Jabasco Lite Flush - good idea?

[stu9000]

Hi
Im thinking of replacing my standard hand pumping Jabasco with the "lite flush".
Seems quieter than the bag of bolts in a blender type that used to be on offer.
There used to be an issue with the drive belt but I understand that has been resolved.

My reasons for the move are that the current set up is completely calcified.
I have replaced pipework but you merely have to look at it wrong for issues to happen. I could replace the pump and base assemby and with proper maintenance that might be a good fix.
I provided detailed instructions but kids and guests seem to find the whole experience tricky. 25 pumps to ensure the grey water is properly discharged. All that pumping and banging about isnt exactly quiet either.
Im fed up with doing battle and am prepared to spend money if it provides a good result.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

S

 

[matt8442]

Hi
Im thinking of replacing my standard hand pumping Jabasco with the "lite flush".
Seems quieter than the bag of bolts in a blender type that used to be on offer.
There used to be an issue with the drive belt but I understand that has been resolved.

My reasons for the move are that the current set up is completely calcified.
I have replaced pipework but you merely have to look at it wrong for issues to happen. I could replace the pump and base assemby and with proper maintenance that might be a good fix.
I provided detailed instructions but kids and guests seem to find the whole experience tricky. 25 pumps to ensure the grey water is properly discharged. All that pumping and banging about isnt exactly quiet either.
Im fed up with doing battle and am prepared to spend money if it provides a good result.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

S

Hi there,
I've fitted this toilet to my boat, replacing the existing Jabsco manual toilet. Have had it on the boat now for 4 months, no issues as of yet and seems to do the job. We have fitted the foot control which seems to go down well with all my guests on board. I'll be honest though I have a rule on the boat of no number 2's so I can't answer if it's good in that department.

 

[stu9000]

Thanks.
Reviews seem positive and the price is better than a Tecma etc.
Did yours need to have the long loop outlet tube to prevent siphoning?
Pictures seems to suggest it isnt required.

S

 

[Mistroma]

I see it says low water use in the blurb (1.2litres). Can you program it to always do a fixed flush e.g. 4-5 litres? I' d expect even more Calcification if it is a fixed, small flush of 1.2 litres.

 

[NormanS]

Hi there,
I've fitted this toilet to my boat, replacing the existing Jabsco manual toilet. Have had it on the boat now for 4 months, no issues as of yet and seems to do the job. We have fitted the foot control which seems to go down well with all my guests on board. I'll be honest though I have a rule on the boat of no number 2's so I can't answer if it's good in that department.

Guess you're just out for short day sails.

 

[matt8442]

Guess you're just out for short day sails.

Lol at the moment yes, planning on longer trips eventually but still finding our feet. Guess when that happens I'll have to change that rule. ?

 

[matt8442]

Stu regarding the loop, mine had a loop system fitted out of the box, and I think it's only an issue if the toilet is fitted below your boats waterline. As for flushing certain amounts of water you cannot select how much, it's just a simple case of activating the toilet by pressing the button or footswitch once, doing your business and then pressing again. Hope that helps?
Matt

 

[Laundryman]

I have experience of this product. The things you like about the product are similar to my own but in practice the three that I have bought have failed me badly. Firstly, they are quieter than most. They are clean, easy to fit and the foot switch operation seems to go down well with most people. The fact that they use less water than other similar products I find has a downside in that the flush timing is fixed and doesn’t necessarily push all the waste to the holding tank. There is a build up of calcification and unpleasant smells. The biggest problem is that they are not robust enough to cope with any misuse. The macerator is driven by a pathetic flimsy drive belt, on plastic pulleys. I learnt early on that you cannot put anything other than human waste and a small amount of toilet tissue. Anything else will break the belt and requires a complete strip down. The parts are not cheap either. I have just replaced my third unit with a cheap electric toilet from Force 4. It isn’t a branded product but the macerator is directly driven from the motor, the flush is push button and you can flush for as long as you think you need to empty the pipe. It is no more noisy and roughly half the price. I’m very impressed. I can’t recommend the lite flush as I don’t think it is up to the job.

 

[sealegsjim]

I fitted a Lite Flush about 9 months ago and it has been a success but used for No 1's only. Guests like the ease of use and simplicity of the foot switch. My only criticism is that it is very noisy and I have had to replace the joker valve already. Fortunately this is very easy to do and it is the same valve as the Jabsco twist and lock.

 

[ashtead]

If the Jabsco lite is considered a poor choice what would be the alternate solution if moving to the world of power? I have always been concerned about reliability of electric models and noise . We are reaching age of pipe replacement and it did seem a thought to consider a replacement to Jabsco manual at same time.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have experience of this product. The things you like about the product are similar to my own but in practice the three that I have bought have failed me badly. Firstly, they are quieter than most. They are clean, easy to fit and the foot switch operation seems to go down well with most people. The fact that they use less water than other similar products I find has a downside in that the flush timing is fixed and doesn’t necessarily push all the waste to the holding tank. There is a build up of calcification and unpleasant smells. The biggest problem is that they are not robust enough to cope with any misuse. The macerator is driven by a pathetic flimsy drive belt, on plastic pulleys. I learnt early on that you cannot put anything other than human waste and a small amount of toilet tissue. Anything else will break the belt and requires a complete strip down. The parts are not cheap either. I have just replaced my third unit with a cheap electric toilet from Force 4. It isn’t a branded product but the macerator is directly driven from the motor, the flush is push button and you can flush for as long as you think you need to empty the pipe. It is no more noisy and roughly half the price. I’m very impressed. I can’t recommend the lite flush as I don’t think it is up to the job.

