I own a 9 month old hunter 450 (which I love) and am considering putting in a marine sanitation system. I have been looking at the Lectra/san compact system. My questions are: 1. Has any one put this or a similar system on a 450 or other similar vessel? 2. What are the problems? 3. Where can you legally dump if you meet EPA Type 1 standards? Any other comments would be appreciated Thanks
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Lectra/San is an excellent choice...
Problems with it rarely occur unless the device is incorrectly installed, operated, and/or maintained. I'm not sure what you mean by "Lectra/San/compact system"...but I'm guessing that you want to install the 5 gallon compact holding tank and dump it through the Lectra/San. Bad idea... The Lectra/San doesn't dump, it treats and discharges one flush at a time. Although it's possible to install it to dump a tank a through it, I don't recommend it...first, you can't just turn on the Lectra/San and let 'er rip...in order to completely treat the waste from the tank, you'd have to meter the flow from the tank run only about 1/2 -3/4 gallon at a time through it (because the Lectra/San is designed to treat a flush at time, and holds 1.75 gallons, each flush is actually treated several times before being forced out..so you'd have to meter the tank flow into it to do the same in order to treat the waste completely )..so it would take you close to an hour to dump even a 5 gallon tank--using 1.7 amp hours with each treatment cycle run. You can't use any chemicals in the holding tank--only enzymes or live bacteria treatments--because chemicals damage the electrodes in the Lectra/San. A Lectra/San can be discharged in all US waters except those designated "no discharge." So if you're in waters where you can use one, if you have only one toilet, your best option is both a Lectra/San and a holding tank for use in "no discharge" harbors and marinas, with a y-valve in the toilet discharge line that lets you choose whether to go through the Lectra/San or into the tank. If you have two heads, you can have only a Lectra/San on the most-used toilet and a holding tank on the other--and if you sail a lot offshore beyond 3 miles, you can have a y-valve in the line that goes to the Lectra/San that lets you choose between going through it or directly overboard. To understand how the Lectra/San works, go to the Raritan website at http://www.raritaneng.com All the specs are there, plus the complete installation, operation and maintenance guide. If you use it as it's designed to be used, I recommend it highly.
Problems with it rarely occur unless the device is incorrectly installed, operated, and/or maintained. I'm not sure what you mean by "Lectra/San/compact system"...but I'm guessing that you want to install the 5 gallon compact holding tank and dump it through the Lectra/San. Bad idea... The Lectra/San doesn't dump, it treats and discharges one flush at a time. Although it's possible to install it to dump a tank a through it, I don't recommend it...first, you can't just turn on the Lectra/San and let 'er rip...in order to completely treat the waste from the tank, you'd have to meter the flow from the tank run only about 1/2 -3/4 gallon at a time through it (because the Lectra/San is designed to treat a flush at time, and holds 1.75 gallons, each flush is actually treated several times before being forced out..so you'd have to meter the tank flow into it to do the same in order to treat the waste completely )..so it would take you close to an hour to dump even a 5 gallon tank--using 1.7 amp hours with each treatment cycle run. You can't use any chemicals in the holding tank--only enzymes or live bacteria treatments--because chemicals damage the electrodes in the Lectra/San. A Lectra/San can be discharged in all US waters except those designated "no discharge." So if you're in waters where you can use one, if you have only one toilet, your best option is both a Lectra/San and a holding tank for use in "no discharge" harbors and marinas, with a y-valve in the toilet discharge line that lets you choose whether to go through the Lectra/San or into the tank. If you have two heads, you can have only a Lectra/San on the most-used toilet and a holding tank on the other--and if you sail a lot offshore beyond 3 miles, you can have a y-valve in the line that goes to the Lectra/San that lets you choose between going through it or directly overboard. To understand how the Lectra/San works, go to the Raritan website at http://www.raritaneng.com All the specs are there, plus the complete installation, operation and maintenance guide. If you use it as it's designed to be used, I recommend it highly.
