Electric toilets
- Thread starter Wansworth
- Start date
Sea Change
Well-Known Member
Fair enough.
I've had Jabscos and Lavacs, I think the Lavac whilst more expensive is a better design.
I've never owned a Baby Blake's though. That truly is the toilet of lottery winners.
ducked
Well-Known Member
An electric bus would be conspiracy theory confirmation.
Skylark
Well-Known Member
My Beneteau has Jabsco, one electric and one manual. Boat is now 12 seasons old. Nothing wrong with either, the electric is more convenient, easier to use.
colind3782
Well-Known Member
Sooo true! What fooled me was that the pump worked fine at first then "packed up" after a while. It was Paul Rainbow of this parish who tipped me off that they can get sticky after a bit of use and to upgrade the wiring. After changing to 6mm, no further problems for several years now.
A learning experience.
PabloPicasso
Well-Known Member
Yes, but remember only let go of the bucket of you were in danger of following it over...
harvey38
Well-Known Member
Two electric bogs, holding tank and freshwater flush.
No issues (yet).
No issues (yet).
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
I imagine that with freshwater flush none of the Jabsco Lite problems I encountered would have occurred. 35 ft boat just not big enough.
Ian_Edwards
Well-Known Member
12 years of ownership, 2 electric toilets, the only issues I've had, twice, is different female members of the crew putting sanitary products down the toilet. Resulting in fibrous material getting wrapped around the shaft of the macerator and slowing it down.
Not a very pleasant job to sort, but not that difficult.
Followed by a threat of the offending person having to sort the problem out them selves it happened again.
The feedback I get is that ladies like electric toilets. They don't like having to pump out, and seldom pump for long enough to really clear the outlet hose.
We used the bucket and chuck it version when we cruised in a Wayfarer dinghy, a chemical toilet in the Jaguar 21, and I wouldn't want to go back to those days.
Not a very pleasant job to sort, but not that difficult.
Followed by a threat of the offending person having to sort the problem out them selves it happened again.
The feedback I get is that ladies like electric toilets. They don't like having to pump out, and seldom pump for long enough to really clear the outlet hose.
We used the bucket and chuck it version when we cruised in a Wayfarer dinghy, a chemical toilet in the Jaguar 21, and I wouldn't want to go back to those days.
Muddy32
Well-Known Member
With now a small boat, with newly installed sea toilet installed, the problem is at night when the forward berth[and toilet] is in use. Age means that I, in the main saloon need to visit during the night so use the old receptacle in the cockpit, which has a cover. Problem solved.
Boater Sam
Well-Known Member
Blakes, the only proper boat loo. Mine is 75 years old, has had a seal kit in the last 30 years, been cleaned out twice in the same period. Always works, 100%
John1802
New Member
Folks, on a subject almost in the same ballpark as you're discussing. Has anyone tried to change the shower mixer on a Beneteau Oceanis cc Clipper, the aft shower. It seems almost impossible to get at?
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
This would be far better as a new thread.
Bouba
Well-Known Member
I had a problem with the toilets 25amp fuse kept blowing after a ´vigorous’ flush. Checked all the wiring and eventually bought a new macerator pump. That fixed the problem…..not fitting the pump…just buying it
Boathook
Well-Known Member
You should know that by now Bouba with your boat owning experience ......
westernman
Well-Known Member
Easy enough to swap out for a manual.
And with a manual you can easily keep a complete pump assembly and it is very easy to swap that out when the going gets tough.
And with a manual you can easily keep a complete pump assembly and it is very easy to swap that out when the going gets tough.
DangerousPirate
Well-Known Member
On my old boats I only ever had manual ones. Worked well. Now the newest boat has an electric one, and the macerator is broken. It's really just a bolt, but the bolt broke inside the thing and it's impossible to take apart to that level. Having to buy a new one for 100 or so quid. I am not sure if I will, as a manual one is not only A LOT quieter, but also simpler systems that don't break so easily.
I inherited the broken macerator, so I might not be able to speak for anything really, but the noise put me off already. In all fairness; If it works, the macerator should really help prevent clogs as it cuts everything to small chunks. Then again, mates of mine have electric ones, too, and both of them had issues with clogged up toilets, still.
