[Wireless]

I have an offensive odor issue with the shower sumps in my Hatteras. The sumps were built in at the factory and do not have lids. The float switch allows just a small amount of water to remain in each one but after a while the soap scum et al really begins to hum. What chemicals/cleaners/treatments are recommended that can both eliminate/control this odor and not affect the vacuflush components and hoses?

[FISHTIGUA]

I'd just change it for a sealed unit that can be serviced when needed. I know the smell you mean from old sailing boats. Boy, does it humm.

Why not by-pass the old vacu-flush system, leaving it for just the toilets?

http://www.johnson-pump.com/JPMarine...howersump.html

[Wireless]

Sorry,

No coffee yet. I mispoke. Of course the vacuflush units are on completely different systems. Toilets in the shower sump! Now there would be an offensive odor!

The sumps service the showers and the lavatory sinks. There are four in all. I went so far as to get four sealed 32v units but the changeout is a bear and far too time consuming given my other lists. Hatteras used rather rigid hose which is hardened with age and strapped down in impossible areas. With everything else that is under the sole (big units for the vacuflush) and small access hatches it was simply too daunting. I sent the units back.

With big stabilizers the boat rolls very little. As long as the floats function the units seldom overflow (though admittedly it has happened) so containment of the liquids is not a problem. Put some pine sol through this morning but it is a short lived solution,.

[GrahamF]

Originally Posted by Wireless

I have an offensive odor issue with the shower sumps in my Hatteras. The sumps were built in at the factory and do not have lids. The float switch allows just a small amount of water to remain in each one but after a while the soap scum et al really begins to hum. What chemicals/cleaners/treatments are recommended that can both eliminate/control this odor and not affect the vacuflush components and hoses?

Give Orpine Bilge cleaner a try, it has a nice pine smell.

[Pascal]

are you sure it's the grey water sump that smell?

lids are never fully sealed so it's not going to do much. I clean mines every year or two and they dont' smell. the smell usually comes from hair and scum in the inlet screens, not the sumps themselves. most sumps have small screens which will clog in as little as a month depending on how many long haired women shower on boards

[Capt J]

Originally Posted by Wireless

I have an offensive odor issue with the shower sumps in my Hatteras. The sumps were built in at the factory and do not have lids. The float switch allows just a small amount of water to remain in each one but after a while the soap scum et al really begins to hum. What chemicals/cleaners/treatments are recommended that can both eliminate/control this odor and not affect the vacuflush components and hoses?

I leave a bromine tablet in each one. It neutralizes anything that could cause odors in shower water.

[Wireless]

That's a great idea. There are no screens on the hoses entering the sumps and I not about to limit the number of long haired girls onboard so the tablets sound like a great plan. Just finished doing a good clean-up so now is the time to give it a try.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[bernd1972]

Just throw in a couple of these pills that are used for cleaning dental spare parts and let them do their job over night with the sump filled with water.

[dave d]

clorine tablets

[Capt J]

Originally Posted by dave d

clorine tablets

Bromine tablets work exactly like chlorine tablets except that they are made for a spa instead of a pool and don't have the offensive chlorine odor.

[Silver Lining]

The manufacturer of my boat recommends pouring hydrogen peroxide down the shower and sink drains from time to time. Flush after a one hour soak. I also clean mine every year or two.

[Caltexflanc]

I just throw some distilled white vinegar down the shower and sink drain very month or so. We live full time on a Hatteras with that set up and no issues as a result. Maybe once a year or two I clean out any hair or other scum, but since the regular DWV flushes its been awhile.

[rcrapps]

The powers of white vinegar are amazing.
These old drain lines will probably out last us. They will hold a slime and stink in them forever also. It may not just be the sump.
My wife makes a foaming sink drain cleaner in our Ole Bertram (similar vintage problems).
Pour down a dry drain line a half cup of cheap table salt, then a half cup of cheap backing soda. Slowly (SLOWLY) pour in a cup of cheap white vinegar.
Give this at least 15 minutes and flush with any temp water.
I also use vinegar to get rid of old bilge stink also. Sprayed, wiped, poured on bilge surfaces and left to dry. Vinegar in the bilge sumps keeps the whole ship smelling clean.

[RT46]

I use those bleach tablets for toilet tanks

they are white about 2 inches round and usually come two in a pack.
i think clorex brand.

drop one in the bilge water also to help keep it cleen smelling fresh

[Caltexflanc]

Originally Posted by mysue

Clorox

No! (Do you know for a fact your hoses can stand it?)

You can get plastic screens that cover the shower drain to take of hair.

Bromine or toilet tablets will not do much to break up the scum. OK sometimes for AC intakes to inhibit barnacles, though a shred of copper does better for that.