Peggie, I have been having a difficult time with the new toilet, a groco HF. While on the hard this winter, I replaced all of the sanitation hoses and vent hoses to the holding tank. After rebuilding the existing toilet I accidentally cracked one of the "ears" off the pump near the wye valve when I reattached it to the toilet. I went to West Marine and purchased the identical model toilet. When I got it back to the boat I attached to new toilet pump to the old toilet. Everything went back together well and performed as expected when I tested the system by dumping a bucket of water into the bowl and pumping it to the tank. We launched our boat on Friday and now have two problems with the new head. First, the "dry" lever does work and the head draws intake water with the lever in either position. We have been shutting the thru-hull to stop water from entering the bowl. Second, the head seems to "lock up" as though pumping against pressure. Since the tank and cabinetry were open I verified the tank vent was not plugged and removed the inspection port on top of the holding tank just to make sure. I have a wye valve and experience the same amount of "back pressure" whether pumping to the holding tank or overboard. I removed the cap from the vented loop in the waste line, no excess pressure. I inspected all of the sanitary hose for kinks. The system has only been used to pump water, so it can't be clogged. I currently have two theories: 1) The joker valve in the toilet is jammed in some way that prevents or restricts water from leaving the bowl. 2) The water lever on the tank is causing the "lock up". When the thru-hull water source is closed the toilet is creating a vacuum on the intake line. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
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With a brand new head...
you could have the option of simply bringing it back and trading it in if you think the head itself isn't working. Maybe you bought a "lemon." OTOH, after everything Peggie has written, and the fact that you changed out all of your hoses, how could you possibly put in a Groco instead of a Raritan PHII? Just kidding, it's your boat, your choice. It sure sounds like you did everything right. If it was my "head", I'd take the pump section apart and make sure everything was working right. Could be the joker or the water lever switch. If that's the case, trade it in (again). However, you mention the Y valve, could that be the culprit? I'd start there. Good luck.
you could have the option of simply bringing it back and trading it in if you think the head itself isn't working. Maybe you bought a "lemon." OTOH, after everything Peggie has written, and the fact that you changed out all of your hoses, how could you possibly put in a Groco instead of a Raritan PHII? Just kidding, it's your boat, your choice. It sure sounds like you did everything right. If it was my "head", I'd take the pump section apart and make sure everything was working right. Could be the joker or the water lever switch. If that's the case, trade it in (again). However, you mention the Y valve, could that be the culprit? I'd start there. Good luck.
I'd take it back...
'Cuz unless you screwed something up when you swapped out the pump with the old one (why didm't you just swap out the entire toilet???), sounds to me like you got a defective toilet. That said...if you have to close the intake thru-hull to keep water from coming into the bowl, you need a vented loop in the head intake. Those aren't supplied with toilets, they must be owner installed in any installation in which the toilet is at or below the waterline. Read the installation instructions that came with you new toilet. Return the toilet for a new one (If it were my boat, I'd buy a PH II instead of an HF) and buy a 3/4" vented loop plus enough 3/4" hose to install it. I think you'll find the link below useful too.
'Cuz unless you screwed something up when you swapped out the pump with the old one (why didm't you just swap out the entire toilet???), sounds to me like you got a defective toilet. That said...if you have to close the intake thru-hull to keep water from coming into the bowl, you need a vented loop in the head intake. Those aren't supplied with toilets, they must be owner installed in any installation in which the toilet is at or below the waterline. Read the installation instructions that came with you new toilet. Return the toilet for a new one (If it were my boat, I'd buy a PH II instead of an HF) and buy a 3/4" vented loop plus enough 3/4" hose to install it. I think you'll find the link below useful too.
I would first...
...check your Y valve for a blockage since you mention back pressure on the handle. Be prepared for an "explosive" release as you remove the hose leading to the valve. If it is not that...Peggy's advice is the way to go. I have TWO PHII's on my boat and they are an excellent head choice and easy to work on...though I wish WM would stock just the joker valve instead of making me buy the whole darn kit.
...check your Y valve for a blockage since you mention back pressure on the handle. Be prepared for an "explosive" release as you remove the hose leading to the valve. If it is not that...Peggy's advice is the way to go. I have TWO PHII's on my boat and they are an excellent head choice and easy to work on...though I wish WM would stock just the joker valve instead of making me buy the whole darn kit.
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