Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Lectra/San pros and cons
I looked at a boat recently that had a Lectra/San head and I am
wondering about the pros and cons it. My rudimentary investigation has found that it requires quite a bit of power for each flush and would still require a holding tank for certain situations. I would prefer a boat with simple system allowing me to reduce the size/number/cost of batteries and am wondering if it is worth it. I'm sure the seller thinks it adds value to the boat but I don't think I want it (nor do I want to pay for it). What are the major advantages of it? Thanks in advance. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Cam wrote:
I looked at a boat recently that had a Lectra/San head... The Lectra/San is not a head (toilet)...it's a separate device into which the toilet--any toilet--flushes where waste is treated and discharged overboard legally. ...and I am wondering about the pros and cons it. My rudimentary investigation has found that it requires quite a bit of power for each flush... It's consumption of 1.7 AH/flush looks a bit scary, but in fact, translates to only 17 AH/day for a cruising couple--less than that if you use the lee rail when possible--well within the resources of any boat that isn't underpowered. ...and would still require a holding tank for certain situations. But a much smaller tank than you need for full time use...one that you'd only use if/when you visit a "no discharge" harbor, which are VERY few and far between except in New England, the FL Keys and SoCal. Where are you? Where do you plan to cruise What are the major advantages of it? Can be used with any toilet...requires no chemicals, requires no maintenance except for an occasional cleaning (which doesn't even require taking it apart, just a solution of muriatic acid down the toilet according to directions)...none of the maintenance problems associated with holding tanks to prevent odor, deal with sludge, keeping the vent clear, etc. no need to deal with finding pumpout facilities or getting 3 miles offshore. Just flush and forget it. Highly reliable and durable...it's been on the market 30 years, some of the original units are still in service. All the info and specs are he http://www.raritaneng.com/products/w...lectrasan.html I'll be glad to answer any questions after you've read it all. -- Peggie ---------- Peggie Hall Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987 Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor" http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks Peggie,
Based on that information it looks like a handy unit to have. Anything specific I need to look for while inspecting it? Actually, how would I inspect it? Since the boat batteries are probably dead is there any manual inspection for it. It doesn't appear that the previous owner has cared for the boat to well including, probably, this unit. How is company support? I'm assuming that this specific unit is out of warranty. Thinking of that are there specific models that need to be looked for/avoided? How would I identify those? Thanks again. Peggie Hall wrote: Cam wrote: I looked at a boat recently that had a Lectra/San head... The Lectra/San is not a head (toilet)...it's a separate device into which the toilet--any toilet--flushes where waste is treated and discharged overboard legally. ...and I am wondering about the pros and cons it. My rudimentary investigation has found that it requires quite a bit of power for each flush... It's consumption of 1.7 AH/flush looks a bit scary, but in fact, translates to only 17 AH/day for a cruising couple--less than that if you use the lee rail when possible--well within the resources of any boat that isn't underpowered. ...and would still require a holding tank for certain situations. But a much smaller tank than you need for full time use...one that you'd only use if/when you visit a "no discharge" harbor, which are VERY few and far between except in New England, the FL Keys and SoCal. Where are you? Where do you plan to cruise What are the major advantages of it? Can be used with any toilet...requires no chemicals, requires no maintenance except for an occasional cleaning (which doesn't even require taking it apart, just a solution of muriatic acid down the toilet according to directions)...none of the maintenance problems associated with holding tanks to prevent odor, deal with sludge, keeping the vent clear, etc. no need to deal with finding pumpout facilities or getting 3 miles offshore. Just flush and forget it. Highly reliable and durable...it's been on the market 30 years, some of the original units are still in service. All the info and specs are he http://www.raritaneng.com/products/w...lectrasan.html I'll be glad to answer any questions after you've read it all. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Gogarty wrote:
The Lecteasan is a good gadget, though the proliferation of no discharge zones into the open sea increasingly threatens it. When it is operating properly the sewage is treated to almost sterile levels and causes no harm whatever to the environment. That's not entirely true. The Lectra-San kills all the bacteria. It does not reduce or break down the material effluent, which contains nutrients and changes the local ecological balance. Is this "damage" to the environment? It is, if you liked what was growing there before. DSK |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
