I have a Catalina 36 mk2 and wife doesn't like manual flush. I want to change to electric. I notice there is a conversion that is approx. $400 as opposed to $600 for a whole new electric head. Any experience with either the conversion or new head. If so what brands are best? Also, are there disadvantages to an electric? Does it use more water and fill the holding tank up sooner? Thanks all.
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The Head Mistress forum on this site is specifically about marine sanitation and plumbing. Peggie Hall is a fantastic resource here. Also, what type of head do you currently have that you want to convert? I'm not sure about water usage for "normal" use but I would think with the electric the user would have to make sure to not hold the button too long (just like not pumping too many times). Jim
The Head Mistress forum on this site is specifically about marine sanitation and plumbing. Peggie Hall is a fantastic resource here. Also, what type of head do you currently have that you want to convert? I'm not sure about water usage for "normal" use but I would think with the electric the user would have to make sure to not hold the button too long (just like not pumping too many times). Jim
Head below water line?
If your head is below the water line, you might be out of luck using an electric head unless it also has pumping action on it. I think the conversion you are refering to is really only like a macerator. It will not pump the effluent out through a thru hall below the water line nor will it pump the effluent upwards to a thru hull above the water line.
If your head is below the water line, you might be out of luck using an electric head unless it also has pumping action on it. I think the conversion you are refering to is really only like a macerator. It will not pump the effluent out through a thru hall below the water line nor will it pump the effluent upwards to a thru hull above the water line.
C
Colin
Sea Era
I have a Mark I C36 and we did this a few years ago after I had to rebuild the original head while rolling in a choppy anchorage...twice! Being on the Great Lakes (as you appear to be) we didn't care about overboard discharge at all, but cared about maximizing our holding tank capacity. We went with the Raritan SeaEra electric toilet with the freshwater flush option. You can get one from Boater's World for less tha $500 for the whole toilet. It uses pressurized fresh water from your tanks to flush, but our C36 tankage is such that you'll fill the holding tank before you drain the water tank. The nice part is that the freshwater flush lets you use minimal water to flush so your tank fills slower. We (2 adults, 2 kids) can go a good 4 days using the head exclusively without filling up the 18-gallon holding tank. The cool thing is you just push the button to flush it. Once in a while a little extra push is needed to get a stiff contribution down into the bottom of the bowl, but its FAR less cantankerous than your typical marine head. When we sailed out of the lakes and into salt water we found another bonus: No stinky salt water in the head!
I have a Mark I C36 and we did this a few years ago after I had to rebuild the original head while rolling in a choppy anchorage...twice! Being on the Great Lakes (as you appear to be) we didn't care about overboard discharge at all, but cared about maximizing our holding tank capacity. We went with the Raritan SeaEra electric toilet with the freshwater flush option. You can get one from Boater's World for less tha $500 for the whole toilet. It uses pressurized fresh water from your tanks to flush, but our C36 tankage is such that you'll fill the holding tank before you drain the water tank. The nice part is that the freshwater flush lets you use minimal water to flush so your tank fills slower. We (2 adults, 2 kids) can go a good 4 days using the head exclusively without filling up the 18-gallon holding tank. The cool thing is you just push the button to flush it. Once in a while a little extra push is needed to get a stiff contribution down into the bottom of the bowl, but its FAR less cantankerous than your typical marine head. When we sailed out of the lakes and into salt water we found another bonus: No stinky salt water in the head!
P
Pat T
Electric Head
Thanks guys, I did post this to the Head Mistress and will look closer at a new SeaEra.
Thanks guys, I did post this to the Head Mistress and will look closer at a new SeaEra.
Think Twice
I had an electric head and removed it. Two Reasons: 1) extreme power consumption, especially when on the hook. 2) uses more water than necessary, thus filling your waste tank quicker than normal. BUT, it is extremely important to keep 'the wife' happy.
I had an electric head and removed it. Two Reasons: 1) extreme power consumption, especially when on the hook. 2) uses more water than necessary, thus filling your waste tank quicker than normal. BUT, it is extremely important to keep 'the wife' happy.
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