TMC toilet

[mogmog2]

Our boat came with a TMC toilet and no instructions. I've not had a lot to do with sea toilets so in the dark here.

The boat hadn't been used for a couple of years or so, it flushes out OK, but we have tried every permutation to get it to flush in.

It seems there is very little on the web about this loo and nothing recent.

Any ideas on where to start troubleshooting? If I could find a Jabsco manual, would that be of assistance as they look like they operate on similar-ish principles?

If there is some internal valve that may have died & spares aren't available, it looks like a Jabsco pump could be fitted as it's a separate item from the loo & appears to be connected with a bog standard hose
Cheers

 

[rogerthebodger]

TCM heads

http://www.tmcint.com/en/product-c31740/TOILETS.html

 

[VicS]

Our boat came with a TMC toilet and no instructions. I've not had a lot to do with sea toilets so in the dark here.

The boat hadn't been used for a couple of years or so, it flushes out OK, but we have tried every permutation to get it to flush in.

It seems there is very little on the web about this loo and nothing recent.

Any ideas on where to start troubleshooting? If I could find a Jabsco manual, would that be of assistance as they look like they operate on similar-ish principles?

If there is some internal valve that may have died & spares aren't available, it looks like a Jabsco pump could be fitted as it's a separate item from the loo & appears to be connected with a bog standard hose
Cheers

Google will find operating instructions for Jabsco toilets eg
https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/document.do?docId=769
or
http://media.channelblade.com/EProWebsiteMedia/3506/Jabsco Twist n Lock Manual Toilets.pdf

There is a series of Videos on
http://jabscotech.com/
that explain the inner secrets of Jabsco toilets but I don't know if they will help with the TMC toilet

 

[mogmog2]

Thanks, I had found a thread a few weeks ago, but couldn't find it again. IIRC the tone was fairly negative. I had also found the TMC website, which has no 'support' tab and the content is pretty minimal. Our model has no representation as it's a few years old.
I may have to take a pic and email them, but don't feel hopeful. Just hoped someone else may have this loo.

I thought there'd be Jabsco literature around... thanks fir the link, I can at least start getting familiar with that as I suspect principles are very similar.
Cheers.

 

[pvb]

Any ideas on where to start troubleshooting? If I could find a Jabsco manual, would that be of assistance as they look like they operate on similar-ish principles?

If there is some internal valve that may have died & spares aren't available, it looks like a Jabsco pump could be fitted as it's a separate item from the loo & appears to be connected with a bog standard hose
Cheers

Jabsco manuals are downloadable from the Jabsco website. If you decide to replace the pump, the Nuova Rade pump is cheaper - https://seamarknunn.com/acatalog/Lalizas-Toilet-Pump-Assembly-LA11535.html

 

[Neeves]

As far as I know the TMC is a copy of the Jabsco model - though I only say this because I added a TMC electric pump to our Jabsco unit - and its a perfect fit (and I think it said so on the TMC box).

The pump has a couple of crude valves at the top of the pump and a big valve at the base. The valves at the top are controlled by the lever at the top of the pump and if it has been taken apart previously - its very easy to re-assmeble incorrectly (so that the lever does not actually operate either or both valves).

I'd check the instructions of the Jabsco unit and then remove the top plate of the hand pump - very carefully - and identify if the little levers in the head of the pump actually engage the valves. You might find (and I hope) its a very quick fix.

Good luck

 

[Tranona]

Yes, the TMC is a Taiwanese copy of the Jabsco so operates on the very same principle. They were popular here a few years ago when they were roughly 70% of the price of the genuine article. However a combination of lots of in service problems and Jabsco both improving their product and dropping the price meant they disappeared.

Take the pump apart and clean it, check that you actually have water coming in through the seacock and if it still does not work probably better to but a new complete Jabsco for less than £120. From memory the mounting holes are the same.

 

[mogmog2]

Yes, the TMC is a Taiwanese copy of the Jabsco so operates on the very same principle. They were popular here a few years ago when they were roughly 70% of the price of the genuine article. However a combination of lots of in service problems and Jabsco both improving their product and dropping the price meant they disappeared.

Take the pump apart and clean it, check that you actually have water coming in through the seacock and if it still does not work probably better to but a new complete Jabsco for less than £120. From memory the mounting holes are the same.

Thanks for that.
I haven't been very involved with this - thus far it has been the domain of SWMBO as I've been busy doing engine stuff. I wonder how long I can keep that going?

 

[Tranona]

Thanks for that.
I haven't been very involved with this - thus far it has been the domain of SWMBO as I've been busy doing engine stuff. I wonder how long I can keep that going?

Time for the yellow Marigolds - they come in male sizes.

 

[mogmog2]

Time for the yellow Marigolds - they come in male sizes.

