Installing Raritan PHC- question about Y-valve & vented loop

[Endurance1008]

Hi all, This is my first post on this forum after spending the last several days reading old posts and researching our marine head options. Incidentally I definitely got the better job because my poor husband was the one who ripped out our old W-C Headmate from our 1980 Pearson 10M. Lets just say it was probably original to the boat and never maintained. Yikes.

I have a couple questions about how to proceed with our head overhaul. We are looking at the Raritan PHC, however is the base as study as the PHII? Given the price difference, is there a higher rate of PHC breaking compared to the PHII (or is the PHII just more expensive because it gives you the option to convert to electric)?

Also, we'd love Peggie's advice on how she would design a system with: Head to vented loop (vents externally) to Y-valve to overboard or holding tank, that does not leave standing water in the Head to vented loop section.

Finally, after doing a lot of reading, it looks like Trident 101 or 102 sanitation hose is the way to go. Husband was arguing for Sheilds Poly X, but I think sent him enough links from this forum to support my decision.

Thank you for any advice you can give us. Before we bring our 5 year old twins cruising this summer, I want to make sure we have a reliable, odor-free head.

-Leighann

 

[Stu Jackson]

Re: Installing Raritan PHC- question about Y-valve & vented

Hi, and welcome to our little world.

We just installed a PHII on our boat to replace the same old WC you had. Pictures are here: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3797.0.html

I doubt the smaller base of the PHC would make any difference at all to the stability.

Hose routing and vented loops are clearly described in the install directions: http://www.raritaneng.com/ They are the same for every head on all boats. Peggie always reminds us that a good head pump will push water up to six feet. That should answer your question about water in the vented loop section of the discharge.

I've always been a proponent of going head to Y valve to either overboard or to the tank, seeing no need to always run everything through the tank. Your boat, your choice.

I leave the hose selection up to you, you seem to be way ahead of the game on that one!

 

[Joe]

Re: Installing Raritan PHC- question about Y-valve & vented

A lot of your questions regarding installation will be answered in the product's instruction. When I installed my new head the instructions were very clear.

The biggest problem you will have is getting the base set up and plumbing scheme.... it will be different than the Head-mate so you must pay special attention its orientation. The trident hose is tuff stuff, stiff and somewhat difficult to work with.... it will take some patience to get handy with it.

BTW, you may be cursing your husband once you realize he had the easy job.

 

[Endurance1008]

Re: Installing Raritan PHC- question about Y-valve & vented

Thanks for the replies. Apparently I misunderstood what my husband wants to do with the rebuilt head. Right now we have a vented loop with a y-valve, but he wants to see if its possible to create a system with all self-draining hoses. I guess by design the vented loop after the head will alway have some water in it, so can we eliminate this loop?

The only schematic he found was for the Raritan Cricket, but I didn't see great reviews for that head. http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/cricket/L1004cricketv0203.pdf (see page 2 for the picture). So how can we design a system with the PHC that has all self-draining hoses?

Thanks everyone! -Leighann