Holding tank pumpout?

Newbies Question: Still learning the Ranger. Not 'overnighting' much yet, so infrequently use Head or Fresh water supply (no showers, dishes etc.) We haven't found any way to determine when holding tank is full enough to pump out.
No gauge/indicator? Only the main Fresh Water tank has a gauge. Should we just plan to pump out at every 3-4th Refueling? p.s. Is it possible to use the "Second Fuel Tank" quantity on the Garmin to monitor Holding tank level?
Thanks again,
Steve & Lee
2019 R27 O/B
"Aurelia"

If you have a Tecma electric marine toilet like we have on our 2012 R29, the flush control panel lights will change from green to yellow when three fourths full, and to red when full. We never let it get full. We pump out after every trip, because leaving black water sitting in the tank can lead to foul odors. Also helpful is to add several gallons of fresh water to the tank and pump out again every time you pump out.

The R-23 has an 11 gal holding tank, too small to take chances. My marina doesn't have a pump out. :cry: Here in NJ we have pump out boats that stop by the popular anchorages, I see one, I pump out. They are also on call, and will come to me when needed. They're free, but I tip the Captain a ten spot every time!

On my R27/OB I had a flow meter installed in the raw water line leading to the toilet (upstream of the raw water wash down T). This flowmeter cost me around $200 at the time on Amazon (it's price changed every day; up then down, then up again, so keep an eye on the price). The R27/OB had a 30 galling holding tank and so when the flow meter display close to 25 gallons I would do a pump out or would simply pump out when fueling, and set the flowmeter back to display zero. It worked well for me knowing that having a full holding tank can be a BIG issue. I believe the newer R27/OB's have a holding tank level indicator.

We installed a SCAD tank monitor on our Cutwater 24. The link to this system at Defender is
https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pa ... id=1249539.
It cost about $180 and employs as sensors two metal adhesive tapes on the side of our plastic holding tank. Getting access to the tank on our Cutwater required cutting a hole through the plywood panel on the riser of the steps leading down to the V-berth.. Wires from the fuse block behind the helm provided the needed 12 volts DC. I mounted the monitor panel, with wires going to the sensor tapes on the holding tank, on the forward wall of the head. It works great and with the small holding tank is really necessary.

Slade Cargill
C24 Sojourner
Longboat Key, FL

This was a problem for our 2019 R27-OB as well. We installed the same Fill-Rite flow meter (TT10ANC) as Barry, but I can tell you the manufacturer will say that model is not recommended for saltwater. If fact, the flow meter on Barry's former R27-OB quit working and was replaced with a polycarbonate model that the manufacturer does recommend. Once receiving the proper unit, it is easy to do the inline installation on the raw water supply line forward of the "T" fitting that supplies the raw water washdown pump. Good luck!

Is it not true that shower and dishwater go directly out and only toilet goes into tank?

Matty":3e5v8x6o said:

Is it not true that shower and dishwater go directly out and only toilet goes into tank?

Click to expand...

Yep, look at the thru hull's on the side the dink is on, turn on water and watch it drain...

On my 25 Classic I can see the tank and level from the engine compartment. I often just put fresh water in the tank and pump it, even if I haven't use the toilet. I pump every fill up if available at pump.

I installed a tank monitor a few years ago on my 25SC and it has worked great.
I used the Smart Mini unit, sells for $129.95
https://tankedge.com/products.html