Henderson MK V Pump Life

[Gypsyjoss]

I have the common Lavac/Henderson Pump/holding tank/2 valve set up.
I've only managed to get 3 seasons life out of the valves/diaphragm before fitting a new set (which aint cheap).

Is 3 years considered good? Does anyone have any tips to prolong the life. We generally thoroughly flush the system with fresh water. I'm aware that there's a fair build up of lime scale in the pipes.

Cheers
Pete

 

[joha]

Have never serviced it in 10 years and it works fine. I empty a bottle of white viegar down the bowl every now and again.

J

 

[dutyhog]

I think we've had 15 years so far. Can you describe the mode of failure, eg split, eroded, perished? maybe you had a dud component from new. Maybe something damaging is too regularly flushed through.

 

[DanTribe]

That sounds unusual. We've had our boat 10 years and the pump wasn't new then.
It's never been maintained and only ever has salt water flushed through.[well, apart from the obvious!].
Use & neglect!
Are you using any toilet cleaning chemicals or deodorants?

 

[Gelfie]

Henderson make two quality pumps which appear to be the same but there is a special version for use on the Lavac Toilet. I believe it has a different disphram to the standard punp. Mine has lasted for years since I changed it.

 

[dutyhog]

Henderson make two quality pumps which appear to be the same but there is a special version for use on the Lavac Toilet. I believe it has a different disphram to the standard punp. Mine has lasted for years since I changed it.

The diaphragm I put in about 15 years ago was just the standard Henderson replacement from a chandlers.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

Henderson make two quality pumps which appear to be the same but there is a special version for use on the Lavac Toilet. I believe it has a different disphram to the standard punp. Mine has lasted for years since I changed it.

Whale pumps list a single part number for the MkV pump service kit. What's the part number for the special Lavac version?

 

[Gypsyjoss]

That sounds unusual. We've had our boat 10 years and the pump wasn't new then.
It's never been maintained and only ever has salt water flushed through.[well, apart from the obvious!].
Use & neglect!
Are you using any toilet cleaning chemicals or deodorants?

Now I'm interested - the snor (spelling?) valve is what has packed up,. no longer closing and looking rather perished, but my understanding is that you can't buy this seperately - only as part of the whole damned spares kit. also had to clean out a load of limescale from inside the pump and on the input side of the valve. The boat's in the Med, but is only getting used 2 months of the year at the moment.

Pete

 

[cimo]

Is 3 years considered good? Does anyone have any tips to prolong the life. We generally thoroughly flush the system with fresh water. I'm aware that there's a fair build up of lime scale in the pipes.

Cheers
Pete

Once in a while, I use vinegar to descale and olive oil to prevent drying out of diaphragm and valves (the valves are just rubber flaps?). 3 years sounds very short. They say you should avoid house hold toilet products. I'm thinking a liberal coating of vaseline all around inside when installing the new parts could be beneficial against scale build up?

This thread has just reminded me to change the bilge pump diaphragm (bodged last year from my hotwater bottle, but still doing the job). My pump installations don't allow for the full stroke on the pump handle - this may aslo account for diaphragm longevity.