Lavac brand marine toilets
 

I read in another group that the 'Lavac' brand marine toilets work the
best, have the least maintenance, and the highest quality.

http://www.lavac.com/

Any feedback on this product? If this is true, why is this brand
rarely found in cruising boats? Is it the price?

Thanks for any feedback.

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

Cindy wrote:
I read in another group that the 'Lavac' brand marine toilets work the
best, have the least maintenance, and the highest quality.

http://www.lavac.com/

Any feedback on this product? If this is true, why is this brand
rarely found in cruising boats? Is it the price?

Thanks for any feedback.
The price is actually not that high. I'm in the middle of
re-installing my system so I could write at length, but I'm too tired
right now, and not in the best of moods on the topic. You could do a
quick google groups search for my (and Peggy's) previous comments on
Lavacs.

A friend with a Lavac was complaining about his a few days ago (seat
broke, sometimes too much water, sometimes too little) so I told him
my issues, mostly revolving around a poor installation, and the next
day he said, "yah know, I think I'll keep the Lavac, its been pretty
good all things considered."

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

Cindy wrote:
I read in another group that the 'Lavac' brand marine toilets work the
best, have the least maintenance, and the highest quality.

http://www.lavac.com/

Any feedback on this product? If this is true, why is this brand
rarely found in cruising boats? Is it the price?

Lavac is not a brand, it's the model name for a toilet made by Blake,
http://www.blakes-lavac-taylors.co.uk/index.htm
a British mfr of what most consider to be the best quality manual
toilets on the planet. A "Baby Blake" is over $2000...another of their
models is over $3k...and worth their prices!

The Lavac is more reasonably priced...about $350 here in the US. It
employs technology that's somewhat unique: after use, close the
lid--which seals...and pump a remote diaphragm pump X times to create a
vacuum in the discharge line...release the vacuum. No moving parts, so
the toilet is more durable and requires less maintenance than most other
marine toilets that use piston/cylinder pumps.

The Lavac is actually VERY popular with live-aboard cruising sailors,
but has never caught on among "weekend warriors" for a number of
reasons...price (although it's not THAT expensive)...limited US
distribution...and it's "different"--a manual diaphragm pump is likely
to be something the average powerboat owner--and an increasing number of
"floating condo" sailboat owners--wouldn't recognize or know what to
do with if one fell off a boat store shelf and hit him in the head...and
neither would their landlubber guests. So it may not be the right choice
for all owners.

It's an excellent toilet, though whether they work the best or have the
least maintenance is highly debatable. They're GOOD quality--one of only
2 toilets costing less than $500 that are...but hardly the same quality
as Blake's top of the line toilets or others in the $700+ price range.

I believe Defender http://www.defender.com/productsearchresult.jsp is
the exclusive US importer...they do carry it and usually have the best
prices.

Btw...avoid the electric version, and any other "electrified" manual
toilet.
--
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

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

I just talked to Blakes on Friday - they told me that while Defender
might have stock, St. Brendan Isles is the new distributor.

And yes, my current headaches are related to the electric. I decided
to add back the manual in series but I'm not sure the new setup is
twice as reliable or twice the grief. When we get back from two weeks
aboard (with guests) I'll probably have a story to tell, one way or
the other.

Peggie Hall wrote:
Cindy wrote:
I read in another group that the 'Lavac' brand marine toilets work the
best, have the least maintenance, and the highest quality.
http://www.lavac.com/

Any feedback on this product? If this is true, why is this brand
rarely found in cruising boats? Is it the price?

Lavac is not a brand, it's the model name for a toilet made by Blake,
http://www.blakes-lavac-taylors.co.uk/index.htm
a British mfr of what most consider to be the best quality manual
toilets on the planet. A "Baby Blake" is over $2000...another of their
models is over $3k...and worth their prices!

