I am considering replacing a POS Raritan head with the Lavac Vacuum System.
Does anyone have any first hand experience with them?

Rich



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Yes, and I would have to say that they suck. But, they suck so well,
so powerfully, and so reliably, that they are the gold standard for
boat sewage systems if you can afford the space, weight, and cost.

I'm speaking of the vacuum systems on these boats.

http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/Challenger_Class.HTM

I'm pretty sure that they were Levac but I would have to check to be
sure. The shipyard takes care of things at that level of detail.

--

Roger Long



"Rich Schultz" wrote in message
...
I am considering replacing a POS Raritan head with the Lavac Vacuum
System.
Does anyone have any first hand experience with them?

Rich



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[quote=Rich Schultz]I am considering replacing a POS Raritan head with the Lavac Vacuum System.
Does anyone have any first hand experience with them?

Rich



They're very good and expensive. And parts didn't aren't readily available.

What type of Raritan head do you now have?

Rich Schultz wrote:
I am considering replacing a POS Raritan head with the Lavac Vacuum System.
Does anyone have any first hand experience with them?


I've had a Lavac on my cat for 7 years, which includes a year cruising
plus about 7 weeks aboard each summer.

It was originally a manual, but shortly after moving onboard I sprang
for the electric pump in order to save my elbow. If you want the
manual version, consider very carefully where the pump will be placed.

The manual works better than the electric, because you can give a
mighty tug to dislodge anything that might try to stick in the flapper
valve. The electric is too slow, so once or twice a year I have to
open the pump to clear it - that takes about 20 minute, so its not too
bad. I keep two spare manual pumps (the original, plus one from a
clearance table) so I know I have options. Its possible to put a
manual in series with an electric, and theoretically get the best of
both worlds.

One downside of the Lavac is that it defies description to
landlubbers. Guests will generally "hold it" rather than confront
it. And when it was new, it was far beyond the capability of our then
3 year old. Now she's 10, so she should be able to only need
occasional help.

While its not perfect, it has advantages for the dedicated cruiser.
However, if I had to do it over, I would consider the other vacuum
systems - Peggie can hopefully give her opinions on those.

I have two Lavac's - one manual one electric. I couldn't be happier
with them. No valves. No clogs (at least that I've ever witnessed).
Very quiet. Easy to clean. Uses little flush water so my holding tank
lasts longer. You do have to post useful instructions to guests (and
explain it to young children) but most seem to find these less
confusing than the instructions for a traditional head. Defender
reliably stocks parts.

Carl

"Rich Schultz" wrote in message
...
I am considering replacing a POS Raritan head with the Lavac
Vacuum System.
Does anyone have any first hand experience with them?

Good systems, very simple. Guests aboard need to be briefed to
close the lid for flushing, but that's easier than having dual
pumps or in/out changeover levers. Electric ones are slow, and of
course, the pump vanes are a little more prone to clogging, so
they're not my choice. Normal failure is of the seat seal - they
seem to have a life of 2 years or so with live-aboard use. Useful
to have a spare if you're travelling far afield.
--
JimB
http://www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/sw_peloponese.htm

capt.bill11 wrote:
Rich Schultz Wrote:

I am considering replacing a POS Raritan head with the Lavac Vacuum
System.
Does anyone have any first hand experience with them?

Rich



They're very good and expensive. And parts didn't aren't readily
available.

Defender stocks the parts, and Blake's in England is helpful. As it
turns out, there aren't many failure modes to worry about. The seat
seals can wear down - they take about 30 seconds to replace. I had a
seat hinge break (they're plastic) but was able to jury rig while
awaiting a replacement. The head will function without a tight
vacuum; it just won't pull in replacement water efficiently. The only
other part is the pump, a fairly standard bilge pump, though some of
the parts may have been modified for waste. If it does clog, it can
be stripped down quickly - if its mount with good access you can even
open a hatch on the pump. After about 5 years I replaced the rubber
parts, because it seemed about time.

Have had my Lavac for about five years, one of which was under
liveaboard cruising use.

You cannot imagine the simple pleasure that pumping the Lavac provides!
I don't think anything on the boat functions as perfectly, or as
satisfyingly, as the Lavac. Well, except for the keel. Except at low tide.

Never clogged. Never had to replace the seat seal or the pump parts.
Easy to clean and keep clean. And the power . . .!

I guess they are more expensive than the lowest priced alternatives, but
surely less expensive than some. None is better, IMHO.

Chuck
S/V Sans Serif

A Lavak is really a manual VacuFlush. We have had both and prefer the
Lavac.

"chuck" wrote in message
link.net...
Have had my Lavac for about five years, one of which was under liveaboard
cruising use.

You cannot imagine the simple pleasure that pumping the Lavac provides! I
don't think anything on the boat functions as perfectly, or as
satisfyingly, as the Lavac. Well, except for the keel. Except at low tide.

Never clogged. Never had to replace the seat seal or the pump parts. Easy
to clean and keep clean. And the power . . .!

I guess they are more expensive than the lowest priced alternatives, but
surely less expensive than some. None is better, IMHO.

Chuck
S/V Sans Serif

I can't improve on anything you said, Jeff (left intact below). In fact,
unless you object, I want to save it to my files to use in my own future
replies.

Your note that manual works better than the electric is true of all
"electrified" manual toilets. Putting motors on manual toilets does
nothing more than replace the pump handle...they're still manual pumps,
and motors do not do as good a job of pumping as people do.

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://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304


Jeff wrote:

I've had a Lavac on my cat for 7 years, which includes a year cruising
plus about 7 weeks aboard each summer.

It was originally a manual, but shortly after moving onboard I sprang
for the electric pump in order to save my elbow. If you want the manual
version, consider very carefully where the pump will be placed.

The manual works better than the electric, because you can give a mighty
tug to dislodge anything that might try to stick in the flapper valve.
The electric is too slow, so once or twice a year I have to open the
pump to clear it - that takes about 20 minute, so its not too bad. I
keep two spare manual pumps (the original, plus one from a clearance
table) so I know I have options. Its possible to put a manual in series
with an electric, and theoretically get the best of both worlds.

One downside of the Lavac is that it defies description to
landlubbers. Guests will generally "hold it" rather than confront it.
And when it was new, it was far beyond the capability of our then 3 year
old. Now she's 10, so she should be able to only need occasional help.

While its not perfect, it has advantages for the dedicated cruiser.
However, if I had to do it over, I would consider the other vacuum
systems - Peggie can hopefully give her opinions on those.

--