Add vented loop for water in bowl or flush to dry?

[TonyDz]

I recently upgraded to a Raritan Sea Era freshwater flush with bluetooth control and I'm actually noticing more head odor since I made the upgrade. I think the source of the odor may be gases escaping back through the bowl so I added water to the bowl thinking that it may stop the gases, but found the water drained to the holding tank fairly quickly. My toilet discharge is pretty close to the same level as the holding tank input and the discharge hose is mostly flat. I reached out to Raritan and they suggested adding a vented loop to the discharge line which I'm considering.

Question: Is it better to keep water in the bowl or to flush to dry? Currently I flush to dry, but it seems like it's creating a direct open air path to the holding tank allowing odors to escape. Would adding a vented loop correct this?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The SeaEra isn't designed to bring water into the bowl and hold it...Your joker valve would have to be in excellent conditon for water to stay in the bowl long enough ahead of solids--.-which you should always do because that leaves you with much cleaner bowl with a LOT less flushing I suspect that your odor is the result of failing to bring any water into the bowl ahead of solids, or flush longlong enough --at least 3 full seconds after urine only, 7-10 seconds after solids--to move bowl contents all the way to the tank plus a rinse behind the flush. A worn joker valve is allowing odor from waste left in the discharge line.
A loop--not a vented loop (you aren't trying to prevent a siphon), just a loop, immediately after the toilet can provide help from gravity to move flushes all the way into the tank. But I'd try just replacing the joker valve first.

--Peggie

 

[TonyDz]

Thanks Peggie.. This is from the manual for the smart control which came with the SeaEra. "At the end of this continuous cycle, a short pause will be followed by a final fill to leave water in the bowl". Am I misunderstanding this? It seems like it should be retaining water in the bowl from this statement. Note, this is a brand new toilet so joker valve should be good and I'm using factory settings on the flush control - although it it programable.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The instructions for the Smart Flush panel were written for a different toilet--Raritan's Marine Elegance, which is designed to bring water into the bowl and hold it. You're first person I've ever heard of who bought it to go with a SeaEra. Since it's a brand new toilet, and you already have the Smart Control, I'd return it and upgrade to the Marine Elegance. This retailer Boatersland Marine Elegance has it for very little more than I'm guessing you paid for the SeaEra QC. Note that all the boxes on their page are menus...just click on each one for the configuration you need.

--Peggie

 

[TonyDz]

Thanks for the additional info. The toilet and control came together as a single item purchased from Defender (link). It was all in one box direct from Raritan. Marine Elegance was my first choice based on your write-ups, but unfortunately the bowl wouldn't fit in my install location. The Marine Elegance is a nicer looking bowl, but I assumed the actual mechanicals of the two were the same.

(and FWIW the link you shared for the Marine Elegance is is less than I paid for the SeaEra )

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

So let's explore what might be do-able to make the Elegance fit your space. If it's just a front-back problem, that should be easy to do. Send me a PM and I'll reply with my phone number so you can text me some photos. Meanwhile, here's the link to the "owners manual" Marine Elegance Owner's Manual so you can see how it's totally different from the SeaEra.

First I have ever heard of Defender doing that kind of "bundling" of equipment, especially any that aren't really compatible.

--Peggie

 

[TonyDz]

Thanks Peggy.. Separately, I've been emailing with Raritan who has also been very helpful. They confirmed your point of the SeaEra not being "designed" to hold water, but said with the installation of a vented loop it will accomplish the same thing. Apparently Marine Elegance has the ability to hold water with no vented loop required. The SeaEra simply needs a vented loop added. In my install, I need a compact bowl with a smaller base. Previously, I mocked up the Marine Elegance and while I could make it fit - it was going to be too obtrusive in the space for my taste.

As for the bundling.. I don't believe it's Defender thing. It's a specific part number from Raritan on the Raritan website.
Part Number: 162MF012
https://www.raritaneng.com/en_US/products/seaera-qc

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

As for the bundling.. I don't believe it's Defender thing. It's a specific part number from Raritan on the Raritan website.Part Number: 162MF012 https://www.raritaneng.com/en_US/products/seaera-qc

I learn something new every day....

Btw...you may not be aware that the '"full flush" option in the Smart Flush panel is actually 2 or 3 consecutive flushes that'll fill up a holding tank in a hurry if you use it often.

--Peggie