I am about to embark on the dreaded journey into darkness - rebuilding the pump on my old WC Headmate. Does the pump have to be completely removed from the head in order to rebuild it or can it be partially disassembled and rebuilt in place? Any words of wisdom as far as overall procedure goes? Should I first remove all hoses or just the water intake to the pump and the outflow hose to the tank?
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If you haven't bought the re-build kit for it, if you can find one, I would recommend an alternative instead. The Headmate was discontinued several years ago, and parts are getting scarce for it. Instead of investing in an obsolete head, buy a Raritan PHC-LBA or PHII-LBA instead of rebuilding the Headmate. This will effectively give you a brand new Raritan PHC or PHII, depending on which kit you buy, for a good deal less money. SBO, sells them right here.
Peggie Hall has recommended the Raritan PHC/PHII head as one of the most robust, affordable, manual heads currently available.
BTW, I am in the process of doing this on my boat, as the WC HM90 failed at the end of last season, and I saw no point in repairing it, given the price differential between the rebuild kit and the Raritan PHC-LBA kit.
I'd point out that while you're at it, it might be wise to replace all the hoses and clamps. The 1-1/2 hose to get is Trident 101/102. The intake hose should be Trident 148.
Peggie Hall has recommended the Raritan PHC/PHII head as one of the most robust, affordable, manual heads currently available.
BTW, I am in the process of doing this on my boat, as the WC HM90 failed at the end of last season, and I saw no point in repairing it, given the price differential between the rebuild kit and the Raritan PHC-LBA kit.
I'd point out that while you're at it, it might be wise to replace all the hoses and clamps. The 1-1/2 hose to get is Trident 101/102. The intake hose should be Trident 148.
I can't argue much with that advice...
The key word in your post was OLD Headmate. It was a budget compact toilet to start with, and those don't improve with age...and now it's obsolete. So I wouldn't put ANY money into it...replace it. Sailingdg recommended this solution and totally agree with it: sbo.com PHII PHC LBA
I'm not sure you need new hoses though...how old are they? Do they stink?
The key word in your post was OLD Headmate. It was a budget compact toilet to start with, and those don't improve with age...and now it's obsolete. So I wouldn't put ANY money into it...replace it. Sailingdg recommended this solution and totally agree with it: sbo.com PHII PHC LBA
I'm not sure you need new hoses though...how old are they? Do they stink?
I was suggesting replacing the hoses because he's going to have the whole system apart anyways, and it will probably be easier to do it now than in a couple of years...
PHII
I replaced my fairly new headmate in my H-36 after just two seasons,guest and wife just had too much trouble pumping it and I would always have to go pump it for them.
I replaced just the pump and used the headmate bowl and it works perfectly and love it,if you want email me I still have the pump after only 1 year use,you can have it cheap plus postage.
Nick
I replaced my fairly new headmate in my H-36 after just two seasons,guest and wife just had too much trouble pumping it and I would always have to go pump it for them.
I replaced just the pump and used the headmate bowl and it works perfectly and love it,if you want email me I still have the pump after only 1 year use,you can have it cheap plus postage.
Nick
Thanks everyone who replied to my post. I actually do have the rebuild kit ($80) but you guys are making me think about returning it and going with the Raritan pump replacement instead. It looks to me like that might actually be easier than rebuilding the pump. The unit is from 1983 and the PO appears to have relaced all the hoses as they look (and smell) to be in good shape. But seeing I'll be in the highly odiferous zone anyway I might just take dog's advice and replace the hoses while I'm at it. Thanks, again.
Only two viable choices IMO
Both start with, return the kit.
1. Toss everything but the bowl and buy the PHC LBA from sbo.com
2. Take seadaddler up on his offer to sell you his almost new Headmate pump for a song.
I'd go with #1 if I were you...'cuz although seadaddler's slightly used pump may cost you the least now, it's always cheaper and easier in the long run to do it right the first time.
Both start with, return the kit.
1. Toss everything but the bowl and buy the PHC LBA from sbo.com
2. Take seadaddler up on his offer to sell you his almost new Headmate pump for a song.
I'd go with #1 if I were you...'cuz although seadaddler's slightly used pump may cost you the least now, it's always cheaper and easier in the long run to do it right the first time.
No presser
My pump was working OK but it was hard pumping for my wife and guest so while I would rushing to pump it for them and rushing to pump it alot a broke the handle so the dealer replaced it with new but wife was not happy with it so after using a raritan and my wife liking the Raritan so much better I decided to replace it with the Raritan using the o9ld tiolet bowl.
Nick
My pump was working OK but it was hard pumping for my wife and guest so while I would rushing to pump it for them and rushing to pump it alot a broke the handle so the dealer replaced it with new but wife was not happy with it so after using a raritan and my wife liking the Raritan so much better I decided to replace it with the Raritan using the o9ld tiolet bowl.
Nick
No presser
My pump was working OK but it was hard pumping for my wife and guest so while I would rushing to pump it for them and rushing to pump it alot a broke the handle so the dealer replaced it with new but wife was not happy with it so after using a raritan and my wife liking the Raritan so much better I decided to replace it with the Raritan using the old tiolet bowl.
