If I were not a perfectionist on stuff like this, I would not bother. When I pump this head a bunch (more than 2-3 pumps) of times in the FLUSH setting, I get a small bit of water on the floor below. Really could be even called a stain, that's how little. It seems to come from the chamber with the large rotating valve on top (Flush/Dry), but I cannot really feel exactly from where and I am wondering if it could just be condensate forming on the chamber caused by cold water coming in. Anyone have experience? The toilet is perfect otherwise and so does not seem to be a re-build candidate just for this "issue" if you can even call it that.
Raritan PH Tiny Drip
- Thread starter odaydokay
- Start date
There is a rubber seal under the "Flush/Dry" cover. Over time this seal begins to fail and water drips out. The seal is available as part of rebuild kit.
Dave is right. You can prob'ly order just the seal from Raritan, but if it's been at least 5 years since the pump was rebuilt, so you'd be smart to do it , 'cuz a PHII can easily provide 20+ years of trouble-free service with only occasional minor repairs if it's just kept well lubricated, the joker valve is replaced annually, and it's rebuilt every 5-6 years. There are two PHII rebuild kits--one for pumps made before 6/92 and one for pumps made after that. It's important to get the right one because there are a few parts in each kit that aren't interchangeable. The kit for the pre-6/92 pump is PHIIRK...the kit for the post-6/92 pump is PHIIRKC.
The reason why it's important to replace the joker valve annually has nothing to do with backflow prevention...
that's the joker valve's LEAST important function...in fact, the joker valve is THE single most important replaceable part in a manual toilet. Here's why:
On the upstroke of the piston, a vacuum is created in the area beneath the piston. This causes the joker valve to close tightly, and the flapper valve beneath the pump to open, allowing some of the contents of the toilet bowl to be drawn into the bottom half of the pump. Then, on the down stroke of the piston, the flapper valve is slammed shut, and the effluent is forced out of the bottom of the pump, through the joker valve, and off down the line. But when the joker valve becomes worn and/or there's a buildup of sea water minerals on it, it can no longer seal tightly on the upstroke of the piston so less and less vacuum is created, requiring more and more pumping to move bowl contents.
You prob'ly won't notice the loss of efficiency at first because it's so gradual. But I guarantee you that if it's been two years or longer since you replaced the joker valve, you need to pump the toilet at least 50% more times to move the bowl contents to the tank or all the way out the thru-hull....IF they're getting there at all any more.
This is true for ALL manual toilets, not just the PHII.
--Peggie
The reason why it's important to replace the joker valve annually has nothing to do with backflow prevention...
that's the joker valve's LEAST important function...in fact, the joker valve is THE single most important replaceable part in a manual toilet. Here's why:
On the upstroke of the piston, a vacuum is created in the area beneath the piston. This causes the joker valve to close tightly, and the flapper valve beneath the pump to open, allowing some of the contents of the toilet bowl to be drawn into the bottom half of the pump. Then, on the down stroke of the piston, the flapper valve is slammed shut, and the effluent is forced out of the bottom of the pump, through the joker valve, and off down the line. But when the joker valve becomes worn and/or there's a buildup of sea water minerals on it, it can no longer seal tightly on the upstroke of the piston so less and less vacuum is created, requiring more and more pumping to move bowl contents.
You prob'ly won't notice the loss of efficiency at first because it's so gradual. But I guarantee you that if it's been two years or longer since you replaced the joker valve, you need to pump the toilet at least 50% more times to move the bowl contents to the tank or all the way out the thru-hull....IF they're getting there at all any more.
This is true for ALL manual toilets, not just the PHII.
--Peggie
