Raritan Crown Head Fresh water.

jgrothe

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
RO Number
31650
Messages
24
Does anyone have any experience converting a Crown Head to fresh water, instead of sea water, or in my case river water?

Raritan sells a few parts, along with instructions to make the conversion. I would appreciate hearing anyone respond with input about the process and results.
 
If you are in a fresh water river, why bother?
 
Why? Because after working during the week, and I arrive at the boat, the first flush or two smells SO bad it nearly peels the enamel off your your teeth. Additionally, the toilet bowl is very difficult to keep clean as the river water build up at the bottom of the bowl, daily, and looks like it has not been cleaned for a year. And, because the water pick up point is so near the front of the boat that if I run up on a sandy beach, the toilet cannot be used...the pick up is in the sand/muddy bottom.
 
cwms, remember, the key "offender" with raw water intake systems is that the raw water contains microorganisms that perish within the intake hose ( and inside the washdown ring of the head, as well ). Once those things start to decompose they become "fragrant".

The problem occurs in all raw water systems, in both fresh water bodies as well as salt water bodies.

Some folks do not find this to be a problem ( I am one ), but many do. A system using potable water is a sure cure.
 
That was a great description of the fragrance of a raw water head, peeling the enamel off one's teeth, so true. I have used nothing but freshwater heads in this boat since I bought it. It came with a Jabsco RW head but I never used it. It was changed out before I ever spent a single day on the boat other then the Sea trial prior to purchasing her.
Bill
 
Not trying to give anyone a hard time on this. I've been boating in brackish water for years and while I can't say I've never had a problem with head odor, I can say it's very rare and when it happens, it doesn't peel the enamel off my teeth.
 
I switched over my crown a few years ago. Very easy two parts from Raritran. Well worth it. I know I added a shut off on the fresh water line because the bowl would fill faster than it would leave the bowl.
 
Woodchuck, thanks for the success story. I was hoping to hear from someone with experience. Marine toilets are a series of compromises, and finding what works best, well, is best. I too will add a valve to manage flow as well as a functional shutoff.

If anyone else wants to jump into the mix, I welcome all input.
 
The absolutely best (freshwater) head I have ever used is the Raritan Marine Elegance. It's not expensive and is easy to install.
Bill
 
Billy, how does the Elegance compare to the Crown? I am open to upgrades. If we make the right choices in upgrades they can be very satisfying. And a functional marine toilet is on the short list of worth upgrading.
 
I wish Vic from Raritan still worked there he could tell you the differences. I went from using a new VacuFlush and having problems with it clogging do to a medical condition to the Elegance it's been 4 seasons now and other then cleaning the head I have not had to replace a single part. The Elegance comes with everything needed for the installation except possibly some hose and mine is the has the smart control system. It uses little freshwater (less then my VacuFlush and it has the best chopper blades I have used to date. Honestly I think the unit would chew up a golf ball if needed. It uses very little DC current as well. It has a normal flush cycle that you can program the amount the fill level in the head, empty the bowl, a controlled fill if you need more water and the heavy duty flush which simply repeats the regular flush cycle 3 times. The control is the same size as an AC wall switch L X W I have mine set for about a pint and a half for normal flushing.
The unit complete freshwater with the 4 option remote is less then $600.00 and there is now a rawwater/freshwater option for when you need to conserve on freshwater usage. I have a watermaker and 80 plus gallons of freshwater so I don't need the rawwater flush option.
I think Boatfix the sister site to BoaterEd has them.
Here is a PDF on the Marine Elegance system
http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/Marine Elegance/L460v0210.pdf
They cost anywhere from less than $500 and up to about $700.00 with the rawwater & or freshwater options.
Bill
 
Another plus is the bowl is the standard size that most people are used when at home.
So cleaning it is a snap. I'm not sure if you can intentionally clog this unit. We had a female visitor who flushed a Tampon and the unit ate it and continued working.
Bill
 
I converted my Crown head to a freshwater flush a few years ago.

Made it much better! No comparison to the original head. Quiter and flushes faster. I installed a switch so I could shut the water intake off if needed.

Boatfix had everything I needed.

Jim
 
You can convert the Crown my concern was the amount of water required for a flush, the current draw as well as noise.
What did it cost for the conversion kit? Being the ME is fairly inexpensive for what it does it might be nice to install a new head designed from the bottom up for a closed freshwater system.
The ME is also pretty quiet when operating.
Bill
 
I don't recall the cost...under $100 though.

It disables the intake water pump, so it will use much less power (and MUCH quiter)

You can control the water flow with a simple toggle switch.
 
Thanks for the information Jim perhaps this will solve jgrothe's issue? However if he is looking to replace the head the ME with the 4 button smart control is the way to go.
Bill
 
quote:

They cost anywhere from less than $500 and up to about $700.00 with the rawwater & or freshwater options.
Bill





Inflation has set in. Just purchased the Elegance with the ME option. The Elegance now ranges all the way up to $999.00. Also, the standard household bowl is only 14" high. The tall option is more money & many places don't stock it. Believe me,I searched everywhere online (including Boatfix). Finally had the Ct. outfit price match an online retailer.
Al
 
Billy, comparing a Crown Head to a Marine Elegance is like comparing a Model T Ford to a new Lincoln. Both will get you where you need to go, but one will do it in a far superior way than the other. A Crown Head can be converted to operate with pressurized onboard fresh water. I had a "sticky" on the front page of this Forum describing how to do it but it evidentally has been taken down. Les will sometimes do that when he's looking for space on his hard drives.

Anyway, if you want to convert one, contact Jerry Amari at Raritan (800) 352-5630, ext 236. He can fax or e-mail you the instructions. Parts to do it will cost, these days, around $300 if you buy them from Raritan.

But as Billy mentioned, why spend the money on upgrading a dinosaur? When all done, it'll still be a dinosaur.

The Marine Elegance is nicer, better-looking, cleaner, quieter, uses much less power, and is less expensive than the Crown Head - especially if you get the pressurized fresh water version. Plus, you'll get the larger household-size seat and bowl - the Marine Elegance is not available with the smaller (marine-size) seat and bowl.

Boatfix has 'em in the $600-$700 range, depending on which specific one you want. If you have any questions on which model number you need to order, call Jerry (phone number above) and he'll be glad to ask you the necessary questions, then give you the specific model number for the one you want.
 
I want to thank you ALL for your comments. Huge bonus to have Vic add his oh so valuable .02 worth. I did call Raritan today. The kit to do the fresh water conversion is $204, plus a few additional things like a shut off valve, to also control the flow. They were very positive the change was worth doing. Better water flow, cleaner, faster flush...with more water, and MUCH quieter.

Compared to the Elegance? I was not comparing apples to apples. It gets raved reviews. Their price is $999. As we know, less elsewhere. I am considering my next step, and leaning toward the Elegance. My boat is a Carver 325. I received a template from Raritan...have to see if it fits. The space is small, and being a larger bowl and seat could be an issue. Stand by for more...

Again, thanks to all, especially the headmaster, Vic.
 
Well I think depending on your holding tank size the ME might be a better choice then the older Crown. Vic good to see you posting on the board.
Bill
 
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