TE 28 Head Replacement

[Yearwood]

After the hand pump started leaking we replaced it with a power unit. That lasted a few years and replaced it again. Now this one is going all due in my view to the design which is essentially a column unsupported at the top and subject to side motion by users. Anyway ... the question ... has anyone replaced the entire head with a decent power unit and if so what is the make/model. I am concerned about the dimensions not wanting to purchase a unit that will not fit the tight space on the boat (2001 model).

[jleonard]

I installed a Raritan Sea Era a few years ago and it has been flawless. I installed the fresh water version but they also have the raw water available.

[Bidgood]

I just replaced the entire system with an AirHead composting toilet. A little pricey but well worth the effort. If you would like to know the details let me know.

Tom L.

[Yearwood]

Thanks for the info. What I am really interested in is something better, power operated, that will fit in the space available on the TE 28.

[Nancy]

I see a new toilet in our future to replace the manual Jabsco unit. In fact, I see new hose and a bigger holding tank as well. But back to the toilet...

I'm partial to Raritan. I see three possibilities:

PHC - manual toilet. Big advantage: no need to run wiring.

PHII - manual. Not sure this one will fit.

SeaEra - electric macerating toilet

Marine Elegance - electric vacuum toilet. Not sure it will fit.

I just want something that works reliably without clogging or backing up. Comments and suggestions welcome.

[DougSea]

Have you read Ric's short novel on head replacement?

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4294&hilit=head

[Nancy]

Doug, yes, I sure have. He almost made it sound fun! We had a Vacuflush on our previous boat, and they're great units, but I think we're going to go with a simpler and less expensive approach on this one.

[RobS]

Nancy, first off, I would like to thank you for appearing to always search/reference prior threads and bring them back to life. Secondly, you mention inexpensive and simple - have you given your Jabsco unit a chance, my crew consists of 3 ladies and we do more than our share of staying aboard and the Jabsco has never given us a problem. I installed the rebuild kit this spring just as preventative maintenance since it was going on its 5th season. I know this head and Jabsco in general have a poor reputation so take it FWIW.

[Nancy]

Rob, no problem on the forum usage. My forum participation goes back to GEnie days when forums were bulletin boards, everything was very conveniently done with offline readers, and 9600 baud modems were fast!

Based on its reputation and my experience so far, no, I haven't give the Jabsco a chance. lol! It's leaking at the pump handle housing when pumping water into the bowl, sometimes the pump handle resists pumping (the holding tank is not full), and sometimes, after emptying the bowl, water backflows into it. So far, this has not been a disgusting mess because I've only been flushing with a baking soda solution to try to deodorize the entire system. I know, I know, this all points to a rebuild or pump replacement, but I'm not sure I want to invest money in this toilet or spend time working in someone else's ick no matter how much I've flushed it.

Beyond the toilet proper, there's a funky smell in the head cabinets and in the bilge under the helm station that's diminishing, but not gone. The bilges are clean enough to eat out of--where they can be reached for scrubbing. That whole area under the helm station is not scrubbable. So re-hosing and new/bigger tank are strong possibilities.

My tendency toward Raritan comes from Peggie Hall's advice. Are you familiar with her? She's a well-known expert in head circles, and was incredibly helpful to us 14 years ago when our new-to-us boat had a problem-ridden Vacuflush system. Postings in cruisersforum.com are pointing me in the direction I'm headed.

Three crew? All together on overnights? The mind boggles!

[RobS]

I know, I know, this all points to a rebuild or pump replacement, but I'm not sure I want to invest money in this toilet or spend time working in someone else's ick no matter how much I've flushed it.

I felt the same way when shortly after I bought my TE the Jabsco unit showed signs of needing a rebuild, the new twist/lock model was on sale, I think I paid $110 at the time, so the choice was made to heave the old head into the dumpster. This recent rebuild was easier to come to terms with knowing it had only seen "our" mess. But to be honest with you it was internally much cleaner than I expected when I took it all apart.

Beyond the toilet proper, there's a funky smell in the head cabinets and in the bilge under the helm station that's diminishing, but not gone. The bilges are clean enough to eat out of--where they can be reached for scrubbing. That whole area under the helm station is not scrubbable. So re-hosing and new/bigger tank are strong possibilities.

I removed the tank and cleaned the area it sits in and reinstalled it with new sanitation hoses. The hoses are a bit of a PITA to work with. As you know, they do become pourous over time.

I have read her articles, all good stuff.

Three crew? All together on overnights? The mind boggles!

My crew of 3 ladies is my wife and my 2 daughters, ages 10 & 12. After re-reading my post I can see that my wording of that sentence may get someone thinking, but nope, no Jack Tripper here!