I am considering replacing the manual head in my 1984 Hunter 34 to a fancy pants electric head. Anyone done this? Recommendations? What is the best type and / or brand of electric head. What modifications to the system are necessary to make it work like it should?
Electric head
- Thread starter markwbird
- Start date
We went with a Raritan SeaEra raw water flush. It has been in the boat for over 5 years.
My only complaint is the noise when we flush. The fresh water flush models are supposed to be much quieter but I did NOT want to tap into the fresh water system.
My only complaint is the noise when we flush. The fresh water flush models are supposed to be much quieter but I did NOT want to tap into the fresh water system.
Ditto re the noise - I put in a new pump/motor assembly and it sounds like the thing is tearing itself apart - it does work very well though. Most things cant survive a 10 second flush!
One possible change could be the discharge/waste hose diameter. Typically a smaller diameter on the electric head (the Jabsco is) you can buy a different outlet or a converter.
One possible change could be the discharge/waste hose diameter. Typically a smaller diameter on the electric head (the Jabsco is) you can buy a different outlet or a converter.
I have a retrofit from manual to electric on my head and it works great and has worked for many years without incident. It is noisier, but pushing a button is easy.
Poor man's electric head
A prior boat of mine (1980 H30) had a poor man's electric head installed by the previous owner. The discharge hose from the manual head fed directly to a macerator which then dumped into a small holding tank/bladder. To flush the toilet, you simply pushed a momentary button that activated the macerator and "swoosh" or should I say "flush" and the bowl was empty. We used fresh water from a gallon jug to fill the bowl - with deodorant added - and never had the sulfur smell from sea water in the hoses.
A prior boat of mine (1980 H30) had a poor man's electric head installed by the previous owner. The discharge hose from the manual head fed directly to a macerator which then dumped into a small holding tank/bladder. To flush the toilet, you simply pushed a momentary button that activated the macerator and "swoosh" or should I say "flush" and the bowl was empty. We used fresh water from a gallon jug to fill the bowl - with deodorant added - and never had the sulfur smell from sea water in the hoses.
Last year I replaced. my manual salt-water toilet with a Raritan Marine Elegance electric fresh water unit. I chose based on recommendation of the Headmistress and reviews in Practical Sailor. It is quiet, sips water and there are no more stagnant salt water odors in the head. Installation was fairly straightforward in my 1998 H-376. The folks at Raritan were outstanding in walking through a couple of questions along the way. Water and waste hookups were easy.. Best of all...the First Mate is VERY happy with it and brags about having the best toilet in the marina.