Peggy, My boat and head is 2 years old and the WC Head-Mate has developed an attitude. The pump has always had a hard time priming on the first use. It takes many rapid pumps to get primed. Now it has an attitude. While at dock or anchor, I cannot get prime from the intake, no matter how many times I pump, usually til I can't pump no more. It will flush dry though. When sailing at speeds greater than 5 kts, the pump will prime just fine, but then back at anchor or at dock, no go. Is this the flap valve at the base of the pump causing problems or the dual flap valve at the top causing the attitude or something entirely different? Please help. Thanks, Gary
Wilcox-Crittenden with an Attitude
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Just getting to anyone actually at W-C is...
A challenge. Fortunately I have the direct number <g>: 401 846-1679 I think Mark nailed your problem. The only reason water comes in at speeds over 5 knots is because it's been forced up the intake and into the bowl by the pressure of the water against the hull. It's not being pulled it...it's being pushed...and would come into the bowl even if you didn't pump--which is why you should always keep the intake seacock closed while underway, to prevent flooding the head if someone accidentally leaves the pump in the wet mode, or the wet/dry valve fails. Btw, it has nothing to do with your problem, but slower more deliberate pumping is far more efficient than flailing away rapidly, both when it comes to and bringing flush water in AND pushing waste out When the pump doesn't want to prime, rapid pumping just wears out the seals and o-rings without accomplishing any more--except to wear YOU out faster too--than you'd accomplish by pumping with a deliberate stroke. Pumping more deliberately will also move waste through the line more efficiently, especially in the dry mode.
A challenge. Fortunately I have the direct number <g>: 401 846-1679 I think Mark nailed your problem. The only reason water comes in at speeds over 5 knots is because it's been forced up the intake and into the bowl by the pressure of the water against the hull. It's not being pulled it...it's being pushed...and would come into the bowl even if you didn't pump--which is why you should always keep the intake seacock closed while underway, to prevent flooding the head if someone accidentally leaves the pump in the wet mode, or the wet/dry valve fails. Btw, it has nothing to do with your problem, but slower more deliberate pumping is far more efficient than flailing away rapidly, both when it comes to and bringing flush water in AND pushing waste out When the pump doesn't want to prime, rapid pumping just wears out the seals and o-rings without accomplishing any more--except to wear YOU out faster too--than you'd accomplish by pumping with a deliberate stroke. Pumping more deliberately will also move waste through the line more efficiently, especially in the dry mode.
Me, too!
I've always had the same problem with my WC. As per Peggie's advice I try to lube the piston frequently and this helps a lot.
I've always had the same problem with my WC. As per Peggie's advice I try to lube the piston frequently and this helps a lot.
My experiments indicate
that vegetable oil works just fine and maybe better than mineral oil. Besides that, I always have cooking oil handy. I think it slightly swells the rubber in mine and that seems to be a good thing. I use a little vinegar too. Of course, mine is not W-C.
that vegetable oil works just fine and maybe better than mineral oil. Besides that, I always have cooking oil handy. I think it slightly swells the rubber in mine and that seems to be a good thing. I use a little vinegar too. Of course, mine is not W-C.
Vegetable oil is ok....I prefer mineral oil 'cuz..
Unlike vegetable oil, it can't get rancid. That is, if you'd rather fight a never-ending battle every few weeks to keep the pump lubricated instead of just spending 15 minutes once a year to open up the pump and give it a healthy "dose" of thick teflon grease.
Unlike vegetable oil, it can't get rancid. That is, if you'd rather fight a never-ending battle every few weeks to keep the pump lubricated instead of just spending 15 minutes once a year to open up the pump and give it a healthy "dose" of thick teflon grease.
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