Catalina 310 Owner's Manual

Plumbing

Original manual page 45

The Head:

  1. Read the instructions supplied by the toilet manufacturer for operating your marine toilet. These instructions are also printed on the toilet pump housing. Be sure everyone who will be using the head is familiar with these instructions.
  2. Immediately before using the head, the inlet valve "A" must be opened. This provides flushing water to the toilet. The valve should be kept closed when the head is not in use. This will prevent water from flooding the boat if the valve in the toilet pump should fail.
  3. Waste will be pumped directly into the holding tank when the bowl is emptied. A minimum amount of water for every flush should be used in order to take best advantage of the tanks capacity between pump-outs.
  4. To clean the head, use hot water and soap. High strength cleaners may cause damage to the valves and seals in your pump system. If there is any problem with the head, it should be corrected immediately.

Emptying the Tank Through the Deck Discharge Plate:

  1. The holding tank should be emptied via the deck discharge plate only at approved shore-based pump-out stations.
  2. Remove the cap from the deck discharge plate. The threads on the plate cap should be periodically coated with silicone spray or petroleum jelly to ensure a good seal.
  3. The pump-out station suction hose should form a seal at the deck plate.
  4. Be sure inlet valve "A" is closed when the tank is being emptied.
  5. After the tank is empty, you may wish to open valve "A" and pump water through the toilet and into the tank to dilute residual sludge and rinse the tank and lines.
  6. Close all valves after the tank is emptied and recap the deck plate.

Emptying the Tank Using the Macerator Pump:

  1. Read the macerator pump operating instructions supplied by the pump manufacturer.
  2. Close the inlet valve "A".
  3. Open the through hull valve "B".
  4. Turn on the pump with the switch on the 12 volt panel.
  5. The pump will change tone after it becomes primed. It will resume the higher pitched tone after the tank is emptied.
  6. You may wish to rinse the tank, hose lines, and macerator pump by pumping clear water through the head, then repeating the procedure for emptying the tank.
  7. Turn off the macerator pump and close valve "B" immediately after emptying the holding tank.

Macerator Pump and Troubleshooting:

PROBLEM 1: The macerator pump motor starts then stops.

  1. Check the breaker: It should be "IN" or "ON".
  2. Check the valves: "B" valve must be open.
  3. Check the vent line. If the boat has been sailed at extreme angles of heel, fluid may be clogging the vent line. Disconnect the vent at the tank and empty the hose into a disposable container.
  4. Sludge may have formed in the bottom of the tank. This should be diluted as much as possible. The tank should be emptied regularly to prevent sludge build up.

PROBLEM 2: The head toilet pump has excessive back pressure and will not evacuate the bowl.

  1. Refer to the toilet manufacturer's specifications and operation instructions.

PROBLEM 3: The macerator pump, when on, makes a high-pitched sound but does not empty the tank.

  1. Impeller in macerator pump is faulty and must be replaced.
  2. The vent is clogged and the pump cannot pull a prime against the vacuum in the tank.
  3. The hose into the pump may be clogged.
  4. The pump may be drawing air through the deck plate preventing a prime. Check seal at deck plate marked "waste", and lubricate threads.

Transcription note: the original numbers the last item of Problem 3 "E" (there is no "D").

Instruction for Sanitizing Potable Water System:

To assure complete sanitation of your potable water system it is recommended that the following procedures be used. This applies if it is a new system, one not used for a period of time, or one that may have become contaminated.

  1. Prepare a chlorine solution using one gallon water and 1/4 cup Clorox 2 household bleach (5% hyperchlorite solution). With tank empty, pour chlorine solution into tank. Use one gallon solution for each 15 gallons tank capacity.
  2. Complete filling tank with fresh water. Open faucet and drain cock until all air has been released and entire system is filled.
  3. Allow to stand for three (3) hours.
  4. Drain and flush with potable water. (IMPORTANT)
  5. To remove excessive chlorine taste or odor which might remain, prepare a solution of one quart vinegar to five gallons water and allow this solution to agitate in tank for several days by vessel motion.
  6. Drain tank and again flush with potable water. (IMPORTANT)

The above recommendations conform to section 10.8 in the A119.2 code covering electrical, plumbing, and heating of a recreational vehicle. The solution is approved and recommended by competent health officials.

Manual Bilge Pump:

The manual bilge pump is located in the cockpit. Insert the handle through the water tight fitting in the cockpit to operate the pump. The pump intake hose is in the keel stub under the main cabin sole. There is a screen on the bilge pump pick-up. This screen should be periodically checked and cleared of debris.

Seacocks:

All underwater through hull fittings are equipped with seacock 1/4 turn valves. It is good practice to close all seacock valves when leaving the boat, especially for long periods of time. To close seacock valves, turn handle perpendicular to flow. To open, turn handle 1/4 turn to parallel. It is good practice to operate the seacock valves at least once a month to keep the seals lubricated. Refer to the through hull and seacock maintenance guide supplied by the manufacturer enclosed in this manual.