Jabsco toilet problems

[Dave_Snelson]

My Jabsco sea water toilet pump packed up. It was flushing them it came to an abrupt stop and blew the main fuse by the battery switch.

I thought "no problem - I'll just order a new elecy unit and swap it out"..... then I saw the price - £250 +VAT!!!!

Does anyone have direct experience of these things? Could it be something simple? (unlikely, I know).

The unit is a Jabsco Electric Toilet conversion 29200-0120 (12 volt) and this is it if you click this link.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jabscoshop.co.uk/category.asp?sid=c328456692db44c48533dc8664037dbe&ls=&id=24>http://www.jabscoshop.co.uk/category.asp?sid=c328456692db44c48533dc8664037dbe&ls=&id=24</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[Roy]

Hi Dave - this might sound daft, but would you consider just having the manual pumping kind - a brand new complete unit for half the price of the electric unit. I have found the hand pumper more reliable in some respects than the previous boat,s electric one which got knackered by someone putting a wet wipe down the bowl. Stuffed the little motor and cost us a bomb. Just a thought.... Maybe a caravan parts supplier would have the bits cheaper? Might be worth asking. Roy

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?

 

[joanne2]

Our manual Jabasco toilet has packed up.

When the switch is to left (open so water can be pumped in) the lever pulls up but is very hard to push down and only a little water comes through and bits of plant.

We have obviously got some weed in the inlet pipe but what do I need to take apart to clear it without flooding everywhere. The toliet flushes away fine but have to keep filling it with water from the kettle so getting a bit fed up.

Also what can I put down the toilet to freshen and clean it up?

Thanks

Joanne

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Roy]

Hi Joanne

See the post 3rd of Aug - toilet filling when under way. On there, responing, is a lady (Headmistress Peggy Hall) who is an expert on all things toilet/pipes/smells etc. Drop her a pm and I am sure you will get advice. She has many posts/replies on here and seems to be 'the authority' on boat loos etc. Roy

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?

 

[Solitaire]

Hi Joanne - it may not be weed in the inlet pipe at all. The pump in and out system works via two little valves seated on a rubber seal which can be found by unscrewing the top and taking it off. You can buy a complete service kit fror about £25. It really is not that difficult to do. In fact you don't even have to turn off the seacocks. As to keeping it freash you can buy enviromentally friendly cleaner from most chandlers. The other thing is that if you put a bit of clean vegeatble oil down the sytem it will help keep the rubber parts lubricated and stop them sticking.
Hope all is well other wise.
David

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun</A>

 

[HeadMistress]

Re: both Jabsco toilet problems

The life expectancy of Jabsco toilets made in the last 7-8 years is only about 2-5 years before something fails.

Dave, yours blew a breaker because somebody flushed something they shouldn't have...it's clogged the macerator and discharge pump impeller. When they can't move, the motor overheats...the breaker blows. Take it apart, clear out the clog, and it should work again. And then instruct your guests that NOTHING they haven't eaten first except a maximum of about 5 sheets of quick-dissolve TP is to go down the toilet. And always flush long enough to move the bowl contents all the way through the system...don't stop the second the bowl is empty.

Joanne...you may have pulled in a weed, but I doubt that's what's caused your problem...I'm betting it's a failed wet/dry valve--a VERY common problem in Jabsco toilets made in the last 5-6 years. The actual valve is just a little "gate"...the lever swings it to block off or unblock the flow of flush water. Due to either a design or tooling defect, that little "gate" hangs--almost always in the "dry" mode, preventing any flush water from coming in...and when it hangs, it also creates backpressure that's easy to mistake for a clog. Jiggling the wet/dry lever MAY free it up, but only temporarily...it'll hang again. The only cure is a replacement wet/dry valve assembly...or better yet, a higher quality more reliable toilet.

But you still need to clear out the vegetable life...and that's likely to be a bit messy..but you can minimize the mess. First, close the intake seacock. Pump your toilet as dry as possible. Put a pan or plastic bag under the hose connections before removing them. Disconnect the intake hose from the toilet and the seacock...check the thru-hull for anything that may be caught in it...put the hose on the dock and blow it out with water. Remove the top of the pump...depending on the age of your toilet, that may require removing 6 screws, or only loosening a hex nut. Carefully pull up the pump handle to check for any material in the pump. If there is any, remove the pump piston altogther and clean it out. I'd have an exploded drawing of the pump assembly handy so you can make sure all the bits go back where they belong, oriented in the right direction...if you don't have one, it's here: http://www.jabsco.com/prodInfo/overview/29090-2000_ev.pdf

While you have the pump open is a good time to lubricate it. Buy a tube of synthetic teflon grease...put a HEALTHY squirt of it into the cylinder...pump a few times to spread it all over the inside of the cylinder...replace the top on the pump.

As for cleaning your toilet: do NOT use any household chemical bowl cleaners, bleach, or household cleaning products containing bleach, pine oil, or "antibacterial" cleaners. Wipe out the bowl with little liquid or powdered cleanser on a sponge or paper towel...flush a cupful of white vineger down it in the dry mode.

Ok, class...any questions?

<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[cool_running]

toilets

2 to 5 years on a toilet,perhaps people should learn how to use them, or pay for the after effects!!!!....

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Re: both Jabsco toilet problems

Well Peggy - I didn't think you would be far away, and I'm glad you turned up. My guess is that the toilet is in excess of 10 years old. Moreover, I was just running some water through it before leaving the boat, so it was only water that was going through it at the time.

I think I will invest in a new identical unit and break the old one for spares. I have heard that using a little cooking or frying oil flushed down it will keep it lubricated. Is this true?