The Lavac is more reasonably priced...about $350 here in the US. It
employs technology that's somewhat unique: after use, close the
lid--which seals...and pump a remote diaphragm pump X times to create a
vacuum in the discharge line...release the vacuum. No moving parts, so
the toilet is more durable and requires less maintenance than most other
marine toilets that use piston/cylinder pumps.

The Lavac is actually VERY popular with live-aboard cruising sailors,
but has never caught on among "weekend warriors" for a number of
reasons...price (although it's not THAT expensive)...limited US
distribution...and it's "different"--a manual diaphragm pump is likely
to be something the average powerboat owner--and an increasing number of
"floating condo" sailboat owners--wouldn't recognize or know what to do
with if one fell off a boat store shelf and hit him in the head...and
neither would their landlubber guests. So it may not be the right choice
for all owners.

It's an excellent toilet, though whether they work the best or have the
least maintenance is highly debatable. They're GOOD quality--one of only
2 toilets costing less than $500 that are...but hardly the same quality
as Blake's top of the line toilets or others in the $700+ price range.

I believe Defender http://www.defender.com/productsearchresult.jsp is
the exclusive US importer...they do carry it and usually have the best
prices.

Btw...avoid the electric version, and any other "electrified" manual
toilet.

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

Cindy wrote:
I read in another group that the 'Lavac' brand marine toilets work the
best, have the least maintenance, and the highest quality.

http://www.lavac.com/

Any feedback on this product? If this is true, why is this brand
rarely found in cruising boats? Is it the price?

Thanks for any feedback.

There are not many things on a small
boat that truly excite, but our manual
Lavac surely ranks near the top of our
(well, at least MY) list.

It is as simple a design as possible,
with no moving parts other than in the
pump. It is powerful, dependable, and
easy to understand.

The operation, however, is pretty
unusual for the uninitiated, but that is
doubtless true for many marine heads.

It is hard to find someone who hates the
Lavac. I have no experience with the
electric pump model.

Chuck
S/V Sans Serif

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

chuck wrote:
Cindy wrote:
I read in another group that the 'Lavac' brand marine toilets work
the best, have the least maintenance, and the highest quality.

http://www.lavac.com/

Any feedback on this product? If this is true, why is this brand
rarely found in cruising boats? Is it the price?

Thanks for any feedback.

There are not many things on a small
boat that truly excite, but our manual
Lavac surely ranks near the top of our
(well, at least MY) list.

It is as simple a design as possible,
with no moving parts other than in the
pump. It is powerful, dependable, and
easy to understand.

The operation, however, is pretty
unusual for the uninitiated, but that is
doubtless true for many marine heads.

It is hard to find someone who hates the
Lavac. I have no experience with the
electric pump model.

Chuck
S/V Sans Serif

Agreed. It takes a couple of uses to learn the basics of how to use the
Lavac, and the main problems come from those unfortunate souls (and there
are many) who never bother to read or learn instructions. Once you take the
trouble to do exactly what the manual says, the Lavac is virtually
indestructible. You may have to replace the seal around the lid once in a
blue moon, but that is all. The pump is actually a bilge pump, full stop.

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

Blalke must have a sense of humor. Went to their web site today and
their headline reads:
"Press Release - Toilet Prices Bottom Out"

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

Have a friend that hated his when he first got the boat, but as you said,
once he learned how to use wouldn't have anything else.
I've heard you can actually flush a cat with the Lavac, probably want to go
straight over the side and not into the holding tank right?
MMC

"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
chuck wrote:
Cindy wrote:
I read in another group that the 'Lavac' brand marine toilets work
the best, have the least maintenance, and the highest quality.

http://www.lavac.com/

Any feedback on this product? If this is true, why is this brand
rarely found in cruising boats? Is it the price?

Thanks for any feedback.

There are not many things on a small
boat that truly excite, but our manual
Lavac surely ranks near the top of our
(well, at least MY) list.

It is as simple a design as possible,
with no moving parts other than in the
pump. It is powerful, dependable, and
easy to understand.

