Problems with Jabsco Anti-Syphon Valve

[amaryllis]

We have electric fresh water toilets. The solenoid/anti-syphon valve stops working every 2-4 weeks (i.e. not letting water into the bowl). I take the anti-syphon valve apart, inspect it and find nothing wrong, put it back together and it will work again for another 2-3 weeks. I'm suspecting it's a design flaw. I replaced the part (thinking it was a lemon) and had the same problem with the new part. Anyone have a similar experience or any ideas.

[nv5l]

Sounds like a bad connection. Next time just try cleaning the electrical connections and see what happens.

[amaryllis]

thankyou don
the 12 volt solenoid seems to stick where the plunger engages with electro magnet. this prevents water flow to the head As well water squirts from plastic valve. It appears to be a rather poor design. the concept is good idea but the goyen soenoid is not up to task..


bruce amaryllis

[nv5l]

I'm assuming closed is it's natural state, and energizing the solenoid opens the valve. Is that correct?

[peghall]

What's make/model/age of your toilet?

[US1Fountain]

Is it mounted in the correct orientation? The instructions that came with mine specifically said to mount it correctly, with the solenoid up.

The water may be rusting the solenoid allowing it to stick? Your 2 week disassemble time frame might be freeing it up, till it rust up again. Then again may just be another faulty unit, thus the leak.

I tapped the vent hole on mine and ran a drain tube to a sump, just in case water exited the vent hole to keep water from dripping inside.
2 yrs and it still works flawless with no leaks or ruptured valve.

[amaryllis]

the model is Jabsco Quiet Flush toilet 37245-1092.The Solenoid part is 37038-1012. Thanks US1fountain. The corrosion is an issue. The top of the solenoid is open and any moisture can easily get down in there. We have 4 heads on a new boat an almost every head has failed - some showing corrosion and some not. I think your right, moisture is causing the problem. Although some of the failures, corrosion has not been an issue.

[peghall]

The solenoid valve doesn't control the pump...it's just an electric air valve in the vented loop that closes to let the pump prime when the flush button is pushed...opens again to break the siphon started by priming the pump the flush button is released.

So I have a few questions: Does the pump run when you push the button? Have you disconnected the intake line from the pump to see whether it's moving any water?

[amaryllis]

yes the pump runs when the switch is depressed and the pressure flow stops at the soleonoid when it does not activate. the pump and the solenoid are on the same switch.
yes the pump moves lots of water. Are you familiar with these valves in use?

[peghall]

Yes, I am...and I know what's happening: the solenoid isn't closing the air valve, so the pump pulls in air through it that's preventing the pump from priming. Here's the manual for your toilet http://www.ittflowcontrol.com/files/itemdoc1461.pdf It's not much help. So I suggest you remove the solenoid valve and clean it to get rid of any salt/sea water minerals that are preventing it from closing...and if that doesn't fix it, give Jabsco customer service a call...they might send you a replacement solenoid valve for free. If they don't, I can recommend another toilet that won't have these problems.

[peghall]

I just realized something: you said that your toilet is a Jabsco 37245-1092 FRESH water toilet...but that model is a SEA water toilet.

37245 Series Quiet Flush Electric Toilet - Seawater > ITT Flow Control - Engineered for life.

So either you have the model wrong or your toilet is a sea water toilet. If it is a sea water toilet--and I'm pretty sure from some of your comments that it is--that's connected to the fresh water plumbing it shouldn't be.

So maybe we need to double check what you actually have and how it's plumbed to know how to solve your problem.

[cat man do]

All very interesting.
How does the toilet know it is being flushed with fresh or salt water?

And this part that is quoted, is it a 2 way or 3 way solenoid?
(whats the arm on the left?)

Jabsco, Soleniod Valve / Siphon Breaker

[DeepFrz]

cat, you do realize that the last post was a year ago, don't you?

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

cat, you do realize that the last post was a year ago, don't you?

Yes I do, I was searching for info on a solenoid valve for a Jabsco toilet and this post came up.

It made me call the supplier and ask whether mine could take salt water and the supplier seemed to think that was a pretty bloody stupid question, which is why I asked how does the toilet know.

The reason I asked about the solenoid is because the Jabsco ones are $100+
Irrigation ones are considerable cheaper
Electric solenoid for water

[DeepFrz]

The arm on the left is a shutoff valve. The cheaper ones you linked to look like they are better made as well.

Edit:
The difference between a freshwater and salt water toilet is the saltwater toilet doesn't need a back flow preventor, solenoid valve. There may be other changes to make sure that fecal material can't infect the fresh water, such as flush water entering the toilet in a different manner.