Beta Test Johnson Aqua T

[Rick D]

Well, Peggie, I just took delivery of two Johnson Aqua T manual marine heads. As you know, these are drop-in replacements for Jabsco's units. They are a bit more dollars. I did have conversation with the US arm of Johnson who confirmed that they are not mere clones as I had thought. Rather, they are a re-engineered head configured to replace the Jabsco, but with more robust construction and design. We'll see and I'll let your readers know how they work. BTW, the Raritan, even in compact form, is annoying with the handle design and would be a chin buster in either of my heads. I've used them for years on other people's boats and sure agree that they are a light year ahead of most of the other manuals, and obviously endure total neglect and abuse, but the design just didn't work for me.

http://shop.hunterowners.com/detail.htm?fno=0&group=1207&cat=1002

 

[Rick D]

Well, That Didn't Work Either

Well, I can tell you that the plunger mechanism seems the same except there is a brass bushing on the top which might be a better seal. The Johnson is otherwise very similar to the Jabsco but with slotted holes for the hold-down so that you have some flexibility in the installation. Plastic casting et al appear similar.

I had to abort the installation though. I could not keep the tail piece to pump joint from leaking. It appears there is some degree of vertical angular difference between the Jabsco and Johnson. Although I redid the mount to try to lessen the pressure on the joint, I was unable to remove enough to stop the leak. Any change to the hose run would entail major disassembly and cutting of fiberglass for as little as 1/2 inch hose movement owing to the after-market three way valve assembly. Certainly was not worth that effort. So, looks like I'll be returning the unopened unit and selling the trial one.

My experience shouldn't dictate what your might be since I think most installations would have a much longer and more flexible disvharge hose run than I.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

One of the most common problems I've seen over the years...

Is due to owners trying to use a straight discharge fitting where a 90 is called for, or vice versa.

1. Tailpieces only leak for two reasons: 1. the fitting is smaller than the hose (common when replacing any toilet BUT a Jabsco with a Jabsco, 'cuz every other toilet uses a 1.5" discharge while most Jabsco toilets have a 1".

2. Using a straight fitting where a 90 is called for. Trying to make a hose go off at an angle from a straight fitting puts stress on one side of the connection, resulting in a leak at the discharge fitting's connection to the toilet. Trying to send a hose straight off from a fitting that wants it to go 90 degrees in another direction has the same effect.

So, Rick...methinks the solution your installation problem is to replace the discharge fitting with one that'll aim your hose in the right direction.

 

[Rick D]

Thanks, Peggie...

...the Johnson comes with the same angle fitting my Jabsco has, a 1 1/2 inch angled. It's the same. The leaking is from where the tail piece itself attaches to the pump housing and uses the rim of the joker valve as the gasketing element. There is enough torque to make the seal insufficient even when the tail piece is tightened down. In the Johnson, the tail piece meets the pump flange at 90 degrees. In the Jabsco, the flange has a slight downward angle. Altho a minor difference if you had maybe 8" or more free discharge hose, mine is about three inches from where it goes through the cabinet and there is the return hose to the tank on top of it precluding moving it up at all. So, it's a pretty rigid set up that would entail in my estimation, about three solid days labor to modify. Just not that big a priority. Too bad since I was looking forward to a test of these units which are claimed to be a drop-in replacement for the Jabsco but with more robust construction. I probably could put it in the forward head but I prefer carrying spares for one kind of unit rather than two.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Re: Thanks, Peggie...

You may have tightened it too much, Rick. Overtightening will cause the gasket (flange on the joker valve) to pucker and leak...so see what happens if you back out the screws just a little.

Alternatively, I think the tailpiece from the Jabsco will fit the base of the Johnson...so if it's at the right angle, try swapping 'em out.

 

[Rick D]

Arggh, Peggie...

...you may be right. It's worth another try when get motivated.