Lavac less smelly than Jabsco?

[Dave_Seager]

I can think of one reason why a Lavac may be less prone to smells from the flushing water than a Jabsco.

The Jabsco has one side of the pump in the hose between the inlet sea cock and the pan. Even when on the dry setting, only one valve is held open so it will tend to retain water in the pipe from the sea cock to the pump.

The Lavac relies on the vacuum created in the pan by a pump on the outlet side. The inlet pipe is fitted with a small ventilation hole to release the vacuum so that the lid can be opened after flushing. This allows the water to drain back out of the inlet pipe down to the water line. This reduces the volume of water standing in the pipework to become smelly and this contaminated water is less likely to remain in the pan after use.

 

[NormanB]

It's a no brainer for me.... I too insist on sitting...there's even a sign in the heads requesting the same. I ask all our guests to please sit (and explain why). My boat = My rules, likewise when I sail on other's boats I would consider it disrespectful to the skipper not to do ask he asks.

I've only hade one guest who didn't comply ........ despite being an experienced sailor & a good friend....he's never been invited back.....

JR

Interested to know how you detected your non compliant good friend.

Did you just happen to pop down below and check on the state of the head IMMEDIATELY after your friend had used it?

 

[jordanbasset]

Among other things to keep the toilet smelling fresh we used the shower head to flush fresh water through the Jabsco when water was plentiful and always when we were leaving the boat for any length of time, seemed to help.

 

[doug748]

Among other things to keep the toilet smelling fresh we used the shower head to flush fresh water through the Jabsco when water was plentiful and always when we were leaving the boat for any length of time, seemed to help.

I always do this as well, hoping it helps with avoiding a build up of calcium in the pipes.

Extended, lively pumping is always good, as Vanilla has pointed out. Inlets and outlets are usually very close together and unless there is a strong tidal flow the miasma can be recycled. I pump, leave it a minute, and then pump again.

 

[dylanwinter]

I can think of one reason why a Lavac may be less prone to smells from the flushing water than a Jabsco.

The Jabsco has one side of the pump in the hose between the inlet sea cock and the pan. Even when on the dry setting, only one valve is held open so it will tend to retain water in the pipe from the sea cock to the pump.

The Lavac relies on the vacuum created in the pan by a pump on the outlet side. The inlet pipe is fitted with a small ventilation hole to release the vacuum so that the lid can be opened after flushing. This allows the water to drain back out of the inlet pipe down to the water line. This reduces the volume of water standing in the pipework to become smelly and this contaminated water is less likely to remain in the pan after use.

Bingo

the science bit

so I did not imagine it

to be fair to the Jabsco, as others have said above, I think it is the seawater in the inlet smelling in the Jabsco

as for those who claim that their jabscos are odour free.....

I am not sure I believe you. They might not smell to you.... but I have yet to meet one that does not smell a little wiffy if left unused for a week or so.

Once the thing is up and running neither smells that bad.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I binned my Lavac (well sold it to a forumite ) and bought a full sized Jabsco.

Lavac.....Bl**dy smelly things and you get a wet butt every time you sit, takes ages for the vaccum to cease, and you cannot judge if the pan is empty of blackwater straight away. Crap! to use a pun.

If you have a smelly loo then you need to replace the pipes. Then always flush out with fresh water at the end of each cruise before leaving for a long period.

S.

 

[Vanilla]

....
as for those who claim that their jabscos are odour free.....

I am not sure I believe you. They might not smell to you.... but I have yet to meet one that does not smell a little wiffy if left unused for a week or so.

Shame you're not in the Solent Dylan as I would be delighted to treat you to dinner, served in the loo, with your plate balanced atop the loo seat....I'm THAT confident I can show you a delightfully sweet smelling fresh jabsco!!! Should the unthinkable happen and you find the meal less than yummy, it will as a result of my chef-ing deficiencies not the whiff of the loo...mind you having seen some of your culinary delights....:disgust:

 

[Mudisox]

As a semi live aboard, with a large loo/shower room, and as the boat[ a Catamaran] allows me to leave the seacocks open for most of the time, we have no problem.

Everyone has to sit.

The provided Lavac instructions for pumping are increased to 15 pumps, wait and a further 15 pumps. and a few pumps prior to use with the lid close ensures that the water is fresh before use. Simple really, and no smell except after the twice weekly slosh around with disinfectant.
The sea water is free and easily replenished.

As it is also used as a committee boat with many women coming aboard, savoury loos are important. Not smug, just using common sense.

 

[dylanwinter]

Shame you're not in the Solent Dylan as I would be delighted to treat you to dinner, served in the loo, with your plate balanced atop the loo seat....I'm THAT confident I can show you a delightfully sweet smelling fresh jabsco!!! Should the unthinkable happen and you find the meal less than yummy, it will as a result of my chef-ing deficiencies not the whiff of the loo...mind you having seen some of your culinary delights....:disgust:

what a marvelous offer and I am astonished at myself for not rushing down to the solent to eat off your toilet. I am 61 this year and have never had such an offer before. It is good to know that even at my age the world can throw in a few surprises and new experiences.

 

[Minchsailor]

I hve had boats with both the Lavac and Jabasco. Never had problems with smells from either. I think there are 2 difficulties:

1. A LOT of water has to be pumped through to fully flush the outlet pipe - the syphon holds a big volume. This is easier with the Lavac as the pump is a higher capacity.

2. The outlet hose needs to be sanitary variety; many loos I have seen have been plumbed with standard green bilge pump hose which is not odour impermable.

 

[jonrarit]

Interested to know how you detected your non compliant good friend.

The give away was the sound ... we were all below deck at the time and he confessed when confronted....

 

[dylanwinter]

The give away was the sound ... we were all below deck at the time and he confessed when confronted....

this thread just gets better and better.

such a simple answer and begs so many more questions.

 

[Tranona]

This thread has the makings of a good TV reality show!

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

yes picking up some pointers made by others,

I do request that everyone sits to perform at all times.

I do request that users pump far more to flush than they would reasonably think required.

S.