Liveaboard Toilets

[vyv_cox]

Does anyone know if the Henderson pump will allow a back flow from the waste outlet pump. Its pretty crucial to me and is the reason I get so fed up when the jabsco pump lock downs pack up. This is because of the high holding tanks.

Should I go for the electric or the manual pump (I rather like the sound of an electric

The pump used with a Lavac is a positive displacement diaphragm type, so it has suction and discharge valves. These will prevent back-flow to the toilet, in a very similar way to a check valve. It seems to me that this modification will solve much of your current problem.

In the past I have had serious problems with electric toilet pumps, the shaft seal in particular, which ended with me having to flush the electric motor with fresh water on pontoons every day. This tends to attract strange looks from passers-by. Despite that, I have decided to live dangerously and go for another, the new Jabsco Lite. The Lavac one AFAIK simply drives the same pump body with a motor, so should be devoid of sealing problems. Could be a good way to go. Unfortunately I cannot fit a Lavac pump anywhere in my heads, or I would have had one.

 

[SeamanStaines]

Despite that, I have decided to live dangerously and go for another, the new Jabsco Lite. The Lavac one AFAIK simply drives the same pump body with a motor, so should be devoid of sealing problems. Could be a good way to go. Unfortunately I cannot fit a Lavac pump anywhere in my heads, or I would have had one.

Sounds like the manual Lavac is the way to go for me then... just need to work out where to fit it!

A word of caution, in the many discussions I have had with Jabsco an enthuasiastic salesman convinced me that the Jabsco Lite would be a better bet than the manual jabsco compacts I have. Having been stung before with their 'leisure use' policy I called the service department to ask them before ordering. They said the Jabsco Lite was built the same way, for occasional leisure use which they calculated as a few weeks per year for two people with a design life of five years. They told me that it was not suitable for liveaboard use.

Mind, I had been giving them a hard time so it is possible they really, really did not want me to buy one :-(

Might be worth you giving the service department a call before you buy one?

 

[Firestone]

Is there a web address for Lavac toilets or can they be purchased in any chandliers outlet?

 

[macd]

Is there a web address for Lavac toilets or can they be purchased in any chandliers outlet?

Lavac don't sell direct to the public. Several chandlers advertise their wares in the boat press. The only problem with them is the price of spares (thread on this recently). Luckily there aren't many bits to go wrong.

 

[pmyatt]

Have a Jabsco. Two of us have lived on board for 5 months per year for past 3 years. Apart from periodic use of hydrochloric acid or white vinegar to remove "limescale" et al, plus weekly dose of olive oil as lubricant we have had no maintenance issues apart from replacement of the joker valve after 2 years.

Agree entirely - and we have lived aboard for the the past 2 years almost continuously - vinegar and olive oil is definitely the answer.

 

[sailorman]

I installed two Lavacs ten years ago - one in constant use, one used occasionally. Not done any maintenance, not had any problems... yet.

Mines a Duval

http://www.ybw.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3592&stc=1&d=1266135851

 

[TQA]

Just moved on to a boat with two Raritan PH II heads. The boat came with a lots of spares including toilet spares.

In the US they cost a lot more than the Jabsco but are they any better.

I am thinking long term as this is my forever boat. If they are going to need rebuilding every few months then I will switch to Lavacs.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

We have done five years of liveaboard with Jabsco by giving them regulat treats of vinagrette.
As the prophet said, " Be nice to your toilet and it will be nice to you"