W-C Newport Electric head - Is it worth it?

[Duane Maher]

Still in the market to replace old manual head wit an electric.Down to 3. Vacuflush, Raritan SeaEra, or Newport Electric. Vacuflush has a sale for another few days at $695. So main concern is water consumption. Electric usage is not a real issue. I hear usage ranges from 1 pint to 3 qts. Whats the real deal here.Does anyone have any experience with any of these heads, especially on the Newport? Does Newport really only use a pint?Thanks.

 

[Duane Maher]

Why does the sea pump takes more water?

Over a fresh water? I was at the boat today and you are right. Although it is possible to install the vacuum generator on my boat it would take cutting 3 holes and locating it 15 feet from the head. It is within the 20 ft limitation, however I cannot imagine the stuff traveling through out the boat. So I have eliminated the VacuFlush. BTW the dealer would allow me to install it myself but he would have to inpect it as you said. He did not indicate that it would be billable.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Because sea water intake pumps are impeller pumps

And most of 'em are integrally connected electrically to the discharge pump. Unless water is flowing through an impeller, it fries...so there's no way to flush without also bringing in flush water, which means the toilet uses a lot more. Pressurized water solenoids, otoh, only "open the faucet" so flush water can flow. The flow can be a lot less, and some models even have a "dry flush" mode. Fresh water solenoid are also a LOT quieter than raw water intake pumps, too.Go to the Raritan (http://www.raritaneng.com) and W-C (http://www.wilcox-crittenden.com) websites and check out the specs for the SeaEra and Newport. You'll have to open the Installation and Maintenance Guide, whch is in .pdf format and requires Acrobat to read it, to find 'em on the Raritan site...I dunno where they are on the W-C site.