Servicing Blake's Baby

[snorkmaiden]

Servicing Blake\'s Baby

Apologies if I have already posted this on the forum. I am still learning how to use the site.
I have a spares / service kit for the BB I have on board (generally very well-behaved but now leaking from both pumps and not holding flush water back when intake seacock open.) Problem is, I am intimidated by complicated instructions and lack of specialized tools. I am seeking advice, encouragement and even help. I have just over a week in La Rochelle before a friend arrives for a week's cruise.

 

[Bilgediver]

Re: Servicing Blake\'s Baby

You complain of not being hable to hold sea water back when the sea cock is open.

This is like saying you get burnt if you hold a lighted match under your finger!!!!!

From what you say it would appear you have a baby blake installed in a boat where the pan is either close to sea level or below it. In these circumstances it is never wise tio rely on stiff suction valve springs etc to stop the toilet and boat flooding but to ensure that there is an anti syphon loop between the pump and the toilet. This will prevent the toilet flooding even in rough seas when the boat heels.

The anti syphon loop would be fitted between the inlet pump discharge and the bowl connection if this is possible with an anti syphon valve fitted at the highest point. The hose should be looped upwards as high as possible.

The leaking plungers can be fixed on most toilets by replacing the pump rod seal in the pump cover. I don t have a baby Blake manual but I expect it is similar. If there isnot a seal there then the hole for the piston rod will need to be re bushed and machined to size .

Ahhhhhh a Baby Blake.....command high prices on EBay /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[snorkmaiden]

Re: Servicing Blake\'s Baby

Thanks for the post. We do sail with seacocks closed but seacock is awkward to reach (and involves moving the cool box), so we like to leave it open in port.
The BB handbook is scarily detailed. First advice is to remove the toilet completely and I have heard it suggested that you take it home for the winter and make a hobby of its servicing. (At the cost, yes, you might as well.)

 

[Bilgediver]

Re: Servicing Blake\'s Baby

Mailspeed do a service kit complete with instructions...It would appear the Blake toilets are fitted with heavy duty springs on the suction valves to hold them closed except when the plunger is being operated. This would prevent the toilets flooding between use....Sounds like you bneed to fit new springs and the IMPROVED pump gland seal


John

 

[alan006]

Re: Servicing Blake\'s Baby

I don't know if anyone's warned you but be careful what chemicals you use to clean the baby blake. Normal domestic toilet cleaners will damage the seals. A friend of mine told me he puts a little bit of cooking oil down the pan every now and then and this helps the seals to stay supple and last longer.