New head

[mikefin]

The plunger on my manual Groco HF seems to be shot - it just goes up and down without resistance and without pumping anything. I figured I would replace the head with the manual JABSCO 'twist & lock'. It appears to be the same - same size and same connection sizes.
I was hoping you guys could tell me if that is doable. I emailed JABSCO but got no response.
I was also hoping you could tell me what I'm in for here. I'm pretty handy with tools but I'm not a plumber. Will seawater flow in when I disconnect the old head? I have a separate bilge pump and float switch right there for the shower.
Thanks for your advice.

 

[Jim Haynie]

I did this 2 years ago on my 1988 Legend 37. Had rebuilt the old Groco 4 times in past 6 years and each time it lasted less before bad again, so I think the inside of the cylinder was scored and eating up new plungers. The Jabsco Twist & Lock I got from West Marine has worked exceptionally well and primes on first half of first pump while the old Groco needed about 6 initial pumps to even begin drawing new water even when it worked at its best. Job was not hard if your self description is accurate. I did have to choose whether to drill a couple of new mounting holes or turn the new head at slight angle to use old ones. (Maybe I still had to drill one even with that and fill one old one--can't remember). At first I was disappointed it would be sitting in there a little bit crooked instead of squarley aligned, but first time I actually used it I realized that this new orientation gave me more room for my knees, so it really was a hidden blessing in disguise. I would certainly do this again as the whole job didn't cost much more thna yet another rebuild kit for the old Groco. I went ahead and got a rebuild kit for the new one too as West Marine seems to change product lines frequently and I did not want to get stufk 3 years donw the road unable to find a kit if needed. Hope this job does the same for you as it did for me and "makes the "going" great!"

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The plunger on my manual Groco HF seems to be shot - it just goes up and down without resistance and without pumping anything. I figured I would replace the head with the manual JABSCO 'twist & lock'. It appears to be the same - same size and same connection sizes.
I was hoping you guys could tell me if that is doable.

It's do-able...but for very little more $$, you can upgrade to the toilet that's been rated #1 for decades--the Raritan PH II or PHC (compact version that uses the same pump)...check it out here: sbo.com PHII PHC LBA A bunch of people here have gone with that toilet and every one of 'em only wish they'd done it sooner.

I was also hoping you could tell me what I'm in for here. I'm pretty handy with tools but I'm not a plumber. Will seawater flow in when I disconnect the old head? I have a separate bilge pump and float switch right there for the shower..

It will if you don't close the inlet seacock first! In fact, if you don't do that every time you leave the boat, you're just asking to sink your boat...

If you do decide to upgrade your toilet, you'll have to drill one or two new mounting bolt holes...that's not a big deal. And btw, toilets mount using lag bolts, so there are no nuts on the bolts.

As for the rest...Your new toilet will come with installation instructions...I strongly recommend you read 'em and ask any questions they don't answer BEFORE you start this project....'cuz it's always cheaper and easier to do it right the first time than it is to do it over. Pay special attention to the instructions for installing a vented loop (anti-siphon device) in the intake. All toilets installed below the waterline are supposed to have one.

It's just occurred to me too...that if your toilet maintenance has been neglected for so long that the piston seals and o-rings are so worn they can no longer pump at all, it's unlikely that the rest of your system--hoses, hose connections, clamps, tank, y-valves etc--has seen any maintenance either. So I suggest you also spend a little time reading threads in the Headmistress forum...a lot of good information there. The link in my signature will take you to a comprehensive "marine toilets and holding tanks 101" manual that will help you learn to operate and maintain your system to prevent problems instead of fixing 'em.

 

[imacoolchick]

last month we replaced on our 1998 Hunter 410 an old electric head with a new Jabsco from West Marine (about $150, plus they have a $20 rebate right now) on our aft head. It is such an improvement, it was very easy to pull the old electric and glad to have a real head again--lol. The current inlet and outlet hoses fit fine on the new Jabsco (yes, these two are pretty much standardized now for nearly all marine heads/sailboats) so the whole replacement process took less than 2 hours. We're so happy with our new manual that we're going to pull the forward electric head this summer and replace it with the same Jabsco and then get a spare rebuild kit before we head out to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. The Raritan is a great head--but we're happy we went with an all new Jabsco that will be very easy to find parts for 10 years from now. We didn't even have to drill new holes...there is a sailing head God evidently...

Leo and Melissa, S/V Lucky Dog, St. Pete. Florida

 

[Steve Dion]

Leo/Melissa:

You may want to review some of the complaints about the NEW Jabsco's before you replace the other head.

Just this last week we are hearing the same complaints that we heard about the old ones.