The operation, however, is pretty
unusual for the uninitiated, but that is
doubtless true for many marine heads.

It is hard to find someone who hates the
Lavac. I have no experience with the
electric pump model.

Chuck
S/V Sans Serif

Agreed. It takes a couple of uses to learn the basics of how to use the
Lavac, and the main problems come from those unfortunate souls (and there
are many) who never bother to read or learn instructions. Once you take
the
trouble to do exactly what the manual says, the Lavac is virtually
indestructible. You may have to replace the seal around the lid once in a
blue moon, but that is all. The pump is actually a bilge pump, full stop.

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

MMC wrote:
Have a friend that hated his when he first got the boat, but as you said,
once he learned how to use wouldn't have anything else.
I've heard you can actually flush a cat with the Lavac, probably want to go
straight over the side and not into the holding tank right?
MMC

It's a tough life for a cat.

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

Folks, if you were going to single-hand around the world for a few
years, would you recommend a manual Lavac, or the manual Wilcox
Crittenden Skipper?

I understand that the Skipper is the least likely to clog due to
having the largest hole.

Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating the 'Y' valve in
the system and just having direct to holding tank with the deck
pump-out? In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it overboard from the
deck? Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely place for
clogs to occur?

I've beaten the odor problem by using Trident Sani Shield hoses and
fresh water flushing. Now my concerns are clogging and
maintenance/durability.

I'm willing to pay as much as neeeded to avoid having to handle crap
off-shore.

One last question. Is there anything special about the Baby Blake?
Just why is it so expensive? As a former Lexus technician, I can tell
you that a Lexus is virtually identical to a Toyota Camry LE. The
price difference is 99 percent cosmetic. Maybe it's the same with the
Baby Blake? Their website is completely void of detail. (I used one on
a Swan once. Bur didn't have time to inspect it.)









On Mon, 17 Jul 2006 19:48:17 -0400, chuck wrote:

MMC wrote:
Have a friend that hated his when he first got the boat, but as you said,
once he learned how to use wouldn't have anything else.
I've heard you can actually flush a cat with the Lavac, probably want to go
straight over the side and not into the holding tank right?
MMC

It's a tough life for a cat.

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

BocaJack wrote:
Folks, if you were going to single-hand around the world for a few
years, would you recommend a manual Lavac, or the manual Wilcox
Crittenden Skipper?

Lavac. Easy Choice. You can carry an entire spare pump for $160 and
swap it in 15 minutes.



I understand that the Skipper is the least likely to clog due to
having the largest hole.

What are you trying to flush? Tennis balls?


Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating the 'Y' valve in
the system and just having direct to holding tank with the deck
pump-out? In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it overboard from the
deck? Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely place for
clogs to occur?

Mine goes direct to the holding tank with a manual pump on a y-valve.
This end of the system has been trouble free.



I've beaten the odor problem by using Trident Sani Shield hoses and
fresh water flushing. Now my concerns are clogging and
maintenance/durability.

I'm willing to pay as much as neeeded to avoid having to handle crap
off-shore.

Why would you go to a holding tank if you're planning to go offshore?


One last question. Is there anything special about the Baby Blake?
Just why is it so expensive? As a former Lexus technician, I can tell
you that a Lexus is virtually identical to a Toyota Camry LE. The
price difference is 99 percent cosmetic. Maybe it's the same with the
Baby Blake? Their website is completely void of detail. (I used one on
a Swan once. Bur didn't have time to inspect it.)


don't know.









On Mon, 17 Jul 2006 19:48:17 -0400, chuck wrote:

MMC wrote:
Have a friend that hated his when he first got the boat, but as you said,
once he learned how to use wouldn't have anything else.
I've heard you can actually flush a cat with the Lavac, probably want to go
straight over the side and not into the holding tank right?
MMC
It's a tough life for a cat.

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

What are you trying to flush? Tennis balls?