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[Dave_Snelson]

In response to both yours and Roy's replies, I have been on a number of my friends yachts and quite honestly the manual units do seem to smell a lot. Maybe its just prejudice, but I think I will stick with the electric version at higher costs.

...and educate the users!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[HeadMistress]

Re: both Jabsco toilet problems

Electric toilets don't require any lubrication, Dave...only manual toilets do.

That you were only running water through it when it locked up doesn't rule out a jammed macerator or discharge impeller 'caused by something that went down in a previous flush. 'Cuz the only thing that will cause it to lock up and blow the breaker is something preventing the impeller from turning. In fact, it may BE the impeller if it's 10 years old--a vane that broke off a piece jamming it. Impellers don't last forever. It seems a shame to spend nearly 300 PS for a new toilet pump if all you need is an impeller--if that much. Kinda like shooting the horse 'cuz it threw a shoe. As for keeping the old one for spares...there's nothing in it that can be recycled as a spare...just an impeller that does double duty pulling flush water in an pushing waste out, a macerator blade (all of which have to be VERY worn after 10 years, so not worth saving) a motor and the few parts that make 'em all work together.

If you don't have a drawing for it, email me. Some of the drawings are on the Jabsco site, but not that one...I just checked. I have one in PDF on my hard drive and I'll be glad to attach it to a reply.

Most odors emanating from the toilet itself are caused by sea water left to stagnate and stink in the intake and channel in the rim of the bowl. The worst odor problem I ever encountered was in an electric toilet...a baby squid that had been sucked in and died. We had to take the whole system AND the toilet apart to clean out all the pieces of the poor li'l bugger's remains.

Cool, it's not ignorance of how to use 'em that causes toilets to fall apart in just a few years...it's the quality of the materials and workmanship. 15-20 years ago--even 10 years ago--Jabsco built a pretty decent toilet...in fact, quite a few of their 15 yr old toilets are still in service. But that's not true of the ones they've made for the past 6-7 years....even the most careful owner is lucky to get 2 totally trouble-free years out of one any more, especially their manual toilets.

<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[oldgit]

Old better as usual than new improved version.

My manual bog is approx 20 years old an works perfectly.It does not pong unless not pumped clean by last user on previous trip out.Always give a extra good flush before shutting off valves before going home. Boat dries on mud berth and even so half dozen pumps before use clears any of my" berth" forced into orifices./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Stupid place to leave an island anyway......

 

[cool_running]

Re: both Jabsco toilet problems

I have 2 manual toilets, 8years old, both work fine, having said that i have heard of many problems as yet no experience of any faults...
Stephen

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[kengill]

I used to have this on Vitality. Came with her when I purchased her. Best thing I ever did was throw the conversion into the skip and replace it with the manual pump. I must have spent over £300 in bits for it during the 5 years I used the electric loo and if you used it when the batteries were low it would dump the GPS and chart plotter.

Consign it to Davy Jones locker me heartie and get the manual pump instead. - Sheer bliss and you don't tell the entire marina you have just used the heads!!

 

[Solitaire]

I think after 2 years Dave may have fixed the problem by now! Or else his in the [--word removed--]! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif In fact the original post was made before you were "born" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Onyigue]

peggy

hi peegy i was so greatful to see someone had info on how to repair a blocked electric toilet. I have taking it apart several times now, yet cant get it working. The problem was a blocked baby wipe! Which i think i removed successfully from the blade outside the impeller. Is it possible that it is blocked elsewhere or could you help me to find a solution? I,m domented! It sounds like it wants to work yet it doesnt.

 

[Mexican]

I've got one of these and it could be that there may be something blocking the shredders in the base. Have you deposited along with the 'normal' any wet wipes etc that won't dissolve?

If blocked fuse will 'go' - have had this a few times over the time I've had it, fingers crossed bowl not full!!

 

[carlton]

Wow - this has gotta be the oldest resurrected post ever on here. Dave Snelson's OP was on 14-08-04. That's 6 years, 3 weeks.

 

[Onyigue]

help

I've got one of these and it could be that there may be something blocking the shredders in the base. Have you deposited along with the 'normal' any wet wipes etc that won't dissolve?

If blocked fuse will 'go' - have had this a few times over the time I've had it, fingers crossed bowl not full!!

cleared baby wipe from shredders in the base, and replaced fuse! thank goodness its working again thanks everyone for ur advise

 

[ratCATcher]

Jabsco Quiet Flush - Headmistress please help!!

Hi there,

I have been reading the problems and solutions and was wondering if Ms. Headmistress can help us.

Our Jabcso electric stopped flushing. The "empty bowl"worked fine but when you tried the flush option the toilet filled up and didn't empty.

We opened it up and cleaned out the macerator, it had some hair in it (where does the hair on a boat come from?? lol) He also cleaned the joker valve. Put it all back together and now it flushed but VERY VERY slowly not fast enough to empty bowl. Also now that he has put it back together is also slowly fills up without us doing anything.

We suspect the pipe after the pump has blocked with sediment etc (Nothing funny put in toilet other than paper and pre eaten goods )

Can you shed light as to what the problem may be and if there is anyway to clear the pipe without diconnecting them all? Vinegar maybe?

Would greatly appreciate any help.

Regards

Alison

 

[VicS]

Peggie Hall, AKA HeadMistress, stopped posting on these forums some years ago. (Last post on 29/04/07)

I believe she has retired but that she does still maintain a board on an American boating forum.

Vinegar is too dilute and acetic acid is anyway too weak to be seriously effective in clearing badly scaled pipe work.
You would need a stronger acid, such as hydrochloric acid, and probably at a greater concentration than the acetic acid in vinegar.

Peggie did however recommend the use of vinegar flushed through regularly to prevent the build up of scale