SL400 toilet problems

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Keiron

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I have the above toilet on a boat I have recently bought. It pumps out fine but I don't seem to get any inflow. I have checked the seacock inflow and have water to the toilet. Any suggestions what the problem could be? I stripped the toilet last weekend and the various valves seem to be OK. The toilet only has a single handle and no other valves I presume when pumping the handle water is automatically pumped in as it is pumped out. Am I correct?? I haven't got a manual and would really appreciate a copy if anyone has one.

Cheers Keiron
 
Push the handle sideways!

towards the bowl, to pump flushing water in.

(You are probably now kicking yourself, but you are by no means the first to be puzzled by this!)

As you will have spotted, the inlet uses the opposite side of the diaphagm.
 
The 'manual' is only a sheet showing how to operate it and an exploded diagram for parts. Look here for further info.

To operate the pump: moving the handle up & down pumps out but not in. To draw in water as well, press the handle to the left towards the bowl while pumping. If you are pressing hard enough the pivot shaft will slide about 5mm to the right which activates the inlet valve.

If that doesn't draw any water in there are two likely causes:

a) the shaft isn't moving in & out - try unscrewing the big nylon nut around the shaft and cleaning/lubricating the shaft.

b) the inlet valve chest is a rectangular box about 3" x 1.5" held on by 6 bolts: remove the cover where you will find a pair of rubber valve flaps. Under the intake flap is a hair spring that holds it shut for priming. It often breaks but fortunately you can now buy packs of them from the website above. When refitting the valve cover, press the pump handle inward and stick a screwdriver blade in the hinge mechanism to hold it there while you fit the valves. You will see that moving the handle operates a little arm that comes out and lifts one of the valves to break the suction and prevent water being sucked in - you can't seat the valve properly unless the arm is held out of the way as described.

Final tip - I have lived aboard for a long time with a pair of SL400s and I have fitted wing nuts on the hold-down bolts to save time lifting them out!!
 
My advise, unless it's working very well, noting the above method of operation, is to get rid of it and get another - Jabsco or Lavac. Two previous boats I've had Ive ended up replacing them halfway through my summer cruise!
 
Re: Push the handle sideways!

Many thanks for you help. Hopefully its operator error by me. I'll check it out this weekend.

Keiron
 
I completely agree. Nothing spoils the family cruise more than unbolting a full SL400 and carrying it through the cabin at 0600...
 
Yesterday I visited Lower Quay Chandlery in Fareham to buy spare parts to repair our old lavatory. I found they are selling Jabscos for £89.99. At that price it`s not worth the time and "unpleasantness" repairing the old one. They still have a few in stock.
 
Agree with the three last posts.

I have been there, done that thing (unbolting the SL 400, mid-cruise..) and would never go near one again.

My advice is get a BABY BLAKE!
 
There is one (and only one) very good reason to have an SL400: the space issue. If there is restricted room below or behind it is the only make that will fit. 6" from seat to mounting platform is a pretty powerful argument.
 
\"There\'s always room for an S-L 400!\"

One of the most celebrated adverts in British yachting history, along with "The Best Outboard Motor for the World!"

Anyone over 50 will instantly call to mind the cartoon of stout party in yottin cap sitting with his head and shoulders out of a forehatch...
 
I had a similar problem - would pump out but not in. Once stripped down, I found that there's a piece of plastic that acts like a rocker to transfer the in/out movement of the shaft to open the inlet valve. As you press the handle in towards the bowl, the main shaft moves in and presses on this rocker which moves a little and presses on the inlet valve and opens it.

The rocker moves on a bearing screwed into the back shell of the pump assembly. On my bog the bearing screw thread in the shell was non existant. I think it's an insert in the plastic which had coroded away to dust. It looked OK at initial inspection but didn't work. I had to replace the back shell & we now have a flushing bog.
 
Can I ask a quick question here?

Recently bought a centaur with an SL400 in it.
Working ok, but when I flush it there is liquid seeping out the base of it.
Would people think I just need the base gasket or does it sound like a bigger problem?
Thanks
 
vidapura said:
Can I ask a quick question here?

Recently bought a centaur with an SL400 in it.
Working ok, but when I flush it there is liquid seeping out the base of it.
Would people think I just need the base gasket or does it sound like a bigger problem?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Impossible to say. Could be the gasket between bowl and base, could be the seal round the pump spindle, could be a cracked pump chamber, could be a leak round the pump diaphragm, could be something else. All fixable; all parts available. Does it happens only when you pump or does t happen if you leave water in the bowl and wait? Is it flushing water or foul water?
 
I too have wrestled with the SL400 and have taken apart the whole mechanism 4 times. I replaced the inlet valve at a cost of £27 and after a difficult reassembly now find that I can pump water in (using the weirdly operating handle) but when pumping out the water (?) under pressure squirts out around the joint where the foul pipe connects to the side outlet of the toilet. The so called 'joker' valve would appear to be building up the pressure and not allowing anything thro'. Looking at the joker valve makes me wonder how anything would get through it. Any clues folks?
 
I think it's common for the plastic pump/valve system to be cracked due to freezing and embrittlement. Have a close look. It's a pity because the basic design idea was very good.
 
Hardley said:
I,ve had an SL 400 for 12 years, never had a problem with it, but then I do take it to bits every winter for cleaning/lubricating.
Click to expand...

Mine has been on board since 1973. Just needs TLC now and then . Headmistress once voiced her opinion on how little TLC I actually gave it :encouragement:
 
dleroc said:
Looking at the joker valve makes me wonder how anything would get through it. Any clues folks?
Click to expand...

I've seen a badly moulded joker valve in which the two flaps (the things which look like Donald Duck's beak or Posh Spice's lips) were joined together across the end. Needed a wee bit of gentle knife work to separate them.
 
JumbleDuck said:
Impossible to say. Could be the gasket between bowl and base, could be the seal round the pump spindle, could be a cracked pump chamber, could be a leak round the pump diaphragm, could be something else. All fixable; all parts available. Does it happens only when you pump or does t happen if you leave water in the bowl and wait? Is it flushing water or foul water?
Click to expand...

Thanks for your time.
Well I didn't try it with 'foul' water just yet. So it could be either intake or outflow...
I'll pour some blue eco clean stuff I found in a bottle nearby through it and see if the blue shows under the base when I flush..

Thanks
 
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