Electrasan - Help

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Apr 22, 2006
3
- - Oriental, NC
I have an electrasan system, with an electric head. When the head is flushed for the 5th or 6th time it won't flush anymore. I've replaced the head intake line and vented loop, have replaced the choker valve, have rebuilt the discharge motor. But even after all of this the electrasan does not discharge from the 3rd tank, and it only quits after the 5th or 6th flush. Is there a fuse in the system that would prevent this, or does the system need to be rebuilt.
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,961
- - LIttle Rock
You lost me...

The toilet and the Lectra/San are two separate devices. Is the toilet backing up? Or does the Lectra/San not start? You said "from the 3rd tank"...what tank(s)? The Lectra/San is a flow through device. It doesn't have any pumps in it, it discharges by overflowing--which is why it can only accept a maximum of a gallon/flush...more than that will cause it to discharge untreated waste. So the only thing that prevent it from discharging, whether it runs or not, is a clog in it. You said "after the 5th or 6th flush"...back to back flushes? Or the 5th or 6th time the toilet is used in a day? Tell me exactly what you're doing and exactly what happens. Meanwhile, I suggest you read the manual for your Lectra/San, 'cuz it doesn't sound like you have a clue how it works or how to operate and maintain it. If you don't have a manual, you can download and print one from the Raritan website here: http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/lectrasan/L270v0404.pdf
 
Apr 22, 2006
3
- - Oriental, NC
Electrasan Help

I know the head and lectrasan are two separate units. And after 5 or 6 regular flushes - like over the course of a night with 2 people using the same head, it no longer discharges. The head will no longer flush properly and fills up. I have downloaded and read the manual from raritan.
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,961
- - LIttle Rock
Sounds like it's the toile that's backing up...

Not the Lectra/San. There are a couple of possible reasons...the most obvious is a clog, either in the macerator or the discharge line between the toilet and the L/S. Or, if any solids or TP are flushed without running the L/S, you could have a clog in it. However, the most common reason for sluggish discharge is low voltage to the toilet. Put a volt meter on it and check it WHILE flushing...if it's not getting a full 12v, it's not getting enough power. If everything works ok at the dock or while out during the day, but "dies" overnight, I'd almost bet that's your problem...your battery is getting low. Low voltage not only causes sluggish discharge and even backups, but will also damage the motors in both the toilet and the L/S and will also damage the electrode pack in the L/S. That's why it's VERY important that electric toilets and treatment devices be wired correctly...the right wire size for the distance (always measured round trip, never just one way) from the battery, and on their own separate dedicated circuit, shared by nothing else that can pull power away from 'em if on a the same time. Unfortunately, too many people don't run a new circuit when they replace a manual toilet with an electric or install a L/S...and then blame the equipment when they have problems. What's the make/model of your toilet?
 
Apr 22, 2006
3
- - Oriental, NC
Lectrasan

The toilet is a Rartian Crown electric. I was wondering if there is a clog in the lectran san, or if one of the motors, or is there an internal fuse that went bad would it quit pumping after the 5th or 6th flush?
 
Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Time referance please

When you say 5-6 flushes is that in 30 seconds or in 30 days or something inbetween. The reason I ask is if it is 30 seconds you may just be working the motor to hard while 30 days it could be a clog or some other weird item. Happy flushing
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,961
- - LIttle Rock
Crown is major power hog

It draws a whopping 36a/flush (maybe even 50a if it's the old "deep draft" version), which can drain a battery in hurry. Combine that with the 50a draw from the L/S, and it's no wonder you're having problems...the Crown is a VERY bad choice of toilet for a sailboat! It's a dinosaur that was designed in 60s for use on houseboats and big powerboats. I think you need to spend a little more time with the manual for the L/S...'cuz it doesn't have any pumps in it...incoming waste from the toilet just pushes treated waste out. The motors only power the electrode pack, mixer and macerator--which isn't a pump, but just a "blender" blade. (What people commonly call a "macerator" is actually a pump that has a macerator blade in it.) So the answer to your question is no...unless there's a clog in it, there's nothing else in it that would prevent it from discharging, only from macerating and treating. It would just discharge untreated waste. So if it only happens when you've been using both the toilet and other devices that use 12v power and haven't run your engines enough to fully recharge the battery, the problem has to be low voltage to the toilet, especially if the toilet flushes ok for the first few flushes, then starts backing up or nothing going down. And if the toilet isn't getting enough power, neither is the L/S...and that's causing damage to the motors in it and the electrode pack. So the solution to your problem is either a LOT more 12v battery resource or a new toilet that uses a fraction of the power...or both. A Raritan SeaEra, which draws only 16a, is almost a drop-in replacement. Boatfix.com http://www.boatfix.com/elec/rartoi.asp has the best price--under $400...and if you sell the Crown on eBay, you can prob'ly get most of that back. And it's a problem you have to solve ASAP unless you want to spend about $250 to replace the electrode pack in the L/S...and maybe at least one of the motors too. Meanwhile, if you have to pee in the middle of the night, use the lee rail or don't flush every time.
 
N

niels nielsen

windswept marine services

Try replacing the 1.5 inch MSD 1 discharge line. I would guess there is mostly likely mineralization in discharge line causing blockage, this a very common problem Please be clear in wording your posts. I am not sure if you are havivg an electrical issue or a flow proble
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,961
- - LIttle Rock
The Crown and L/S already have 1.5" lines

Jabsco is the only toilet mfr that uses 1" discharge lines. Since the problem only occurs when the toilet is used at night after they've been aboard for the day, mineral buildup in the discharge lines is unlikely to be the cause of the problem. I could be wrong, but my money is on low voltage to the toilet and L/S.
 
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