Tecma loo question

[Andrew M]

Hi,

One of the Tecam loos on our recently aquired 2006 boat is not pumping in any flush water. It flushes the loo perfectly well if we pour a bowl of water into it and that makes it's way into the holding tank fine, it purely doesn't refill itself with clean flush water.

I have found the solenoid that is connected into the pumped fresh water system so am assuming it's that (without yet having checked it properly) but have also seen on here that the control panels can need replacing. We have the 1 button control panels. I guess it must be 1 or the other, either the solenoid blocked/failed or the control panel not telling it to open.

I'll do some multi meter checks when I'm down in a week or 2 but does anyone know if this is a known Tecma thing that it's worth me having spare bits for, either panel or solenoid ?

Andy

 

[MapisM]

I had the same problem at the beginning of last summer (WCs installed a dozen of years ago, so older than yours), when the solenoid of the guests loo (which is the less used one) was stuck, after the boat was stored for some months.
It was just a matter of removing it, opening and cleaning, still working as new now.
Actually, I was told that Tecma recommends the replacement, whenever the solenoid fails, but of course that's always possible, if and when it will fail again...
Anyway, in this respect it might be a good idea to keep a spare one onboard.

Oh, BUT! You had some water and pressure in the fresh water circuit when you tried it, did you?
Don't want to teach anyone to suck eggs, but I've seen folks wondering about what was wrong with the loo while they had not turned on the fresh water pump...!

 

[jfm]

Yup, solenoid valve is more likely than control panel but could be either. Easy test w multimeter. I carry both spares. If buying a control panel you might as well buy a two button unit and upgrade, then keep the old one as a spare

 

[Andrew M]

Brilliant, thanks guys.

Mapis..yes I know what you mean with is the water pump on, I've tricked myself with that before, but yes in this instance the sytem is on.

Ah, thanks, good, I was sort of wondering if it was ok to fit a 2 button panel in place of ours and that confirms it. Think I'll just get a panel and valve and keep on board as spares and then see if I can get the existing valve working with a clean up and as you say John ,just fit the new upgrade panel and if it proves to be ok, keep the original as a spare

Thanks again,

Andy

 

[jfm]

Yup, difference between 1 and 2 button systems is just the control panel, not the loo or anything else. Both control panels just take 24v in (or 12v), and send +24 out to the solenoid valve and the motor in a timed sequence. But the valve and motor are the same regardless of which control panel you use, so retro fit of 2-button is entirely possible

By the way, talking of spares, I carry spare motor and the moulded rubber insides at the back of the loo, at considerable, expense, but have never used them in many years of using Tecma!


Andrew, if you find someone selling a 2 button panel in the grey colour, I want one, because mine are grey except for one of them that is the more common off-white colour (due to supply probs when my boat was being built). I'd like to change my off white one to grey. So, if you want to, if find a grey one send me the link and I'll buy it and sell you my off-white one at 50% of the price. Only if you want to - no pressure. My white one is new May 2013 when the boat was built.

When I say white and grey, I'm talking about the surface of the actual rectangular control panel, not the Vimar-standard trim "frame" that clicks on to finish off the installation and hide the screws. Those trims come in black and white and you'll get one of each.

 

[Andrew M]

Hi John,

OK, will start looking and let you know, colour not a problem with me so that could work out.

I was going to say you can just have one of our grey ones but it's only 1 button type.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Just to give the opposite view, I did experience a failure of the control panel 2 seasons ago but you can very easily test that by swapping a panel from another toilet. FWIW I do now carry a spare panel. I did ask Tecma at the time if they could recommend any other spares that I should carry, expecting a long list of overpriced parts, but they just said no, there was no need to carry any spares!

 

[Andrew M]

Good point Mike, hadn't thought of that....swap another panel in to see if it's that. I think I'll order in a panel and a solenoid to carry as spares anyway. We won't be down to the boat for a couple of weeks so that gives them time to arrive but depending on how I get on with checking/cleaning the solenoid if the bits haven't got here then the panel change might be next on the list to confirm or otherwise.

I also really liked the mod that jfm mentioned in an older Tecma thread about wiring in a couple of hidden Carling switches to give control and overide of the flush pump.

jfm: have not had time today to find if a grey panel is available but will report back when I do.

Thanks chaps.

Andy

 

[Andrew M]

Thetford are saying there is a new type of water inlet valve, diaphram not solenoid. Anyone know if this would be better or perhaps it's just made of more resin than the older brass style ?

jfm, will have a link to pm to you with the grey panel shortly, are you sure that's ok?

 

[MapisM]

Andrew, if you find someone selling a 2 button panel in the grey colour, I want one, because mine are grey except for one of them that is the more common off-white colour...

J, I've got a couple of grey panels installed onboard, 2 button, 24V, in mint conditions in spite of their age.
Glad to exchange them for the whites, if you don't find another solution.
I'm only afraid that I won't be back onboard before the end of May/beginning of Jun...

 

[Andrew M]

Ok, thanks for all the help guys, have got it sorted last weekend.

It was the solenoid, I had bought a replacement, easy fix, just remove the old one and do a simple DIY home plumbing job on the brass fittings either end of the new one, the plug on the loom fitted exactly into the new solenoid and hey presto... a fully working loo. Out of interest I will take the old one apart and see if I can tell what was wrong, if it has just limescaled shut then I might strip, clean and rebuild it and keep it as a spare That is what I also did last weekend to the windscreen washer pump solenoid, it was constantly leaking all the time the water pump was energised. quite a bit of limescale inside it when I'd stripped it down, a good clean up with Viakal, re-assembled and fitted back in, I was very pleased to have that working without a drop of leakage for the rest of the weekend.

Have just got to adjust (reduce) the water level in the bowls in all the loos now then it looks like they are sorted.

Sorry jfm, so far the only replacement panels I have found are the cream colour with the large (looks older fashioned to me) Tecma logo, not the best looking. If I go find a grey one I'll let you know.

Andy