Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-27-2019, 02:25 PM   #1
DDW
Guru
 
City: San Francisco
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,094
Does a Raritan Marine Elegance use less water than a Vacuflush?

Been lots of threads on replacing marine heads, but I am interested in only this subject from people who have swapped from the Vacuflush. The head seems to use more water than showers on our boat (and yes, we do take showers!).

I know the Raritan can be had with switchable fresh/sea water flush, but the seawater requires a pump and thru hull, and will stink a little more after awhile.
DDW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 03:37 PM   #2
Guru
 
HeadMistress's Avatar


 
City: AR
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,515
With the addition of the optional "Smart Flush" panel which provides 4 choices, the Marine Elegance can actually use less flush water than a VF actually needs to keep the hoses, pump and duckbills rinsed out enough to prevent problems with it (90% of problems are caused by using too little water).


In the 10 years since Raritan introduced the Elegance, I've yet to hear from--or about--anyone who's complained about a sea water odor problem from the remote intake pump.


--Peggie
__________________
© 2024 Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since '87.
Author "The NEW Get Rid of Boat Odors"
HeadMistress is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 03:39 PM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
Comodave's Avatar
 
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,189
Per Peggie, you need to flush more with a Vacuflush than most people do. I don’t know which uses more water but I suspect that they are close if you actually use the proper amount if water in the Vacuflush. One advantage with the ME is that you have the option of using 1” discharge hose which will take less water to flush the crap to the holding tank than a 1 1/2” hose. I just got my new ME on Monday and will be installing it over the winter.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
Comodave is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 03:46 PM   #4
Guru
 
FoxtrotCharlie's Avatar
 
City: Mississippi
Vessel Name: ADAGIO
Vessel Model: CHB Present 42 Sundeck
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 920
Quote:
Originally Posted by Comodave View Post
Per Peggie, you need to flush more with a Vacuflush than most people do. I don’t know which uses more water but I suspect that they are close if you actually use the proper amount if water in the Vacuflush. One advantage with the ME is that you have the option of using 1” discharge hose which will take less water to flush the crap to the holding tank than a 1 1/2” hose. I just got my new ME on Monday and will be installing it over the winter.
Our ME just arrived last week also But I think I will go with the 1.5" lines - just can't imagine, or bring myself to put a 1" drain line on a toilet
FoxtrotCharlie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 04:01 PM   #5
DDW
Guru
 
City: San Francisco
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,094
Sounds like not a dramatic difference.

If I swap, I'm thinking of using the sea water anchor washdown pump circuit for the sea water flush source. The pump is already needed, the thru hull already there. Only difference would be I'd need to leave it powered.

Any problems with the ME head connected to a fairly powerful washdown pump? The one currently in place is a wimpy Whale thing, I plan to replace it with something that can actually wash an anchor.
DDW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 04:10 PM   #6
Guru
 
HeadMistress's Avatar


 
City: AR
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,515
Any problems with the ME head connected to a fairly powerful washdown pump?


I'd install a pump that meets the water volume and pressure specs called for in the installation instructions Raritan Marine Elegance Owners Manual

And also keep in mind that you do need to install the SeaFresh system Raritan seafresh.pdf to be able to use both fresh and sea water, you can't just connect both water sources.


--Peggie
__________________
© 2024 Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since '87.
Author "The NEW Get Rid of Boat Odors"
HeadMistress is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 04:19 PM   #7
Moderator Emeritus
 
Comodave's Avatar
 
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,189
Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxtrotCharlie View Post
Our ME just arrived last week also But I think I will go with the 1.5" lines - just can't imagine, or bring myself to put a 1" drain line on a toilet
Remember that the ME is a macerating head so there won’t be any large chunks going into the discharge hose.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
Comodave is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 05:07 PM   #8
DDW
Guru
 
City: San Francisco
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,094
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadMistress View Post
Any problems with the ME head connected to a fairly powerful washdown pump?


I'd install a pump that meets the water volume and pressure specs called for in the installation instructions Raritan Marine Elegance Owners Manual

--Peggie
The specs only list minimum volume and pressure, which any washdown pump will do. The question is will it stand 60 psi or even more, that a good washdown pump will put out?
DDW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 06:14 PM   #9
Guru
 
FoxtrotCharlie's Avatar
 
City: Mississippi
Vessel Name: ADAGIO
Vessel Model: CHB Present 42 Sundeck
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 920
Quote:
Originally Posted by Comodave View Post
Remember that the ME is a macerating head so there won’t be any large chunks going into the discharge hose.
I know, I know. But as a landlord who has seen his share of plugged-up plumbing ......
FoxtrotCharlie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 06:24 PM   #10
Moderator Emeritus
 
ksanders's Avatar
 
City: SEWARD ALASKA
Vessel Name: DOS PECES
Vessel Model: BAYLINER 4788
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,266
Now I’m curious.

For those who have removed a VF head and replaced with a Marine Elegance...

Thinking of the physical side of the installation, and the deck fittings that the VF uses, how did the installation work out?

* Were you able to down discharge like the VF?
* 1.5” hose like the VF?
* Capable of pumping a bit upward like the VF?
* Was the original VF deck hole completely covered, or did you need to fabricate a deck plate to complete the installation?


I’m pretty happy right now with my VF heads, but one of them has the vacuum generator in a not so easy to access spot, making it a candidate for possible replacement.

