I am thinking of getting a Lectra/San marine sewage treatment system for the head on my H34. With Peggy's help, I've determined the configuration I want to install (thanks Peggy). The local boat works manager indicated to me that he has repaired more such units than he has installed (his words). Not that I'd take what may be no more than a cynical cheap shot as gospel. But I would like to make this investment with eyes open. Anyone had experience, or can point to a performance reliability study? TIA
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LectraSan
We installed one in our boat 2 years ago when living on the Bay. It has worked flawlessly since. We still use it as we cruise. Most people just dump overboard we just run it through the LectraSan. No effort and it keeps the waste off our boat.
We installed one in our boat 2 years ago when living on the Bay. It has worked flawlessly since. We still use it as we cruise. Most people just dump overboard we just run it through the LectraSan. No effort and it keeps the waste off our boat.
Me Too Too Also
Installed one in my H356 a year ago and it worked great all summer. Going into the second season. Think I would ask the manager what he is repairing on these units since I don't think there is anything he can do. Macerators? Circuit boards? These things are almost bullet proof? Push the button the toliet flushes and the unit runs, what more could you ask for? Jim S/V Java
Installed one in my H356 a year ago and it worked great all summer. Going into the second season. Think I would ask the manager what he is repairing on these units since I don't think there is anything he can do. Macerators? Circuit boards? These things are almost bullet proof? Push the button the toliet flushes and the unit runs, what more could you ask for? Jim S/V Java
Owners are to blame for 99% of problems
They didn't follow directions--especially wiring it--when installing it...or in an effort to conserve power, they flush solids and/or TP without running it, which clogs it. Or they flush things that shouldn't even go down the toilet, much less into a L/S. But the most common problem, especially in warm waters, is failure to clean it as called for in the manual. Sea water calcium carbonates build up on the electrodes, essentially "insulating" them, which prevents 'em from creating any chlorine...and which causes the "low salt" light to blink. Instead of reading the manual to find out why, owners just dump more and more salt in, which does no good...the discharge starts to stink...they have a yard who's just as clueless as they are check it...they decide it needs new electrodes (expensive!)...which does indeed fix it...till the buildup occurs again. But all they really needed to was clean it, which doesn't even require taking it apart...just a solution of muriatic acid in it through the toilet according to the directions in the manual...about every 3 months in warm waters (i.e. FL), once a year or even less often in cooler waters. Install, operate and maintain according to directions and a Lectra/San will give you literally decades of trouble-free service.
They didn't follow directions--especially wiring it--when installing it...or in an effort to conserve power, they flush solids and/or TP without running it, which clogs it. Or they flush things that shouldn't even go down the toilet, much less into a L/S. But the most common problem, especially in warm waters, is failure to clean it as called for in the manual. Sea water calcium carbonates build up on the electrodes, essentially "insulating" them, which prevents 'em from creating any chlorine...and which causes the "low salt" light to blink. Instead of reading the manual to find out why, owners just dump more and more salt in, which does no good...the discharge starts to stink...they have a yard who's just as clueless as they are check it...they decide it needs new electrodes (expensive!)...which does indeed fix it...till the buildup occurs again. But all they really needed to was clean it, which doesn't even require taking it apart...just a solution of muriatic acid in it through the toilet according to the directions in the manual...about every 3 months in warm waters (i.e. FL), once a year or even less often in cooler waters. Install, operate and maintain according to directions and a Lectra/San will give you literally decades of trouble-free service.
Lectra San Installation
I just purchased a used Beneatue that cmae from the virgin islands-charter service, and it has no holding tanks. I am thinking about installing the Lectra San. Only thing that bothers me is in the installation manual, it states that the top of the tank should be at or below the bowl discharge. That don't look possible. Anyone have any insight on this type installation?
I just purchased a used Beneatue that cmae from the virgin islands-charter service, and it has no holding tanks. I am thinking about installing the Lectra San. Only thing that bothers me is in the installation manual, it states that the top of the tank should be at or below the bowl discharge. That don't look possible. Anyone have any insight on this type installation?
That's common on sailboats...
A second vented loop (you'll also need one in the line between the treatment unit and the thru-hull) in the head discharge line between the toilet and the treatment unit solves the problem.
A second vented loop (you'll also need one in the line between the treatment unit and the thru-hull) in the head discharge line between the toilet and the treatment unit solves the problem.
Three hints
Two years ago we installed a Lectra/San in the fwd head of our 1987 h40 #217. It works flawlessly. A couple of times I had to tighten the screw on the bus for the high current electrical power. No big deal. To get the Lectra/San inlet below the head outlet I made a 2-1/4" wooden platform (2x plus a 2x) under the head. Fairly straight forward and is still low enough that my wife can put her feet on the cabin sole when sitting on the throne. I also upgraded the old Groco to a Raritan PH II. Happy with all!
Two years ago we installed a Lectra/San in the fwd head of our 1987 h40 #217. It works flawlessly. A couple of times I had to tighten the screw on the bus for the high current electrical power. No big deal. To get the Lectra/San inlet below the head outlet I made a 2-1/4" wooden platform (2x plus a 2x) under the head. Fairly straight forward and is still low enough that my wife can put her feet on the cabin sole when sitting on the throne. I also upgraded the old Groco to a Raritan PH II. Happy with all!
