Carver Owners Forum

Hi All,

I recently bought a 2000 396 and have been working on getting her back in order after a few years of neglect. Can anyone please tell me where the black tank vent filter for the forward head is located and how to access it? My newly established pump out service had been only pumping one tank…sadly, the wrong one, so it backed up in the vent.
The vent seems to be clear now, but it think the filter has been fouled. I would like to remove it, bridge the line, flush the vent, and install a replacement, but I can’t find it.
There is a wood platform on top of the forward black tank, and I fear underneath is where the filter may be found, but I am not sure because the origins of all the lines seem to be visible. So before I start what seems a difficult process of removing that platform, I would love for someone to advise.
Thanks so much.

We're away from the boat visiting family for Thanksgiving but when we get back this weekend I'll post pics of where ours "used" to be. After a lot of research (google search for Head Mistress Peggy Hall) I came to the conclusion that a well maintained blackwater tank doesn't need this filter, and just causes extra work and expense.

Also, search my profile (and other 396 owners specifically) for posts and you'll find a lot of 396 info I've posted over the past couple of years regarding issues I've run across. We're full-time liveaboards and we've seen a lot! Welcome to the forum and good luck!!

Kyle

Sounds like KyleR will get you what you need. I have a 366 and assume it’s similar in a few areas. My fwd vent filter is easily accessed in the storage area under the settee/galley. The Va I flush and system water pump are in there and the filter is right above the VF mounted on the wall. Maybe yours is the same?

Thank you both so much!!

Good to see the larger vent size......It is much easier to deal with tank odor with the large vent size for better air flow, as opposed to the small hose.

I have a 2001 396 Carver. Neither of the black tanks have a filter and never did. What the filter does for you is to neutralize the odor exhausting from the vent when you flush or when the boat may be rocking in the marina.
When living on the boat in the summer in NJ we pump the boat each 5 to 7 days so the odor doesn't present a problem. If it gets really hot in August it will smell
begin to smell. If that occurs add some black tank deodorizer and that will control the odor until you can pump out.
Regarding how the filter became fouled, I had to replace the "Tank Watch 4 " sensor on the black tank and the Gauge mounted in the medicine cabinet in the head. I did this in the aft tank. The forward tank sensor and gauge is still working but I know it will fail as I know 2 other 396 owners in my marina that had the same problem. When the light turn red, stop using and pump out.

Here's a pic to show where our filter used to be (circled in yellow). I replaced it with a length of PVC when I removed the filter element.

There is also another pic to show where the vent line leading from the blackwater tank to the filter is located. If your filter is not in the same location at least you can trace out that line and see if you have a filter. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Kyle

This is awesome, thank you so much!!!