The way to get a Head

Scott · Nov 13, 2007

I did mine ...

I replaced a Wilcox-Crittendon in kind. I think you would find it simpler to do an in-kind replacement. One tip, though ... look at the location of the hose connections. I thought my replacement looked identical (the bolt locations were) but I failed to notice that the discharge location was on the opposite side from the original.The hardest part of the job was replacing the hoses. I ended up with the hose too short for the connection and I wasn't about to wrestle with them again so I simply spliced in a short piece to make up the difference. Installing the head was the easy part and it took about 5 minutes.If you are not replacing your hoses, I doubt you would need to have any spillage. The only spillage I had was when disconnecting the discharge hose at the bottom of the tank. It was smelly and a little messy. Have some absorbant towels on hand that you can throw away.Good luck!

Shippy · Nov 13, 2007

Raritan PHII

I'm not a fan of teh Jabsco heads. I've replaced it with a Raritan PHII (I think Peggy recommends this for manual toilets too). It is now 4 years old and no problems. I perform the normal maintenance, but it works so much better. As scott said, replacing the hoses is the bigger issue. The Raritan doesn't have the same bolt holes, but that is easy to patch the old ones and drill new ones. Less than 30 minutes to install the new head....the hoses are the real job.

Smoke House · Nov 13, 2007

What to do

I have a WC marine head and we are not happy with it,which way to go with what to replace it with.The PH II manual raw water hook up which is highlyrated to be less problem and less maintiance,also hook up a fresh water spray hose to use by spraying fresh water in bowl and than flush,when we have plenty fresh water on handbut when out cruising than use the raw water reg hook up.Or go with the Sea Era fresh water maserator electricand than only use fresh water.

Calif. Ted · Nov 13, 2007

I just ordered a Raritan PHC on Peggy's

recommendation and suggestion, to replace the compact Jabsco in my C270. The PHC is a standard Raritan with the PHII pump on a compact base & seems to be the same overall size as the heads we are replacing.Get the tank as clean & dry as possible.The hoses are very difficult to push onto the barbed fittings, I soak ends in a bucket of HOT water and use some detergent as lube.Basically it's a PITA to deal with the tank, lots of rags, bleach, clean-up and spill protection advised.

BobW · Nov 13, 2007

Bite the bullet and 'get a head'....

That comes from the guy who's been fighting with his Jabsco head for 3 years - ever since buying the boat.The first year I got a replacement Jabsco on deep discount at WM (thanks to my oldest son, who was working there). I installed the vented loops and rejoiced that the toilet fit the existing holes... phyrric (sp) victory, indeed.

The last 2 years I've sprung for the 'rebuild kit' - the first was cheap (see comment on oldest son above) and the second was list price (sumbich went sailing and quit his job.... ungrateful..... nevermind). Each time, all was well for a month or two, then the cheap rubber bits in the pump and outflow started failing...... bummer!So now I'm planning on biting the aforementioned bullet and buying a Raritan PHC with my left-over boat-bucks (we ALL have lots of those, right???) this winter. Hope it improves things.....As for the acutal work, I can add 2 critical tools:1. Nitrile gloves - the best thing since sliced bread. No, I'm NOT afraid to get my hands dirty, but I don't care to if not necessary. I keep a 100 pack (get them at Home Depot, Costco or some place that deals in bulk, NOT at the grocery store or WM) of blue gloves on the boat and whenever I have to mess with the head, bleed the fuel system, change the oil, paint, varnish or do anything else messy, I pull on a pair and no messy, smelly hands.2. Plastic trash bags - NO, not Kroger or Wal-mart shopping bags, but a decent quality Hefty bag - 13 gallon size. When I'm going to pull off a hose and I don't know what's going to come out, I spread out the bag under and around the end of the hose, knowing that whatever comes out not only won't end up in the bilge, but also won't even get on the deck/hull, etc. Hey, they're a couple cents apiece, and they can save you days/weeks of flushing, rinsing, washing, etc to get rid of odors.Take your time, think ahead, install vented loops in the right places, and you'll be sitting pretty...... hmmmmmmm.Cheers,BobWs/y X SAIL R 8

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Nov 14, 2007

Before starting to replace any toilet...

Run GALLONS of clean fresh water through it first. Then you'll know what will come out when you disconnect a hose: clean water.If you also plan to replace hoses, first pump out and THOROUGHLY rinse out the tank...don't forget to run water through any macerator too. Then only clean water will spill out of the hoses.Btw...hoses come off fittings a lot easier if you warm 'em with a blow dryer first. And they go on a lot easier if you warm 'em first, then lubricate both the fitting and inside of the hose with a little K-Y. Don't use ANY sealant, double clamp all connections with screws on opposite sides of the hose.The link below can be very helpful when it comes to installing/replacing toilets, hoses and tanks.

higgs · Nov 14, 2007

Groco

When I needed a new head, a friend gave me a Goco which costs in the $300 range. It is really nice - best I have used.After you disconnt hoses, to stop drainage I have had great success with plumber's plugs. Not sure what they are really called. You will find them in any hardware store. They are adjusted by a wing nut and will fit tightly in a hose, until your ready to hook it back up

The way to get a Head

Bad Obsession

.

Scott

Shippy

.

Smoke House

Calif. Ted

.

BobW

.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress

.

higgs

.