We are replacing our porti-potty with an installed head. Which would be preferable -- seawater or freshwater flush? Thanks.
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Both.
You could plumb it both ways. Use a 'T'-valve, one side to the fresh water tank and one side to sea water. Our boat was already plumbed to a thru-hull. But mostly we leave the head switched to "Dry". We use the shower head or a small pitcher of fresh water most of the time. Always if we are at the slip in the river. Pour in a cup or two of water first. Do whatever and flush. Pour in another cup or two if necessary. We use minimum water during the day and then flush the hoses clear at the end of the day.
You could plumb it both ways. Use a 'T'-valve, one side to the fresh water tank and one side to sea water. Our boat was already plumbed to a thru-hull. But mostly we leave the head switched to "Dry". We use the shower head or a small pitcher of fresh water most of the time. Always if we are at the slip in the river. Pour in a cup or two of water first. Do whatever and flush. Pour in another cup or two if necessary. We use minimum water during the day and then flush the hoses clear at the end of the day.
Fresh is better
I have my system plumbed with a 3 way valve hooked up to the sink drain when you wash your hands after you used the head the water from the sink goes into the head (toilet water intake hose), when crusing and need to conserve water I change the valve position to feed sea water. The problem with using sea water is the living things that sit in the plumbing creates odors and you end up with that low tide smell we hardley ever switch to sea water because of short weekend trips and never have run out of fresh water.
I have my system plumbed with a 3 way valve hooked up to the sink drain when you wash your hands after you used the head the water from the sink goes into the head (toilet water intake hose), when crusing and need to conserve water I change the valve position to feed sea water. The problem with using sea water is the living things that sit in the plumbing creates odors and you end up with that low tide smell we hardley ever switch to sea water because of short weekend trips and never have run out of fresh water.
Oh, Ed....Noooo...
NO toilet designed to flush using raw water should ever be connected to the onboard fresh water system...it cannot be done without risk of e-coli and other pollution of your fresh water, damage to the toilet, or both...and every toilet mfr specifically warns against it--in bold print--in their installation instructions. ONLY toilets designed to use PRESSURIZED flush water (which, with only a couple of exceptions, are all electric toilets) can safely be connected to the fresh water supply plumbing. If you want to use fresh water to flush a raw water toilet, you have only 3 choices: 1) a separate flush water tank that isn't connected in any way to the onboard fresh water system...2) use the shower head...3) tee the head intake line into the sink drain so you can provide flush water by filling the sink. If you've done anything else, you've put you and everyone else who's ever aboard your boat at risk...and your toilet, too, 'cuz the seals and o-rings in a manual toilet get pushed all askew by pressurized flush water.
NO toilet designed to flush using raw water should ever be connected to the onboard fresh water system...it cannot be done without risk of e-coli and other pollution of your fresh water, damage to the toilet, or both...and every toilet mfr specifically warns against it--in bold print--in their installation instructions. ONLY toilets designed to use PRESSURIZED flush water (which, with only a couple of exceptions, are all electric toilets) can safely be connected to the fresh water supply plumbing. If you want to use fresh water to flush a raw water toilet, you have only 3 choices: 1) a separate flush water tank that isn't connected in any way to the onboard fresh water system...2) use the shower head...3) tee the head intake line into the sink drain so you can provide flush water by filling the sink. If you've done anything else, you've put you and everyone else who's ever aboard your boat at risk...and your toilet, too, 'cuz the seals and o-rings in a manual toilet get pushed all askew by pressurized flush water.
Sandcastle...
Before you decide to replace...what size is your boat? If it's 26' or smaller, you might want to rethink replacing the portapotty with a toilet and holding tank...'cuz a) the tank and related plumbing will eat up a LOT of your storage space...and b) you'll need at least a 20 gal. tank to gain any advantage over a permanently installed 5-6 gal portapotty model permanently installed and fitted for pumpout...'cuz the portapotty uses so little flush water compared to a manual marine toilet (about a pint compared to 1/2 gal).
Before you decide to replace...what size is your boat? If it's 26' or smaller, you might want to rethink replacing the portapotty with a toilet and holding tank...'cuz a) the tank and related plumbing will eat up a LOT of your storage space...and b) you'll need at least a 20 gal. tank to gain any advantage over a permanently installed 5-6 gal portapotty model permanently installed and fitted for pumpout...'cuz the portapotty uses so little flush water compared to a manual marine toilet (about a pint compared to 1/2 gal).
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