Nick
My pump was working OK but it was hard pumping for my wife and guest so while I would rushing to pump it for them and rushing to pump it alot a broke the handle so the dealer replaced it with new but wife was not happy with it so after using a raritan and my wife liking the Raritan so much better I decided to replace it with the Raritan using the old tiolet bowl.
Nick
Doing it
Ok, I took the advice given here and returned the rebuild kit and bought the PHC LBA. My plan is to do the replacement (including hoses) once I get some free weekend time. Do I need to put any kind of gasket sealant or lubrication on the gaskets when I assemble the PHC? Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
Ok, I took the advice given here and returned the rebuild kit and bought the PHC LBA. My plan is to do the replacement (including hoses) once I get some free weekend time. Do I need to put any kind of gasket sealant or lubrication on the gaskets when I assemble the PHC? Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
NO
NO sealers needed I don't remember for but think they give new gasket.
My Head Mate pump handle was on the left side sitting down and changed my PHII to the right side and needed to add some hose lent to the pump hose only.
You are going to love the PHII.
Nick
NO sealers needed I don't remember for but think they give new gasket.
My Head Mate pump handle was on the left side sitting down and changed my PHII to the right side and needed to add some hose lent to the pump hose only.
You are going to love the PHII.
Nick
You don't need a thing exept a few tools
The PHCLBA includes a new bowl gasket...it doesn't need any lubrication or sealant. You may need a new longer head intake line, because the intake fitting is on the front of the PH pump.
The mounting bolt holes in the PH base will not match your existing Headmate holes, so you will have drill one or two new holes and fill the one(s) you don't use.
And you should install a vented loop in the intake if there isn't one. It goes between the pump and the bowl, not between the thru-hull and the pump (see installation instructions http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/ph_II/L04v0505.pdf which are the same for both the PHII and the PHC because they both use the same pump).
None of the above is even close to difficult, so don't let it scare you!
The PHCLBA includes a new bowl gasket...it doesn't need any lubrication or sealant. You may need a new longer head intake line, because the intake fitting is on the front of the PH pump.
The mounting bolt holes in the PH base will not match your existing Headmate holes, so you will have drill one or two new holes and fill the one(s) you don't use.
And you should install a vented loop in the intake if there isn't one. It goes between the pump and the bowl, not between the thru-hull and the pump (see installation instructions http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/ph_II/L04v0505.pdf which are the same for both the PHII and the PHC because they both use the same pump).
None of the above is even close to difficult, so don't let it scare you!
Late breaking bulletin re PHC and PHC LBA
The Raritan PHC--compact version of the PH II that uses the same pump, but is on a compact base and has a shorter handle--has been slightly redesigned so it can now use both the smaller "standard" bowl OR the larger "household" size bowl! See the LBA "conversions" here: sbo.com PHII PHC LBA
The Raritan PHC--compact version of the PH II that uses the same pump, but is on a compact base and has a shorter handle--has been slightly redesigned so it can now use both the smaller "standard" bowl OR the larger "household" size bowl! See the LBA "conversions" here: sbo.com PHII PHC LBA
Easy
As Peggy said it is really not hard yes I did need to drill new holes as I was able to use some of the old holes and just drilled 1 0r 2 new holes,I did need to add more intake hose and already had the vented loop and we all really like how easy it works.
Nick
As Peggy said it is really not hard yes I did need to drill new holes as I was able to use some of the old holes and just drilled 1 0r 2 new holes,I did need to add more intake hose and already had the vented loop and we all really like how easy it works.
Nick
I've never understood people worrying about the "mounting holes"...I used the project of head change out to install a "riser" that I made out of a 2X6 teak plank I found to raise the toilet closer to "household" height as well. For the money, Raritan PHII is best thing going! Still wish they'd move intake to the back though.
I'm a bit confused... can the PHC-LBA take a household size bowl or not??? You're saying it can, but the page you link to says:
Did you actually read my post?
In it I said it couldn't before, now it can.
Maybe I should have headed my announcement of that change in design "NEWSFLASH" instead of "Late Breaking News?"
I just learned about it today...sbo.com will change their copy as soon as they can.
In it I said it couldn't before, now it can.
Maybe I should have headed my announcement of that change in design "NEWSFLASH" instead of "Late Breaking News?"
I just learned about it today...sbo.com will change their copy as soon as they can.
One more time...
I just found out about it today. However, I'm not sure what your problem is, 'cuz the ability to re-use your existing bowl is the whole point of the LBA "conversion"...so whether the PHC LBA can now use the larger bowl only matters if you already have a larger bowl. Since you've already bought the PHC, that has mean you don't have the large bowl...so it doesn't change a thing for you.
I just found out about it today. However, I'm not sure what your problem is, 'cuz the ability to re-use your existing bowl is the whole point of the LBA "conversion"...so whether the PHC LBA can now use the larger bowl only matters if you already have a larger bowl. Since you've already bought the PHC, that has mean you don't have the large bowl...so it doesn't change a thing for you.
Actually, I'm asking for a friend who has a larger bowl on his head. He's going to be visiting me in a few days and wanted to know if he could buy and use the PHC-LBA I have, and order me another one. He's under a time limit and from out of the country... so getting one himself is more difficult. I'm not under the time limit nor do I have the difficulty of trying to buy one and have it shipped to Europe... so that is why I am asking.
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