Whether that'll work or 2nd vented loop is needed
depends on how much the boat heels, because the reason Raritan requires that the treatment unit be at or below the level of the toilet discharge is because the inlet on the treatment unit is on the side, near the bottom (it discharges by overflowing out the top)...and since waste runs downhill, it'll run back to the bowl if heeling puts it higher than the bowl. So as long as the boat doesn't heel enough to put the treatment unit above the bowl, you can get by without the vented loop between 'em....but if it does, there has to be a "hill" in the line the waste can't get over at any angle of heel. p.s. I dunno how one of the posts below ended up showing as posted by me, but I have NOT bought a Beneteau or any other boat, nor have I moved to Boca Raton!
Phil...???
depends on how much the boat heels, because the reason Raritan requires that the treatment unit be at or below the level of the toilet discharge is because the inlet on the treatment unit is on the side, near the bottom (it discharges by overflowing out the top)...and since waste runs downhill, it'll run back to the bowl if heeling puts it higher than the bowl. So as long as the boat doesn't heel enough to put the treatment unit above the bowl, you can get by without the vented loop between 'em....but if it does, there has to be a "hill" in the line the waste can't get over at any angle of heel. p.s. I dunno how one of the posts below ended up showing as posted by me, but I have NOT bought a Beneteau or any other boat, nor have I moved to Boca Raton!
Phil...???
Lectra San Uh hte Boca Raton response
Sorry Peggie, I was the one responding to another message, just forgot to remove your name. Just foun the thread after a week of searching. The folks at Ratitan responded via phone and said basically what you advised. Put a vent loop between the head and Lectra San, and possible one from the tank to the discharge valve. This seems like the besat and least expensive way to go in my situation.
Sorry Peggie, I was the one responding to another message, just forgot to remove your name.
Just foun the thread after a week of searching. The folks at Ratitan responded via phone and said basically what you advised. Put a vent loop between the head and Lectra San, and possible one from the tank to the discharge valve. This seems like the besat and least expensive way to go in my situation.Lectra San problems
My Lectra San just conked out again. I seem only to be able to get about 18 months of service. I just replaced the electrode pact and the same problem persists. About 5 seconds into the treatment cycle the unit shuts down.
My Lectra San just conked out again. I seem only to be able to get about 18 months of service. I just replaced the electrode pact and the same problem persists. About 5 seconds into the treatment cycle the unit shuts down.
John...start a new thread on this problem
We'll be interested to see what Peggy has to say. (I'm looking at installing one now.)
We'll be interested to see what Peggy has to say. (I'm looking at installing one now.)
Lectra San problems........solved
It seems that my salt feed pump quit working. After replacing the electrode pact my problem persisted. Out of frustration I poured some table salt into system and the unit then only had a flashing amber light. This led me to discover that the salt feed pump was not working at all.
It seems that my salt feed pump quit working. After replacing the electrode pact my problem persisted. Out of frustration I poured some table salt into system and the unit then only had a flashing amber light. This led me to discover that the salt feed pump was not working at all.
John, you've just illustrated an earlier point:
Jumping to the conclusion that the solution to all Lectra/San problems is a new electrode pack is a very expensive mistake that many owners and shops make. First thing I'd have recommended the first time it quit working would have been 1. Check the wiring and fuses...2. Clean it according the directions in the manual. If that didn't cure it, 3. Check for a blockage in the salt tank line...and which point, you'd have discovered that it wasn't getting anything from the salt tank and found the real problem.
Jumping to the conclusion that the solution to all Lectra/San problems is a new electrode pack is a very expensive mistake that many owners and shops make. First thing I'd have recommended the first time it quit working would have been 1. Check the wiring and fuses...2. Clean it according the directions in the manual. If that didn't cure it, 3. Check for a blockage in the salt tank line...and which point, you'd have discovered that it wasn't getting anything from the salt tank and found the real problem.
consider an air head
The more I look into the air head, the better it looks, especially when I hear of all the problems with lectra san.
The more I look into the air head, the better it looks, especially when I hear of all the problems with lectra san.
"All" the problems with Lectra/San????
One person, of all who posted, reported a problem...and it wasn't even a problem with the Lectra/San itself, but with a component (salt tank pump) you wouldn't need in salt water unless your toilets use pressurized fresh water. The Lectra/San is one of the most durable reliable--and maintenance free--pieces of marine equipment in existance. It's been around for 30 years, and some of the original units are still in service today. It can be used with ANY toilet..and (unlike the AirHead) uses no power except during the treatment cycle after a flush. Install it and operate it according to directions and you'll rarely ever have to do more than just flush the toilet as you do now to keep it working perfectly. But...if you like the Air Head go for it. It's not exactly maintenance-free, though. And there's no way to bypass it at sea beyond the "3 mile limit." I just can't see storing waste aboard in any form unless you're in waters where you have no other choice.
One person, of all who posted, reported a problem...and it wasn't even a problem with the Lectra/San itself, but with a component (salt tank pump) you wouldn't need in salt water unless your toilets use pressurized fresh water. The Lectra/San is one of the most durable reliable--and maintenance free--pieces of marine equipment in existance. It's been around for 30 years, and some of the original units are still in service today. It can be used with ANY toilet..and (unlike the AirHead) uses no power except during the treatment cycle after a flush. Install it and operate it according to directions and you'll rarely ever have to do more than just flush the toilet as you do now to keep it working perfectly. But...if you like the Air Head go for it. It's not exactly maintenance-free, though. And there's no way to bypass it at sea beyond the "3 mile limit." I just can't see storing waste aboard in any form unless you're in waters where you have no other choice.
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