Ok Rossignol SCRATCH GTHO or Line INVADERs?

Is it ok to have discharge line for head, travel from macerator, to a thru-hull ballvalve bellow waterline?

• I have a toilet on my boat. (2 in fact) that has a holding tank connected directly under neath (like a porta potti). From there, a hose goes to a three way valve. The valve then sends one line up to a pump out orrafice above decks, and one line goes to the maccerrator, which has a smaller line going to a ball valve, bellow the water line for discharge. I've been told by my "boat guy" that this isnt correct, and that that discharge line shouldnt be bellow the waterline, and that it shouldnt be controlled by a ball valve. I'd had the vessel surveyed, and the surveyor never mentioned this as a problem. I've tried to reach him to double check, but havent heard back. I've had some problems with the whole set up.. leaks at the valve/hose fitting, and the maccerator freezing up and poping the breaker. My boat guy says that because its a 15 amp pump, that the two 15 amp breakers that protect it arent big enough. (one near head, and one on main panel). He suggests 20 Amp. Thoughts????

• Answer:

  There is basically nothing wrong with your head arrangement. First of all nothing but toilet tissue should go down the head unless you have eaten it first? Marine heads whether manual or electric need to be pulled apart once a year and rebuilt due to excess build up of calcium especially in the intake and discharge lines. Ball valves are not a problem if opened and closed now and then to prevent them from ceasing up. You will have one intake line from below the water line and one direct discharge below the waterline, there is nothing wrong with that. Your third line will be from the head to the holding tank controlled by a "Y" valve which will discharge into your holding tank or directly overboard. Some holding tanks will have an electric sensor to inform you the tank is getting full. Depending where you are from the general rule is you should not discharge your holding tank into open water unless you are 3 miles offshore. Otherwise you will have to find a marina that has a pump out facility which will draw the waste from the holding tank via your on deck fitting. Your macerator is probably popping the breaker due to excess load, i,e too much tissue or other. "Dump and Pump" is the rule to avoid this problem. Check for a weak breaker.