I installed a Jabsco electric head a ways back and did not install the solenoid. From my understanding, the solenoid's soul purpose is to operate as a valve, opening the line for the water intake when the water pump is running and closing the line when it is off. Peggy sent me back to the instruction manual and was correct in saying that I ought to have one. My question is this: Is the solenoid really necessary if you're pulling raw water and you have a vented loop just above the water line? I yelled at Jabsco for leaving the part out originally, so they sent me one, but now that I think about it, if it ain't broke, why fix it? The vented loop keeps any pressure from building up on the water pump, and since the vented loop is just above the water line--maybe four or five inches of the hose is full of air--, I don't think that little bit of air that goes through the pump harms it, or does it? Besides that little bit of air going through the water pump, I can't think of any other reason to put the solenoid in. In addition, the solenoid adds more potential problems--bad connections, it breaking, etc. Perhaps if somebody convinces me that it will really do some good, I'd be more motivated to put it in. Josh
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Yes you need the solenoid valve
Didn't this conversation start because you were complaining that your toilet takes on water? That's because a vented loop only a few inches above the waterline when the boat is at rest is well below the waterline when the boat is heeled...it's doing you no good. It may not even be doing you any good when the boat is at rest. But it is causing damage to the intake impeller...'cuz it's spinning dry during the time it takes to pull in water past that 4-5" of air in the line--AND because the vent in the loop is reducing the amount of water the pump can pull in. The friction heat created by an impeller spinning against the inside of the housing with no water or insufficient water flow gradually "fries" the edges of the impeller vanes...eventually it will stop bringing in any flush water, AND allow a lot more water to rise in your toilet bowl a lot faster. So the answer to your questions are: yes, the amount of air the vented loop lets in can damage the intake impeller...and no, you don't need both the solenoid valve and the vented loop...you need to replace the vented loop in the intake line with the solenoid valve...and the solenoid valve needs to be at least 8-12" above the waterline at any angle of heel.
Didn't this conversation start because you were complaining that your toilet takes on water? That's because a vented loop only a few inches above the waterline when the boat is at rest is well below the waterline when the boat is heeled...it's doing you no good. It may not even be doing you any good when the boat is at rest. But it is causing damage to the intake impeller...'cuz it's spinning dry during the time it takes to pull in water past that 4-5" of air in the line--AND because the vent in the loop is reducing the amount of water the pump can pull in. The friction heat created by an impeller spinning against the inside of the housing with no water or insufficient water flow gradually "fries" the edges of the impeller vanes...eventually it will stop bringing in any flush water, AND allow a lot more water to rise in your toilet bowl a lot faster. So the answer to your questions are: yes, the amount of air the vented loop lets in can damage the intake impeller...and no, you don't need both the solenoid valve and the vented loop...you need to replace the vented loop in the intake line with the solenoid valve...and the solenoid valve needs to be at least 8-12" above the waterline at any angle of heel.
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