Looking for a recommendation on whether to go with the freshwater model or raw water model of the Raritan Sea Era? We've actually purchased the raw water model but now am concerned about odor. We'll be living aboard (2 of us on a Cal 44). Would anyone recommend we send this one back and get the freshwater model? What are the other comparisons to consider? Thanks in advance for your help!
raw water or freshwater
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I'd go with the fresh water flush because:
No sea water odor MUCH quieter Uses less flush water The only question is: Do you have the fresh water capacity to spare 5 gals a day (assuming 2 people 5 flushes/day @ .5 gal/flush)? If so, I'd go with pressurized flush water. Btw...I'd also install a Lectra/San (Type I MSD that treats waste and discharges it overboard legally AND is far MORE environmentally friendly than holding tanks). However, it needs salt...so you would have to add the optional 4 gal salt tank if you go with the fresh water flush version.
No sea water odor MUCH quieter Uses less flush water The only question is: Do you have the fresh water capacity to spare 5 gals a day (assuming 2 people 5 flushes/day @ .5 gal/flush)? If so, I'd go with pressurized flush water. Btw...I'd also install a Lectra/San (Type I MSD that treats waste and discharges it overboard legally AND is far MORE environmentally friendly than holding tanks). However, it needs salt...so you would have to add the optional 4 gal salt tank if you go with the fresh water flush version.
Why Fresh Over Raw
Hi Peggy, I’ve seen you mention on multiple occasions that a fresh water Sea Era will use less water then a raw water model. Both models are available with either an internal or an external water pump and appear to provide water the same way. One draws from your fresh water supply and the other from an external source. Why would a fresh water system use less water then an external (raw) water system? Regarding noise you can purchase either a fresh or raw water model with the external pump or an internal pump. The external is sold as the quieter model. Once again why would fresh water or raw water determine the level of noise? One advantage to the external pump model is you can buy an optional switch from Raritan to control the flush with water, fill, flush without water cycles. I currently own a raw water model with external pump, remote switch and am very happy with the Sea Era..
Hi Peggy, I’ve seen you mention on multiple occasions that a fresh water Sea Era will use less water then a raw water model. Both models are available with either an internal or an external water pump and appear to provide water the same way. One draws from your fresh water supply and the other from an external source. Why would a fresh water system use less water then an external (raw) water system? Regarding noise you can purchase either a fresh or raw water model with the external pump or an internal pump. The external is sold as the quieter model. Once again why would fresh water or raw water determine the level of noise? One advantage to the external pump model is you can buy an optional switch from Raritan to control the flush with water, fill, flush without water cycles. I currently own a raw water model with external pump, remote switch and am very happy with the Sea Era..
There are actually 3 versions...
Integral raw water pump (most common), pressurized water, and remote sea water pump. The integral and remote sea water pumps are not identical...the integral pump only pulls water into the bowl, the remote pump has to pull it as far as the pump and then push it to the bowl. The pressurized water version doesn't need an intake pump, but uses an electric solenoid valve that just opens and closes to allow water to flow or shut it off, much as opening and closing a faucet in the sink does. That's why the pressurized water version of any toilet is much quieter than either the integral or remote raw water intake version, and why it uses less water...there's no impeller reverberating that also has to have a minimum amount of water going through it to keep friction against the inside of the impeller housing from wearing the edges of the vanes. The only reason the remote sea water pump MIGHT be quieter is because it can be mounted in a bilge or engine room away from "people areas" instead of being attached to the toilet. However, whether that only allows the noise to be moved from the head to another location has a lot to do with the size of the boat. A noisy intake pump in the engine room of a 40' MY prob'ly wouldn't be noticed by anyone anywhere else aboard...but putting it next to the quarter berth on a 30' sailboat prob'ly wouldn't make any difference to anyone sleeping in that quarter berth if someone else flushes the toilet at 02:00.
Integral raw water pump (most common), pressurized water, and remote sea water pump. The integral and remote sea water pumps are not identical...the integral pump only pulls water into the bowl, the remote pump has to pull it as far as the pump and then push it to the bowl. The pressurized water version doesn't need an intake pump, but uses an electric solenoid valve that just opens and closes to allow water to flow or shut it off, much as opening and closing a faucet in the sink does. That's why the pressurized water version of any toilet is much quieter than either the integral or remote raw water intake version, and why it uses less water...there's no impeller reverberating that also has to have a minimum amount of water going through it to keep friction against the inside of the impeller housing from wearing the edges of the vanes. The only reason the remote sea water pump MIGHT be quieter is because it can be mounted in a bilge or engine room away from "people areas" instead of being attached to the toilet. However, whether that only allows the noise to be moved from the head to another location has a lot to do with the size of the boat. A noisy intake pump in the engine room of a 40' MY prob'ly wouldn't be noticed by anyone anywhere else aboard...but putting it next to the quarter berth on a 30' sailboat prob'ly wouldn't make any difference to anyone sleeping in that quarter berth if someone else flushes the toilet at 02:00.
Fresh water vs. Seawater head
Another thing to consider: toilets that flush with pressurized fresh water use a lot less power than raw water-flushing heads because they don't have to drive a raw water pump. They just activate the coil on a solenoid valve (1-3 amps.), whereas the raw water pump usually consumes in the area of 18 amps. And they are a lot quieter - most of the noise associated with macerating electric heads comes from the raw water pump, not from the macerator - as is commonly believed. Note: when mentioning fresh water flushing heads - it is referring to PRESSURIZED fresh water flushing heads where the bowl rinsing water is supplied via your onboard pressure water system. Oftentimes, when a boat is in a river or lake, the head actually flushes with fresh RAW water, requiring a pump. Some confusion exists when ordering a head for fresh water use - if using RAW water of any type (fresh, brackish or salt water) you need the head with the raw water pump. If the head will be flushed from the onboard PRESSURE system, you order the fresh water-flushing head. I hope this will clear up a bit of the confusion that exists. Basically, if the water comes from outside the boat, you need the raw water pump, either integral or remotely-mounted. If the water comes from the onboard pressure system, you need the fresh water model head with the solenoid valve, and no raw water pump.
Another thing to consider: toilets that flush with pressurized fresh water use a lot less power than raw water-flushing heads because they don't have to drive a raw water pump. They just activate the coil on a solenoid valve (1-3 amps.), whereas the raw water pump usually consumes in the area of 18 amps. And they are a lot quieter - most of the noise associated with macerating electric heads comes from the raw water pump, not from the macerator - as is commonly believed. Note: when mentioning fresh water flushing heads - it is referring to PRESSURIZED fresh water flushing heads where the bowl rinsing water is supplied via your onboard pressure water system. Oftentimes, when a boat is in a river or lake, the head actually flushes with fresh RAW water, requiring a pump. Some confusion exists when ordering a head for fresh water use - if using RAW water of any type (fresh, brackish or salt water) you need the head with the raw water pump. If the head will be flushed from the onboard PRESSURE system, you order the fresh water-flushing head. I hope this will clear up a bit of the confusion that exists. Basically, if the water comes from outside the boat, you need the raw water pump, either integral or remotely-mounted. If the water comes from the onboard pressure system, you need the fresh water model head with the solenoid valve, and no raw water pump.
cruising?
Thanks for your recommendation. Does your answer change if we were cruising versus living aboard at a marina? Would you still recommend a pressurized fresh water version?
Thanks for your recommendation. Does your answer change if we were cruising versus living aboard at a marina? Would you still recommend a pressurized fresh water version?
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