Jabasco Dry Mode

Jun 22, 2006
57
Hunter H33 Topeka, KS
I have a Jabasco head. While pumping in the dry mode, the lever will move slightly to the toward center position, and the pump will lock up. If I hold the lever in the furthest position outward, it will work.

I thought my pump was defective, so I replaced the entire pump.

The new pump behaves the same way.

What could the problem be?
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,268
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
I have a Jabasco head. While pumping in the dry mode, the lever will move slightly to the toward center position, and the pump will lock up. If I hold the lever in the furthest position outward, it will work.
They're designed to work like this just to pi$$ you off. They will hold in the dry position for a year or so when new but will eventually start to slip.

You're just stuck holding it by hand.
 
May 12, 2004
1,505
Hunter Cherubini 30 New Port Richey
I have to concur with Ralph. I captain for a charter company who's sailboats have Jabscos. They can be a real pain for charterers. If you ever decide to upgrade, my recommendation is to just bite the bullet and go with the Raritan PH II.
Roland
s/v Fraulein II
 
Jun 22, 2006
57
Hunter H33 Topeka, KS
Thanks Folks- I thought it was just me.

Roland- I think I'll take your advice. I seem to remember that you can keep the stool, but rel pace the jabsco with the raritan pump. I don't see that now on their site. Do you have any knowledge of that and how hard it is to swap the from jabsco to raritan?
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,946
- - LIttle Rock
The Jabsco manual is a compact toilet...so I THINK you may need to go with PHCLBA--the compact version--instead of the full size PHIILBA. They both use the same pump, but the PHC is on a compact base and has a shorter handle to fit in a smaller space.
 

BJV

.
Jun 8, 2004
61
Island Trader 41 foot Ketch, CC Arnold
Another vote for PHII, have one for over 12 years, only repair has been jocker valve once a year. Head is bullet proof.
 
Jun 22, 2006
57
Hunter H33 Topeka, KS
Thanks Peggy and all,

By way of update, and to Jabsco's credit, I had written their customer service about the problem, and without delay or prodding on my part, they shipped a new pump at their cost. I'll swap the pumps out and see how that goes.
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
The rebuild kit includes the flapper valves under the lever. I don't know if that fixes it or not, I haven't had to rebuild mine yet. The cost of the full kit isn't that much cheaper than the whole unit. I've heard of people just replacing the whole thing rather than taking it apart. Icky job.
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,946
- - LIttle Rock
Although I totally concur with those who choose to replace a Jabsco manual pump instead rebuilding it, rebuilding a toilet does NOT have to be an "icky" job. It's only an icky job if:

a) you don't do it as scheduled preventive maintenance--which you get to do on YOUR terms at YOUR convenience--resulting in the need for a repair, which NEVER happens when it's convenient. It's called PREVENTIVE maintenance because prevents the need for 99% of repairs. An "icky job" is the price you pay for neglecting it.

b. Even if you do decide to rebuild before neglect leads to catastrophic failur, you don't take the time to prep for the job before taking anything apart...and thorough prep is 90% of the key to the success of ANY job.

Prepping to rebuild a toilet starts with thoroughly rinsing out the pump and plumbing--the whole system--with plenty of clean water BEFORE taking anything apart...clean water isn't "icky." Put plastic garbage bags or disposable aluminum pans under hose connections to catch any spills. (Warming hoses with a blow dryer makes them easier to remove and replace). Have a couple of rolls paper shop towels (super heavy duty paper towels, all I've ever seen are blue) handy...you'll need 'em. Use the phone in your camera to take photos of the parts you're replacing to make sure you get the new oriented correctly. Don't forget to put a healthy squirt of thick teflon or silicon grease into the pump to lube the toilet last thing before you put it back on the base. When putting the discharge fitting back on the pump after replacing the joker valve, be careful not to OVERtighten the bolts/screws. The flange on the joker valve is the gasket that seals the fitting connection. You want that connection to be leak proof, but over-tightening the screws/bolts will put puckers in the flange, actually CAUSING it to leak. So start with snug, then only a quarter turn or even less of each screw if necessary close off a leak.
 

rfrye1

.
Jun 15, 2004
589
Hunter H376 San Diego
Good information. Looking at the conversion kit available from Raritan, how difficult is the changeover? What's involved?
Thanks. Bob
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,946
- - LIttle Rock
It's not difficult, but the mounting bolt pattern for the base won't be match for your Jabsco, (btw, mounting bolts are lag bolts...no nuts...just back 'em out) so you will have to drill new mounting bolt holesand fill the ones that don't match. And you'll prob'ly need to replace at least the flush water inlet hose...maybe the discharge line too, but maybe not. A bit of work, but totally worth it 'cuz you won't believe how much more efficient the PH II pump is than the Jabsco.

However, since Jabsco sent you a new pump for free, I'd use it for at least the rest of this season and maybe next, and do the swap out next fall after the weather cools off.
 

rfrye1

.
Jun 15, 2004
589
Hunter H376 San Diego
Good to know.

BTW. Peggy, are you on the Board of Directors of Raritan? Lol.
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,946
- - LIttle Rock
Good to know. BTW. Peggy, are you on the Board of Directors of Raritan? Lol.
No... :) I'm not associated with Raritan any way.

There are only two U.S. toilet mfrs left who build products that are a) designed and made to last more than a year or two... and b) still build 'em in the U.S.--Raritan and Groco....and Groco only makes two toilets, both manual. Jabsco--an American brand now owned by Xylem Flow Control, which was spun off from ITT in 2011--does make electric toilets, but all Jabsco toilets are now assembled in Mexico using components made in China.

That leaves Raritan if you want a good quality DURABLE electric toilet made in America. Their PHII manual toilet has been top rated by Practical Sailor and known by everyone in the industry to be the best in its class for over 30 years. And after more than 25 years in marine sanitation, more than 15 yrs answering questions on various boating websites, I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of people who report problems with ANY Raritan toilet, manual or electric, even those that are upwards of 10-15 years old.

And THAT's why I recommend Raritan! :)