Lavac toilet air bleed plug

[Bodach na mara]

I am renewing the inlet hose for my Lavac and can find only very old instructions for the toilet that came with the boat. I renewed that one (anyone want to buy an old Lavac?) but did not renew the hose at that time. The instructions refer to grey and black plugs and it is the black one that is installed (for a toilet near or below the waterline.)

Unfortunately the plugs supplied with the new toilet are brown (large hole) and white (small hole.) Which of these corresponds to the black one? Oh and by the way the old instructions state that a 3/16 hole should be drilled for the plug. Is the size still the same?

Thanks in advance to anyone who has a better filing system than me and can find their instructions.

 

[sailorman]

I am renewing the inlet hose for my Lavac and can find only very old instructions for the toilet that came with the boat. I renewed that one (anyone want to buy an old Lavac?) but did not renew the hose at that time. The instructions refer to grey and black plugs and it is the black one that is installed (for a toilet near or below the waterline.)

Unfortunately the plugs supplied with the new toilet are brown (large hole) and white (small hole.) Which of these corresponds to the black one? Oh and by the way the old instructions state that a 3/16 hole should be drilled for the plug. Is the size still the same?

Thanks in advance to anyone who has a better filing system than me and can find their instructions.

3. AIR BLEED VALVE
A simple plastic plug with a hole
drilled into it. The plug allows air
into the system, preventing siphoning
and releasing the vacuum when
pumping stops. The size of the hole
in this valve controls the level of
water remaining in the bowl. Two
valves with different sized holes are
provided (Spares No. TLZ9251 –
the larger the hole, the less water
remains in the bowl.
http://www.blakes-lavac-taylors.co.uk/pdf/lavac.pdf

 

[Bodach na mara]

Thanks for that link Sailorman. Within the instructions I found this:-
"For installations on or
above the water line, insert the
white plastic bleed plug.
For installations below the water
line, use the black plastic plug."
which helps in that I think that my brown plug is the right one to use. They also state that the hole is 5mm (or 1/18" ?????!!!) so that is that bit sorted as well.

 

[Kwik Decision]

Just fitted a new Lavac, and also got confused about the 5mm or 1/8" hole to drill for the bleed plug. I did a test on a short length of gash pipe, and a 5mm hole gives the bleed plug a nice snug fit. With 1/8" (or just over 3mm) there is no chance of the pug going in....

Incidently, I've read that if there is lots of water left in the bowl after flushing, the hole in the bleed plug needs to be bigger. Going by my eye, the black plug has the larger hole.

Boat goes back in the water next week, so can't comment on how well it all works until then.

Cheers

Andy

 

[oldfatgit]

When I had to replace mine which, for some reaon was lost, I installed the top off of a Bic Biro pen, (not the cap, the top out of the main pen barrel, other end to the knib) into which I had made a hole with a hot pin. Seemed to work fine once I'd made the hole the right size.

 

[theguerns]

lavac

I am renewing the inlet hose for my Lavac and can find only very old instructions for the toilet that came with the boat. I renewed that one (anyone want to buy an old Lavac?) but did not renew the hose at that time. The instructions refer to grey and black plugs and it is the black one that is installed (for a toilet near or below the waterline.)

Unfortunately the plugs supplied with the new toilet are brown (large hole) and white (small hole.) Which of these corresponds to the black one? Oh and by the way the old instructions state that a 3/16 hole should be drilled for the plug. Is the size still the same?

Thanks in advance to anyone who has a better filing system than me and can find their instructions.

From Boatbuilder. Use a standard 20mm Vetus syphon break in the hose at the top

 

[VicS]

From Boatbuilder. Use a standard 20mm Vetus syphon break in the hose at the top

What in place of a £3.55 part from Blakes Lavac Taylors.

Name and shame that boatbuilder please ... one to be avoided

 

[sailorman]

This one

http://www.proboat.com/

 

[Bodach na mara]

Thanks for all the answers. Well I put the small hole (white) one in as the one in the tube that was removed did not seem to have a hole at all. No wonder it took ages for the vacuum to reduce to the point where the lid could be lifted.

The 5 mm hole was too small. No way would the plug go in, I enlarged it by reaming it out with a round file until he plug was just able to be inserted.

I think I prefer the free part supplied (or the Bic plug replacement) to the Vetus part. Call me mean if you like, up here we call it canny.

 

[Obi]

Nice to hear of a cheap alternative to a lavac part. When my hinge sheared they wanted £69 + vat for a new one. Its a 3" bolt with a 90 degree bend in it!

Ill be throwing out the lavacs next time they need a service.