No Joke

[All U Get]

Hi All,

I've been thinking about the Joker valves in the head and pose this question. During every change I've tried to get as much fluid out of the hose before disconnecting. Since there is about three feet of 1 1/2" hose rising up to the vent loop there is always some liquid remaining. Does anyone have a good method to minimize the backflow?

All U Get

 

[Ron20324]

On the Jabsco, I give several real forcefull pumps to push air through. Seems to work, as very little comes back.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Most boat owners don't know that any manual toilet that's working anywhere close to factory specs can move bowl contents up to 4 VERTICAL feet (6 linear) in the dry mode...so just pump enough times in the dry mode to clear the top of the loop and you'll reduce the run back to half a cup or less. If you add about a quart of clean fresh water to the bowl with a cup before remove the hose from the discharge fitting, you'll also rinse out the hose, making what is left a lot nicer to deal with...put a flat disposable aluminum cake pan (the depth for making brownies will usually fit under the fitting) to catch the water...no mess to clean up.

 

[All U Get]

Thanks Peggie and Ron for the reply. I do run a gallon or so through and believe most completes the rise over the loop. This is a Marine Elegance so I can't do more than press the button. The hose to the tank and vent line have been replaced so clear sailing on that end. This model has two jokers and the last change I only reached one since we were still traveling I didn't want to rip it all out. The real bummer (sorry) was that the old joker looked as good as the new. The issue was that a few times it had leaked back into the bowl. The good news is that I can remove the bowl to get more room behind the unit since I don't see an easy way twist my arm in there. This will be on the list in May.

All U Get

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I wish you'd mentioned the make/model of your toilet before I spent all that time typing. However, if all you can do is push the button, you apparently decided to save the cost of the "Smart Flush" panel that provides 4 flush options including dry bowl...and worth every penny IMO.


You should be able to retrofit it...I suggest you give Raritan tech support a call: 800-352-5630..

 

[woodster]

Thanks Peggie and Ron for the reply. I do run a gallon or so through and believe most completes the rise over the loop. This is a Marine Elegance so I can't do more than press the button. The hose to the tank and vent line have been replaced so clear sailing on that end. This model has two jokers and the last change I only reached one since we were still traveling I didn't want to rip it all out. The real bummer (sorry) was that the old joker looked as good as the new. The issue was that a few times it had leaked back into the bowl. The good news is that I can remove the bowl to get more room behind the unit since I don't see an easy way twist my arm in there. This will be on the list in May.

All U Get

KISS..KISS...KISS......upgrade it to a phII and give your batteries a break in doing so.....

 

[All U Get]

You should be able to retrofit it...I suggest you give Raritan tech support a call: 800-352-5630..

I'll give them a call, it should work as you stated, thank you.

All U Get

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

KISS..KISS...KISS......upgrade it to a phII and give your batteries a break in doing so.....

Hey Woody...the PH II is a fine manual toilet, but it's hardly an "upgrade" from the Marine Elegance Marine Elegance

 

[woodster]

thanks Peggy...i will take that under advisement

 

[Pumice]

Most boat owners don't know that any manual toilet that's working anywhere close to factory specs can move bowl contents up to 4 VERTICAL feet (6 linear) in the dry mode...so just pump enough times in the dry mode to clear the top of the loop and you'll reduce the run back to half a cup or less. If you add about a quart of clean fresh water to the bowl with a cup before remove the hose from the discharge fitting, you'll also rinse out the hose, making what is left a lot nicer to deal with...put a flat disposable aluminum cake pan (the depth for making brownies will usually fit under the fitting) to catch the water...no mess to clean up.

she knows her stuff. Picture needs updating as usual

 

[YVRguy]

I have the tank completely empty before I start. Then I run quite a bit of fresh water through the head to make sure any remnants in the hose has been moved into the tank. Then I dry pump thoroughly. What little water comes back when I remove the valve is clear and I let it run into the shower bilge which in my boat is right below the head. When the whole thing is over I run more fresh water into the bilge which then pumps itself out.

 

[lionspaw]

Elegance is not to elegant

Your model is notorious for poor joker valve operation. We have 2 on our boat, and they both seep back into the bowl during normal operation, despite the fact that they have been replaced. Our boat manufactureer has complained to Raritan about this problem, but they have yet to come up with a fix. As long as there is fluid in the hose rising to the holding tank, some of it will seep back into the bowl. Unfortunately, the only option is to do a second flush with clear water if you have to clear the hose.

 

[Ron20324]

... Picture needs updating as usual

Yeah, she's younger than she looks in the picture.

 

[jmkinsfbay]

I haven't had any luck "dry-pumping" the line. I just pump a gallon of fresh water through, to which a small amount of bleach has been added. Let it sit for a few minutes, then just put a bulky disposable towel around the base.
BTW, my joker valve works perfectly, but that's after replacing the old with a new, then finding that the old had merely been made dysfunctional by plates of calcification. Again, running fresh water through, when done with the toilet, should help alleviate calcification, a known problem when flushing with sea water.

 

[All U Get]

Called Tech Support and they're sending a pair of prototype jokers to test on my unit. There will be a few calls to track progress. I passed on the estimated launch date so that they wouldn't have to call until Fathers Day when the snow will be gone.

(Hint to lionspaw-call the number Peggie posted)

Thanks again Peggie.

All U Get

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Again, running fresh water through, when done with the toilet, should help alleviate calcification, a known problem when flushing with sea water.

Stop using bleach...even diluted, it's highly destructive to the rubber parts--especially soft rubber like the joker valve--in the toilet. A cupful of undiluted distilled white vinegar flushed ALL the way through the system, then followed by a thorough fresh water rinse after 45 minutes--no longer than an hour--once a week will prevent mineral buildup in the hoses and on the joker valve.

Btw...that IS a photo of me, at almost 3 yrs old. I found it among my dad's photos after he passed away and decided that while I may have changed a little physically in the 70 years since it was taken, it's still very much the REAL me! :dance:

 

[lrschultz]

Joker Valves

Is there really such a thing as a good joker valve? A boat mechanic I know says he replaces his every year. It is only the integrity of the rubber that makes it work.

 

[dparilla]

Most jokers (valves) work well for two seasons or so but they are a wear part and need to be changed out. Every year may be excessive, but I pull my pump assembly apart every spring to inspect and lube, and then replace the valve and flappers every two or three seasons. Remember that jokers only prevent a flooding back flow, there is little they can do to stop seepage. (Almost a quote from Peggie's book).

 

[gettinthere]

After using the brownie baking pan to catch drips, remember not to use it for baking brownies.

 

[All U Get]

After using the brownie baking pan to catch drips, remember not to use it for baking brownies.

I got thinking about that and decided I'd better mark it with big letters.

All U Get