Raritan Elegance Head

[Shippy]

At the boat show in Annapolis I was determined to compare the vacuflush and SeaERA and make a decision....but don't you know it, Raritan had a new offering that caught the admiral's attention. I already have the PHII aboad and love it. But the admiral wanted push button fuctionality and keeping the admiral happy is always a good thing. I got the demensions of the elegance and it will fit. Delimma is that I don't like to buy version 1.0 of anything. So I'm asking the question to the troops here if anyone has experience with this new throne yet. There seems to be a fresh water and raw water model and an enhanced control pannel and simple panel although know one has been able to tell me the difference yet (I'm planning on calling Vic at Raritan and asking). Thanks T

 

[Steve Dion]

Shippy:

I know what you are saying about new models, but this is not like an automobile. Raritan has been making "quality" toilets for many years. They may have changed some of the looks, but I doubt there is a bunch of new technology here.

If you go with an electric unit, think about the fresh water models. We have a raw water unit and the pump is a little loud when it flushes. One major advantage of these electric units is the fact that they have a macerator right at the bowl. This help prevent down line stopages. We have had guests try to flush baby wipes. The macerator will not grind them up, so it is much easier to clear in the bowl than it would be if the thing was flush and stuck in the line or maybe worse yet in the holding tank.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Actually, Steve, there's a considerable amount of new technology in the Elegance

The new Elegance is an upgrade from the SeaEra, between it and the Atlantes. It has an all-ceramic bowl and pedestal like the Atlantes, but a much smaller mounting footprint than the Atlantes has. In standard form, it will be fresh pressure water flush only and exceptionally quiet! When Vic at Raritan first told me about it in August, here's what he said: "What’s really interesting about it, other than the low sound level, is how it flushes. It has a special programmable wall switch. Like the Tecma, it doesn’t flush continually when you press the button. Instead, it flushes for a couple (maybe 2 or 3) seconds, then stops for a couple (2 or 3) seconds to clear any entrained air, then flushes again, for a total of three start-stop cycles. It’s really neat, and the suction is outstanding! We are calling it “Vortex-Vac” technology...The “vacuum" is created right in the actual bowl."

The "standard" version uses onboard pressurized fresh water. To use raw water to flush, you'd need to add the remote sea water intake pump. You ONLY have to add the pump, no other modifications needed to "convert" it.

As for the control panel...Raritan calls it the Smart Flush Control. You can read all about it here http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/Marine Elegance/eleganceflyer.pdf and see a virtual tour of how it works here: http://www.raritaneng.com/images/raritan2.swf

Front to rear dimension at top of bowl is 18.65” Max. width (bowl and seat) is 14.36”. Total footprint is 8.5” wide x 13.5” deep. To raise seat and lid requires a clear height of 32.25” from the deck level of the head.

As for quality/reliability/durability...Raritan never puts a product on the market until they're sure it will work flawlessly AND be as "idiot proof" as possible too Everything they make is always top rated from the get-go, and they stand behind their products 110% (which is one of the reasons I've always been so high on Raritan products).

The big question is: just how much is your admiral willing to spend to have the "push button convenience" of an electric toilet? The list price for the
pressurized fresh water model is $899.00. Raw water version, requires additional pump that is remotely-mounted (pump is included; inlet strainer isn’t) is $979.00. If that's a bit rich for your budget, you can make the admiral happy with a SeaEra--available in both sea water and fresh water versions--for about half that much....not nearly as fancy, but exceptionally durable and reliable.

 

[Rick]

Peggie, you forgot to give your take on a "vacuflush" system. I have one and over the years have really liked it. And they make a "pod" now that you just drop in, hook up hoses and electrical...mount the head.. and flush. Ours has eaten the occasional face wipe, but since there is no macerator, it has just burped and said "ya wanna try a loaf of bread now" The Raritan stuff seems really nice. Would you even recommend vacuflush?

Cheers

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

My take on VacuFlush

It's a fine toilet. In fact, I had VacuFlush on my last two boats...because, at that time, it was the only game in town if you wanted a toilet that used pressurized flush water, less than a gallon or more a flush, a current draw of less than 30 amps. But all that changed in the '90s...and now every mfr has one or more toilets designed use pressurized flush water, only .5 gal or less (which is about what a V/Flush actually needs to remain trouble free, despite SeaLand's claim that it can use "as little as" 1 pint), and draw as little as 10 amps. And unlike a VacuFlush, the "works" are all in the head instead of being scattered all over the boat. They also cost about half as much. So if I were looking at a used boat today that already has a VacuFlush installed, I'd be glad to have it. But I'd never spend my own money again to buy a VacuFlush when I can have everything it offers and more for as little as half the price.

The "pod" toilets you refer to are just an expanded line of SeaLand's gravity flush toilets--primarily intended for use in RVs, which must be mounted directly above the holding tank, 'cuz there's no discharge pump in 'em...the bowl contents just drop through the opening in the bottom of the bowl. You can read all about 'em here: http://www.sealandtechnology.com/prodsmtoilet.asp. What seems to be missing from the SeaLand website is the only macerating electric toilet they've ever offered--the "MasterFlush," which is SeaLand's private label name for a lower quality clone of the Tecma. I wonder if they've discontinued it.

Btw...I wouldn't feed your V/Flush any more wet wipes...'cuz although there's no macerator in the VacuFlush, there is the vacuum pump. It's only been pure luck that one hasn't gotten stuck in it. Or worse yet, clogged up your holding tank pumpout line..'cuz those things do not dissolve! Otoh, a loaf of bread will dissolve eventually, so feel free to try flushing one.

 

[CarlN]

I'm seriously think about installing the new Raritan Elegance. They seem to have set a very aggressive price with Defender listing the fresh water model at $519.

