Marine Head Issues

[Stu Jackson]

The holes are so NOT an issue.

Installation of Raritan PHII head w/Flix

[bvander66]

I am very fond of Raritan heads. We have a Seaera and a PH II for over 7 years now (constant use as a Live Aboard) and no problems.

[hellosailor]

AFAIK some pumps still use a LEATHER cup to do the pumping. Which is not entirely a bad choice of materials, but leather, like rubber, does wear and split and if the pump cup is shot--the pump won't work. Solution is to unscrew the nut that holds it on, replace it, re-assemble the pump. Not an expensive or difficult repair. The leather pump cups need to be greased once in a while to maintain them.

By all means, replacing the whole head my be fastest--but it should be cheaper to replace parts. Some places sell parts discount, others mark 'em up so they can sell more heads because that way "a whole new one is cheaper, too".

[BGS]

Feel free to tell me to start a new thread but while on the subject, anyone have any good recommendations for flexible sanitation hose? I am using, or trying to use, "Shields Vac XHD Series 148" but it is way too stiff to make some of the turns I need to make. Any ideas welcome. Thanks.

[baboon]

I just re-did my hose and used 1 1/2 inch maxflex hose. Still pretty thick for odor resistance but with a little heat applied I could get it to turn some corners. For really tight bends using a PVC elbow works well, I got mine from a dedicated marine sanitation supply, they have smooth walled non-barbed options that worked very well.
90° Bend Kit

[Brewgyver]

+1 for JUDICIOUS use of heat. Be careful. Also, check the specs on the hose you're using. BGS, that Shields hose has a 4" radius bend capability (so 8" minimum if you were doing an anti-siphon loop), so if you need to bend it in less, go the ell route, as Baboon suggested. Also, be aware that using a 90 will add a fair amount to the total head (in this case, head meaning the resistance to flow, not the actual toilet).

[sea_hunter]

Holy crap, it's not rocket science, its all about the flush.

[nolesailor]

Update: I figured I would post an update to the issue in case anyone else stumbles upon this thread. Replacing the pump assembly has resolved the issue. This was the pre-assembled pump assembly, not the rebuild kit. Ordered from Amazon for $65. Installation was easy...four screws.

The pump solved the issue with not being able to pump water in, as well as pumping out. When we removed the old pump assembly, a part of the old pump (psitonassembly?) had rusted off and was sitting down where the bottom gasket was...There was also a clog in the line somewhere, but the increased pressure from the new pump, as well as leaving water in the head overnight, seemed to fix the issue by morning. It was nice to have a properly functioning head again!

While I will likely replace the whole unit should any issues develop again, replacing the pump assembly was much easier then rebuilding the pump...

[sww914]

I am evangelizing here, but we replaced our Jabsco head with a C-Head composter last week. It's one of the best improvements to our boat yet. The smell is gone, I don't need to pump out ever again, no more clogged vent, and it even looks better. $500.00 well spent.
I put the old Jabsco next to the marina dumpster with a sign on it that said "Best free head in Ensenada, Papi!"

[GaryHLucas]

Originally Posted by nolesailor

Update: I figured I would post an update to the issue in case anyone else stumbles upon this thread. Replacing the pump assembly has resolved the issue. This was the pre-assembled pump assembly, not the rebuild kit. Ordered from Amazon for $65. Installation was easy...four screws.

The pump solved the issue with not being able to pump water in, as well as pumping out. When we removed the old pump assembly, a part of the old pump (psitonassembly?) had rusted off and was sitting down where the bottom gasket was...There was also a clog in the line somewhere, but the increased pressure from the new pump, as well as leaving water in the head overnight, seemed to fix the issue by morning. It was nice to have a properly functioning head again!

While I will likely replace the whole unit should any issues develop again, replacing the pump assembly was much easier then rebuilding the pump...

Today is an appropriate day to respond. Curiosity landed on Mars today. I hope that my 8 year old grandson will still have some of that left when he is an adult, and take stuff apart just because he is curious as to how it works.

My dad said "Gary, did you take our alarm clock apart?" I replied "Why doesn't it work?" Dad said "Yes it works, but it came riveted together, not bolted!" I still have it (curiosity, not the clock), when junking something I often take it all apart before tossing it, just to see how it works.

Gary H. Lucas