Boat wc

[catalac08]

After 12 years of use and a few new parts along the way my Jabsco wc is not long for this world. I cannot bear the thought of stripping it apart and fitting more new bits so time for a new loo!
Although I am not particularly impressed with the way the Jabsco is constructed ( self tappers into plastic not so good if you have to take apart a few times) but they do work and are cheap. At the budget end of the market I have only seen the Lalizas at a similar price to the Jabsco. Has anyone experience of these wc units either good or bad.

 

[duncan99210]

We use Jabscos on the boat and have lived on board for five years with only annual maintenance to them. Cheap, easy to fix and reliable and easily available spares. Although the screws used to hold them together look like self tappers, they are not in fact true self tappers. You need to be careful with them and engage them in the threads cut into the plastic: do that and don't overtighten and they'll last for years.

Others will now join in and rubbish them but they work for us!

 

[Tranona]

Save yourself some money and buy a complete replacement pump of the latest type. In general Lazilas products can be a bit suspect - you need to know who actually makes the loo. Jabsco dominate this market for good reasons. Follow Duncan's advice when taking the pump apart and particularly when reassembling it.

 

[NealB]

We use Jabscos on the boat and have lived on board for five years with only annual maintenance to them. Cheap, easy to fix and reliable and easily available spares. Although the screws used to hold them together look like self tappers, they are not in fact true self tappers. You need to be careful with them and engage them in the threads cut into the plastic: do that and don't overtighten and they'll last for years.

Others will now join in and rubbish them but they work for us!

+1

We've got two Jabscos, of unknown vintage, on our old motorboat. For five years, 2 of us lived aboard for about 6 months a year. We also had quite a few guests. We've not had any problems with either.

On our catamaran, I got fed up with sorting out blockages on the Lavac (don't know why, but it had a tendency to block where the outlet pipe connects to the loo body). I replaced it with a Jabsco, three years ago, and have no problems.

So, Jabscos are cheap, but, in my experience, very effective and reliable.

 

[catalac08]

Thanks-so no votes for Laqlizas then in preference to Jabsco. I was not "rubbishing" the Jabsco which despite my reservations about the construction have provided good service and some abuse(mostly guest use) with only a few seals replaced in 12 years. On reflection quite a recommendation particularly at the price.

 

[jerrytug]

+1for a Jabsco

 

[l'escargot]

12 years for a Jabsco? It's a no brainer. Chuck it out and buy a new one. I've got 2 Jabsco's and a couple of spare pumps which I stick on if a leak developes whilst away but despite that, one toilet is due replacement soon.

 

[johnalison]

Our Jabsco is 15yrs old and I replaced the pump for a twist lock one a few years ago. Simplicity itself and the parts widely available.

 

[Kwik Decision]

Where's the Lavac supporters club? I changed from a (cheap and cheerful) TMC to a Lavac about 5 yrs ago, and have been very happy with it. I installed it with a 3 port valve in the suction line from the toilet to the pump, so I can attach a pipe, turn the valve, and use the pump as an emergency bilge pump, thus neatly killing 2 birds with one stone.
Having said that, I can see that simply swopping your 12 yr old Jabsco for a new one could also be considered a sensible way forward, to keep the time and work required to a minimum.

 

[Mandarin331]

We had an old sl400 which leaked, the parts kit was £15 less than the price of a jabsco, so out it went and in went the jabsco. Only problem was the pipes were solid with lime scale and one inch too short, so they were replaced as well.

 

[LadyInBed]

Our Jabsco is 15yrs old and I replaced the pump for a twist lock one a few years ago. Simplicity itself and the parts widely available.

Mine is 20, when it comes up for referb, the twist lock pump sounds like a good idea. That's one of the reasons that I like Jabsco, ready available compatible spares.
I've replaced the 6 pump lid screws with nuts and bolts, just drilled through to accommodate them.

