What's the best way to leave the head when locking up the boat?

I have flushed liberal amounts of raw water through the system today making sure it's nice and fresh, but am wondering if it's ok to leave water in the bowl, or should I close the water inlet and flush it dry?

I will of course make sure the seacocks are closed when done, but am not sure if running the pump dry will burn it out vs leaving raw water in the bowl that may create smells as organisms die.

It is a TMC 12V electric head if that matters.

What's the best action?

I usually close intake cock then pump it out not long enough to burn the impeller then splash a bit of vinegar in the bowl or sodium per carbonate ( nappy san ) depending on how high you have the vented loop there with be some raw water in the bowl. I have the same unit.

if we are leaving the boat for a few days we try to remember to pour a bucket of fresh water into each of the heads.

the odour you often find after it's sat for a while is usually caused by the little micro-organisms in the salt water dying. fresh water does not have such

vinegar etc has the same effect, but fresh water is cheaper !

cheers,

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woko said..
I usually close intake cock then pump it out not long enough to burn the impeller then splash a bit of vinegar in the bowl or sodium per carbonate ( nappy san ) depending on how high you have the vented loop there with be some raw water in the bowl. I have the same unit.

That will work. Thanks woko.

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PacificStar said..
if we are leaving the boat for a few days we try to remember to pour a bucket of fresh water into each of the heads.

the odour you often find after it's sat for a while is usually caused by the little micro-organisms in the salt water dying. fresh water does not have such

vinegar etc has the same effect, but fresh water is cheaper !

cheers,

And yes can do the freshwater thing too.