New head???

[Ken Cross]

Hi all. I'm thinking of replacing our head (Comfort Mate) with a Raritan PHII
Shown here: http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?50112
The reason for the replacement is because the old one won't suck up ^*%
I'm thinking this will be a definite improvement but I'm questioning a couple of things:

We have a pretty small holding tank. Will this one use more water?

I'm thinking of the household size bowl (about the same size as the one already installed.) but is there any advantage to the smaller one? We can't just do the upgrade because our bowl won't fit the new hardware.
Ken

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The PHII shouldn't use any more water than your existing Comfort Mate (which, btw, Thetford has discontinued). The smaller "marine" bowl is a lot like squatting on a bucket...about the same height and not much bigger....so by all means, if you have the space, go with the household size.
However, you might want to check out the Raritan Marine Elegance Marne Elegance Promo Sheet
It only draws about 10 amps, so power shouldn't be an issue on a 30' boat...and the price isn't a lot more than a complete PH II. Plus, with the optional 4 option "Smart Flush" panel, you'd be able use a lot less flush water.

I'll be glad to answer any questions and help you sort out the best options for your boat your use.

 

[seadaddler]

I have heard great things about the Elegance from many friends who have it and do love our Sea Era but after hearing how great the experiences from friends of the Elegance we are wishing we had the Elegance with the smart control.
Nick

 

[Ken Cross]

Thanks for the help. Now I guess I have more to discuss with the Admiral. Too many choices. Just a few more $$. More complexity.
Ken

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Believe it or not, electric toilets are considerably LESS complex than manual toilets. Manual toilets require considerable maintenance....electric toilets need almost none. Not much difference in installation--both have to be bolted down and connected to plumbing...electric toilets only need the right size wire on a new dedicated circuit on its own breaker. Those designed to use onboard pressurized fresh water don't even have intake pumps, just solenoid valves.

 

[seadaddler]

I have a question for Peggy with my Sea Era head and I am
wondering is is possible to use the smart control like with the Elegance.
I only want to control how much water is used when flushing
when out cruising so not to fill the holding tank too fast with less flush water.
I think I mentioned that I add water with a sprayer hose with fresh water and if I can add the smart control and switch from sea water to fresh like the new Elegance can.
We are happy with my Sea Era and don' really want to change my head to the Elegance but just modifie mine,hopefully does't sound too crazy.
Nick

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The "Smart Flush" panel doesn't switch between sea water and fresh water...it only controls the amount of flush water...plus it only works on toilets designed to use fresh water. It's the SeaFresh system that switches between salt and fresh So you'd have to replace your sea water SeaEra with the "QC" version (a "junior grade" version of the Elegance, actually)...and then add both the "Smart Flush" panel and the "SeaFresh" system, which would also require adding a remote intake pump 'cuz SeaEra QC is designed to use pressurized fresh water.

Even if you decided to go all the way to an Elegance, you'd still have to add the SeaFresh system and a remote intake pump to be able to switch between sea and fresh water. But if your only objective is flush water conservation, the Smart Flush panel should solve that.

 

[Ron20324]

I wonder if maybe tapping into the pressure side of an anchor wasdown would work for seawater? Too much pressure?

 

[seadaddler]

Thanks Peggy and right now I only use fresh water flush
with a sprayer hose from the sink and add water as needed and also use the sink drain to flush the whole system every few days while out cruising and I guess if it is working OK
than I should keep it as is.
I guess I miss read about the newer Elegance,I now can open
Sea Water value if need to use sea water.
Nick