 

[geem]

+1

We've got two Jabscos, of unknown vintage, on our old motorboat. For five years, 2 of us lived aboard for about 6 months a year. We also had quite a few guests. We've not had any problems with either.

On our catamaran, I got fed up with sorting out blockages on the Lavac (don't know why, but it had a tendency to block where the outlet pipe connects to the loo body). I replaced it with a Jabsco, three years ago, and have no problems.

So, Jabscos are cheap, but, in my experience, very effective and reliable.

My experience is completely opposite. 11 years of ownership with a Lavac and never a problem, including 15 months living aboard. The two Jabscos on current boat are like a hobby! I have to grease the pumps every week whilst we are living aboard or the handles are too stiff to use. The biggest pile of junk I have ever seen. They both have the current new pumps as well. I will fit Lavacs when I get home

 

[pvb]

I've had both Jabsco and Lavac, and greatly prefer Jabsco. Simple, durable and almost idiot-proof.

 

[GrahamM376]

My experience is completely opposite. 11 years of ownership with a Lavac and never a problem, including 15 months living aboard. The two Jabscos on current boat are like a hobby! I have to grease the pumps every week whilst we are living aboard or the handles are too stiff to use. The biggest pile of junk I have ever seen. They both have the current new pumps as well. I will fit Lavacs when I get home

I wouldn't say they're junk but the pump spindle seals have to be replaced annually on our twist and lock units and, as geem says, we often have to pour some cooking oil down to stop them squeaking and tightening up.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I wouldn't say they're junk but the pump spindle seals have to be replaced annually on our twist and lock units and, as geem says, we often have to pour some cooking oil down to stop them squeaking and tightening up.

You only need a few drops of cooking oil to lubricate it fully so hardly pouring it down.

 

[pvb]

I wouldn't use any kind of oil. I occasionally grease the piston with silicone grease.

 

[jdc]

I wouldn't say they're junk but the pump spindle seals have to be replaced annually on our twist and lock units and, as geem says, we often have to pour some cooking oil down to stop them squeaking and tightening up.

I think this is a fair criticism (but still have and stay with Jabscos for all the aforementioned reasons). It's not a brilliant engineering solution to have a wiping seal using an O ring, specially with slurries and other aggressive fluids. Much better would be a square section + backing ring piston seal. They exist and would cost only a little more.

Also agree that Silicon grease is better than veg oil - the new design allows one to withdraw the pump plunger by only undoing a big hex nut on the top so it's quick and easy - no excuse for putting up with the squealing!

 

[GrahamM376]

I think this is a fair criticism (but still have and stay with Jabscos for all the aforementioned reasons). It's not a brilliant engineering solution to have a wiping seal using an O ring, specially with slurries and other aggressive fluids. Much better would be a square section + backing ring piston seal. They exist and would cost only a little more.

Also agree that Silicon grease is better than veg oil - the new design allows one to withdraw the pump plunger by only undoing a big hex nut on the top so it's quick and easy - no excuse for putting up with the squealing!

Tried the silicone and it's easier to pour a few drops of oil down. The annoying thing is that the twist and lock is supposed to be an improvement over the old but, the old seals lasted for years whereas these (made in China) new design seals don't when used just the same 24/7.

 

[pvb]

Tried the silicone and it's easier to pour a few drops of oil down. The annoying thing is that the twist and lock is supposed to be an improvement over the old but, the old seals lasted for years whereas these (made in China) new design seals don't when used just the same 24/7.

Might be easier, but realistically how long does it take to grease it properly? And don't necessarily blame the seals, they probably deteriorate when exposed to oils. Silicone grease is much less aggressive.

 

[Hadenough]

We have a two year old Jabsco twist and lock in use 365 days a year, egg cup full of veg oil once a week, spare pump kept, still not fitted! Also have a 30 year old Lavac, fully serviced with new seals two years ago, performs perfectly but with the price of the seals and especially seats, it will get replaced with a Jabsco next time it needs a major service.