Dene wrote:

Wet mode doesn't solve it. I suspect it's a failed wet/dry cam. The
pumping action is reminiscent of a air pump with a broken seal.
Nothing much.

NO backpressure when you pump? Then it has to be one of two things:
failed flapper valve or a hairline crack in the pump housing.

Or MAYBE a third... is there a vented loop in the head intake? If the
toilet is at or below waterline there should be...if it's in the wrong
place--which happens a LOT--it can prevent the pump from priming. Intake
vented loops belong between the pump and bowl...to replace the short
piece of hose the toilet mfr uses to connect 'em. But a lot of people
don't realize (don't read the instructions, actually) that's where it
goes...and so put it in the head intake line between the thru-hull and
the pump.

And your suggestion as to a better (quality toilet)? Our previous
head was a portapotty which disposed into a holding tank. Quite
easy. Should we get one of those? Any specific product/price?

What size is the boat? If 25' or less, a 5-6 gal "MSD" model portapotty
("MSD" means it's designed to be permanently installed and plumbed to
pumpout and dumping, either overboard or into a larger tank) would
prob'ly be your best option. Cost is under $200 for the potty and all
the parts...no moving parts to maintain...and because they use so little
flush water, they hold about as many flushes as 15-18 gal tank connected
to your Jabsco or any other manual toilet. And you don't have to give up
valuable storage space to a tank unless you have to have a second one.
The SeaLand 965MSD is top of the line...Thetford makes at least one
model too.

If you opt to keep a manual toilet, the best "bang for the buck" by far
is the Raritan PH II...about $250, rated the best manual toilet under
$500 for several decades. Or if space is tight, the PHC, which is the
same pump, but on a compact base...about $25-30 less than the PH II.

In the meantime, I suppose we can just pour water into it, when we
have to....right?

That'll work, but it's not the best thing for a manual toilet
pump...'cuz water poured into the bowl only goes through the bottom 1/3,
1/4 of the pump...the rubber parts in the top half never get wet, so
they dry out and fail faster. Otoh, it's a Jabsco...so why not?


Ok, since flushing into the pond is illegal, is there any reason to
turn it on?

Nope...nor any reason to keep it on the boat unless you opt for a
self-contained system and a second tank, and need it to transfer. If
you're not gonna use it, I'd pull it out and sell it, 'cuz lack of use
for a several years will destroy it.

--
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