I just saw a video of a woman changing the Joker valve - http://https://youtu.be/i5SKllmTKzE so it is theoretically possible that this could run. Unless it's a strength thing why not, Besides I need to get the old engine out

 

[LittleSister]

As far as I know the TMC is a copy of the Jabsco model

Yes, the TMC is a Taiwanese copy of the Jabsco so operates on the very same principle.

The TMC may operate on the same principle as the Jabsco, but beware it is (or at least some models are) not a direct copy, and parts are not necessarily interchangeable.

I have a TMC (Model 999 IIRC), and following advice on this forum I bought a Jabsco manual pump unit to replace the iffy one on the toilet. The Jabsco pump did not fit the TMC, but fortunately, because I'd bought in online, I was able to return it to the seller and get a refund.

After various rummaging on the internet I found that some TMC spares were apparently available from a chandler in Australia, but in the end I got a TMC pump service kit (various seals, O rings and a joker valve) from an Italian chandler. It arrived fairly promptly. I seem to recall it came with an exploded diagram of the various parts, which with the application of a bit of imagination and experimentation allowed me to do the replacements. Unfortunately, the pump still does not work very well, so I am in the market for a new toilet.

If I were confident that the mountings of the Jabsco matched those of the TMC, that would sway my choice despite some reservations about the Jabsco (vs. Lavac or whatever), because that would make the installation much easier for various reasons. Having had my fingers figuratively burnt once, though, I am sceptical as to whether that is genuinely the case.

 

[rogerthebodger]

This is the TMC toilet pics

Jabsco

The Jabsco pump only may not fit on the top of the horizontal pipe from the bottom of the bowl but the hozontal pipe from the jabsco will fit the bottom of the bowl.

I know as I fitted a TMC electric conversion to my old jabsco bowl some time ago.

This was the electric conversion I fitted. I subsequently replaced with a whale diaphragm pump.

 

[savageseadog]

I have a new electric one to sell.

 

[ithet]

As far as I know the TMC is a copy of the Jabsco modelGood luck

Its more of a copy of the old Brydon, although that company were I believe bought out by Jabsco.

I replaced the Brydon of my old Moody with a TMC as it was an exact fit into the fixing holes. In retrospect I would have been better off re-drilling for the Jabsco...

 

[chrishscorp]

We did a twelve day cruise and upon my return the TMC was removed and a new Jabsco fitted.

I did find a service kit for the TMC it was £79, even the Chandlers without prompting said dont bother put it towards a new one. ours was strugling to pump out and seawater leaked around the handle. The hole on the base didnt quite line up but not by much and i also ended up replacing the hoses though it will depend on your boat/hose layout.

 

[mogmog2]

Thanks everyone.
An unloved item, the TMC loo...

We'll open it up and see if anything is obviously amiss. I'll not be buying anything for it then: either a Jabsco pump if feasible or a new loo.

Rogershaw, IIRC our pump is joined by a hose rather than a plastic moulding, so is potentially more interchangeable I think. TMC offer no obvious support for earlier models.

I can't see any advantage in an electric loo, only disadvantages: please enlighten, unless the electric pump is more reliable than the complex dual-action hand ones?

 

[rogerthebodger]

Thanks everyone.
An unloved item, the TMC loo...

We'll open it up and see if anything is obviously amiss. I'll not be buying anything for it then: either a Jabsco pump if feasible or a new loo.

Rogershaw, IIRC our pump is joined by a hose rather than a plastic moulding, so is potentially more interchangeable I think. TMC offer no obvious support for earlier models.

I can't see any advantage in an electric loo, only disadvantages: please enlighten, unless the electric pump is more reliable than the complex dual-action hand ones?

I finally replaced the head pump with one of these for the pump out.

and one like this as a rinse pump.

But a rubber vane or centrifugal pump would also work as a rinse pump

 

[mogmog2]

I finally replaced the head pump with one of these for the pump out.

and one like this as a rinse pump.

But a rubber vane or centrifugal pump would also work as a rinse pump

At the risk of being dim, what is the advantage?
Thanks

 

[rogerthebodger]

At the risk of being dim, what is the advantage?
Thanks

You don't get any where near the problems as you do with the jabsco/TMC type heads.

You don't need and special training, just push the button to finish the job.

and its is almost silent even compared with hand pumping.

My main head is a LAVAC with a Mk V hand pump and I now have 2 reliable heads on board.

 

[mogmog2]

You don't get any where near the problems as you do with the jabsco/TMC type heads.

You don't need and special training, just push the button to finish the job.

and its is almost silent even compared with hand pumping.

My main head is a LAVAC with a Mk V hand pump and I now have 2 reliable heads on board.

Thanks. As I mentioned at the outset, I have limited experience with sea toilets.
As I'm currently putting together my order for a new engine & associated parts, such advances will have to go on the wish list