Servicing heads, what to do?

[SvenglishTommy]

I removed the pump from my heads to give them a service and replace the rubber bits as it was leaking a little from variuos places. I think the toilet is a RM69 (or very similar model) for which the service kit is about £35. The toilet is an old model, and although I suspect it would be perfectly fine after a service, they are only £75 for a whole new toilet.

I'm finding it very hard to bring myself to fork out half the price of the entire toilet for a servicing kit. Should I just buy a whole new toilet, and if so are the branded ones like Jabsco or Johnson really any better than an RM69 or other, they look pretty similar to me, and dont seem to be of a higher quality.

 

[capnsensible]

Hi, I find it worth having a spare pump as well as a service kit on board. That way, when the pump goes wrong, I can exchange it quickly so the heads can be used and I can repair the broken one when circumstances permit i.e. not in a gale or where the shops are shut for another 3 days!
Hope this helps.

 

[SvenglishTommy]

I suppose I could buy a whole new unit, and reassemble the current pump as it is and use as a spare.

 

[capnsensible]

Good plan, I have never regretted having a spare particularly during long voyages.

 

[Jonny_H]

I have two RM69's with dodgy looking pumps (the metal parts badly corroding) - am going through the same debate - get new pumps for £75 each and try to get a spare from the two duff ones, or buy two Jabsco heads for £95 each...

Decision is coming down on the side of new pumps as they will be a straight swop and easy to install - but I would be interested to hear if anyone thinks the Jabsco etc are better than the RM69 units (they look very simalar!)

Jonny

 

[Pye_End]

The access to the pump on the newer style is much better if you have a catastrophoc failure, like the end of the rod falling off with the pump 'full'.

You can buy a new pump and fit on to the existing toilet, but as you say, a new one is so relatively cheap that it makes most sense.

I used to get little leaks from various joints on the RM69 but the new one so far has been fine.

 

[Birdseye]

Having once been stuck in N Spain with no functioning toilet on board, I say do both! Buy the new toilet and also get a spare pump.

Personally, I would be inclined to go for a Lavac. They seem to be simpler and certainly there arent the stainless steel shafts to rot in the way they did in my RD69

 

[Jonny_H]

If your interested in a Lavac there's one here for under £60 (NEW!):

http://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/ProductDetailsPage.aspx?product_id=18671

Are the new RM69 pumps still prone to rotting of the shaft like the old ones?

Jonny