pottie talk

[rtbates]

Randy et al...I'm following this discussion with interest as I have a Lavac awaiting installation and I'm trying to figure out how to do it without (or maybe with) having the bulkhead look like a chandlery's plumbing display wall. I'm complicating things with a y-valve to direct discharge as well as to the tank. Ideas and photos of installations would be very welcome.

The pump should end up just above mid bowl level.

Lavac says that "The bottom of the pump must not be mounted at a lower level than the top of the bowl." In another paragraph, they specify the pump inlet to be no lower than the bowl top. Not sure what they're trying to prevent here but you may want to ask Blakes, or reconsider. It may not be an issue with you pumping directly to the tank?

I'd also want the pump secured to a bulkhead or otherwise fixed in position. Even if the hose clamp was enough to resist the hose popping off from pumping action, I'd be a bit concerned with fatigue from flexing.[/quote

The fellow at Lavac told me that the pump only needs to be higher than the head's outlet. It worked perfectly last night with the pump located at about mid bowl. IF mounted too low the water in the bowl will just leak past the pump and not remain in the bowl. But as long as the outlet hose makes a loop slightly higher than the bowls water level nothing drains out till it's pumped out.

I believe their main concern is with flooding caused by below the waterline installation. Not an issue with my install as the discharge goes only to the holding tank and I always close the seacock after use. My pump will be right at the rear of the head attached to the head's outlet with an 8" piece of tubing. The pumps outlet will then travel up to slightly higher than the head's seat and back down to the holding tanks intake pipe. This pipe sits just below the heads base. So far, at home, I have only setup the pump attached to the head by the 8" of 1.5" tubing and it works perfectly. Tonight I will setup the pump's outlet tubing and the water inlet tubing with the air inlet valve installed in the intake tubings high point, to get a feel for how much water each (two sizes supplied) allows to flow in with the lid shut. With the joker valve at the pump's outlet and a very short run both to the pump and to the outlet hoses high point the pump simply sucks the bowl completey dry.

After I get the pump installed, inline with the hose, I will fabricate a bracket for pump mounting and secure it to the same surface that the head sits on just behind the head. My main issue was with getting enough room to bend the 1.5 tubing into and out of the pump. This method solves that issue.

[rtbates]

I finally got a chance to try out the Lavac head with the water inlet connected and in a 5gal bucket. It works perfectly with the pump on the 8" tubing which puts it right behind the bowl and with the top of both the outlet tube and the inlet tube barely above the top of the head. It draws in water quite easily and with the largest anti-siphon fitting in the inlet hose it leaves about 5" of water remain in the bowl with the lid shut after pumping. Lift the lid after 30 s and pump the bowl dry if wanted. And boy does the Henderson pump suck! with every stroke a very large amount of water gushes out the hose. So my advice for those with a small area to play with is to route the outlet tubing as needed and simply place the pump inline as close to the head's outlet as possible and enjoy. Then make a pump holding bracket that will mount to the pump and whatever surface is close by. For me it's a 7"x12" bracket that will mount the pump and attach to the same floor surface as the head. This works IF the outlet only goes to the holding tank and the intake seacock is always closed after use. Otherwise you'll need to have both inlet and outlet hoses loop well above the waterline at all angles of heel. I believe that is why Lavac shows the pump mounted so high and the hoses looping even higher. They don't want to be responsible for a sunk boat! With the pump so close I get water sucked in and the bowl contents sucked out after just a few strokes.

[Ron M.]

using anti siphon loops up above the waterline is prudent. I have 4 in my boat, head intake, head discharge, engine raw water cooling line, and pys shaft seal. The small vents are prone to salting up, so you need to keep an eye on them. The best insurance is to BE IN THE HABIT of closing your seacocks when ever you leave the boat. In the head I close them after each use...........it's amazing how fast the bowl will fill,(and possibly overflow) when the boat is healed on the same side as the intake seacock with the valve opened.
________
Ferrari 248 F1

[JBondy]

We installed a Lavac last Fall. They offer two versions of the manual pump, one for mounting behind a wall, the other for exposed mounting. You need to have an idea where you will be installing and get the right pump. (In case you can't tell, I planned wrong.)

Anyway, we ended up de-installing it and selling it. Not for any engineering reasons. The admiral doesn't like to feel like she's camping when on the boat, and the Lavac was just too "weird", between the unusual vacuum flush design and the yacht seat. Anything that will help get her on board more often is the way to go.

We went with a Raritan SeaEra electric with a household seat. It uses fresh water, which is a plus aroma-wise (or should that be minus). It also uses electricity, potentially a minus if we have electrical issues. Another plus is that it can handle a 1.5" or a 1" discharge hose. The latter is easier to install and holds less waste. It also uses slightly more water per flush, so I have to be more diligent about emptying the holding tank. So far, so good.

Good luck, all. Different strokes ...

