Electric head.

[haulyfryn]

I am in the process of buying a Dufour Countess 32 and have noticed that the electric head is letting water back into the bowl after flushing. The electric pump sounds normal and empties the bowl quickly, but water then enters the bowl again to just under half full. Is it possible for water to run back through the electric pump or should the inlet/outlet sea cocks be closed after every use?
One other thing is that the selection valve for the waste tank is seized and I am not sure if some of the water is going into the tank and then back into the bowl. Is this possible?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Most electric heads partially fill the bowl after use, in fact, most manual ones do. Some have options to leave the bowl dry or part filled. What heads is the boat fitted with ?

 

[Neeves]

I agree with Paul.

I don't know the yacht, know nothing of the installation nor head but on one tack the head may be well below sea level and there is possibly a chance of water syphoning into the bowl (I only say this as it happened on a previous yacht - though it was manual) - I'd close the valve when at sea - having a note to users of said head that they need to open the valve to flush - and the close again.

Hopefully you will obtain more sage advise from an owner of a Dufour Countess 32, don't they have an owner's forum?

Jonathan

 

[vyv_cox]

Our Jabsco Lite has the same characteristics as a manual toilet - when the bowl half fills with water the joker valve is leaking. Maybe something wedged in it or maybe salted up. Other types have rubber impellers that should hold water back unless the face plates are worn or vanes are missing.

 

[shan]

Generally, when that happens on ours, it means the joker valve needs replacing. We change it once a year. It tends to harden up over time.

 

[matthewriches]

As Paul says, depends on the bog.

I have a Planus Elite which leaves a dry bowl to avoid any seawater smells. Tecma is the same. Brilliant toilets!

 

[haulyfryn]

I agree with the possible cause being the joker valve and will check it when I see the boat again. Thanks for all your help. There is a Dufour forum but this a paid for membership and until I complete on the sale it may be money wasted.