Head

[jorgefife]

The head I have in my H33 is a Raritan Cricket
The name alone is scary; no-one has ever heard of it, it probably is not the original
Anyone knows where to find parts for it, like seals, etc?
It may be cheaper to instal another one, please let me know what you think
Thanks for all the help
Jorge Fife

 

[Steve Dion]

I have heard that these were good toilets. Peggie had these on her recommended list for several years. My understanding was the problems with them were caused by users lack of raw water flushing which caused some problems (probably with solids).

http://www.raritaneng.com/products/toilets/manual/archive_this_today/cricket.html

Beside don't you think Cricket Crapper was sort of catchy?

 

[Benny]

It is a manual head designed to fit in small spaces, hence the name Cricket. Try WM for a repair kit. I had a Raritan Mate and was very pleased with it. Looking at the Cricket I can't help noticing that the flush pump is below the bowl which could mean the whole unit may have to be removed just to replace seals and valves. Check with Peggie, the head mistress.

 

[jorgefife]

I have seen the name Peggy here before, but how do I contact her?
I tried to contact a Marine sanitation technician, who told me he never heard of these Raritan toilets. He gave me a quotation for $1200.00, which is $200.00 more than I paid for the boat.
I think new seals and clearing all the hoses will get this going, but I need to find out more about it
I know for a fact the previous owner (who didn't care much for the boat) was very particular on the head he wanted, and I believe he paid good money for it, so your comments that this is a very good head confirms it.
Please help me contact Peggy
Thanks
Jorge Fife

 

[Manny]

Jorge, all you need to do is post this question on the Head Mistress Forum:

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31

Manny

 

[Steve Dion]

If he is a marine sani guy and never heard about Raritan, you had better run.

What are your issues with the system?

 

[jorgefife]

If he is a marine sani guy and never heard about Raritan, you had better run.

What are your issues with the system?

Steve,
I knew you would come through!
I have cleaned it nicely, but my question: should I buy first a repair kit, and then maybe unblock the pipes?
Or replace them?
Previous owner didn't care much for this boat, but I believe it is a very good head, and it is in great shape.
What do you think I should do?
Where should I start?
I have restored the whole inside, but I have little experience with plumbing.
Follow the pipes, and replace all?

 

[Steve Dion]

Depending on the run of the hoses, replacing them can be a very daunting project. If they are plugged, you are going to be better off just replacing the hoses. This stuff runs about $8/ft.

You want to be sure that the holding tank is also in good shape. You best bet may be to remove the tank and the hoses (if not too difficult) and be sure that the tank is sound. Then replace the hoses.

The tanks can be had at a reasonable price depending on the size ($250 or so).

I think you head in mid-ship like the newer boats. Hopefully your runs from the tank to the toilet are not too long. You also want to check out the deck hose & the overboard pump out hose. Once these things start permeating there is not much you can do to keep the odor down.

 

[Ed Schenck]

One of my very first projects on Ladylove was a new head and new plumbing. I installed a Raritan Cricket. That was in 1999 and it has never given me a problem. I chose Cricket based on the pump design because it can handle almost anything. With a wife, three daughters, and three granddaughters this was kind of important.

You never answered Steve's question, what is wrong with it? Peggy will see this and want to know. But so do I. I want to know what might be coming. The manual with troubleshooting ideas: http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/cricket/L229cricketv0502.pdf .

 

[jorgefife]

Dear Ed and Steve,
The head is empty, because I cleaned it nicely when I first got the boat
How do I test it?
Put some water in it and then pump it?
It was the first thing I cleaned when I got the boat; the holding tank: do you mean the bag that hangs on hooks in the starboard lazarette area?
It is empty and in good shape; there is a pump next to it, with a lever, also seems to work well.
The technician told me the valve is the wrong one and needs replacement,he said I must get a diver, plug the hole from down under, and then install a new one: he pointed to the bottom of the lazarette, below the holding tank.
I know a diver friend, so thjat is not aproblem.
But I would like to understand the system, I will do some reading on the info you sent me
I can dismantle things very well and put them together, but I am thrilled to hear from you both ( and the others) that this is a GOOD head!
It could be that some creature got into the pipes, I will use an air gun to dislodge it
So you think I should try the water and then test?
Thanks again

 

[Ed Schenck]

Testing your head is pretty simple. Start by making sure that the overboard valve is set for pumping into the holding tank. Then check the valve on the lower left side of the toilet as you face it. Horizontal is for pumping the bowl out and into the holding tank. Vertical is for filling the bowl from the sea water input.

First a flush test. Valve horizontal. Fill the bowl with two or three cups of water. Use the handle and see if it will pump the water out. If it has been sitting dry for a long time it might need to sit wet for awhile. Peggy will have a recommendation for a lubricant to add to the water, maybe just some dish soap. But you should be able to move the long handle(it extends) to pump the bowl into the tank. The tank being full, a clogged hose, OR the holding tank vent being clogged, could stop a pumpout. A clogged vent is a real problem with a bladder holding tank.

If the pumpout of the bowl works then on to a test of the input water. First you need to open the seacock(probably an old gate valve). With the toilet valve in the vertical position the sea water should flow into the bowl. You might have to move the pump handle all the way back.