"DSK" wrote in message news Gogarty wrote: The Lecteasan is a good gadget, though the proliferation of no discharge zones into the open sea increasingly threatens it. When it is operating properly the sewage is treated to almost sterile levels and causes no harm whatever to the environment. That's not entirely true. The Lectra-San kills all the bacteria. It does not reduce or break down the material effluent, which contains nutrients and changes the local ecological balance. Is this "damage" to the environment? It is, if you liked what was growing there before. Actually, eutrification is a much greater threat than bacterial contamination. That is why phosphates were removed from detergents many years ago. DSK |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Cam wrote: Thanks Peggie, Based on that information it looks like a handy unit to have. Anything specific I need to look for while inspecting it? Actually, how would I inspect it? Since the boat batteries are probably dead is there any manual inspection for it. It doesn't appear that the previous owner has cared for the boat to well including, probably, this unit. There's no way to test it without power. Any visual inspection wouldn't tell you anything...either the macerator and mixer motors run or they don't...either the electrode pack works or it doesn't. How old is it? The only way to tell is the type of controller. The original Lectra/San had a dial timer--now obsolete, no parts still available...that was replaced by the EC (electronic control) version...the current version is the MC model. If it doesn't still have the dial control, compare the control with the one in manual at the link I gave you to know whether its the EC or the MC. How is company support? It's excellent. Thinking of that are there specific models that need to be looked for/avoided? How would I identify those? As I said above, there are only 3 versions...the only real difference between any of 'em is the controller...the treatment unit has actually changed very little. If you were asking about buying a used one eBay, I'd tell you to avoid the dial timer...but since it's already on the boat, the system either works or it doesn't. If it doesn't, there could be several reasons, some of which--like fuses--are not expensive...others--electrode packs and controllers are...and it worries me a bit that you say the boat has been neglected. So I wouldn't consider it in deciding how much the boat is worth to you. As for comments by others... The Lectra-San kills all the bacteria. Not necessarily...it does reduce the count to 10/100 ml (the law requires only a reduction to 1000/100 ml) It does not reduce or break down the material effluent, which contains nutrients and changes the local ecological balance. Again, not quite true...The L/S does reduce BOD by 35%. The discharge has the equivilant nutrient "load" of 4 oak leaves. In fact, just ONE illegally dumped tank has more negative impact on the surrounding waters within at least a mile than 1,000 boats, all equipped with L/S in the same area for 24 hours. You'll find the results of a study he http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/...port-jun02.pdf Runoff from the shore and the rivers that feed coastal waters are the problem, not boats. -- Peggie ---------- Peggie Hall Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987 Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor" http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1 |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
I don't know if this part of the discussion has any impact or interest
for the original poster... The Lectra-San kills all the bacteria. Peggie Hall wrote: Not necessarily...it does reduce the count to 10/100 ml (the law requires only a reduction to 1000/100 ml) Picky picky... OK it doesn't kill *all* the bacteria, just so many of them that it's actually safer than many people's drinking water. It does not reduce or break down the material effluent, which contains nutrients and changes the local ecological balance. Again, not quite true...The L/S does reduce BOD by 35%. The discharge has the equivilant nutrient "load" of 4 oak leaves. Didn't know that... that's very good. Probably better than many municipal treatment outlets. ... In fact, just ONE illegally dumped tank has more negative impact on the surrounding waters within at least a mile than 1,000 boats, all equipped with L/S in the same area for 24 hours. Now there I'll agree. Most boaters... especially the ones advocating a bucket -n- chuck it strategy... would not believe the impact of a single untreated flush. You'll find the results of a study he http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/...port-jun02.pdf Runoff from the shore and the rivers that feed coastal waters are the problem, not boats. The overwhelming part of the problem, yes. Absolutely. But because the waters are already loaded with land source effluent, that magnifies the effect of point-source effluent dump. Most birds know better than to foul their own nests, why can't mankind be that smart? Regards Doug King |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
|
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Rebuild/By new Pros cons | General | |||
What are the pros and cons of a folding prop? | Cruising | |||
Rigid vang...pros & cons? | General |