Don't put white vinegar down a Jabsco head

RogerLS said:
I would be a little worried in case the hydrochloric acid got onto the stainless steel pump rod as it certainly affects stainless at some concentrations. However the pump rod SHOULD only contact sea water.
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For the duration of contact we are talking about, maximum 30 minutes while the acid remains active but in my experience it is all over in about ten, the effect on 300 series stainless steel is minimal to none.
 
Corrosion is the only way that I could think of to describe it. The moving part of the valve was badly pitted and the sealing edge was twisted. The valve itself was coming apart where the weight is sealed in. Jabsco is not really interested but suggests that I use their cleaner products which dont seem to be sold in France and their system for applying it.

My question about the material of the valves has been passed to the Product Manager.
 
RichardPerou said:
Corrosion is the only way that I could think of to describe it. The moving part of the valve was badly pitted and the sealing edge was twisted. The valve itself was coming apart where the weight is sealed in. Jabsco is not really interested but suggests that I use their cleaner products which dont seem to be sold in France and their system for applying it.

My question about the material of the valves has been passed to the Product Manager.
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It will be interesting to hear what they say. Hope you will post it. My previous dealings with them on this topic have been disappointing, as they stick to the party line of 'don't use anything other than our expensive products'. A reasoned argument would be most welcome.
 
re RichardPerou's decription of the corrosion of his valves. I wonder whether something odd has been put in the toilet and left there. I can't thins what would be likely to cause the problem unless possibly it was diesel oil, paraffin, possibly auto transmission fluid. It's also conceivable that some powerful oxidiser might have done it Richard, have you anything on board of this sort of chemical that might have been put in the loo by mistake?
 
As I said pee, water and white vinegar. Onboard there is diesel , lube, white spirit, mysterious powder bought in Tunisa which cleans stainless steel, varnish, teak oil, beer, wine, scotch, deck polish, deck cleaner Cif, washing up liquid. I know there is no bleach because the cups have gone brown due to tea addiction and there is no bleach to clean them
 
Had a response from Matthew.edmond@xyleminc.com

The valves are made of neoprene rubber.

They dont know what or how they were affected. When I next go to the boat I shall explore the bosun's bag and if I have an old one I shall do what Jabsco wont do, and experiment.
 
RichardPerou said:
Had a response from Matthew.edmond@xyleminc.com

The valves are made of neoprene rubber.
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Thanks for the update.

From Wiki:
It should also be noted that neoprene degrades in the presence of some fairly common chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, acetone, xylene, acetic acid, aqua regia, boric acid, liquid butane, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, kerosine, lacquer, lard, motor oil, nitric acid, palm oil, tallow, turpentine, urine, and most chlorine-based chemicals including household bleach.

In truth 'neoprene rubber' describes a broad family of compounds with different characteristics. Whatever the loo version might be, I've noticed that it hardens noticeably and quite quickly if soaked in acetic acid, but have not noticed the same effect with hydrochloric acid (or liquid butane, though that's one thing I'm not inclined to pour in the heads).
 
According to the rubber/chemicals link I posted earlier, some of the ones macd has quoted need to be quite concentrated and in prolonged contact before degradation takes place. I cannot claim to have tried all the ones he quotes but dilute HCl had no noticeable effect on a joker valve after about 30 minutes.
 
RichardPerou said:
As I said pee, water and white vinegar. Onboard there is diesel , lube, white spirit, mysterious powder bought in Tunisa which cleans stainless steel, varnish, teak oil, beer, wine, scotch, deck polish, deck cleaner Cif, washing up liquid. I know there is no bleach because the cups have gone brown due to tea addiction and there is no bleach to clean them
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Just use one of your Steradent tablets... works a treat !
 
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