another hole in the hull. I installed back flow devices in all the lines so there is no chance I would pump back into my bilge.

Be careful with the bleach. A gallon seems like a lot to use and it can react with some of the hoses and seals. I wouldn't leave it in there too long. We don't drink the water coming out of the freshwater tank. On my 278 there is a filter that is accessed by removing the bottom step. You might as well find that on yours and clean out the screen that is in the filter. My guess is it could be clogged or close to it if it is not already. You really need to know about it and where it's at anyway before you have a problem with it on the lake. Mine has clogged twice but it was from the plastic shreds left in there from the manufacturing process.

Pump out is free on our dock but those kids always get at least a $5 tip. I don't want to do it!

mcraigchr · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:02 pm

Flyer51 wrote:

On our lake you can dump the gray water and I was always having a problem with my gray water tank filling first. I ended up routing everything but my galley sink into the same line as my bilge pump. I may even add that line so it goes overboard this weekend. If you are interested I can fill you in on how I did it. I used the bilge line so I would not need to cut another hole in the hull. I installed back flow devices in all the lines so there is no chance I would pump back into my bilge.

Be careful with the bleach. A gallon seems like a lot to use and it can react with some of the hoses and seals. I wouldn't leave it in there too long. We don't drink the water coming out of the freshwater tank. On my 278 there is a filter that is accessed by removing the bottom step. You might as well find that on yours and clean out the screen that is in the filter. My guess is it could be clogged or close to it if it is not already. You really need to know about it and where it's at anyway before you have a problem with it on the lake. Mine has clogged twice but it was from the plastic shreds left in there from the manufacturing process.

Pump out is free on our dock but those kids always get at least a $5 tip. I don't want to do it!

Pump out in my marina is open 24 hours ... do-it-yourself. I'm not afraid of dumping the contents ... I can always shower off if things get messy.

Now I have two other questions ... one you brought up. A fresh water filter. I wasn't aware of one and now I need to research that.

Secondly, I'm confused about the sump. The manual says that the shower and sink dump into the sump which then dumps into the gray water tank.

However, the manual also says that the A/C dumps into the shower sump. However, when I turn the A/C on, it shoots out the side of the hull. I'm confused about how some things seem to go into the gray water tank but the A/C goes overboard ... using the same pump? Am I missing something?

Craig C.

Flyer51 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:12 pm

Your lucky the pump out is open 24 hours. Ours is not and you have to know when the gas dock closes or risk spending the night with a full tank.

The AC line that they are talking about going into the sump is the condensate line. The water you see shooting out is from your ac/heat pump itself.

As far as the filter is concerned I found mine the hard way after the water stopped flowing and the pump wouldn't shut off. I don't know if you have one. Mine is a clear sediment bowl with a fine screen in it near the fresh water pump. I unscrew it and remove the contents. Water will continue to flow if you have a full tank but you can do it quickly without spilling too much water into the bilge.

mcraigchr · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:37 pm

Flyer51 wrote:

Your lucky the pump out is open 24 hours. Ours is not and you have to know when the gas dock closes or risk spending the night with a full tank.

The AC line that they are talking about going into the sump is the condensate line. The water you see shooting out is from your ac/heat pump itself.

As far as the filter is concerned I found mine the hard way after the water stopped flowing and the pump wouldn't shut off. I don't know if you have one. Mine is a clear sediment bowl with a fine screen in it near the fresh water pump. I unscrew it and remove the contents. Water will continue to flow if you have a full tank but you can do it quickly without spilling too much water into the bilge.

Well that explains another issue possibly. I have been noticing that water is collecting in the bilge. Not a lot, but enough to leave me wondering where it's coming from. If the gray water holding tank is FULL as the meters indicate, then the condensate from the A/C might be spilling over the sump and draining into the bilge.

I'd be willing to bet big dollars that my sump pump is fried too. Dang it.

I need to check the local laws to see if gray water dumping is allowed at my lake (Lake Grapevine). If so, I would like to put a "Y" on the line and discharge it overboard and bypass the holding tank altogether.

Craig C.

jrcinnh · **Joined:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:13 am **Posts:** 313

The head the pump will keep pumping your blackwater tank until it fills, then it will push the stuff up your vent line and into your vent filter (if you have one) and then eventually out the vent fitting on the side of the boat. This is not a good thing. It make a mess and it ruins the vent filter. On my Searay, I made it to the filter once, but never made it out the side of the boat, I'm much more careful today.

Gray water tanks are not as easy to overflow. They get filled by shower sump pumps, they just don't have the power a head pump does. I imagine your shower sump will overflow before the gray water makes it over the side. If your shower sump overflows, it should leak into your bilge butthat depends on you boat.

I've found that the level sensors can get messed up once in a while, usually a detergent rinse of the tank will free them. Pump out, fill with Tide or similar and water, run the boat around to shake and pump out again.
The biggest thing to remember is the sensors are not evenly spaced. Mine work like this, green = empty, just pumped out, yellow = good, orange = very close to full, emergency use only, Red = full, do not use.

Better Luck · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:24 pm

My advice would be to NOT lean over the cap while you are taking it off, sometimes pressure builds and talk about sh*t in your face!

www.iFourWinns.com

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