Head Vent Filter

[denpooch]

Question for the crew...
Does anyone out there ever change the head vent 'in-line' filter? Do they age and stop working?
When we flush... phew! The neighbors want to run away! Of course I treat chemically. I wonder if the filter stops working as it is 15 years old.
Also, I am getting smell from behind the refrigerator vent which is next to the galley port light which lives above the head vent. I changed out the rubber gasket around the window so I don't think the smell is from 'outside-in'.
Nothing below the salon in the holding tank area smells. The hatch providing access to the vacuum-flush area smells fine. Brian at Carver tells me there is a straight run with no joints going to vent thru hull. I am gonna pull the fridge and try to track down the source, but am scratching my head. (no pun intended!)
Any thoughts?

[mjk1040]

You may or may not have filters on the vent line. The filters are most likely just activated charcoal. We all make the mistake of conserving water when using the head and we shouldn't. When one flushes, one should count to 5 before you let go of the flushing handle. I'd fill the tank with water, take her for a ride to slosh the tank and then pump it off. Then recharge the tank with chemical and water. If you do have a filter, and the tank was over full and tank contents got to the filter it very well is toast.

[Midnightsun]

It's just an activated carbon filter, no rocket science. Basically a tube with aquarium grade activated carbon in it. Will last about a year before it gets permeated and needs to be changed. Ideally just treat your head properly and you wont need a filter.

Many boaters have made their own using just ABS pipe which can be unscrewed, dumped and refilled. Something like this would be enough to refill for several seasons. https://www.amazon.ca/Fluval-Carbon-1650-Gram-Ounce/dp/B000HHQ79Y/ref=asc_df_B000HHQ79Y/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=335365390998&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11720882766667063431&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000603&hvtargid=pla-620354807891&psc=1

[g36]

I second making your own. Cheap and easy

[Pete]

I just went through issues with my aft tank. The vent comes off the top of the tank but then the vent hose dips below the headboard before exiting creating a trap. I disconnected the filter and used a shop vac to pull out about 2 cups of water from the "trap". Changed the filter but of course the aftermarket doesn't fit right, had to get creative with the extending the hose and not happy about this trap that I can't do anything about. Smells seem to be better now...time to tackle the forward tank next and get a good visual.

[Pete]

And a big WTF moment...looking for my forward vent filter, smh on what needs to come out for me to get to it?

[RGrew176]

Engineers design them but fortunately for them they do not have to work on them.

[Midnightsun]

They are made to remove easily unfortunately sometimes the location is poorly thought of. Nobody seems to care when they initially build most boats since it is so easy to install things when the top half of the boat has not been put in place yet. Some guy a Carver put what seems like 3M 5200 on the easy to remove threads on both of mine. Had to destroy and replace the fittings so it is now serviceable. Should be hand tight snug or slightly snugged up with a wrench at best. Only vent air goes through this, no need to have a water tight completely sealed connection going on here.

[denpooch]

In order to get to the aft side of the unit that I am changing, I will likely have to disassemble part of the galley cabinet, unless of course....
I can find someone with arms of rubber

[g36]

rubberband man!!