Instruction for Installing a Head System?

J

JoLin

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My 24' express is equipped with a simple Ports-Potti with outside vent and deck pumpout. At only 2.5 gallons holding capacity, it won't see the wife and I through a weekend. We only stay out for a night (could be 2) at a time, so I don't need a huge amount of capacity. I have 2 options:

1. Thetford makes another potti with battery flush and 5+ gallons holding tank. It would be a bolt-in replacement for what I have. Costs about $200. Simple, but less capacity then I'd like.

2. Install a comnplete system- fresh water tank (I don't want raw water flush), holding tank and electric-flush toilet. I have room in the ER starboard side for the tanks, say 10 gals. water and 15 holding. Feed and waste hose runs would be 10-15'.

Is there a good, clear guide out there for installing such a system from scratch?
 
I would consider a larger fresh water tank than holding tank. Does the boat have a sink to wash your hands? I'm curious. We definately go through more water than holding. For the head your going to need pressurized water which will require a pump. For the head I would recommend the Raritan Elegance it uses little current from your batteries and would allow for a smaller say 10 gallon holding tank. You won't need any other pumps but you will also need a deck fitting for getting the waste tank pumped out. Look up the Elegance, look up Shure Flow water pumps, there is company called Ronco they make excellent tanks. Then your going to need to run power and water along with the waste line downhill to the waste tank. You will also need a way to fill the water tank another deck fitting. Thats about as basic as I can make it. The all in one larger units maybe more of what you may want to look at. There are numerous all in one units but you are right you are usually limited in holding capacity. So to sum it up you need 4 basic things to do this.
1 - Power for the electric head there are no manual freshwater heads that I am aware of but I could be wrong.
2 - Pressurized freshwater and a way to store it (a tank, deck fill, hoses and pump).
3 - The head and hoses both freshwater and waste.
4 - The holding tank and a deck or way to get it pumped out.
Bill
 
I am sure Vic from Raritan will jump in and help soon. He is the moderator of this forum and also a terrific guy who knows his stuff and his competition.
Bill
 
Hi, BillyIII-

My boat is a typical pocket cruiser. I have a galley with sink a and stand-up head with sink and spray shower. Existing fresh water tank holds 20 gallons. The new tank would be for the toilet only.

I have a good idea conceptually of what's involved in this, basically what you wrote. I'm trying to find a bit more of a step by step guide, diaqrams, pics, etc. I'm pretty handy. I have no doubt that I'm capable of doing the work, just need a better idea of how to go about it.
 
John,

Why do you want a seperate fresh water tank for the head, use your existing fresh water?

There are valves that prevent contamination. My other suggestion would be to make sure you get a large vent fitting on the holding tank.

You need three fittings on the holding tank, Input 1.5" normally near or ont the top of the tank, output, at the bottom of the tank, and a vent on the top of the tank. There are companies on the web, that will make you a custom tank, size shape and placement of fittings.

Depending on where you place your holding tank, you may need to put a new, deck fitting for the pump out, This will proablly be better then running the pumpout hose, back thru the head to the existing deck fitting.

When you are laying out the location of the hoses, remember the hose does notbend easy, and try to avoid low spots. Waste will sit in them and sooner or later will smell. Also get the best waste hose you can, In the long run it will be worth the extra money.
 
The Raritan Elegance PDF would be a good start John. It also contains an anti-backflow contamination valve this would allow you to perhaps make your existing freshwater tank larger and go with the 15 gallon holding tank you were thinking about. Poke around on the Raritan site look at the Elegance installation PDF I think you will see most of what you will need.
Bill
 
When all is said and done, I believe Vic's solution is going to be the most practical for you.

Way to to Vic!
 
Thanks for all the advice, guys. I'm still pondering this as I'm not sure I can spend a grand or so for this, yet. To clarify a point (why a separate water system?)...

The existing fresh water tank and heater fit nicely along the hull on the port side of the ER, leaving me good room for engine access. I'd rather not futz with it. The starboard side is only holding a couple of batteries, with room to add 2 smallish tanks along that side of the hull. The head is also on the stbd side, giving me a straight run for hoses and wiring from the ER to the head.

Existing vent and pumpout fittings are also to starboard, and situated well aft- I assume that a "real" toilet was an option on the boat, and hoses and deck fittings were placed at the factory to suit different options (the original owner of mine went with the cheapo unit). The only deck fitting I'd need to add is a fresh water fill, and there's already a SECOND, sealed-up, not-connected-to-anything "waste" pumpout fitting back there (why, I have no idea). Soooo, that hole is already drilled, and I merely need to replace that non-functional deck fitting with one for water.

Net-net, setting up an entirely separate system for water and waste might save a lot of time and effort, with little impact to engine accessability.

Thanks again
 
Hi, Vic- thanks! That's pretty interesting. Yet more food for thought ;-)
 
John,

I still do not see the reasoning for a seperate fresh water tank, just tap off of the fresh water line that is currently in the head, for the sink.
 
It is completely safe with the proper freshwater head like the Elegance. Rinning 1/2' OR 3/4" waterline isn't that difficult especially if you have a pressurized freshwater system. I would rather do that than add an entirly new freshwater "system" for the head. If you want more capacity get a 2nd water tank a couple of valves you can probably T the deck fill. I don't know the boat well enough. I am just trying to help.
Bill
 
spj and BillyIII-

Tapping off the existing water supply is an option, but I wonder if that'll overtax my fresh water capacity. Existng tank is 20 gallons. Given the way we use the boat, it's probably overkill for galley and shower use, but using it for flushing too might empty it too fast.

The idea of adding a second tank and plumbing the 2 together so I can use a single pressure pump for both, is a definite possibility.

My hestitation in doing that is that I'll need to run new plumbing from port to stbd across the engine room. I'll have to take a close look at the ER layout and see how it might all fit together.

All this brainstorming is why I posted here in the first place. :-)
 
quote:
Originally posted by spj

John,

I still do not see the reasoning for a seperate fresh water tank, just tap off of the fresh water line that is currently in the head, for the sink.

Click to expand...


Do not attempt this with any head that is not specifically designed to be used with a pressurized potable water system. There is too much danger of cross contamination. Even if you install a check valve.
 
quote:
Originally posted by JoLin

My 24' express is equipped with a simple Ports-Potti with outside vent and deck pumpout. At only 2.5 gallons holding capacity, it won't see the wife and I through a weekend. We only stay out for a night (could be 2) at a time, so I don't need a huge amount of capacity. I have 2 options:

1. Thetford makes another potti with battery flush and 5+ gallons holding tank. It would be a bolt-in replacement for what I have. Costs about $200. Simple, but less capacity then I'd like.

2. Install a comnplete system- fresh water tank (I don't want raw water flush), holding tank and electric-flush toilet. I have room in the ER starboard side for the tanks, say 10 gals. water and 15 holding. Feed and waste hose runs would be 10-15'.

Is there a good, clear guide out there for installing such a system from scratch?

Click to expand...


There is no good clear cut guide because each installation is different depending on many things. If you understand these systems, can read and follow instructions, have the proper tools and knowledge to use them, it wouldn't be too difficult to install a system. Not an "easy" job, but doable.

I don't understand your reluctance to installing a raw water flush system. Certainly, fresh water flush is better, but if a head was an option on your boat when it was new, it was probably a raw water flush system. On a boat that size, the space and weight of ten or fifteen gallons of water for head flushing could be put to better use. And, you'll never run out of raw water for flushing.

Everything in boating is a compromise.
 
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