I had been planning to go with the Tecma Easyfit. At the boat show I went back and forth between the two booths listening to the flush (the booth personnel certainly are patient with idiots like me).

Anyways, I couldn't pick a winner. Both were really quiet. Both seemed well made. Both claimed that they would work well in a healing sailboat. The only difference I noted was that the Elegance's macerator looked lighter duty than the Tecma but they're both metal. That would seem sufficient for anything that should be in a head.

So, I'm back to price (and Raritan's great reputation). Am I missing an important difference between these two units?

Carl

 

[Shippy]

defender price - carl, my understanding that for teh freshwater system, the price goes up if you want the smart programmable controller to flush. the cheaper one is just a push to flush, the $660 model is the one at the shows where you can fill, empry, save water etc...T

 

[Ted]

Raritan Elegance

defender price - carl, my understanding that for teh freshwater system, the price goes up if you want the smart programmable controller to flush. the cheaper one is just a push to flush, the $660 model is the one at the shows where you can fill, empry, save water etc...T

I just checked with Defender and Raritan. It is true that the low price model of the Elegance is push button only. If you want the multifunction programmable control you pay about $150 more. After putting up for some time with a Raritan Sea Era electric that makes a lot of noise, and fills up my 20 gal holding tank fast, I am going to try the Elegance and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[bobfnbw]

At the advice of peggy, I did purchase this head. Would love to say its great, but its sittning in the box in the kitchen waiting to be installed.
I am going to rewire the boat, since I don't have the wiring for both the head and purasan. So its going to have to wait a bit more.
Preordered it thru defender. the price was great. They sent to bone color instead of the white, but its no big deal.
I'll let you know once its installed how we like it, but it will be another month or two. The wilcox will have to suffice till then.
Bob

 

[Shippy]

Bob, let us know....I haven't pulled the trigger yet, waiting to hear a real life experience with this new thrown.

 

[Eric M]

Not to hijak this thread, but is there any info out there comparing the water usage of the SeaEra vs the Elegance? I have rebuilt my current Jabsco electric for the last time and it is time for an upgrade. The additional cost of the Elegance I could justify if I could get more flushes between pumpouts than if I went with the SeaEra. Thanks to all for all the great info on this forum.

 

[Denpaq]

Re: Actually, Steve, there's a considerable amount of new technology in the Elegance

Based on the recommendation here, I've purchased and just finished installing the Elegance head in my trawler. I replaced the dying manual Jabsco head with it. I chose the pressurized fresh water model with the Smart Panel. I have to say that it was easier to install than I thought it would be, and it works beautifully. I've only been using it for a day, but so far, so good! It's quiet, has a full-size seat, and I'm hoping it's the answer to all the problems I was having with the Jabsco.
My next question is this: as regards Electro Scans, in another thread it was mentioned that there are no NDZs in all of Washington State, even on Lake Union. Is this true of Oregon as well? What exactly could I get away with if I treat waste onboard in Oregon?
Thanks!
Denise

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Except for a few marinas, there's only one NDZ on the whole west coast north of Santa Barbara CA--

--a small harbor off SF Bay. We're only talking about coastal waters and navigable inland waterways..Inland lakes are NDZ under federal law.

So you can use a Type I MSD...however, since your toilet uses pressurized fresh water I recommend that you go with the PuraSan Raritan Purasan which doesn't need salt instead of the ElectroScan, which does.

 

[Denpaq]

Re: Except for a few marinas, there's only one NDZ on the whole west coast north of Santa Barbara CA

Thank you, Peggie. I'll look into a PuraSan then. So basically, because I'm on the Columbia River, it would be legal for me to treat waste with this installation and bypass my holding tank altogether, you feel?

Third day with the Elegance and am totally hooked. It's great.

Denise
Portland Oregon

 

[Vic Willman]

For those who asked, the Marine Elegance generally uses less water than the SeaEra, particularly if you spring for the Smart Switch computerized, programmable control. That's where the extra cost over the simple pushbutton switch shows its worth; with its flexibility - particularly if you have kids onboard. The high-end switch has two basic flushes available: 1) the Normal flush, which has (3) vacuum bursts to evacuate the bowl, each lasting about 2 seconds each, with additional rinse water coming in after each burst. That is the average, although they can be programmed for other time durations, both longer and shorter. In the Normal flush, the toilet uses a little over a quart of water. 2) the Water Saver flush. the Water Saver flush only runs one vacuum burst, and uses about a pint of water. The Water Saver flush is used primarily for #1, and the Normal flush for #2.

In addition, the programmable Smart Switch has two other buttons on it. Add Water only, and Empty Only. These must be held in; they are not automatic. The Add Water button will only stay on for a maximum of 7 seconds, and the water flow will stop. This fills the bowl about 2/3 full, and no more. It is a safety feature that is buit-in, for kids playing with the button; they can't overflow the bowl. The Empty Only button must also be held in and it simply empties the bowl, without bringing in any water. This is useful if rough seas are expected and you don't want water sloshing out of the toilet and onto the decking.

Most SeaEra heads are operated by a simple push button. You press it in, it flushes. You release it, it stops. So the water useage is controlled by the operator and how long the button is held in. Average water use runs somewhere around 2 quarts, give or take... Raritan offers an optional timer for the SeaEra head, too; but it isn't a standard item and must be special-ordered. Also, it isn't fully programmable.

Another nice feature of the Marine Elegance is that all of them have a built-in trap to insure that water will be retained in the bowl between flushes. There is no additional vented loop requirement to retain water. No other Raritan toilet comes standard with this feature. But if you want to empty the bowl - rough seas coming up, press the Empty bowl button and hold it in; you'll pump all the water out of the bowl.