Raritan compact... inflow stopped.

[ericson_adam]

A couple of month ago, I bought a boat that was discussed years ago on this forum. The Ericson 29 has a raritan compact toilet, which was installed as a recirculating head.

The previous owner rebuilt the toilet, decided that he didn't like the way it worked, emptied it, and never used it again.

After I bought the boat, I filled it full it up and it worked just perfectly.

Until a week ago. After I pumped out the holding tank, I was having trouble getting water to come through the inflow. Then the inflow stopped completely. Though, waste is still pumped out just fine.

I thought it might be a problem with a clogged hose, so I pulled off the hoses, checked the joker valve, and I couldn't find anything that looked wrong at all. I screwed it back together and was very surprised to find that it was working again.

That was two days ago.

Today, I tried the toilet again, and there is no inflow again.

Any suggestions for tracking down and fixing this problem?

Thanks!
-Adam

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Time to turn that nightmare into a non-reccirculating system

'Cuz waste is just gonna keep clogging it up. If you don't want to put new holes in the boat and/or spend a bunch of money for a new toilet, tank hoses etc, I suggest we go with a slightly different self-contained system that not only doesn't require you to re-inspect every previous flush, but requires next to -0- maintenance , holds 50-60 flushes, and costs less than $200 for everything you'll need. That would be the "MSD" version of a 5-6 gal portapotty--one that's designed to be permanently installed and fitted for pumpout. Check out the Dometic/SeaLand 970 MSD http://www.sealandtechnology.com/productpages.asp?pid=94
and the Thetford 365 MSD
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?group=481&cat=3703

If neither of those llight your fire and you have a few more $$ to spend, check this one out: http://www.sealandtechnology.com/productpages.asp?pid=37

Or, if you don't like any of those, we can explore other options.

 

[ericson_adam]

I should have said this in my original post. There is a strict "sh*t on shore" policy on my boat. So, unless I'm mistaken, it seems that the water, urine and chemicals that are recirculating through the system are no more harmful to the internals of the pump than salt water.

I'm 95% sure that the problem I'm having is not being caused by a blocked hose.

Overall, I've been very happy with the system as it is.

I might eventually get a larger holding tank and add a thru hull. But for now, I just want to track down this problem and fix it.

And thanks for the quick response, you're awesome.

 

[Tom Spohn]

Mine had a similar problem--though it is not the recirculating type. When taken apart it was full of crystals formed from urine/salt interaction that were distorting the action of the various valves. A cheap rebuild kit was easy to install and it fixed the problem.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

If you're happy with a recirculating system, it's ok with me

But you're one of a VERY small minority because they hold so little and they STINK, even if only urine goes into 'em, if waste stays in 'em more than about 24 hours...which is most likely at least one of the reasons why the PO stopped using it. You've only owned the boat a couple of months...wait till next July and August. That's when you'll find out, if not sooner if you have a warmer than normal spring, why ALL the companies who made recirculating systems in the late '70s had discontinued 'em by the mid-80s.

It's not the waste that's harming your toilet pump...it's age. The Ericson 29 was only built between 1970-79, so if it's original, it has to be at least 30 years old. Eve if not original, the original Raritan Compact was replaced by the Compact II some time in the early 90s...That would make your toilet 10-15 years old when it became obsolete...it's worn out. I'm guessing it's a failed wet/dry cam that's preventing it from pulling flush water through it. Jiggling the lever may get it to work...that's prob'ly why it worked temporarily after you took things apart.

There's another possibility: You said the PO rebuilt it...if he bought a kit "off the shelf" in a boat store, he didn't get the right kit for it. The original Compact and the current Compact II need two different kits. Marine stores would only have the kit that fits the current Compact II (Part # CPRKII)...the kit that fits the original Raritan Compact (part #CPRK) would have to be ordered directly from Raritan. If some of the parts don't fit, the pump won't work right.

So your toilet needs either a wet/dry cam assembly--IF one is even still available for a toilet that old--or another rebuild kit...or both. But I wouldn't put ANY money into a 15-30 yr old manual toilet...everything has a lifespan! So whether you want to keep a recirculating system or not, you need a new toilet.That's gonna cost you about as much as a very nice self-contained system that holds 50+ flushes and won't stink...but if you insist on sticking to your "strict policy" you won't need a system that holds more than a few flushes 'cuz you'll never be able to leave the dock for more than a few hours...never be able to spend a long weekend aboard. A shame...'cuz the Bay is one of the best cruising grounds in the world!

I'm yanking your chain a bit to make a point: you have a worn out system that was never very satisfactory to begin with. The smartest thing you can do is replace it NOW instead of trying to keep it working...that'll just be throwing good money after bad. But if you insist, at least give Vic Willman at Raritan a call to ask him about parts for it: 800-352-5630 x 6. He's their tech services manager, has been there nearly 40 years and knows more about everything Raritan has ever made than anyone else will ever learn.

 

[ericson_adam]

Thanks Tom.

And thanks again Peggie.

I live part time on my boat, and want it to feel "homey". I guess that's why I have such a strong objection to the portable toilets. They just feel more like camping, than "home".

We'll see. Maybe this summer I will indeed be inspired to drill a hole in the bottom of my boat and get a larger (or 2nd) holding tank.

But I do take your point about not throwing good money after bad. Trying to fix an obsolete 35 year old toilet could just be a waste of time and money.

However, I think that I may have found the perfect compromise for me. Raritan make a conversion kit which seems to replace everything other than the bowl.

http://dogbytecomputer.com/raritan-cpiirfk-compact-ii-retro-fit-kit-convert-compact-compact-ii.html

The price is right. And it looks like a very easy install.

Do you have any thoughts not that, vs. replacing the entire toilet?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Weeelll....

Interesting...it appears someone has cloned a good idea. The price MAY be ok (I need to do a little homework)...but if you're gonna do that, why not upgrade to the best toilet pump under about $1k these days--AND support this site too, instead of some guy you never heard of: sbo.com PHII PHC LBA

However, you don't need to drill a new hole in the boat to have a toilet that'll allow you to feel "homey." I based my recommendation on the idea that anyone who's just bought an old boat has a LOT of places that need money, so let's keep the potty price to a minimum.

It's gonna be a long winter...so let's use the time to explore ALL your options, without regard to simplicity or price. Somewhere between the most and least expensive is gonna be a solution you can not only live with, but like AND afford! And I'll be glad to help you find it...so let's swap enough email to figure out a good time to actually TALK instead of type 20 emails each.