No, but pretty close.

Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating the 'Y' valve in
the system and just having direct to holding tank with the deck
pump-out? In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it overboard from the
deck? Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely place for
clogs to occur?

Mine goes direct to the holding tank with a manual pump on a y-valve.
This end of the system has been trouble free.

So the Y valve is_before_the holding tank? Isn't that illegal in many
areas?

Why would you go to a holding tank if you're planning to go offshore?

I prefer not to dump raw sewage into the ocean. Otherwise, I would
just crap over the side.

But thanks for the input!

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

BocaJack wrote:
Folks, if you were going to single-hand around the world for a few
years, would you recommend a manual Lavac, or the manual Wilcox
Crittenden Skipper?

The Lavac.

I understand that the Skipper is the least likely to clog due to
having the largest hole.

Irrelevant unless you're trying flush a cat....or something else that
shouldn't go down ANY marine toilet. Anything that should be flushed
should have no trouble going through any marine toilet.


Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating the 'Y' valve in
the system and just having direct to holding tank with the deck
pump-out? In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it overboard from the
deck? Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely place for
clogs to occur?

The macerator to dump the tank is FAR more likely to fail than a
y-valve. Why store waste aboard, or be forced to maintain a tank if
you're in waters where each flush can go out of your life forever?

I've beaten the odor problem by using Trident Sani Shield hoses and
fresh water flushing. Now my concerns are clogging and
maintenance/durability.

Just about all toilets with a price tag above $200 will provide at least
20 years of trouble-free service with minimal maintenance (keep 'em
lubricated, rebuild every 5-6 years). You can prevent clogging by
flushing only body waste and quick-dissolve TP and learning how to flush
it correctly.

I'm willing to pay as much as neeeded to avoid having to handle crap
off-shore.

So why do you want to put into the tank first??? Flush it overboard and
be rid of it!


One last question. Is there anything special about the Baby Blake?

Superior engineering, superior materials, superior craftsmanship,
attention to detail, molds that are replaced before they wear out...and
host of other things that may not be evident when inspecting a new one
side-by-side with a similar copy, but are the reason why a Blake will
last for 100 years with reasonable maintenance, compared to 20 for the
best similar designs made today.

As a former Lexus technician, I can tell
you that a Lexus is virtually identical to a Toyota Camry LE.

But neither one holds a candle to a Rolls Royce. And when you understand
why, you'll understand why a Blake costs so much more than a Skipper.

--
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

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

"BocaJack" wrote in message
...

What are you trying to flush? Tennis balls?

No, but pretty close.

Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating
the 'Y' valve in
the system and just having direct to holding tank with
the deck
pump-out? In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it
overboard from the
deck? Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely
place for
clogs to occur?

Mine goes direct to the holding tank with a manual pump
on a y-valve.
This end of the system has been trouble free.

So the Y valve is_before_the holding tank? Isn't that
illegal in many
areas?


Y valve *after* the holding tank. One side of Y goes to
manual pump and then thru hull. Other side goes to deck for
marina type pump out. I believe this is what he has?

Scotty

SBV

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

BocaJack wrote:
What are you trying to flush? Tennis balls?

No, but pretty close.

Except that solid waste is 75% water...tennis balls aren't.
So the Y valve is_before_the holding tank? Isn't that illegal in many
areas?

Nope. It doesn't matter where the y-valve is, only where waste ends up.

Why would you go to a holding tank if you're planning to go offshore?

I prefer not to dump raw sewage into the ocean. Otherwise, I would
just crap over the side.

So why would you install a macerator if you don't plan to dump the tank
at sea? Or do you think a whole tankful is better for the environment
than a single flush?
--
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

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

So why would you install a macerator if you don't plan to dump the tank
at sea? Or do you think a whole tankful is better for the environment
than a single flush?

I don't want to install a macerator.

