Head upgrade

Veg

Veg

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This weekend I found that my Jabsco elecric conversion kit (originally a manual toilet) is leaking some water near the base. I don't care to find out if it's the clean or dirty water that's leaking, I just want to replace the thing since I never liked it (noisy plus I would never trust it with a #2, if you know what I mean).

The Jabsco Lite Flush head seems like a pretty straightforward upgrade, apparently designed to retrofit just what I have now, which I assume means in part that the mounts align which would make installation a lot easier. I'd like to do this myself so something not to complex would be good. I've seen it listed between $400 and $450... Has anyone installed this one and if so, do you have any feedback?

The only other option that I am considering right now is the Raritan Elegance and in that case switching to freshwater flush. I take it this would be a pretty involved upgrade, connecting to the freshwater, installing the multifunction control, and probably a larger risk that I'll have holes on the head sole from the current installation that the toilet won't cover up. The cheapest I've seen it listed is around %500 so it seems like I'd spend at least an extra $100 in parts, probably a little more considering new freshwater plumbing to the fixture, and deal with a more difficult installation... Any opinions on just how much better this head is than the one above?

Thanks for the input.
 
Can't answer your question but it's good to hear there is life on the Mississippi :)

Niles
 
I've been reading a little more online and it sure seems like the marine elegance is a distinctly superior product. Might be worth it.
 
I upgraded 2 years ago to the Marine elegance and would highly recommend it. The installation may seem involved but, trust me, it's not. All of the templates and instructions actually make it quite easy.

It really is a terrific product and has performed beyond all expectations.

Bob
 
Bob, thanks for the kind words. Your check from Raritan is in the mail.

It's being routed via US Postal Service to Santiago, Chile. Then by oxcart to Ecuador, from Ecuador by tramp steamer to the Galapagos Islands, across the islands on the back of one of those huge turtles, and from there by surfboard to the Panama Canal. In the Panama canal it will eventually float through in a bottle, then be carried by the tides up to Cuba.

If the Castro brothers don't impound it, it will be carried to Florida by the Boat People, and with a little luck, you may possibly get it somewhere around the turn of the next century. [:-bigeyes][:-bigeyes]

All the best, and have a great weekend!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ernesto

I've been reading a little more online and it sure seems like the marine elegance is a distinctly superior product. Might be worth it.

Click to expand...


That's what I have read.

I had a chance to buy an almost new Marine Elegance top of the line model off a boat that was being sold as part of a bankrupcy case.

I wasn't sure it would fit in my head compartment and still allow users to do their business with the door closed. I could have taken it off the other boat and tried it, but I got lazy and missed the opportunity.

I wish I had tried it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ernesto

I would never trust it with a #2, if you know what I mean.

Click to expand...


This has always been a concern of mine also. Perhaps Vic can shed some light on how heads are tested and what they can handle. Do they use blocks of clay or something? Inquiring minds want to know!
 
"Do they use blocks of clay or something?"

Ahem, they use "something". If I remember correctly, the "test standard" is a condom filled with soy bean paste. About 500g of it. I think.
 
I don't know about Ernesto's head, but, last year while in the Bahamas, my friend and I decided to make some really good Chili. Trust me, the Marine Elegance can handle all the #2 you can throw at it. (if you know what I mean) :D

Bob
 
I can personally say I have tried a new VacuFlush (factory certified install) and then the Raritan Marine Elegance. I actually got a pre-production unit and the ME is the best boat head out there. I have a wife that has a medical condition that lets just say a gallon of boiling water, let sit, stir would clog the VacuFlush everytime. The ME eats it all 1st flush, I usually give it a 2nd flush on "those occasions" just to make sure the plumbing to the holding tank stays fresh. It hasn't clogged yet it even flushed and ate a guest's Tampon. I would suggest getting the smart control head for it as well. It also uses the same or slightly less water than the VacuFlush. In addition you can dry flush it if needed with the smart control.
I can't say enough good things about the ME and it's a good value for the money. I would have easily paid twice to solve my "problem" which the ME did.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Radioactive

"Do they use blocks of clay or something?"

Ahem, they use "something". If I remember correctly, the "test standard" is a condom filled with soy bean paste. About 500g of it. I think.

Click to expand...

I'm an engineer and I'd love to see the formal test procedure or specification.
 
Vic, any suggestions for me before I just go ahead and place an order? I'm just a tad curious about the many different product numbers and prices listed of Marine Elegance out there... Looks to me like the main options are color, voltage, controls and raw/fresh water.

So, I want to change to freshwater, and I want a white toilet, and it's going to run on 12V... I want a good control but I'm sure what the options are? I'm looking at prices for Raritan 220HF01201 online:

http://www.google.com/products/cata...TYS-Oou3tgeyrsjuBg&ved=0CFgQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers

Is that with the "good" control? And if I buy that package, what do I get, and is there anything that needs to be purchased separately?
 
Mine is the 220HF012, Bought and installed in May of 2009. I'm not sure what the last "01" in the item number above denotes but I paid $581.94 for mine 2 years ago from BoatFix.

Bob
 
I would have liked the dual fresh and or raw water model but it wasn't even an option when I got my unit. I think it would be a great option if you are on the hook and were running low on freshwater. Then again I have a watermaker but for the most part rarely use it (it's generally pickled). Then again I could always get a bucket of water from over the side of the boat and use the empty bowl flush. For the average boater the freshwater model with the 4 button deluxe remote is all you will ever need. Mine is a 12 volt model as well.
Bill
 
Mike, the program I saw where testing took place was in an "American Standard" plant. I think. It's been a while since I saw it. I have no idea what the paste specs were, but they used a large bore syringe to fill the "rubber sleeves" by hand.

Raritan may do it differently.
 
If I remember the story correctly, Raritan used a very scientific method to test the Marine Elegance before putting it on the market: They installed it in their ladies room! If it survived that, it'll do just fine in the less harsh marine environment :-)

Ernesto, I did the exact upgrade you're doing 2 years ago. I went from the Jabsco w/ electric conversion to the 12v SmartFlush Marine Elegance head in freshwater only. It was money well spent. You'll be amazed how much quieter the ME is, how it flushes, and how little water it uses.

BTW, from your initial post I'm betting you'd need to tear that Jabsco completely down and either replace the main gasket at the base or the base itself. Been there, done that. Don't want to do it again!
 
Elegance is a great toilet. If you want go fo less I suggest Sea era From Raritan. they great and you have different options. Fresh water household size bowl. Or marine size bowl for salt water etc. they are great too.
 
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