How many amps do these macerating toilets pull? Will I have to run wires directly to the batteries?
Sea water versions draw about 15-16 amps. Pressurized fresh water water versions draw about 10 amps. Toilets need to be on their own dedicated circuit with dedicated circuit breaker, shared by nothing else--not even cabin lights--that can reduce power to the toilet...low voltage will damage the motor. Wiring instructions are spelled out the Raritan Installation, Operation and Maintenance Instructions. Note that the distance measurement is always ROUND TRIP, not just one way.
Since your two choices are an Elegance or a SeaEra, I''m providing links to the promo sheets and manuals for both:
Raritan Marine_Elegance Promo.pdf Raritan Marine Elegance Owners Manual
Raritan SeaEra Promo Sheet Raritan SeaEra Conversion Promo Sheet
Raritan SeaEra owners manual
Although HopCar no longer owns Hopkins Carter Marine, he still has a relationship with them that can get you very good prices.
Is installing a toilet a fairly straight forward remove and replace, or is it more involved? I can R&R stuff but not very good if I have to customize or fabricate things.
You'd be smart to have a certified marine electrician run the wiring, but the plumbing is pretty straightforward...not much different from plumbing a manual toilet.
I also need to replace my hoses, and I think my Y valves are leaking a bit so I need to replace those as well I guess.
Raritan's SaniFlex hose
RaritanSaniFlex hose is a bit pricy, but worth it if you only ever want to do this job once. t's been on the market for nearly 10 years without a single reported odor permeation failure (I haven't heard of a single one either, and I'm pretty sure I would have). It's also so flexible it can be bent like a hairpin without kinking.
How do I make this operation less gross??
It doesn't have to be gross at all IF you do the prep work
before taking anything apart. And this is a good time of year to do it, 'cuz the weather is cool (less odor in cool weather). If you have my book you'll find an entire chapter that has step by step instructions..beginning with:
Measure the amount of new hose you’ll need and buy it (add at least one extra foot as a safety margin). Use sanitation hose throughout the entire system, including the toilet intake and tank vent.
Map out your entire plan and determine solutions to all problems and obstacles before you remove a single hose. Photos can be very useful in helping you map it out, and in finding out what you'll be up against in hard to see areas. In some cases, real time video can even be your eyes while doing the work.
If you discover that you have questions that need answers, or problems you aren’t sure how to solve, ask those questions
before you start any work, because it’s always cheaper and easier to do it right the first time than it is to do it over! I'm always glad to answer 'em.
Put plastic garbage bags or disposable aluminum pans under hose connections to catch any spills. (Warming hoses with a blow dryer makes them easier to remove and replace). Have a couple of rolls paper shop towels (super heavy duty paper towels) handy...you'll need them.
Now you’re ready to start the real work......
Peggie
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't completely understand it yourself." --Albert Einstein