I am considering a new, simpler, and easier to maintain head
arrangement that would include 1) manual freshwater flushing, 2) no
macerator, 3) no Y valve, 4) Lavac or Skipper toilet, 5) just a
freshwater intake, a vent, and a deck pump-out, and 6) high-quality
hoses.

I am thinking about ordering a new Valiant 42. This set-up would
eliminate two holes in the boat, right? And, this would seem to be a
higher quality alternative to what you recommended a few strings up: a
permantent porta-potti with pump-out feature. Simple and easy to
maintain.

Just getting some ideas here. Thanks!

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

BocaJack wrote:

I am considering a new, simpler, and easier to maintain head
arrangement that would include 1) manual freshwater flushing,

And how do you plan to accomplish that if you install a toilet designed
to pull in sea water? 'Cuz no toilet designed to use raw water (sea,
lake, river etc) should ever be connected to the onboard fresh water
supply...it cannot be done without risk of e-coli contamination of the
potable water, damage to the toilet, or both...and every toilet mfr
specifically warns against it. Only toilets designed to use pressurized
flush water can safely be connected to the fresh water system...and
there is no manual toilet designed to use pressurized flush water.

2) no
macerator, 3) no Y valve, 4) Lavac or Skipper toilet, 5) just a
freshwater intake, a vent, and a deck pump-out, and 6) high-quality
hoses.


I am thinking about ordering a new Valiant 42. This set-up would
eliminate two holes in the boat, right?

Only one if you tee the head intake into the head sink drain line.

However sending everything to the tank with no way to flush directly
overboard or dump the tank at sea(flushing directly overboard is a much
better choice...no chemicals, small amounts instead of tankfuls) will
drastically reduce your cruising range...you can only stay out till the
tank gets full. And holding tanks are FAR from maintenance free.

And, this would seem to be a
higher quality alternative to what you recommended a few strings up: a
permantent porta-potti with pump-out feature.

More expensive, more complex, but not necessarily better
quality...Quality is relative. Is a Lexus better quality than bicycle?
No...that's comparing apples to tennis balls.

Simple and easy to
maintain.

If you think a tank is easy to maintain, talk to a few people who've
done it for a while. Tanks are a major PITA!

--
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

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

BocaJack wrote:
So why would you install a macerator if you don't plan to dump the tank
at sea? Or do you think a whole tankful is better for the environment
than a single flush?

I don't want to install a macerator.

I am considering a new, simpler, and easier to maintain head
arrangement that would include 1) manual freshwater flushing, 2) no
macerator, 3) no Y valve, 4) Lavac or Skipper toilet, 5) just a
freshwater intake, a vent, and a deck pump-out, and 6) high-quality
hoses.

I am thinking about ordering a new Valiant 42. This set-up would
eliminate two holes in the boat, right? And, this would seem to be a
higher quality alternative to what you recommended a few strings up: a
permantent porta-potti with pump-out feature. Simple and easy to
maintain.

Just getting some ideas here. Thanks!


How would you empty the tank at sea? With this arrangement it seems like
your cruising range and locations would be rather limited as you'd be
virtually tethered to marinas with pumpout facilities.

--Alan Gomes

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

Peggie Hall wrote:
BocaJack wrote:
Folks, if you were going to single-hand around the world for a few
years, would you recommend a manual Lavac, or the manual Wilcox
Crittenden Skipper?

The Lavac.

I understand that the Skipper is the least likely to clog due to
having the largest hole.

Irrelevant unless you're trying flush a cat....or something else that
shouldn't go down ANY marine toilet. Anything that should be flushed
should have no trouble going through any marine toilet.


Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating the 'Y' valve
in the system and just having direct to holding tank with the deck
pump-out? In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it overboard from
the deck? Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely place for
clogs to occur?

The macerator to dump the tank is FAR more likely to fail than a
y-valve. Why store waste aboard, or be forced to maintain a tank if
you're in waters where each flush can go out of your life forever?

