Pump Rebuild upgrade to electric on Raritan PHII

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Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
Our 6 year old Raritan PHII now requires many strokes to draw water in or pump it out. I am diagnosing this as a pump failure and I plan to buy the rebuild kit for the pump unless anyone disagrees.

There is a second part to my question though. Has anyone tried the Raritan PHII electric flush upgrade kit?

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Dec 2, 1997
9,008
- - LIttle Rock
Do rebuild the toilet...but don't even THINK of adding a motor

There are two different kits for the PH II, depending upon when it was made. Only about half the parts in each are interchangeable, so be sure to get the right one. Toilets made before 6-92 need kit PHRKII...Those made after 6-92--which includes yours--need kit PHRKIIC.

Now about adding an electric motor...

The Raritan PH II is an outstanding MANUAL toilet, but adding a motor turns it into a horrible excuse for an electric toilet. The motor only replaces the pump handle..the pump is still a manual pump. The motor pumps the toilet much faster, and with a much shorter stroke than pumping manually, which causes it to take longer to prime and therefore wears out the rubber o-rings etc much faster...and also causes the toilet to "choke" on flushes that deliberate pumping manually can push through...and it has a high amperage draw compared to most electric toilets. I know a lot of people who've added the motor who wish they hadn't...who've opted to disconnect it again permanently and put the pump handle back on. The PHE II (electric version of the PH II) also costs more than a real electric toilet.

For some reason sailors want to have it both ways--the "push button convenience" of an electric toilet, but also one that can be converted to manual in the event of a catastrophic power failure. But there's no advantage to that...'cuz if you don't have enough power to flush an electric toilet, you don't have enough to power nav equipment, lights, communication equipment or anything else either...but you DO still have a bucket! So whether you can flush a toilet or have to resort to using the bucket is the LEAST of your worries!

So if you want a manual toilet, the PH II is an excellent choice...but if you want an electric toilet, go with one that's designed to BE an electric toilet from the ground up, not a "hybrid."
 
Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
Re: Do rebuild the toilet...but don't even THINK of adding a motor

Peggy-
I was so hoping you would see this post and I am very grateful for your excellent input. You have convinced me-I am staying with the Raritan as manual for now and will order the correct rebuild kit. I think an electric is in my future but not right now. What would you recommend for when I do make the move?
 
Jun 4, 2004
1,087
Mainship Piliot 34 Punta Gorda
I installed a Raritan Atlantis Freedom on my 30T and we love it. It looks like a normal toilet. We also like the different flush options. I looked at installing one/two on our 410 but we do not have sufficeint depth. So a lot may depend on the room you have for the model electric head you can install.
 
Dec 2, 1997
9,008
- - LIttle Rock
I sugges that both of you check out the Raritan Elegance...

Raritan Elegance toilet

Smaller--and therefore a bit less expensive--than the Atlantes...designed to use pressurized water, but can use sea water by installing a remote intake pump....available with the 4 option "smart flush"...I really LIKE this toilet!
 
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