I had a Lite Flush for close on 10 years and basically agree with most of what you say. Mine had the original plastic pulleys but in all that time I never broke the belt or pulleys, used by two people for half of every year. The biggest problem with it to my mind is the low flush volume, aimed at holding tank longevity, at the cost of calcification of the joker valve and toilet loop. As the toilet has aged calcification of the impeller and pump discharge volute has also become a problem, despite regular treatment with hydrochloric acid. I have stripped the unit down to the last component countless times and can change a joker valve in 5 minutes without spilling any water! The flush pump O-ring seals are also very poor and cannot be bought individually, requiring some inventiveness.

This season it became apparent that the impeller shaft seal was leaking and some seawater was finding its way into the bearings, producing interesting noises during operation. Removing the bearing on-board looked highly problematic, so I enquired about a replacement pump and motor, which is the smallest component sold by Jabsco. The cost was almost twice that of a new manual toilet, so I binned the Lite Flush. The Twist and Lock is not so convenient for arthritic hands but enough was enough.

 

[RupertW]

I had a Lite Flush for close on 10 years and basically agree with most of what you say. Mine had the original plastic pulleys but in all that time I never broke the belt or pulleys, used by two people for half of every year. The biggest problem with it to my mind is the low flush volume, aimed at holding tank longevity, at the cost of calcification of the joker valve and toilet loop. As the toilet has aged calcification of the impeller and pump discharge volute has also become a problem, despite regular treatment with hydrochloric acid. I have stripped the unit down to the last component countless times and can change a joker valve in 5 minutes without spilling any water! The flush pump O-ring seals are also very poor and cannot be bought individually, requiring some inventiveness.

This season it became apparent that the impeller shaft seal was leaking and some seawater was finding its way into the bearings, producing interesting noises during operation. Removing the bearing on-board looked highly problematic, so I enquired about a replacement pump and motor, which is the smallest component sold by Jabsco. The cost was almost twice that of a new manual toilet, so I binned the Lite Flush. The Twist and Lock is not so convenient for arthritic hands but enough was enough.

Thank you for that info. Changing one of our heads (the one guests use) for a Jansco Lite has been on my list for years - and the low volume of water used seemed a big plus. It’s been hard persuading guest to flush just enough to cleanly clear the bowl and not a drop more.

But although I’m fine changing joker valves quickly and pipes every couple of years I don’t like the sound of all that maintenance so will drop it off my list.

 

[stu9000]

I have experience of this product. The things you like about the product are similar to my own but in practice the three that I have bought have failed me badly. Firstly, they are quieter than most. They are clean, easy to fit and the foot switch operation seems to go down well with most people. The fact that they use less water than other similar products I find has a downside in that the flush timing is fixed and doesn’t necessarily push all the waste to the holding tank. There is a build up of calcification and unpleasant smells. The biggest problem is that they are not robust enough to cope with any misuse. The macerator is driven by a pathetic flimsy drive belt, on plastic pulleys. I learnt early on that you cannot put anything other than human waste and a small amount of toilet tissue. Anything else will break the belt and requires a complete strip down. The parts are not cheap either. I have just replaced my third unit with a cheap electric toilet from Force 4. It isn’t a branded product but the macerator is directly driven from the motor, the flush is push button and you can flush for as long as you think you need to empty the pipe. It is no more noisy and roughly half the price. I’m very impressed. I can’t recommend the lite flush as I don’t think it is up to the job.

Thanks for the interesting feedback.
Is this the force 4 head you fitted?

https://www.force4.co.uk/force-4-electric-sea-toilet-12v.html

I can't find any videos to assess noise levels but I like the direct drive and the button press flow control.

Limited reviews.
Has anyone else used this product?

Thanks

 

[Laundryman]

Yes it is. I can’t vouch for its durability because I only fitted it a month ago but it has kept the wife happy. No noisier than the lite flush but does take up a little more room. Be prepared to fill the old fitting holes though because they don’t match the jabsco pattern. Despite being unbranded, I am really impressed so far and have high hopes for its durability. In any event it was half the price of a lite flush

 

[prv]

It’s been hard persuading guest to flush just enough to cleanly clear the bowl and not a drop more.

I hope you fitted hose of the utmost quality and impermeability since you’re using it as a holding tank

Pete

 

[RupertW]

I hope you fitted hose of the utmost quality and impermeability since you’re using it as a holding tank

Pete

I change it fairly regularly to avoid smells, quite a quick job now, but am buying butyl pipe this Winter to see if it lasts longer. Much better than full flushes followed by an overflow over the swimmers after a couple of days of 4 people vigorously flushing,

 

[Deker]

Yes it is. I can’t vouch for its durability because I only fitted it a month ago but it has kept the wife happy. No noisier than the lite flush but does take up a little more room. Be prepared to fill the old fitting holes though because they don’t match the jabsco pattern. Despite being unbranded, I am really impressed so far and have high hopes for its durability. In any event it was half the price of a lite flush

Any further update on the Force 4 electric toilet please, they seem good value.

Many thanks

PS, Sorry, I'll get the hang of this soon!!!!!!