I've beaten the odor problem by using Trident Sani Shield hoses and
fresh water flushing. Now my concerns are clogging and
maintenance/durability.

Just about all toilets with a price tag above $200 will provide at
least 20 years of trouble-free service with minimal maintenance (keep
'em lubricated, rebuild every 5-6 years). You can prevent clogging by
flushing only body waste and quick-dissolve TP and learning how to
flush it correctly.

I'm willing to pay as much as neeeded to avoid having to handle crap
off-shore.

So why do you want to put into the tank first??? Flush it overboard
and be rid of it!


One last question. Is there anything special about the Baby Blake?

Superior engineering, superior materials, superior craftsmanship,
attention to detail, molds that are replaced before they wear
out...and host of other things that may not be evident when
inspecting a new one side-by-side with a similar copy, but are the
reason why a Blake will last for 100 years with reasonable
maintenance, compared to 20 for the best similar designs made today.

As a former Lexus technician, I can tell
you that a Lexus is virtually identical to a Toyota Camry LE.

But neither one holds a candle to a Rolls Royce. And when you
understand why, you'll understand why a Blake costs so much more than
a Skipper.

Many years ago I owned a thirty-footer with a Baby Blake. I didn't realize
at the time that I was sitting on a valuable appreciating asset! Should have
asked more for the boat when I sold it!

Dennis.

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

BocaJack wrote:
Folks, if you were going to single-hand around the world for a few
years, would you recommend a manual Lavac, or the manual Wilcox
Crittenden Skipper?

I understand that the Skipper is the least likely to clog due to
having the largest hole.


The W-C Skipper is not a vacuum head.

Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating the 'Y' valve in
the system and just having direct to holding tank with the deck
pump-out?

That can be done easily. No legal hassles in many places, too.

... In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it overboard from the
deck?

Yes, if you wanted to & had the pump & hoses with the right
fittings.

... Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely place for
clogs to occur?


Not in my experience, although the macerator pump is one of
the most likely to fail components.


I've beaten the odor problem by using Trident Sani Shield hoses and
fresh water flushing. Now my concerns are clogging and
maintenance/durability.

I'm willing to pay as much as neeeded to avoid having to handle crap
off-shore.


Why? If you are that neurotic about the possibility of
having to touch poo-poo then you should take up another
hobby. Not gardening...

One last question. Is there anything special about the Baby Blake?
Just why is it so expensive? As a former Lexus technician, I can tell
you that a Lexus is virtually identical to a Toyota Camry LE. The
price difference is 99 percent cosmetic.

Don't forget the advertising.

.... Maybe it's the same with the
Baby Blake?

Maybe, but I doubt it.

It is rather funny that many companies market the exact same
product under different banners for different prices, the
'family value' label for economy and the 'prestige' label
for those who get an ego boost from paying $100 for a $10
item. But don't get so cynical that you believe *everything*
is marketed this way.

One of the reasons why the above works is the predictability
of so many people buying the cheapest possible product, no
matter how shoddy it is. This definitely applies to boats.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

So what do you think all the marine life out there does? Use a whale
porta-potty? If that're really what you want to do, get a Lectra-San
and treat it all, even when you're offshore.

BocaJack wrote:


I prefer not to dump raw sewage into the ocean. Otherwise, I would
just crap over the side.

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

On Tue, 18 Jul 2006 05:17:11 GMT, Peggie Hall
wrote:

BocaJack wrote:

I am considering a new, simpler, and easier to maintain head
arrangement that would include 1) manual freshwater flushing,

And how do you plan to accomplish that if you install a toilet designed
to pull in sea water? 'Cuz no toilet designed to use raw water (sea,
lake, river etc) should ever be connected to the onboard fresh water
supply...

Only toilets designed to use pressurized flush water can safely be connected to the fresh water system...and
there is no manual toilet designed to use pressurized flush water.

I'm obviously confused.

