Hey Head Mistress

[Nereussailor]

I've got a Groco Head on my 83 H30. I'm not sure how long it's been there, but I've had the boat for over 4 years. I'm planning on rebuilding it if it's worth it. It still works, but it's starting to go down hill. Some heads aren't worth the time and money to rebuild. Is this one worth rebuilding or should it be replaced.
Also, While it's out, What hoses are best. I'm thinking of replacing them while it's out.

Dave

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Hey Dave

You have a Groco toilet...which one? If it's a Headmate, it'll make more sense to replace it than rebuild it. Otoh, if it's an EB or K, they're $1000 toilets...definitely worth putting some money into.

As for your hoses... Do they stink? Are they so old that they've become hard and brittle? If the answer to both those questions is no, they ain't broke so I wouldbn't fix 'em.

 

[Nereussailor]

Hi Peggy,
The head is an HF. I realize that it's only around $250 new. Seeing that it's a cheaper model, is it really worth rebuilding. Money's really tight right now, and it would be better to rebuild for that reason. If I did rebuild, How long could I expect it to last?
The hoses are fairly new, only about 5 years old. They don't stink, but are hard. They were hard to begin with though. They are Sealand hoses but were prior to the Odorsafe Plus ones. I did some re routing of the hoses when The boat was on the Great Lakes so that it couldn't be pumped overboard, and they were a pain to bend around curves.
Also, If you don't use the head in the boat much, how often should you do a pump out? Is it better to pump out often, or doesn't it make a difference?

Dave

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Whether to rebuild HF depends on age

That toilet has an expected lifespan of about 7-9 years if maintained. So if it's no more than 5 years old, I'd rebuild it. That should allow you to get at least another 2-3 years out of it if you keep it well lubricated.

As for your hose that's a "pain to bend around curives".. That's why they make in-line radius fittings. Forcing a hose to bend tighter than it wants to bend willingly--especially heating it to make it bend--will damage it...stretch the skin on the outside of the bend enough to tear it and/or kink the inside of the bend. I don't think you need to replace it.

It really doesn't matter how often the tank is pumped unless it becomes necessary due to odor. But your toilet--along with other machinery on the boat--has a lot in common with your body: lack of use will cause it to deteriorate a LOT faster and a lot more han hard use.

 

[Rick Sylvester]

We've got a Groco HF

and it's been great.

We've lived aboard for 10 years and I've gotten to where I can replace the joker valve, pump disk, flapper, then clean and waterproof grease the pump in less than 20 minutes.

The "master rebuild kit" is outrageously expensive so I only buy the parts I need. I've found the parts (listed above) online for about $50. Nothing else has worn out.

The bowl pumps dry and it has swallowed embarrassing amounts of material without clogging.

There are better quality heads out there but with reasonable maintenance you could do a lot worse than the HF.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Btw...if you don't have the manual for it...

Or at least the single sheet that passes for a manual anway--ou can download and print one from here: http://www.groco.net/SVC-MAN-07/Sec1/pdfs/HF.pdf Although it is only one page, it does include the parts list and exploded drawing, which can come in very handy when you're trying to trouble shoot it.

 

[jibes138]

Question for Peggie

Hey Peggie,
I too have a Groco HF and it has been ok. I noticed the Raritan lower base assembly for the compact unit looks like it has the same casting that bolts to the floor?? I was wondering if you can just buy only the Raritan pump unit if it is interchangeable at the flapper valve joint or do you need everything up to where the bowl attaches. If the HF dies on me I'd look to upgrade as the pump is a lot better on the Raritan. That said the HF has worked for at least ten years and still going strong.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

You need everything south of the bowl

But you're only talking about a couple of mounting bolts at most, so I don't see what makes that a big deal.

Nobody's twisting your arm to replace a toilet that's working well enough to keep you happy. So upgrade if/when you're ready to do it. Meanwhile, enjoy.

 

[biggio]

Here's my 2 cents with replacing the HF model. I did this 2 years ago. The new HF base did not line up with the existing holes after removing the old HF. Drilling thru the deck was not easy with a electric standard drill.
The bolts that attach the bowl to the base were too long (they hit the bowl when installed) I had to go find shorter bolts. The new HF base to bowl flange required lapping due to the base finish being extremly ruff I used 2 seals at this flange the old one and new one. The bolts at the base to bowl flange were sob to tighten.

I thought the cost of a whole new head vs replacing my crack pump was the best way to go also. But the job is doable but not as easy as you think it will be.

good luck.

 

[Nereussailor]

Thanks Peggy and everyone else, I am going to rebuild it for now, but the hoses will stay. After my pump out this last weekend, I've determined that the hoses aren't permeated, so that will make my job a little easier.

Dave