Replacing toilet hoses SO 409

[Elcano]

Hi,
I want to get rid of the smell in our bathroom and decided to change all the hoses of our toilet . After unscrewing the first hoses I found significant residue in the hoses, so I recon that they were not changed for a while.
I did read loads of the threads in the forum and they did not make me more confident  .

So here is my question: In order to remove and change the outlet hose (3) between the bottom of the tank and the big valve, I assume I need to remove the tank. Does anybody have a tip for me how to remove that tank?
Also do you have any hints how I can reach the vent (2)? It seems that it is behind the bathroom furniture. I really hope I do not need to dismantle the whole bathroom to do this.
 


Thank you as always, guys.

[cpetku]

I've replaced hose #3 on both the forward and aft heads on a SO40DS which should be similar to a 40.3 in these compartments. In both cases I did this without removing the tank. The big issue is flexibility of the hose. I had to use an electric heater in the compartment with the hoses to warm everything up so they would flex. Probably a half hour warming the compartment/hoses before getting them to cooperate.

I'd recommend talking to Jeanneau USA to ensure you buy the correct hose. It seems to me this was 50mm. If so, 2" may go on easier but with a risk of poor sealing. Not something you want to fool around with on the bottom line of the tank. When I bought replacement hose I bought for both heads (with extra) to ensure I didn't have to pay for shipping twice. Changed them out maybe 5 years apart from each other. Doing just one is enough fun for the spring...

My fun is tracking down the cause of the fwd tank not holding. Changed the Ball Valve then the hose three years ago due to a leak caused by the clamp at the tank. It started self emptying (after use) again last year, so had to stop using it. Bought a new scope to look for leakage into the bilge since the ball valve can't be bad that soon. Hoping for a loose clamp and expecting a bad tank...

[Elcano]

Thanks a lot for your explanation. 

Unfortunately I do not see any chance to remove the hose (3) from the bottom of the tank without getting the tank out. How did you access it?

[cpetku]

For my forward compartment, there is a door in the wall just above the head and the hose is just below the lip of the door. I had to remove a trim piece then work the hose off/on. It was awkward but doable. There's a lot more clearance at the valve end so I assume this isn't the area giving you trouble.

For my rear head, the tank is located in the closet in the aft berth. That had to be partially disassembled, but it wasn't too bad.

[Andrei]

Mar 16, 2024 10:41:33 GMT Elcano said:

Thanks a lot for your explanation. 

Unfortunately I do not see any chance to remove the hose (3) from the bottom of the tank without getting the tank out. How did you access it?

I was just now working on the head in my 409 (single head version) and remembered your questions so checked out this hose.  I could not find any way to get to the  the bottom of the tank without removing the wood panels and pulling the entire tank out. This hose connects to the tank behind integrated fiberglass panel, no way to reach it in place. 

[virtualburton]

I have replaced both of the hoses on my forward and aft heads on my Sun Odyssey 469.

They are hard to get out and difficult, but with a heat gun it can be done without removing either of the tanks, at least on my model.

Also, Craig above is correct… they are 50 mm hoses which are not available in North America. Apparently you can special order them from Jeanneau, but I was lucky in that I had a friend who was able to source some for me from Italy.

Good luck!

David

[Andrei]

I just realized that it likely depends on the rear cabin configuration, the head location and furniture is different if you have the third berth or a garage (like I do). 

[Elcano]

Apr 1, 2024 14:30:33 GMT Andrei said:

I just realized that it likely depends on the rear cabin configuration, the head location and furniture is different if you have the third berth or a garage (like I do). 

Very good point. I do have a two cabin version with the bigger bathroom. I really see no other chance than to remove the tank. Something for next winter.

[Charlie-Bravo]

No experience here with your boat or its plumbing, but to remove the old pipe, a good flush with chemicals then attack with a saw, the pipe will be stiff and immovable from age and build up within. No doubt some boat dismantling could well be required to install the new pipe, but it should be more flexible than the old one, and heating it up will make it even more flexible to help the install.

The key to a non smelling heads, (the first point raised in your post) in my experience, is to stop sea water flushing as much as can be done, fresh water flushing definitely keeps things smelling fresher.
Sea water reacts with urine and quickly starts to calcify leaving a crust on the inside of the pipe and it starts to smell bad.

When on a long trip and attempting to conserve water supplies we do sea water flush, but get serious with flushing everything through at the earliest opportunity, we also like to use all our tanked water frequently to keep it fresh, so with flushing and showers we manage that well.

CB

[Damen af Kungsholmen]

Odor safe solution.

All the boats I've been down in smell from the hoses by the toilets.

My experience is that all hoses will smell sooner or later. And that is because the hose is not odor tight over age. It could be that I have to many receptors to detect this odor.

For 25 years I have used what is popularly named as a “chemical pipe” in Sweden in my three boats without any problems whatsoever and the most important thing for me, without any odor at all.

What I have used is PVC pipe that is glued with Tangit glue. This type of pipe is often used in professional chemical industry.

They are usually rated to withstand 16 Bar pressure, which corresponds to 160 meters of water pressure if they are glued according to the instructions.

-Why would I use such a pipe? Because they are odor dense.

- But can they handle vibrations? I do not recommend using this type of tube for your inflatable boat.

- But won't they crack? No, not if they are anchored at longer distances. They don’t snap of like a carrot. They are incredibly strong and have some flexibility. Airplane don’t use hose for their toilets, they use plastic tube (source, Malysia Institute of Aviation Technology).

-But aren't they stiff? Yes, they are. There are ready-made angles, and my experience it is possible to carefully heat and make minor adjustments.

-But can they be disconnected? There are great connectors that make it possible to disconnect, such as at the toilet, if necessary.

-But how do I connect to a sleeve intended for a hose? Put some silicon on the “thread” and heat the pipe and press over and tighten with a hose clamp while everything is soft, and you will get a tight transition.

-But this will cost a fortune? The total cost is cheaper than an expensive hose and it last for several decades.

Those of you who doubt about this solution. You don't have to talk me into going back to use a rubber hose. It will never happen for me. In all fairness, those of you who want to keep rubber hoses and are happy with it. Keep them.

I am a happy less smell sailor 😊

DK

[NZL50505]

I had a surprise last week.

My boat is 10yrs old with relatively light use.

Long story short, the fwd toilet stopped evacuating water from the bowl. I assumed a ‘normal’ blockage often caused by guests or young kids. Nope, it was a buildup of scale that basically reduced the internal diameter of the large toilet hose so much it no longer flowed.

Replaced the whole lot. Yuk. Works fine again now.

I haven’t eaten anything with my hands for a few days! 😊

[bereboot]

Put regularly a bit of vinegar in the toilet and let it work for some time.it dissolves the scale buildup

[Damen af Kungsholmen]

Hi all positive sailors.
Vinegar. Best tips this month
:-Dan

[cpetku]

[quote
I haven’t eaten anything with my hands for a few days! 😊[/quote]


Keep us posted on how you're getting on with the cramps. It takes awhile to learn how to hold a knife and fork with your toes. And, those calf cramps from reaching to ones mouth are real killers...

When I worked on my boats sewerage issue a few years back I thought I caught a bacterial infection from what leaked into the bilge. Turned out to be COVID.

[NZL50505]

Do you mean white vinegar (which is generally stronger)?

[bereboot]

Indeed White vinegar