Electric toilet

[madmax]

I am considering installing an electric toilet (Raritan Marine Elegance) on my Catalina 320. From what I've read, it draws about 15 amps during the flush/maceration cycle, but only for a few seconds. I think the toilet will require 8 AWG gauge wire between the toilet and the battery.

My concern is whether my house battery bank can handle the load. Does anyone have experience with this setup? Approximately how many flushes can I expect before significantly draining the battery?

I don't have solar panels yet, but I plan to install them on my 320 in the near future.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

And what size battery bank do you have? The load would be calculated in amp-hours, not minutes.

 

[madmax]

Two batteries (1 for engine, 1 for house). They are size 4D, flooded.

 

[Davidasailor26]

You’ll have no problem with that amount of load and duration. 15 amps is pretty minimal compared to the couple hundred amps or more a reasonably sized lead acid battery can provide. As for the total power consumed, if you draw the full 15 amps for 10 seconds, even 20 times per day that’s only about 0.03 amp hours - virtually negligible compared to the battery capacity.

8 AWG sounds fine assuming the total wire run (positive and ground) is less than about 30 feet. Be sure to fuse the positive at the battery end.

 

[colemj]

We have two of those. Maybe they draw 15A, but the flush cycle is so short that it doesn't matter - like others have said.

Mark

 

[dlochner]

I think the toilet will require 8 AWG gauge wire between the toilet and the battery.

Wire size is based on 2 factors, the current being carried and the length of the wire from the power source to the device and back to the power source. With this information, consult the ABYC Ampacity charts to determine the wire size based on carrying capacity and acceptable voltage loss.

 

[madmax]

Alright, thanks for your help. Now I'll know what to do from this point on.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Be aware that the footprint may not fit the pedestal conveniently. Do you have that tiny marine head and are you replacing it with a standard-sized bowl? When I replaced mine with an electric Raritan QC household toilet, I had to rotate the base and I still needed to cut into a section of the fiberglass bulkhead behind the toilet to expose the cavity so I could install plumbing. The depth of the pedestal is very shallow and my wife didn't want the toilet to stick out any further than the original toilet. I needed to gain access to the cavity either way. I was afraid that the Elegance model would have forced an even more complicated modification.

 

[madmax]

Be aware that the footprint may not fit the pedestal conveniently. Do you have that tiny marine head and are you replacing it with a standard-sized bowl? When I replaced mine with an electric Raritan QC household toilet, I had to rotate the base and I still needed to cut into a section of the fiberglass bulkhead behind the toilet to expose the cavity so I could install plumbing. The depth of the pedestal is very shallow and my wife didn't want the toilet to stick out any further than the original toilet. I needed to gain access to the cavity either way. I was afraid that the Elegance model would have forced an even more complicated modification.

Yes, I am aware of that. I am going to measure them first before ordering a new toilet. Thanks.

 

[colemj]

The electric models also come in both straight and slanted backs. This makes a difference in the space used, so be sure to pay attention when looking at measurements.

Mark