Electic Toilet water supply-gctid376256

[Guest]

Hello all, I have gravity water being supplied to the toilets (jabsco electrics) from the water supply before the water pump.

When the water level in the tanks is high, the bowls fill with water, and the rear head on our 4588 has overflowed once. When the tanks are very low on water the toilets suffer from working too hard to get water.

I am planning to install a 12 volt, normally closed solenoid on each of the toilet supply lines and having them energized at the same time the toilet pump is activated. Water supply will now, come from the pressure side of the system with perhaps a flow restrictor if the water flow is higher than required.

Can any interested readers shoot holes in this plan or suggest a better idea?

Thanks all. Cheers steve

[Guest]

By putting in a solenoid, you will fix your first problem and not your second. The electric toilets will fill up to the level of the water tank on a gravity fed system. To solve your problem, I would use salt water for both of your electric toilets. (This will save on your fresh water and allow you to stay out longer). This means you will need 2 more holes in your boat and 2 more pumps to draw the water into the toilet or I would take the toilets out and change to a vacuflush system using the same gravity fed water line. Vacuflush systems use less water and are very stable if maintained properly. On my 4387, my electric toilets draw salt water and the main problems seem to be keeping the seals clean after each trip. This is accomplished by flushing with fresh water and a little vinegar. Hope this helps.

[Go Aweigh2452]

I too like the idea of salt water flush for the same reasons mentioned. I think you can operate both heads with one pump however but it will depend on the hose run to the second head...

My system uses either salt or fresh water depending on where I am and how much water I want to keep (I only have a 24 gallon water tank). Takes a couple of switches and one additional through hull to accomplish my change over from salt to fresh or vs...

I normally keep it in the salt water position and just maintain a good watch on the black water tank and treat it frequently. So far no problems...

[completelymobile]

[QUOTE=My system uses either salt or fresh water depending on where I am and how much water I want to keep (I only have a 24 gallon water tank). Takes a couple of switches and one additional through hull to accomplish my change over from salt to fresh or vs...[/QUOTE]

This is what I did and it works great. No smelly heads if you switch it to fresh water and flush once your done using the raw water side.

[Guest]

Hello, I have just switched to fresh water and going back to salt is not an option, just because my wife says so. End of discussion........ I do like the dual salt fresh idea, but any added complexity would be........DENIED. My wife askes so little, and has ended up married to....me,.... So if she wants fresh water toilets, she shall have them.

In regard to the solenoid solving the first problem and not the second I assume you are speaking of overflowing and not getting enough water.

Should not normally closed solenoids, hooked up to pressurized water, that only allows water into the toilets when the pump switch is on ( momentary) prevent water from filling the toilet when not in use? Normally closed solenoid will only allow water to flow when the electric toilet switch is being pushed to flush the toilet. As for lack of water when tanks are low, this will never happen as long as the pressure pump is working.

As for running low on water we are pretty conservative and running low has never been a problem. In addition not having a generator, we have room for a soon to be installed 100 gallon water tank in the lazzarrett. This will act as ballast for our now underweight, and perhaps more tippy 4588, and allow us to pump from this rear tank to the main tank when required. This will give us 320 gallons of fresh water total.

Thanks again for your input. Steve