Lavac

[30boat]

My boat has a lavac that works well enough especially after renewing the pump's rubbers,but I still think it's not as good as the jabsco head I had for 8 years in my previous boat.The problem is that I always get some kind of reflux even after pumping twice as much as supposedly necessary.This results in the heads comparment always smelling bad because of the foul water in the bow.Is this normal?

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[MedMan]

No, it isn't. You should be left with 'fresh' sea water in the bowl. If foul water is running back the inlet valve is not working correctly. There is a right way and a wrong way to mount the inlet valve. I guess you may have mounted it the wrong way!

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[suse]

I have the same problem, and it's FOUL - where would I find information re: replacing the rubbers (I wondered about replacing the pump itself, as the Henderson MkIV (I think) is now out of date, and my local chander doesn't own up to having replacement rubber bits. Also, where is there information about the inlet valve? Frankly, I prefer to use a bucket, because of the problem, but visitors arent quite so happy!

Thanks for all information!

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[philip_stevens]

I've recently replaced the diaphragm, and inlet and outlet valves in my Henderson Mk5 pump.

You can contact Munster Simms Engineering for repair kits at:-
277-279 Old Belfast Rd
Bangor
Co. Down
BT19 1LT

Tel: (028) 9127 0531
Fax: (028) 9146 6421

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.whalepumps.com>http://www.whalepumps.com</A>

They are in N. Ireland (as can be seen), and will send you repair kits with Credit Card details.

One valve (without opening mine I am not sure) is kept in with four SS screws, and the other is held in by "judicious" use of a soldering iron to melt a little plastic over the side of the valve frame.

Make sure that the inlet and outlet are in the correct orientation when screwing both halves of the pump back together. Also check that both plastic discs have not broken - one each side of the diaphragm.

If you are getting "your own" back in the bowl, then your valves are not seating properly when pumping out. One valve is a flap valve, and the other is known as a "clacker" valve - similar to a valve in your heart. As has been said, there should be no smell after pumping out.

One tip - when leaving the boat or overnight or when sailing, open the top of the Lavac and pump it as dry as possible.

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Philip

 

[MedMan]

The Lavac uses the Henderson Mark V which is still very much in production. I replaced mine this year as, after 25 years, the original was getting a little tired. If you go for a new one, make sure you ask for the special model for the Lavac - it mounts in a different way to the normal bulkhead-mounted Mark V.

When working correctly the Lavac is, IMHO, the best sea toilet on the market. Because it uses 40mm hose and a proper size bilge pump it can cope with toilet paper without flinching. I have only had one blockage in 15 years and that was trying to flush away moist toilet tissue which is super strength.

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[chas]

My 70's model works perfectly. I do find I have to hold the seat down to achieve the vacuum. If your pump is OK, are the seals round the seat in good condition?

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[sailorman]

the Lavac is the best "bog" available !.
far & away better than the jabsco.
u need to change the out-let hoses as these are what smells due to proisity of the hose wall.
when u leave the boat flush through add a little dettol or similar & pump into the out-let leaving a little of the mixture in the bowl then shut the sea-cock leave the lid open.

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[peterb]

Check the slack in your seat hinge pin. When the seat is down the seal should be in contact with the basin all the way round, with no load being taken by the pin. There has to be sufficient slack in the hinge pin to allow this.

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[bob26]

I have found it worthwhile flushing out the Lavac with freshwater when you leave the boat - especially if you sail in an area where the water over the side is already dilute sewage. Just a litre or two poured in and pumped out with the lid up helps to ensure the bowl is sweet when you come back next time.

A shot in it of something lethal to the bugs that work on the residue and produce the stink also helps.


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[sailorman]

u could also try vinagar up the pipes

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[paulrossall]

I take it you mean the inlet valve on the Henderson pump. I have a Lavac and it is brilliant. I happened to see a replacement valve (all the rubber bits and screws) at Foxs marina at Ipswich which had a price of £38 on it. I wonder what a new pump costs. I would buy direct from Henderson at the Northern Ireland address given on another post. They are very helpfull.
Mine did get blocked once but I used the sink plunger, which was on the boat when I got it, to clear the bog. I did wonder why it was on the boat as it is much too big to use on my little sink.

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[AndrewB]

I'm another who has had excellent results. The installation instructions do point out that the intake should be ahead of the outflow, and not too close, to prevent reflux. The seat needs changing every few years for the new vacuum seals, and the pump needs stripping and and the valves and diaphram cleaned or replaced every couple of years as they get encrusted with chalky deposits and less effective (and the joker valve more prone to blocking).

I find the inlet pipe also needs to be cleaned periodically as mine is prone to hydrogen-sulphide producing algae. On my yacht this is a long pipe with a swan-neck well above the water-line, and an anti-syphon hole which perhaps encourages the growth. When I have found our Lavac seems to get smelly after a period of non-use, this has sorted it.

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[smb]

Ditto the inlet pipe problem. Do you have a 'quick fix' for cleaning it in situ, short of pumping gallons of fresh seawater through it which only has a limited effect?

Steve



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[30boat]

The pump now pumps fiercely with the new seals and diaphragm and the seat and lid seals are working well to the extent that the lid deforms quite a bit if I'm not careful with the handle.I only get reflux after a while wich leads me to the conclusion that I'm not getting rid of all the contents when I flush .

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[AndrewB]

Lavac inlet pipe cleaning.

Fill it with cheap bleach (Tesco) for 24 hours.

As its a bit inaccessible, I close the seacock, disconnect at the Lavac end and attach a filler tube held above the level of the swan-neck, fill slowly until it starts to weep from the anti-syphon hole. It will be diluted slightly by sea-water remaining in the lower part of the pipe.

I don't think bleach attacks brass, but if you have a brass seacock it would be worth checking!

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