Quietest electric head

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I suspect that you have the series 1 Tecmas, if you managed to block them. Sort of 2000-2005. When they tweaked the design they became virtually unblockable. (As ever with various part of boats not just loos, we the users are the testers and product refiners)

All I can say is that on several occasions I've had teenagers on my boats with Tecma toilets, both boys and girls. If anybody can block a toilet, teenage girls can and so far, the Tecmas have munched everything that's been lobbed down them

 

[Elessar]

I suspect that you have the series 1 Tecmas, if you managed to block them. Sort of 2000-2005. When they tweaked the design they became virtually unblockable. (As ever with various part of boats not just loos, we the users are the testers and product refiners)

Silicone? All mine are fitted without silicone and I wouldn't have it any other way. And the trouble you're talking about accessing pipe fastenings is just bad installation. They should be installed with more slack in the pipes. Mine can be unscrewed from the floor and moved well away from the wall, and rotated, giving access to the back

The one etched on my memory was on a new 2011 boat. You know the one you nearly came aboard in Antibes! Agreed longer pipes would have helped. It was a wet wipe type thing that did it, jammed it solid.

 

[jfm]

Ah, THAT boat. Blocked loo was least of problems! Surprised they used silicone but ho hum, and yes longer pipework might have been needed.

This is the prob with boat building - you need to spec everything. My black tank system has pages of spec and drawings down to the minutest detail. It is completely non standard and (in my book at least) much better than the builder's standard install with higher quality parts and fewer of them (= less to go wrong). The speccing is detailed and I have the right amount of slack in the pipes plus isolation valves (fresh water and black) close to each WC so that I don't have to deal with more spillages than absolutely necessary. Bit hard to do if the boat is being built in Taiwan, I grant you!

 

[MapisM]

Bit hard to do if the boat is being built in Taiwan, I grant you!

LOL, call it impossible rather than hard, and you're much nearer to reality, imho.
Not that you can find the "my way or no way" approach only in the People's Republic, TBH...
...Delta springs to mind, as another prime example!

Back on topic, just curious, what did Tecma change during the years exactly?
Mine are 2002 vintage, still working just fine, never ever blocked (touch wood).
Only a few days ago, the only fault on one of them, when the boat went back in the water after months on the hard, was a stuck electric fresh water valve.
Removed, cleaned some calcium deposits, still working flawlessly.

 

[jfm]

LOL, call it impossible rather than hard, and you're much nearer to reality, imho.
Not that you can find the "my way or no way" approach only in the People's Republic, TBH...
...Delta springs to mind, as another prime example!

Yup, ROTFL

what did Tecma change during the years exactly?

Very little, but they changed (iirc) the detailing around the entrance to the impeller/macerator chamber and I think they added (or modified) the inserted metal blades that cut the log as it enters the impeller/macerator chamber. We are talking ~10 years ago when this change was made and I don't remember the details but if you ever take yours apart take a photo and we can compare (if we have nothing else better to do that day, at least!)

They also changed the design of the 5mm dia air bleed pipe that "bridges" the U bend - they made it smoother to eliminate the step the caused it to get plugged with #2 material. The old one was a clear pipe with crimped joints; the new one is an integral part of the U bend moulded rubber component, with no joints

Those things, as far as I know and ignoring soft close seats etc, are the only design changes they ever made. Those IT engineers did a brilliant job in the initial design. The design brief was always (it's only an anecdote now, ~20 years on) to build a WC that worked and don't worry much about the price, not build a WC that fitted within someone's price budget. Remember the initial installers were IT yards like Overmarine, Leopard, Canados et al who were building up to a quality and not saving €1000 of cost. The returns from the clever initial design must be fantastic. Of course the company got sold (to Thetford in 2003)

 

[MapisM]

if you ever take yours apart take a photo and we can compare (if we have nothing else better to do that day, at least!)

Well, I'm afraid that unless a problem arise, that day won't come anytime soon...
...sipping a drink in the cockpit, enjoying music and a light breeze while browsing the net, ATM.
So, not awfully busy I must admit, but I can live with that rather than taking the bowl apart, for the next couple of decades at least!

Thanks for the briefing, I was aware of the soft close seat (which I don't have) and also of the Thetford acquisition, but didn't remember the year.
I must remember, if and when I'll give up boating, to put my couple of Tecmas on eBay, advertising them as...
Extremely rare original design vintage bowls - don't miss the opportunity to experience the feeling of being onboard a Mangusta at a fraction of the price!

 

[jon711]

For smaller boats than that you have:
1. Jabsco "quiet flush". As others have said, the noise is amazing and the use of the word "quiet" is a lie. Not great machines imho and not the least liable to block, but only a few £ hundred. Plastic bowl; no ceramics, urgh

PLASTIC BOWL?????? Where are you getting them from?? The bowls are ceramic, made in the Far East and cost a small fortune to freight to the factory. If you have a plastic bowl, then some one is selling you a pup....

Jon

 

[jfm]

PLASTIC BOWL?????? Where are you getting them from?? The bowls are ceramic, made in the Far East and cost a small fortune to freight to the factory. If you have a plastic bowl, then some one is selling you a pup....

Jon

Oops I apologise!. Yes indeed the jabsco bowls are ceramic. I'll edit my original post.

It doesn't change my overall negative view of Jabsco loos (based on plenty of ownership and use of them). Jabsco loos even with ceramic bowls are pups imho!

 

[MapisM]

The bowls are ceramic, made in the Far East and cost a small fortune to freight to the factory.

LOL, you're saying that as if we would be talking of a Ming dynasty masterpiece.
Since when it's worth paying a fortune to fill a container with Chinese junk...? :ambivalence:

 

[sunquest]

Oops I apologise!. Yes indeed the jabsco bowls are ceramic. I'll edit my original post.

It doesn't change my overall negative view of Jabsco loos (based on plenty of ownership and use of them). Jabsco loos even with ceramic bowls are pups imho!

Well each to their own, I've had two of the "quiet" ones which resemble domestic toilets for three years without any issues. Or have I spoken too soon. When we first saw them at LBS The demo model appeared reasonably quiet, however mount it on a Grp plinth and you have a super sound box. It resembles an aircraft loo flush. The only recommendation I have suggested to crew is to flush after 6 sheets of paper are used to reduce the risk of blockage.