Damn electric heads...fixed them once and for all

[Giulietta]

This is how I fixed a problem I had for a while..read here my case.

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Every year I have trouble with my boat's electric heads. My wife requested the electric heads, against my advice and idea..but it's her boat too. I was sooo happy with the manual ones I have had in all my previous boats, but she (and I in a way) thought that these,being better and cleaner, and included a macerator, would be better when they go crappy on us when cruising...anyway...twice now I have had problems with them, and twice the manufacturer has given me new pumps and motor assemblies..bravo Plastimo. (they never failed when we cruised, it's allways before)...

Anyway, got a new pump today and disassembled it before installing to see how it is when new....

It's a pain in the neck to change the pumps and the heads, due to the small spaces I have the heads installed (inside small bulkheads that are higher than the water line as I allways fear leaks and sinking from the heads, so they have their own compartment, and its pretty handy and aestethic)...





So what are the symptoms? They start blowing the fuses left and right..when this happens I know what waiting for me...a whole day disassembling and assmembling crappers...the motors start drawing over 30 amps when it happens. So I know what to do and get the tool box...

These are of the brand Plastimo, a popular brand in Europe, much cheaper than Jabsco and parts are easy to get..Jabsco not so easy, specially far away..see here, look under marine toilet, and it's model 10744.

So today I disassembled a new one and compared with the old one...this is what I found..inside the pump that lifts water to the ceramic seat (not the macerator section), there is a rubber impeller that has 8 legs with a round cylinder in the end.

See bellow

SIDE VIEW


3/4 angle VIEW



It roatates in the pump as shown bellow



pumping water to inside the head...

What I saw is that the used impeller's legs, are really stiff and as you can see from the drawing above, they use the back tilt caused by the reduced chamber to pump the water...

Because these legs are stiff and the impeller must suffer from the cleaning products the cleaning lady uses, it binds the pump...or from heat use and salt water..

So having a new in hand I decided to experiment..

This is what I did..

I cut the cylinders of 3 of the legs. It's true, the pump now pushed less water, but its still enough to flush, and I see not much diference in flow..just a little

This is what I did, cut the round things of the 3 legs see bellow



and not it rotates like this, see bellow



It works fine and all problems stopped. The heads rated at 12 amps are now doing their work at less than 10 amps, and all is fine...no more blown fuses.

Only need to do some "doing" there to see how it dissolves the dung, but since I did not modify the macerator pump out part of the pump, I believe it should be OK.

Off course I keep an extra pump in the boat, just in case I am with the wife and the kids, or guests and the 2 heads go....

I also experimented with palstimo's consent...they are also expecting to see how long it will take, maybe a modification to design??

I know most of you guys have manual heads, I would love to have them too...I lack the space, but I can install manual ones with some modification as they are shorter in height and don't clear the bulkheads...

Right now I made this experiment and will see what gives..

I decided to post, in case someone may have a similar problem.

In my country we say , that he that doesn't have a dog, hunts with a cat...this to say, necessity creates solutions.

Alex

[uspirate]

Good post Alex, thanks for the info. i'm just curious how you take a dump in that first head

[Giulietta]

Originally Posted by uspirate

Good post Alex, thanks for the info. i'm just curious how you take a dump in that first head

That's a prett stupid question, but I'll anwer:

1) remove pants
2) remove under wear
3) sit on head
3b) If you're a man, make sure the "snake" is inside the head
4) pull hard with abdominal muscles..until defecation exits

after done, wipe, wash hole, dry hole, wash hands, and get dressed...

Alex

Actually the photo is deceiving, but the bulkhead ends way bellow the seat cover, no difference.

That seat was so that we can shower, sitting down at sea..Fred uses it a lot when I pick him up from sailing..he showers on the way home.

It's also handy to put the baby's bathtub.

[TrueBlue]

I agree Giu, nice post. But this question is just begging to be asked: how does a guy sit on that seat without getting his family jewels pinched between the seat edge and bulkhead?

[uspirate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueBlue
I agree Giu, nice post. But this question is just begging to be asked: how does a guy sit on that seat without getting his family jewels pinched between the seat edge and bulkhead?

thats basically what i was asking TB, but he had to jam me up cuz we dont wear underwear

[vabuckeye]

"That's a prett stupid question, but I'll anwer:

1) remove pants
2) remove under wear
3) sit on head
3b) If you're a man, make sure the "snake" is inside the head
4) pull hard with abdominal muscles..until defecation exits

after done, wipe, wash hole, dry hole, wash hands, and get dressed..."


I am all out of positive rep points for today which is a shame.

[buckeyesailor]

don't sweat it Vabuckeye.....I covered for ya.......

that was TOO funny to pass up.....even though I think Giu is po'd at me for standing him up for a dinner I promised him while he was in Indiana.....

[T37Chef]

Go simple and easy...how bout this

[Stillraining]

Good idea on the inclosure's..Nice look to

[artbyjody]

G - great post! Fine example to. I intend on replacing my manual ones with electric end of May, as I do not enjoy the manual ones nor teaching visitors the process. Its nice to know what to expect...and possible solutions....