Any thoughts on how long to run flush mode with Jabsco electric fresh water head? How much(how long to flush)water should you run to make sure lines to holding tanks cleared, vs concern for water conservation on longer trips?
Water use with fresh water electric heads
- Thread starter davidtre
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No cut & dried answer to your question
How long it takes to move bowl contents to the tank and rinse out the head discharge line depends upon how long the line is. It'll take a less water to clear out a line to a tank that's 4-6' from the toilet than it will to clear out a line that's 15' long. So you're gonna have figure out for yourself how long you have to flush to move bowl contents to the tank. Easiest way to do that: put someone in the head to flush the toilet, and someone with his/her ear to the tank to listen for the sound of water entering it. Use a stopwatch or a watch that has a sweep second hand to time it. To conserve water (and prevent filling up the tank with flush water), flush only long enough to move the bowl contents to the tank...rinse out the line just once a day and just before the boat will sit. All of the above is not only true of heads that use pressurized flush water, but ALL toilets, manual, electric, raw water AND pressurized. Manusl toilet do have the advantage of having a dry mode that can--SHOULD--be used to move bowl contents to the tank...use wet mode only to rinse out the line.
How long it takes to move bowl contents to the tank and rinse out the head discharge line depends upon how long the line is. It'll take a less water to clear out a line to a tank that's 4-6' from the toilet than it will to clear out a line that's 15' long. So you're gonna have figure out for yourself how long you have to flush to move bowl contents to the tank. Easiest way to do that: put someone in the head to flush the toilet, and someone with his/her ear to the tank to listen for the sound of water entering it. Use a stopwatch or a watch that has a sweep second hand to time it. To conserve water (and prevent filling up the tank with flush water), flush only long enough to move the bowl contents to the tank...rinse out the line just once a day and just before the boat will sit. All of the above is not only true of heads that use pressurized flush water, but ALL toilets, manual, electric, raw water AND pressurized. Manusl toilet do have the advantage of having a dry mode that can--SHOULD--be used to move bowl contents to the tank...use wet mode only to rinse out the line.
Electric heads
I have been considering installing a valve in the line that supplies flushing water to the electric head so that I can easily turn it off for clearing liquid waste. I have a short distance from bowl to tank but it still seems to take a lot of sea water to clear the bowl. I miss the dry flush mode that my old manual head had.
I have been considering installing a valve in the line that supplies flushing water to the electric head so that I can easily turn it off for clearing liquid waste. I have a short distance from bowl to tank but it still seems to take a lot of sea water to clear the bowl. I miss the dry flush mode that my old manual head had.
I wouldn't do that...
'Cuz if you cut off the flow of water to the head intake pump, dry friction heat will fry the intake impeller.
'Cuz if you cut off the flow of water to the head intake pump, dry friction heat will fry the intake impeller.
Thanks Peggy
I assumed that would happen if allowed to run dry but if I stopped flushing just before the bowl emptied and then opened the valve for the last couple of seconds should be no problem don't you think. I should probably put the valve in a position where it would not be operated by guests. I guess the reason that I put the post up was because I was not certain and thought I would get your expert opinion.
I assumed that would happen if allowed to run dry but if I stopped flushing just before the bowl emptied and then opened the valve for the last couple of seconds should be no problem don't you think. I should probably put the valve in a position where it would not be operated by guests. I guess the reason that I put the post up was because I was not certain and thought I would get your expert opinion.
Good thing you asked, 'cuz that'll cause worse problems
Marine toilets push bowl contents through the line...when you stop flushing, bowl contents stop moving. So while flushing only momentarily after the bowl is empty would reduce (note I said "reduce," not eliminate) damage to the impeller, it would leave the bowl contents sitting in the head discharge line to permeate the hose or clog it...or both.
Marine toilets push bowl contents through the line...when you stop flushing, bowl contents stop moving. So while flushing only momentarily after the bowl is empty would reduce (note I said "reduce," not eliminate) damage to the impeller, it would leave the bowl contents sitting in the head discharge line to permeate the hose or clog it...or both.
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