See Nancy Berg's question about her y-valve
And my reply. As for how the head works, all manual toilets work pretty much the same way: there's a lever or handle on the top of the pump labeled "dry" and "flush"...when it's on "dry" no flush water comes in, but bowl contents are pumped out. When it's on "flush" up (or down, depending on the toilet) brings flush water in (be sure the intake seacock is open)...and the other half of the stroke pushes it, along with the bowl contents, out. Any valve in the system that allows you to choose between the tank and going directly overboard will not be a part of the head...it will be a "Y" shaped hard plastic doo-dad in the discharge line from the toilet (the larger one coming out of the bottom). Check out the articles in the reference library in the Head Mistress forum for more detailed information. And I'm always glad to answer questions. Btw...spring IS on the way...and spring recommissioning will start soon. This is a good time for everyone to browse through the H M Reference library for advice about recommissioning the head and and fresh water systems.