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John Rollins
lectra/san
I am about to take delivery of a 460 and I am somewhat familiar with the 450. I have spent many an hour investigating the head thing. Lectra/San is the best thing going. However you do need saltwater for the L/S to work. No problem for me for I sail in San Francisco Bay. If you are in fresh water you must also add the SALT. Also, I suggest that you install an electric head or convert the Jabsco which probably came with your 450 to electric, an easy project for about $450.00. The electric head gives you a better, clean, fast flush. Since I am using sea water the salt problem is not a problem for me. However, one of my goals was to eliminated the "boat smell" so I am treating the intake salt water with an inline treatment system. If you want to go first class you might consider the Atlantes Electric Head used in conjuction with the L/S. Their is no easy solution regarding the "head topic" lots of compromises are necessary. Unless of course you want to spend many thousands of dollars. Regarding your 450 I also might suggest that you tie in only 1 head to the lectra/san. In my opinion the run is to far to treat both heads with the L/S. As I said, I converted the forward head to electric to be used with the L/S and converted the aft head to electric also, but that head will go to the traditional holding tank. Hopefully I have not confused you any more then you probably already are. If you have any specific questions don't hesitake to ask. Brisk winds and fair leads to you, JR
I am about to take delivery of a 460 and I am somewhat familiar with the 450. I have spent many an hour investigating the head thing. Lectra/San is the best thing going. However you do need saltwater for the L/S to work. No problem for me for I sail in San Francisco Bay. If you are in fresh water you must also add the SALT. Also, I suggest that you install an electric head or convert the Jabsco which probably came with your 450 to electric, an easy project for about $450.00. The electric head gives you a better, clean, fast flush. Since I am using sea water the salt problem is not a problem for me. However, one of my goals was to eliminated the "boat smell" so I am treating the intake salt water with an inline treatment system. If you want to go first class you might consider the Atlantes Electric Head used in conjuction with the L/S. Their is no easy solution regarding the "head topic" lots of compromises are necessary. Unless of course you want to spend many thousands of dollars. Regarding your 450 I also might suggest that you tie in only 1 head to the lectra/san. In my opinion the run is to far to treat both heads with the L/S. As I said, I converted the forward head to electric to be used with the L/S and converted the aft head to electric also, but that head will go to the traditional holding tank. Hopefully I have not confused you any more then you probably already are. If you have any specific questions don't hesitake to ask. Brisk winds and fair leads to you, JR
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Greg Cramer
Lectra-San on L45
I have 2 Lectra-San units on my '86 Legend 45. They have done a great job and I have had no problems with them except for a sticking push button. On the middle Chesapeake Bay the water is not salty enough to keep the "low salt" light out so we pour about a cup of salt water solution from a jug into the head when we flush. We tried the salt tank that came with the units but that was a pain. We use 1-1/4 cups of salt to a one gallon of water and store the solution in an orange juice container that has a built-in handle. We run the head directly to the L/S unit and then to a y-valve to either overboard or to the holding tank. Keeps the lines clean as well as the tank if we ever have to use it.
I have 2 Lectra-San units on my '86 Legend 45. They have done a great job and I have had no problems with them except for a sticking push button. On the middle Chesapeake Bay the water is not salty enough to keep the "low salt" light out so we pour about a cup of salt water solution from a jug into the head when we flush. We tried the salt tank that came with the units but that was a pain. We use 1-1/4 cups of salt to a one gallon of water and store the solution in an orange juice container that has a built-in handle. We run the head directly to the L/S unit and then to a y-valve to either overboard or to the holding tank. Keeps the lines clean as well as the tank if we ever have to use it.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
New salt feed tank is a major improvement
A year or so ago, Raritan introduced a 4 gallon salt feed tank that includes a pump and uses rock salt instead of the brine solution that's such a PITA to deal with. Fill it with about 20 lbs of rock salt and you're good to go for a season. The new MC control include a sensor that detects low salt and automatically activates the pump, making the Lectra/San useable with heads that draw off the onboard fresh water system and boats on inland fresh water lakes & rivers where Type I and II MSDs are permitted.
A year or so ago, Raritan introduced a 4 gallon salt feed tank that includes a pump and uses rock salt instead of the brine solution that's such a PITA to deal with. Fill it with about 20 lbs of rock salt and you're good to go for a season. The new MC control include a sensor that detects low salt and automatically activates the pump, making the Lectra/San useable with heads that draw off the onboard fresh water system and boats on inland fresh water lakes & rivers where Type I and II MSDs are permitted.
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DAVID BURKE
INSTALLING LECTRA/SAN ON H450
Like John Van Stone, I am having a Lectra/San installed in my H-450 which was delivered last week and is presently being commissioned. The dealer advises that space limitation and existing plumbing present challanges (location of unit, access for operation y valves etc.) I would appreciate any advice specific to installation on H-450. Moreover, could I please have John Van Stone's and Peggy Hall's phone numbers? You can either provide them here or at my day phone 410-631-3704 or evening phone 410-243-1216 Ext. 1632.
Like John Van Stone, I am having a Lectra/San installed in my H-450 which was delivered last week and is presently being commissioned. The dealer advises that space limitation and existing plumbing present challanges (location of unit, access for operation y valves etc.) I would appreciate any advice specific to installation on H-450. Moreover, could I please have John Van Stone's and Peggy Hall's phone numbers? You can either provide them here or at my day phone 410-631-3704 or evening phone 410-243-1216 Ext. 1632.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
David, your best bet is to talk to Raritan...
They nfr the Lectra/San and can tell you better than I can what needs to be done to overcome your installation problems. Give Vic Willman a call at 800-352-5630. As for me, e-mail me at peghall@bellsouth.net and I'll give you my phone #.
They nfr the Lectra/San and can tell you better than I can what needs to be done to overcome your installation problems. Give Vic Willman a call at 800-352-5630. As for me, e-mail me at peghall@bellsouth.net and I'll give you my phone #.
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