Pressurized flush water? What do you mean by this?

Don't the electric pumps force air into the water tanks and push it
up? If the electric pump is off, does this mean the water system is no
longer "pressurized"? How does it work?

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

BocaJack wrote:
Only toilets designed to use pressurized flush water can safely be connected to the fresh water system...and
there is no manual toilet designed to use pressurized flush water.

I'm obviously confused.

Pressurized flush water? What do you mean by this?


Don't the electric pumps force air into the water tanks and push it
up?

Nope. There are raw electric toilets that PULL in sea water...and there
are toilets designed to use pressurized flush water that tap into a
fresh water line, and have a electric solenoid valve that acts like a
faucet. They can only be used on boats that have electric fresh water
pumps, and only when the water pump is on to keep the fresh water system
pressurized.

If the electric pump is off, does this mean the water system is no
longer "pressurized"? How does it work?

It doesn't. The water pump must be on to keep the fresh water plumbing
pressurized.

For some reason, a lot of sailors think that leaving the fresh water
pump on is a bad idea...they only turn it on when they need to run
water. THAT's a bad idea...'cuz the fresh water system loses pressure
every time the pump is turned off...so it has re-pressurize the system
every time it's turned back on, which is a lot of extra work for the
fresh water pump, shortening its life. But if the p0ump is left on, the
only time it has to run is when qa faucet is opened...to
restore/maintain pressure caused by running water.

Same is true of a fridge, btw...the hardest work a fridge compressor has
to do is chill a warm box. So leave it on...the compressor only has to
maintain 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

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

Peggie Hall wrote:


Nope. There are raw electric toilets that PULL in sea water...and
there
are toilets designed to use pressurized flush water that tap into a
fresh water line, and have a electric solenoid valve that acts like a
faucet.

snip

If you truly want to use potable water to flush your manual Lavac,
there is only one fool proof way to do it.

Leave the lid up, then add potable water from the shower wand, keeping
the wand 12"-18" above the bowl.

Don't bother to connect the flush water connection since you are not
using it.


Lew

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

Lew Hodgett wrote:
Peggie Hall wrote:


Nope. There are raw electric toilets that PULL in sea water...and there
are toilets designed to use pressurized flush water that tap into a
fresh water line, and have a electric solenoid valve that acts like a
faucet.

snip

If you truly want to use potable water to flush your manual Lavac, there
is only one fool proof way to do it.

Leave the lid up, then add potable water from the shower wand, keeping
the wand 12"-18" above the bowl.

Don't bother to connect the flush water connection since you are not
using it.


Lew
A completely separate FW tank plumbed to the head and totally isolated
from the other FW tanks is every bit as "fool proof." On the other hand,
your suggestion is a good one because you could then use the water for
potable applications as well as for the head.

--Alan Gomes

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 03:46:28 GMT, Lew Hodgett
wrote:


If you truly want to use potable water to flush your manual Lavac,
there is only one fool proof way to do it.

Leave the lid up, then add potable water from the shower wand, keeping
the wand 12"-18" above the bowl.

Don't bother to connect the flush water connection since you are not
using it.


Lew

The only easy, economical way, probably. But I've crewed on a number
of trawlers (mostly Grand Banks) that have separate freswater tanks
for flushwater. Typically they are unpressurized, using a standard
head with an electric motor driving the pump mechanism.

Don't think it's worth the trouble, myself, but rich trawler owners
(and especially their wives) seem to be a lot more prissy than
sailboat trash like me.

__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at world wide wiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/

Lavac brand marine toilets
 

I found a Lavac Zenith at a Dutch boat jumble for 10 euros.
Replacement seals cost more!! The fresh water suction is plumbed into
a small 6l cistern which in turn is connected to the pressurised fresh
water system. Works a treat - flushing water drawn in, level in
cistern drops and float valve operates to fill cistern - just like at
home. Cistern does not leak when rolling - fitted in a motor vessel.