Joel
Pokey III
'78 Pearson 323
Bayside, NY

[rtbates]

This past sunday I got the Lavac installed in our 25D and it works great. The pump is installed right behind the bowl. Both inlet and outlet have loops that go just above the water line. I used the largest anti-siphon valve and it leaves about 6" of water in the bowl after pumping with the lid shut. I'll most likely enlarge the hole to leaves less water. With every pump stroke the bowl level drops a good 1-1.5", and for the first time I can hear waste water running down the outlet piping with every stroke. After finishing the dry pump (lid open) the bowl is completely dry. There remains maybe 1/2 of water at the very bottom of the unit in the oulet pipe below the bowl. And it nevers rises. So far I couldn't be more pleased. Hopefully with the bowled closed off by the two seals head orders are a thing of the past. I'll be a happy capt IF my crew no longer complains about the stinking head!

[Ocean Girl]

Do you by chance have pics of your set up. I've been reading up on the lavacs and like the basic concept, but I would like to see it installed in a cape dory.
Boy, who'd thought reading about potties could be so interesting.
Erika

[rtbates]

Do you by chance have pics of your set up. I've been reading up on the lavacs and like the basic concept, but I would like to see it installed in a cape dory.
Boy, who'd thought reading about potties could be so interesting.
Erika

Not yet. With any luck I'll be back at the boat this weekend and hopefully I'll remember to take my camera and a few pics.

[Renova]

Hi All;

A PO installed a Lavac head on RENOVA, our 1980 CD36 #41. For those of you interested...here are the pics.

<img width="540" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/298 ... 737712.jpg">

<img width="540" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/298 ... a12a59.jpg">

<img width="540" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/298 ... a8541b.jpg">


Some things to note.
- We haven't had any problems with the head (we bought the boat in July 2007). Touch wood.
- We initially thought the pump was in an awkward location. Odd to have to navigate the handle when brushing your teeth. But upon closer inspection...there really isn't any other option.
- Our head is smaller than some CD36's. We have a hanging locker on the port side of the forward cabin, and the head is smaller accordingly. This hanging locker is now the "poo locker". It contains the y-valve to direct waste into the bow holding tank or out the throughhull. We put nothing precious in here...just in case! :O)
- The holding tank can be pumped manually from beneath the v-berth cushion, or can be sucked out a deck opening.
- The fat, black pipe in the foreground of the third picture is just a teaser - spare pipe.

Hope this is useful.

Cheers,
Naomi

[JBondy]

Finding a good place for the pump is the real problem with installing the Lavac. Some are able to accomodate it under the sink, which, when the handle is removed, makes a clean looking install.
Re pumping dry: most heads flush best when there is a little water in the bowl prior to use. We try to leave enough for that purpose, but not enough to make a mess when bouncing in a seaway. The sealing lid helps in that regard.

Cheers,

[rtbates]

Hi All;

A PO installed a Lavac head on RENOVA, our 1980 CD36 #41. For those of you interested...here are the pics.

<img width="540" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/298 ... 737712.jpg">

<img width="540" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/298 ... a12a59.jpg">

<img width="540" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/298 ... a8541b.jpg">


Some things to note.
- We haven't had any problems with the head (we bought the boat in July 2007). Touch wood.
- We initially thought the pump was in an awkward location. Odd to have to navigate the handle when brushing your teeth. But upon closer inspection...there really isn't any other option.
- Our head is smaller than some CD36's. We have a hanging locker on the port side of the forward cabin, and the head is smaller accordingly. This hanging locker is now the "poo locker". It contains the y-valve to direct waste into the bow holding tank or out the throughhull. We put nothing precious in here...just in case! :O)
- The holding tank can be pumped manually from beneath the v-berth cushion, or can be sucked out a deck opening.
- The fat, black pipe in the foreground of the third picture is just a teaser - spare pipe.

Hope this is useful.

Cheers,
Naomi

You should be able to remove the pump handle when it's not being used.

I bent mine about 60° to fit under the wooden bench I built over our head so it could stay in place.

[Ocean Girl]

Where can you buy a Lavac?
Thanks,
Erika

[Sea Hunt]

Check out the following website:

http://www.lavac.com/orders.htm

[Renova]

You should be able to remove the pump handle when it's not being used.

I bent mine about 60° to fit under the wooden bench I built over our head so it could stay in place.

Thanks Randy! We didn't even think about bending it - great idea!

[Troy Scott]

Folks,

I'm considering using one of these two electric diaphragm pumps for pumping out the holding tank in "safe to discharge" areas. Both are priced from Defender.

HERE'S ONE:
Filterless Waste Pump
12 Volt, 8 Amps
1-1/2" ports, 5 gpm
Item #: 506367
Manufacturer: ITT JABSCO
Model #: 50890-1000
Shipping Weight: 5.00 Lbs.
Our Price: $224.99

HERE'S THE OTHER:
SaniPump Discharge Pump
12vdc
Item #: 500370
Manufacturer: SEALAND
Model #: 317301200
Shipping Weight: 3.60 Lbs.
Our Price: $249.99

Has anyone had experience, good or bad with either of these? I know some of you have had good luck with the Sealand "SaniPump", but I think maybe this Jabsco pump is a new model. Thoughts?