Jabsco Sea Toilet Suddenly Stopped Working

[Slipperman]

OK, to wrap this up for the moment, I did try a length of 38 mm from the pump to a bucket and the pump worked fine. So it must be a problem with the hose (seacock seems OK) and am now thinking about options for getting it fixed. I guess I was reluctant initially to accept that a complete blockage could occur from out of the blue, without some warning signs in the way of being difficult to pump etc. However, it would appear from previous posts that this can occur, so will take it from there. I might try the dinghy pump idea before thinking about lift outs etc, and will certainly investigate the Vetus rubber hose.

Many thanks to all contributors which were all very helpful.. Great forum.

 

[ashtead]

Good luck in your pipe replacement which might be simplest solution as if it’s happened once the issue might resurface if the pipe is past its prime .

 

[Poignard]

You could try a Sani Snake.

Not expensive.

 

[LadyInBed]

I found that the calcium build-up was predominantly at the bottom, just past the duckbill. Removing duckbill and poking with coat hanger wire opened up the blockage, then hitting the pipe with a hammer cleared a lot more. I then pumped brick cleaner into the pipe and left that to react with the calcium for about a week.
All been ok since. I now use a container to pee in and use the heads for 'big jobs' as it's the pee that causes the calcium.

 

[LittleSister]

will certainly investigate the Vetus rubber hose.

It's butyl sanitation hose you want, in my experience/view, not necessarily Vetus brand (I don't know if they do such a thing).

(I'd forgotten when I responded to Lightwave's recommendation of Vetus, and assumed we were talking about the same thing. Apologies.)

Here's some examples of various sanitation hose, including butyl (other suppliers available, and I've no connection apart from satisfied customer).
Sanitation Hose and Waste Water Hose

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

This is the stuff I use:

White Sanitation Hose

Using a hot air gun or a hairdryer it's a piece of cake to fit. Anything with wire reinforcement is a pig to fit and remove as many on here will confirm.

 

[Slipperman]

Any views on whether the Vetus Rubber Sanitation Hose or the various butyl equivalents last as long as the plastic variety. I like the idea of greater flexibility but wonder if they degrade more quickly?

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Any views on whether the Vetus Rubber Sanitation Hose or the various butyl equivalents last as long as the plastic variety. I like the idea of greater flexibility but wonder if they degrade more quickly?

The Vetus hose is much stiffer than the pvc type and when warmed the pvc hose is very flexible.

We changed all our pvc hoses when we fitted a holding tank. Those hoses were 28 years old and looked as good as new. The new hose is now 8 years old and in perfect condition. One thing I don't like about the Vetus hose, apart from it being extremely expensive and a nightmare to fit is that it gets grubby on the outside after a while and begins to look shabby.