For me personally, I think I will give an electric one a chance, simply because I am tired of explaining boat guests how to use the toilet. I had ladies complain how difficult it is to pump the handle up and down, physically demanding apparently. But if I didn't have many guests on the boat, I'd definitely go with a manual one. Anything that doesn't rely on electric systems (despite it really not using any power really) is good in my book. The less you rely on batteries, the better. If there is a problem with the batteries, you don't want to have your entire boat stop working, from engine over lights to toilet and sinks....
TL;DR
Pro:
- Easy to operate because it's just a button
- In theory help with flushing by cutting it with the mascerator
- Less complicated to use (for boat guests who are not familiar with the switches and handles)
Con:
- Loud as hell
- Reliant on electricity (albeit not drawing much)
- More moving parts that can break than manual
- Seemingly prone to breaking
- Using a lot of water (which may make a difference for holding tanks)
I inherited the broken macerator, so I might not be able to speak for anything really, but the noise put me off already. In all fairness; If it works, the macerator should really help prevent clogs as it cuts everything to small chunks. Then again, mates of mine have electric ones, too, and both of them had issues with clogged up toilets, still.
For me personally, I think I will give an electric one a chance, simply because I am tired of explaining boat guests how to use the toilet. I had ladies complain how difficult it is to pump the handle up and down, physically demanding apparently. But if I didn't have many guests on the boat, I'd definitely go with a manual one. Anything that doesn't rely on electric systems (despite it really not using any power really) is good in my book. The less you rely on batteries, the better. If there is a problem with the batteries, you don't want to have your entire boat stop working, from engine over lights to toilet and sinks....
TL;DR
Pro:
- Easy to operate because it's just a button
- In theory help with flushing by cutting it with the mascerator
- Less complicated to use (for boat guests who are not familiar with the switches and handles)
Con:
- Loud as hell
- Reliant on electricity (albeit not drawing much)
- More moving parts that can break than manual
- Seemingly prone to breaking
- Using a lot of water (which may make a difference for holding tanks)
Sea Change
Well-Known Member
Or fit a Lavac with electric and manual pumps in series, and you can have the best of both worlds.
Or at least that's what I've heard. It's an upgrade I plan to make.
Or at least that's what I've heard. It's an upgrade I plan to make.
Elessar
Well-Known Member
They are awful until you buy a decent one.
Tecma is the answer. Once you’ve had one you won’t go back.
They are pricey. But you’ll spend more on things you use only occasionally. The loo is one of the most used things on a boat. And you get what you pay for.
The jabsco ones are among the ones that are awful.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Have used everything over the last 7 decades starting with a galvanised bucket, when every gentleman would usually discreetly do a No1 over the side even when moored and not so discreetly when under way.
The main difficulty underway being desperately hanging on with one hand and trying to ensure your efforts were all going over the side and not on your trousers.
A chemical toilet Elsan ? was the next upgrade , which, recall was made of tin and did rust somewhat and of course reeked despite how much "Jeyes" you poured in.
Next came a Victorian China and Brass contraption which evolved into a nasty plastic device, not quite so smelly but at some point the self tapping screws on the manual pump would strip and the resulting leaks did make you worry about what liquid was on your hand after use.
The ladies on my boat have the use of a quiet sanitary odourless device requiring no more effort than the push of button to complete the task.
A quick glace at the calender suggests its 2025 ( Honest take a look) and only on a sailing forum could anyone consider singing the praises of the marine version of a hut at the end of the garden featuring a plank with hole in it.
Can you still buy that dreadfull "IZAL" toilet paper
.
The main difficulty underway being desperately hanging on with one hand and trying to ensure your efforts were all going over the side and not on your trousers.
A chemical toilet Elsan ? was the next upgrade , which, recall was made of tin and did rust somewhat and of course reeked despite how much "Jeyes" you poured in.
Next came a Victorian China and Brass contraption which evolved into a nasty plastic device, not quite so smelly but at some point the self tapping screws on the manual pump would strip and the resulting leaks did make you worry about what liquid was on your hand after use.
The ladies on my boat have the use of a quiet sanitary odourless device requiring no more effort than the push of button to complete the task.
A quick glace at the calender suggests its 2025 ( Honest take a look) and only on a sailing forum could anyone consider singing the praises of the marine version of a hut at the end of the garden featuring a plank with hole in it.
Can you still buy that dreadfull "IZAL" toilet paper
.
