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HELE MAI OPERATING MANUAL
NW Explorations
The premium head is easy to use, odor free, and very reliable. It works with a vacuum pump
and vacuum accumulator tank. A vacuum is maintained in the tank until the head is used,
when the waste matter in the bowl is sucked out of the head by the vacuum, then it is
pumped through the system by the head pump, which then also pumps up a vacuum
again. Note that it is this rush of the head’s contents caused by the accumulated vacuum
that is important to the head’s operation! This sudden rush causes any solid material in the
waste stream to be shattered as it passes through the specially-shaped orifice in the
bottom of the head. For this reason, proper head operation requires that the head pedal
not be held down for long periods of time.
The head uses a quart or more of fresh water from the ship’s supply with each flush.
4P3: Head Operation
The head is operated by a the pedal to the left of the head base (as you face the head), and operation is as follows:
1. Before using the head if the waste will be solid, lift the pedal to add water to the bowl;
2. Use the head;
3. Step on the pedal just long enough to hear the “whoosh” as the head is evacuated and a small amount of water
rinses the bowl - - - about five seconds!
4. Releasing the pedal, if you wish to flush again, wait at least twenty seconds or so (until you hear the head pump
stop) before flushing again.
As the pedal is released, the ball-valve at the bottom of the head seals the head so that the vacuum can be pumped up,
when the pump will stop, and the head is again ready for use.
Only things which were eaten or drunk or the toilet paper supplied with the boat should be put in the heads! Facial
tissues, tampons, and other foreign matter will clog the system. If these heads are used properly, they are very
reliable. Failures are virtually always due to mis-use!
There is a plunger under the sink.
4P4: Head Problems
If the holding tank is full, the heads cannot work! Pump the holding tank (see below) when required. Allow time between
flushes for the vacuum to be restored (wait til the pump stops!) Hold the pedal down for 3-5 seconds with each flush so
enough water is added.
4P5: Holding Tank
There is a 50-gallon holding tank on the boat midships aft of the hatch in the master
stateroom. The sewage from the head goes to the holding tank.
4P6: Head Holding Tank Level Gauge
The boat is equipped with a tank level indicator in the forward head compartment, so it is
easy to tell if a tank is full. Check this indicator regularly and don’t flush if full!
4P7: Head Holding Tank Pumpout
If dumped overboard from this tank, the effluent passes through a through-hull valve
which is normally in the correct position. To dump the tank, use a shore side pump out
station connecting to the “Waste” deck fitting on the deck just forward of the starboard
pilothouse door.
