Quote:
Originally Posted by peghall
I can see doing that if you have a TMC, or worse yet a 5 Oceans...but why would anyone scrap a top of the line $1000+ toilet for a jury rigged $150 macerator pump unless he had no idea what he was scrapping?
That happens more often than you think. I used to run into a lot of people--first time boat owners who'd bought older boats mostly--who'd scrapped W-C Skippers and Imperials to buy a Jabsco manual when they found out that a rebuild kit for the Skipper costs more than a new Jabsco. To me, that was like scrapping a Rolls Royce for Yugo (remember those?) because the scheduled service for Rolls costs as much as the Yugo.
|
Buy the best and quit having problems, that was my line of thinking when I invested so much in a toilet (don't forget the new Lectra san, Y valve and hoses when you add it all up) I have a few too many toilet stories having lived aboard 13 plus years. Imagine if you will...Living aboard with a
family of three, Saturday evening and your top of the line toilet breaks down. I cannot get
parts locally until Monday, nope make that I cannot get special
parts for my special toilet locally period! I can tell you my wife and daughter are not impressed, even if I show them the
price and read them the advertising.
I knew what the thing was that's why I bought it, to end the headaches. We didn't have problems often with any of our toilets but tell me how many times you want to release the hose connections containing un flushed urine and fecal matter? once in 13 years? how about a few times in 13 years?
I can guarantee you one thing, my jury rigged toilet out performed every other
marine head I have been around. I never had an issue with it and what made the setup a million times better than the Tecma silence was the fact I could buy any macerator pump and any intake pump available at the time so I could have a functioning toilet quickly. I guess if I slapped a through the roof
price tag on it and a fancy name you would approve? Oh wait somebody did, ever here of a
Galley maid
marine head? $1500 plus, here is what they say:
"Galley Maid
Delta Electric Standard
Marine Heads, for fresh or
salt water application. This
Galley Maid heads maintain a
water level in the porcelain toilet bowl, on a
fiberglass base. The Galley Maid
motor pump assembly will pass through cigars, filter cigarettes, and any type of toilet paper, Kleenex, hairpins, and most of all waste-except rags.
Motor and pump are mounted remotely and unit comes complete with automatic timer. Available in white only."
Hmmmm looks like a macerator pump? silly me for doing it myself.
Our
holding tank started leaking and I removed the whole system and now have a composting toilet.
On a side note I have two Skippers and 4 rebuild kits sitting in
storage. If I ever venture back over to the dark side I will give them a shot.
FYI, anyone considering a lectra san/ Electra san be aware that the plate inside does have a limited life span so you can add that $300 part to your list of fun things to buy and fun jobs to do.
Peg Hall, I appreciate all that you have contributed to the
boating community over the years. Much of what I learned concerning this subject is from you.