Ok, Here's what the head is doing... When I flush the head (W/C Headmate), the content of the head seems to recirculate back into the flush water. As I keep pumping the flush eventually becomes clear, however, this takes more pumps than is should (15-20). And an odor is always present in the head, not the hoses. Is this a joker valve issue? This head is only a couple years old. This did not happen with my old head (same model) or this head when new. What do you think is happening? I was already to start taking this thing apart, but I figured I would ask for advice first.
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No Joke
Sounds like your joker... The easyest way to clean everything up is to remove the head... Sounds awful but when it's in your garage you can easily inspect all gaskets... Good Luck C
Sounds like your joker... The easyest way to clean everything up is to remove the head... Sounds awful but when it's in your garage you can easily inspect all gaskets... Good Luck C
Buy a new one or rebuild the old one
2 years is about all they last. We've had three or four and just had the new one delivered. The rebuild kit is a pain to install and with the cost of it, it's almost as much as a new entire head. Next time, I'm going to a Raritan PHII, since one of our members installed one in his C34 and it fits just fine. What's happening is that your pump is no longer pumping. I think, but can't confirm, that the rebuild kit doesn't even have the pump seal that's inside the housing.
2 years is about all they last. We've had three or four and just had the new one delivered. The rebuild kit is a pain to install and with the cost of it, it's almost as much as a new entire head. Next time, I'm going to a Raritan PHII, since one of our members installed one in his C34 and it fits just fine. What's happening is that your pump is no longer pumping. I think, but can't confirm, that the rebuild kit doesn't even have the pump seal that's inside the housing.
Unlikely that it's recirculating...no, it's NOT
the joker valve! Whyizzit that the joker valve is blamed for anything that ever goes wrong ANYwhere in a marine sanitation system??? It's just a one way valve in the discharge...the toilet will work just as well if you remove it. But then you'd have to actually cure the REAL problem instead of being able to use a new joker valve as a "band aid." Unless you actually see waste coming out of the holes in the channel in the rim of the bowl, the flush is not recirculating through the intake. More likely it's just mixing with incoming flush water. Sounds to me like your tank vent may be blocked, which has pressurized the tank, creating backpressure that won't let the flush go anywhere. Or, sea water calcium carbonate buildup in the head discharge hose may have reduced the diameter enough to cause backpressure when you flush. The Headmate isn't the best toilet, but it's a lot higher quality than a Jabsco (what isn't?), and does--unless abused or seriously neglected--have a considerably longer lifespan than just two years.
the joker valve! Whyizzit that the joker valve is blamed for anything that ever goes wrong ANYwhere in a marine sanitation system??? It's just a one way valve in the discharge...the toilet will work just as well if you remove it. But then you'd have to actually cure the REAL problem instead of being able to use a new joker valve as a "band aid." Unless you actually see waste coming out of the holes in the channel in the rim of the bowl, the flush is not recirculating through the intake. More likely it's just mixing with incoming flush water. Sounds to me like your tank vent may be blocked, which has pressurized the tank, creating backpressure that won't let the flush go anywhere. Or, sea water calcium carbonate buildup in the head discharge hose may have reduced the diameter enough to cause backpressure when you flush. The Headmate isn't the best toilet, but it's a lot higher quality than a Jabsco (what isn't?), and does--unless abused or seriously neglected--have a considerably longer lifespan than just two years.
Thanks
I was not necessarily "blaming" the Joker valve. Just trying to rule out a back flow issue. I will inspect my vents and go from there. I agree that the headmate gets a bum rap compared to the PHII. I had my previous headmate for 30 years and only got a new one for preventitive measures (new head was actually cheaper than rebuild kit - On Sale). However, they don't make things like they used to and the new head is made with much lower quality parts now. I've already broken three pump handles (under warranty). Thanks for all your help. Rob
I was not necessarily "blaming" the Joker valve. Just trying to rule out a back flow issue. I will inspect my vents and go from there. I agree that the headmate gets a bum rap compared to the PHII. I had my previous headmate for 30 years and only got a new one for preventitive measures (new head was actually cheaper than rebuild kit - On Sale). However, they don't make things like they used to and the new head is made with much lower quality parts now. I've already broken three pump handles (under warranty). Thanks for all your help. Rob
No, they aren't building things like they used to
15-20 years ago, Jabsco made a decent quality toilet for the money...some of which are still in service. But owners are lucky to get TWO trouble-free years from the ones they've made in the last 10 years. The same is true of the W-C Headmate...they were originally bronze. Then Thetford-Norcold bought W-C...and now it's no longer about quality. The only thing that matters is the bottom line on the balance sheet. Raritan's quality remains high because it's still a relatively small--compared to conglomerates like ITT and Thetford-Norcold, anyway--family-owned company to whom a reputation for quality products matters. Should Raritan ever be bought by a conglomerate, I have no doubt that the quality of Raritan products will deteriorate too. I didn't think YOU were blaming the joker valve, but any time anyone posts any kind of toilet problem, it's a sure bet that one or more repliers will. Your odor problem may not be related to your backflow problem...that may be due to stinky sea water in the intake or even some kind of animal or vegetable sea life that's gotten sucked into the intake to die and decay. So solve the backflow problem first...and then, if you still have odor in the toilet, we'll tackle how to cure it.
15-20 years ago, Jabsco made a decent quality toilet for the money...some of which are still in service. But owners are lucky to get TWO trouble-free years from the ones they've made in the last 10 years. The same is true of the W-C Headmate...they were originally bronze. Then Thetford-Norcold bought W-C...and now it's no longer about quality. The only thing that matters is the bottom line on the balance sheet. Raritan's quality remains high because it's still a relatively small--compared to conglomerates like ITT and Thetford-Norcold, anyway--family-owned company to whom a reputation for quality products matters. Should Raritan ever be bought by a conglomerate, I have no doubt that the quality of Raritan products will deteriorate too. I didn't think YOU were blaming the joker valve, but any time anyone posts any kind of toilet problem, it's a sure bet that one or more repliers will. Your odor problem may not be related to your backflow problem...that may be due to stinky sea water in the intake or even some kind of animal or vegetable sea life that's gotten sucked into the intake to die and decay. So solve the backflow problem first...and then, if you still have odor in the toilet, we'll tackle how to cure it.
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