So here is how I use mine when in clean lake water. My head is plumbed directly to the tank. I have no overboard valves/pumps to deal with. I turn the head valve to vertical and let some water into the bowl. Turn the valve to horizontal and use the head. Pump the contents out. Then let a little more water in to flush the bowl clean and clear the hose. Back to horizontal where it needs to be left or the bowl will fill and possibly overflow.

In dirty water like a river or in salt water I might use tap water from the sinks. I keep a large cup on the shelf for that purpose. Some have even plumbed their head to their water tanks.

 

[richk]

I installed a cricket on my boat 9 years ago. It worked fine for seven years before it needed to be rebuilt. I used a standard kit for it, which are available at
http://shop.torresen.com/ships_stor...ultstore=&sectionid=2545&manufacturer=Raritan

Rich

 

[Ed Schenck]

Geez Rich, they get $120. for a repair kit?! I don't think I paid that much for the whole head. Were you able to just purchase some pieces/parts?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Everything you ever need to know about the Raritan Cricket

You can download and print the owners manual for it: http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/cricket/L229cricketv0502.pdf

It was only available for about 5 years, and that was more than 10 years ago. Instead of the usual piston/cylinder pump next to the bowl, the Cricket has a diaphragm pump directly below the bowl...and that's what caused all the problems that led to Raritan'discontinuing it: People just weren't using enough water to flush solids and TP out of the diaphragm...which caused it to become packed...which created backpressure that resulted in upward explosions. Several redesigns of the flapper valve in the bottom of the bowl were unsuccessful in overcoming this problem, and Raritan finally had to admit defeat and give up on it.

It has no seals or valves, only a big rubber diaphragm. The "repair kit" is actually the entire pump (which is why WM gets $120 for it...you can probly find one for less than $!00 just about ANYwhere else!). So if you've cleaned it out and the diaphragm doesn't leak, you shouldn't need to buy anything else for it...but since you still haven't said exactly what the problem is, that's only a guess. If you'll tell me what your problem is, I should be able to solve it.

Benny, Raritan has never made a toilet called "Mate" or that has "mate" in its name...I suspect what you really had was a Wilcox-Crittenden HeadMate.

 

[jorgefife]

Dear Peggy
Thanks for repplyong; you're right, I don't know whta, or if there is a problem
I will go in the next few days and follow the instructions to the letter Thar Ed Schenck sent me
I thought, since has not been used for ages, that a new kit woulkd be a good dtart. $120 sounds expensive; who do you mean anywhere else?
Anyone you know?
Once ZI tried, will get back to this forum and post the results.
Again, much obliged for your help
Jorge Fife

 

[richk]

Geez Rich, they get $120. for a repair kit?! I don't think I paid that much for the whole head. Were you able to just purchase some pieces/parts?

nope. the $120 is for a kit.

I was reminded of this by my mates...in other words, why didn't I just buy a complete new toilet.

Lesson learned.

Happy New Year from a runny, soggy Annapolis!

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

nope. the $120 is for a kit.

I was reminded of this by my mates...in other words, why didn't I just buy a complete new toilet

Could it be because the "kit" IS a complete new toilet except for the bowl and the housing?

I don't think you learned anything from your "mates." 'Cuz there ARE no "pieces and parts." The entire pump assembly is a diaphragm.

If Raritan had called it what it is--a pump assembly--no one would have a problem with the price because the price is actually nearly half the price of any other pump assembly. But because they call it a "repair kit," the price becomes a target for the those who are totally clueless about this toilet, which is actually a pretty good one.

 

[SamLust]

Jorge:

I tried a Cricket on my Hunter 33. It simply did not work AS RARITAN CLAIMED IN ADVERTISING. However, Raritan is an excelent company, and stood behind their products. I returned it to them ((after a good cleaning ) and installed a Raritan PH II toilet. Based on what Peggy is saying it has been in for ten years and has yet to be rebuilt. I have a rebuild kit one of the Raritan guys GAVE me at a boat show but the thing works fine.

Your holding tank is likely still the original, which was Wlicox-Crittendon. It now will sweat BROWN. Not even a little bit pleasant. The hose run is easy and less than 4 feet. Trust me! Replace the bag and the hose. There is no other way to go.

I'll try to remember to post pictures of how I dealt with it on mine.

 

[jorgefife]

Dear Sam,
Is Olcox Crittendon the name of the people I should try get a new holding tank (you mean the bag that hangsinside lazarette?
probably should be replaced, I will take a look at it
Thanks for helping
Jorge

 

[SamLust]

Wilcox - Crittendon has been out of the "Bag Business" for decades. Vetus does make bags for that purpose and they seem to be the best around, however, bags for sewage holding, from my own experience are at best not very good. You can not get enough air above the black water to enable the natural processes to work. Read Peggy's stuff to learn all about that. The walls of the bag , even the best of them become permeated and sweat brown, smelling not so good. Do yourself a favor and mount some sort of polyethylene tank like those from RONCO.. Unfortunatelt they don't make anything that realy fits well in the H 33. If you're interested I can post pictures of what I did to handle the problem.