Replace or Repair Head-Mate

[mcrow33]

Hi all,

I have a WC Head-Mate in my 1972 Endeavor 32. I believe it needs major rebuild. I doesn't pump sea water in no matter how much I pump and it leaks around the piston rod. I'm thinking if I can find parts, I should do a complete rebuild. So should I try to rebuild or think replace? If I going to replace, what should I replace with? I would like to keep the cost down.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Joe]

you can buy a rebuild kit from most chandleries... check here first.

Here's a parts guide, if you're adventurous: http://www.thetford.com/HOME/PARTS/PermanentToilets/HeadmatePartsNEW/tabid/739/Default.aspx

 

[woodster]

Hi all,

I have a WC Head-Mate in my 1972 Endeavor 32. I believe it needs major rebuild. I doesn't pump sea water in no matter how much I pump and it leaks around the piston rod. I'm thinking if I can find parts, I should do a complete rebuild. So should I try to rebuild or think replace? If I going to replace, what should I replace with? I would like to keep the cost down.

Thanks,
Mike

if you dont want to rebuild it (being that old i would replace/up grade it) you can get a phII up grade kit from SBO and use your old porcilen bowl and be trouble free for years baring normal maintance annually...check with Peggy she can fill you in on this...

regards

woody

 

[odaydokay]

Hi all,

I have a WC Head-Mate in my 1972 Endeavor 32. I believe it needs major rebuild. I doesn't pump sea water in no matter how much I pump and it leaks around the piston rod. I'm thinking if I can find parts, I should do a complete rebuild. So should I try to rebuild or think replace? If I going to replace, what should I replace with? I would like to keep the cost down.

Thanks,
Mike

I had a similar failure on a much younger unit and looked at reman kits etc. Factoring in my time, I went to Defender and got a Raritan PHC for $199. I had to put a teak trim on my platform as the unit extended out a bit more, but now I have a nice set up. Seems like a well built uinit and the price was nice.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Replace it!

Everything has a lifespan, but for some reason people refuse to believe that's just as true of marine toilets as it is of engines, water pumps and winches.

Any toilet that old is so worn out that while you may be able to get to pull in some flush water and push bowl contents toward the tank, it'll never do it efficiently enough to be worth spending any money on. Plus, Thetford discontinued it...kits are still available, but nothing else...so what are you gonna do if something breaks after you've spend the money for a kit??

If the bowl, seat and lid are still in good shape, you can "recycle" em to use on a Raritan PHC "conversion...check that out here: sbo.com PHII PHC LBA
Keep it lubricated, rebuild it every 5-6 years and it'll give you at least 20 years of reliable trouble-free service.

 

[seadaddler]

I have

I have a pump that is like new if you are interested,email me here.
Nick

 

[mcrow33]

So it's been decided. Replacing old head with new. I believe I will be going with the Raritan PH-II marine size. I was hoping for the house size, but I don't believe it will fit in the foot print. I also start tracing out the old hoses, and will be replacing most if not all. I see that I have two vented loops in the old system. One is on the water line between the through hull and pump. The other is between the head and tank. It also looks like there is a lot of hose between the head and tank. Now it should be noted that the boat use to have a Y valve that was disabled by the PO. The boat is now located on Lake Champlain and it is not legal to have a Y valve so it have been disconnected. So I want to make this as simple as possible. I am going to be removing most of the hoses. Since I will not have a Y valve, can I remove the vented loop between the head and tank? And based on what I have read in other post, shouldn't the other vented loop be between the pump and head, not between the through hull and pump? Do I need to replace the hose between the tank and deck pump out? Or how about an added twist. Since I only have a 15 gallon holding tank. Maybe I should go with the MSD type port-a-potty with deck pump out? Man I hate plumbing. I hate it at home and it seem worse on a boat.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Good choice! Answers to your questions...

I see that I have two vented loops in the old system. One is on the water line between the through hull and pump.

That one is in the wrong place...putting it between the thru-hull and pump interferes with the pump's ability to prime. It needs to be installed between the pump and the bowl...which means replacing the short piece of hose that the factory uses to connect 'em with enough 3/4" hose to put it at least 6-8" above waterline at any angle of heel...which on most sailboats puts it 2-3 FEET above the bowl. See the drawing for below water line installations in the Installation manual for the toilets...ALL manual toilets.

The other is between the head and tank.

If you're only going directly to the tank, you don't need that one. However...depending upon where the inlet fitting is located on the tank, if it can allow tank contents to spill into the hose when you're heeled, you might want to keep it to prevent it from running back to the toilet.

Since I only have a 15 gallon holding tank. Maybe I should go with the MSD type port-a-potty with deck pump out?

It's definitely the simplest least expensive solution, but a bit marginal for a 30' + boat. But if you have enough space in the head for the footprint of this one, it would be a great way to go: SeaLand Traveler at Defender

Man I hate plumbing. I hate it at home and it seem worse on a boat.

It's not THAT bad! Fwiw, my book (see link my signature below) has some tips that make it a lot easer...and I'm glad to help you figure out the easy ways.