replace with ?????

[chet pruszynski]

I am about to replace my GROCO (HC or HE not sure ) "leaker" with something a bit more upscale. the 2 i have been considering are the RARITAN "CRICKET" (seems to have less things to leak but the repair kit is pricy) or the RARITAN PH-II (Repair kit is cheap but it looks like it will leak in the same places and just as bad as the one i am replacing). One other possibility that has crossed my mind is the LAVAC "POPULAR". completely different idea but i hear they work great..they will all fit in the same place on my 37c so that is not a problem...feedback please chet p

 

[Ed Schenck]

Cricket on my H37C.

Works very well, but it is not a good fit. You need to move it off center(forward) because the pump handle angles to the right(aft). Mine actually touches the teak bulkhead. It has some flex so not a problem.What IS a problem is that when you move it forward(to the left) the mounting area gets smaller. Then there is a problem getting the inlet water connected without crimping the hose. That inlet sticks straight out the back on the lower left(forward) corner.This can all be solved with a suggestion Peggy has made many times, install a wood base over the present fiberglass base. This will cover the old holes and you can move the head out towards you for inlet clearance. The outlet connector is a right angle elbow and is adjustable for direction.I posted pictures on the Photo Forum of my vented-loops. The best features of the Cricket? Price, simplicity, and it uses very little water.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Both Cricket and PH II are excellent choices

Both are top rated by Practical Sailor. But you need to understand the differences between the two as well as the difference between the PH II and the head you're replacing...the price of rebuild kits is irrelevant.Just because the PH II and your current toilet are both piston/cylinder toilets doesn't mean that the PH II will leak as bad or as often...that's like saying that a new BMW will break down as often as a used Yugo. There's as much difference in the quality of marine toilets as there is in the quality of cars. You can't pick a toilet based on the price of rebuild kits without knowing what's in the rebuild kit, or how often one is needed in one type of toilet vs another, either. The Cricket has a diaphragm pump, which has no moving parts to wear and require regular replacement...the rebuild kit is the entire pump assembly except for the housing, and is only needed about as often as a whole new pump assembly would be required on any piston/cylinder toilet. So you can't compare it to repair kits for other toilets...you have to compare it to the cost of other replacement pump assemblies. The Cricket actually requires almost NO maintenance or repair...you should get 7-10 years out of it before it needs anything more than lubrication and annual joker valve replacement.However--although I certainly wouldn't recommend it--there are plently of PH IIs that don't get any maintenance in at least that long, but somehow manage to keep working without any problems either. So pick the one you like the best...you can't go wrong with either a PH II or a Cricket.