I have a manual pump head in my Catalina 36 Mk 2 and am thinking of going electric. I have a jabsco and I believe they make a conversion to make it into an electric?? This is about $400. Or I can buy a new electric toilet for about $600. Is the conversion just as good as a whole new toilet? I sail the Great Lakes and use a holding tank. What are the advantages/disadvantages of an electric?
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Simpler Operation
I had my stock Jabsco replaced with the Raritan Sea Era as the "pump" marine toilet with wet and dry bowl confused most of the guests we had on our boat. Now we just tell them to hold the buttton until the bowl is clear - not much simpler than that! We also like the fact that waste is macerated leaving the toilet. That makes the holding tank work better. You will be glad you got it changed.
I had my stock Jabsco replaced with the Raritan Sea Era as the "pump" marine toilet with wet and dry bowl confused most of the guests we had on our boat. Now we just tell them to hold the buttton until the bowl is clear - not much simpler than that! We also like the fact that waste is macerated leaving the toilet. That makes the holding tank work better. You will be glad you got it changed.
Jabsco conversion is not a good choice...
It makes enough noise to wake the dead and draws a whopping 26a, compared to 16 for most other sea water electric toilets (10 for those designed to use pressurized flush water)...and costs more than complete electric toilets if you know where to shop. The ONLY advantage to it is that it fits on a manual toilet base. The only real disadvantage to an electric toilet is, all sea water electric toilets are a bit noisy...some a LOT noisier than others....'cuz contrary to what most people believe it's not the macerator and discharge pump that makes all the noise (and uses the most power), it's the intake pump. Toilets designed to use pressurized flush water, otoh, are very quiet, use about 30% less power and about half the flush water...they also cost a bit less. So even though you're in fresh water, you might want to consider going with a pressurized flush water version. The best "bang for the buck" on the market is the Raritan SeaEra http://www.raritaneng.com/products/toilets/electric/sea_era.html ...available in both sea water and pressurized flush water version...both are also available as either a complete toilet or a "conversion" (everything but the bowl). These folks http://www.boatfix.com/elec/rarseaera.asp have the pressurized flush water conversion for $358. It's VERY important that ANY electric toilet be wired correctly, and that it be on its own separate dedicated circuit shared by nothing else...'cuz low voltage to the toilet will damage the motor--and anything else on the same circuit that's on at the same time the toilet is flushed.
It makes enough noise to wake the dead and draws a whopping 26a, compared to 16 for most other sea water electric toilets (10 for those designed to use pressurized flush water)...and costs more than complete electric toilets if you know where to shop. The ONLY advantage to it is that it fits on a manual toilet base. The only real disadvantage to an electric toilet is, all sea water electric toilets are a bit noisy...some a LOT noisier than others....'cuz contrary to what most people believe it's not the macerator and discharge pump that makes all the noise (and uses the most power), it's the intake pump. Toilets designed to use pressurized flush water, otoh, are very quiet, use about 30% less power and about half the flush water...they also cost a bit less. So even though you're in fresh water, you might want to consider going with a pressurized flush water version. The best "bang for the buck" on the market is the Raritan SeaEra http://www.raritaneng.com/products/toilets/electric/sea_era.html ...available in both sea water and pressurized flush water version...both are also available as either a complete toilet or a "conversion" (everything but the bowl). These folks http://www.boatfix.com/elec/rarseaera.asp have the pressurized flush water conversion for $358. It's VERY important that ANY electric toilet be wired correctly, and that it be on its own separate dedicated circuit shared by nothing else...'cuz low voltage to the toilet will damage the motor--and anything else on the same circuit that's on at the same time the toilet is flushed.
OTOH
Jerry and Peggy are both correct. The electric is simpler for guests to understand and use; i.e., no instruction book required. And, they certainly are noisy. If anyone uses the head in the middle of the night, every one on board knows about it and participates in the experience. But under way or during the daytime, no one notices one way or the other. Two other observations: I have a Jabsco conversion installed by the previous owner. It has worked flawlessly for six years. So long as power supply is not a problem (as in living on the hook) I am very happy with it. My wife likes it. The common concern for electric versus manual is whether you want simpler (manual) or more complex (electric). Less to break, etc. But, I've seen lots of friends rebuilding their manual heads. It's pat of the joy of owning a boat. So far, based on my experience, I will stick with the electric. Sanders s/v Good News H37c
Jerry and Peggy are both correct. The electric is simpler for guests to understand and use; i.e., no instruction book required. And, they certainly are noisy. If anyone uses the head in the middle of the night, every one on board knows about it and participates in the experience. But under way or during the daytime, no one notices one way or the other. Two other observations: I have a Jabsco conversion installed by the previous owner. It has worked flawlessly for six years. So long as power supply is not a problem (as in living on the hook) I am very happy with it. My wife likes it. The common concern for electric versus manual is whether you want simpler (manual) or more complex (electric). Less to break, etc. But, I've seen lots of friends rebuilding their manual heads. It's pat of the joy of owning a boat. So far, based on my experience, I will stick with the electric. Sanders s/v Good News H37c
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