Jabsco marine head question.

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Mar 13, 2009
158
irwin 37 (73-74) grand harbor marina
finally got to the boat this weekend, only to find the aft head toilet wont work. push the button and the light dims. no sound. got pumped out and even ran the hose thru the portlhole in the head to the toilet bowl. plenty of suction but no fix. removed the motor and brought home. question.. is it worth fiddleing with? or just buy a new one? jimbob
 
Dec 2, 1997
9,011
- - LIttle Rock
"Push the button and the light dims"...

Your problem is electrical. It's not getting any, or enough, power.

"Push the button and the light dims" tells me that either the toilet isn't on its own dedicated circuit as it should be, shared with nothing else that can pull power away from it or the battery that powers it can't handle the load. Over time, low voltage will destroy a motor.

So first thing to do is check the voltage to the toilet...if it's getting less than a full 12v WHILE FLUSHING, that's your problem. The immediate cause may be a loose connection, corroded connection, weak battery...but unless you rewire it to put it on its own dedicated circuit, you're gonna cook the motor if you haven't already.

If you decide to replace the toilet, I'd go with a Raritan SeaEra
Raritan Sea Era It's designed to be an identical upgrade/replacement for the Jabsco 37xxx series toilets, so even the mounting bolt patterns are the same...and if you go with the 'conversion," you can save some money by re-using your bowl, seat and lid.
 
Mar 13, 2009
158
irwin 37 (73-74) grand harbor marina
Re: "Push the button and the light dims"...

Thanks peggie, found a jabsco dealer here in Memphis. they show the same model number. and the price is about right. this is an item i would like to have in my hand for this weekend. jimbob
 
Mar 29, 2010
8
Beneteau Oceanis 373 Pittwater
Hello,

There could be two reasons why this could happen. The first relates to voltage drop that causes the motor to not have enough voltage to work. This could be because, a) the battery is flat or b) the cable running to the motor is not thick enough or c) a bad connection is in that circuit with a high resistance that causes too much voltage drop at that point. The lights dimming indicates that when you try to load the electrical circuit with the motor current the voltage drops and so you see the light brightness reduce.

The second reason may be the motor could be seized (eg rusted up). In this case when the voltage is applied the motor does not turn which causes excessive current to flow. The jammed rotor of the motor just keeps the start current flowing through the motor and that current does not reduce as would normally happen when the armature normally starts moving.

If you put the motor terminals across a known good source of 12 volts (like a car battery) and it turns you know it is not the second reason.

Good luck.
 
Dec 2, 1997
9,011
- - LIttle Rock
Thanks peggie, found a jabsco dealer here in Memphis. they show the same model number. and the price is about right. this is an item i would like to have in my hand for this weekend. jimbob
So you're just gonna replace it without finding out WHY the motor won't run and fix that first............???
 
Mar 13, 2009
158
irwin 37 (73-74) grand harbor marina
due to the age of the motor and the fact that i can't get the shaft to turn. i'm inclined to replace with new. jimbob
 
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