Both of my heads go to a 1.5” wye fitting and then to the holding tank, no valves in the way.
__________________
Kevin Sanders
Bayliner 4788 Dos Peces
Seward, Alaska - La Paz, Baja California Sur
https://maps.findmespot.com/s/XLJZ#history/assets
ksanders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 06:31 PM   #11
Moderator Emeritus
 
Comodave's Avatar
 
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,189
Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxtrotCharlie View Post
I know, I know. But as a landlord who has seen his share of plugged-up plumbing ......
Have you looked at what comes out of the macerator? It is basically a slurry that I don’t see as a problem plugging up the hose. With the smaller hose you will be able to completely clear the poop to the holding tank with less water and therefore I think it will keep the hose cleaner since you won’t be as leery about using a bit more water to completely flush the hose.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
Comodave is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 06:34 PM   #12
Moderator Emeritus
 
Comodave's Avatar
 
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,189
Quote:
Originally Posted by ksanders View Post
Now I’m curious.

For those who have removed a VF head and replaced with a Marine Elegance...

Thinking of the physical side of the installation, and the deck fittings that the VF uses, how did the installation work out?

* Were you able to down discharge like the VF?
* 1.5” hose like the VF?
* Capable of pumping a bit upward like the VF?
* Was the original VF deck hole completely covered, or did you need to fabricate a deck plate to complete the installation?


I’m pretty happy right now with my VF heads, but one of them has the vacuum generator in a not so easy to access spot, making it a candidate for possible replacement.

Both of my heads go to a 1.5” wye fitting and then to the holding tank, no valves in the way.
Yes it has a down discharge. I got an adapter so I can back discharge.
Yes it can use either 1” or 1 1/2” discharge hose.
Yes it can pump uphill.
Don’t know about the hole coverage since I have not replaced a Vacuflush.

I did make a 3/4” plywood base for mine since there are multiple holes in the fiberglass from who knows what over its 32 years.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
Comodave is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 06:38 PM   #13
Guru
 
Pau Hana's Avatar


 
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Pau Hana
Vessel Model: 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxtrotCharlie View Post
I know, I know. But as a landlord who has seen his share of plugged-up plumbing ......
My son drops torpedoes the size of human forearm (he's 6'5", around 275).

Our ME chews his remnants with no problem...
__________________
Peter- Marine Insurance Guru at Novamar Insurance Group (206-350-5051) & tuna fishing addict!

1989 52' PT Overseas yachtfisher
Pau Hana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2019, 08:30 PM   #14
Guru
 
HeadMistress's Avatar


 
City: AR
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,515
Quote:
Originally Posted by DDW View Post
The specs only list minimum volume and pressure, which any washdown pump will do. The question is will it stand 60 psi or even more, that a good washdown pump will put out?

That's a question for Raritan. Give 'em a call at 800-352-5630. A real live person actually answers the phone in tech support.


--Peggie
__________________
© 2024 Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since '87.
Author "The NEW Get Rid of Boat Odors"
HeadMistress is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2019, 10:25 AM   #15
Guru
 
Wayfarer's Avatar
 
City: Beaufort, NC USA
Vessel Name: Sylphide
Vessel Model: Kingston Aluminum Yacht 44' Custom
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,228
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pau Hana View Post
My son drops torpedoes the size of human forearm (he's 6'5", around 275).

Our ME chews his remnants with no problem...
Please stop! I can only get SO aroused!
__________________
Dave
Just be nice to each other, dammit.
The Adventures of Sylphide
Wayfarer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2019, 11:48 AM   #16
Moderator Emeritus
 
Comodave's Avatar
 
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,189
As long as he doesn’t post photos even though we usually want photos of everything...
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
Comodave is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2019, 02:48 PM   #17
Guru
 
Ken E.'s Avatar
 
City: Bellingham WA
Vessel Name: Hatt Trick
Vessel Model: 45' Hatteras Convertible
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,973
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadMistress View Post
That's a question for Raritan. Give 'em a call at 800-352-5630. A real live person actually answers the phone in tech support.
A good person to contact at Raritan tech support is Greg Morales. Very knowledgeable about their toilets and pleasant to deal with. I spoke and emailed with Greg on my original Crown toilet installations and am doing so presently on converting them to freshwater SeaEra's.
__________________
Ken on Hatt Trick
Ken E. is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2019, 04:15 PM   #18
Guru
 
stevemitchell's Avatar
 
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: Aruna
Vessel Model: Kristen Yachts 50 Pilot House
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 541
Quote:
Originally Posted by DDW View Post
Been lots of threads on replacing marine heads, but I am interested in only this subject from people who have swapped from the Vacuflush. The head seems to use more water than showers on our boat (and yes, we do take showers!).

I know the Raritan can be had with switchable fresh/sea water flush, but the seawater requires a pump and thru hull, and will stink a little more after awhile.
I had a VacuFlush system on boat for the last year (the boat was new to me a year ago) and switched to Raritan Marine Elegance about 2 months ago. I had two heads, and switched both heads at the same time.

With the VacuFlush system, I had smells almost constantly, mainly due to the tiny size of my tank, and filling it up more often than I'd like. It used a lot of water, IF the crew used it right. That is part of the problem - you have to train them that for solids, they need to give it 7-10 seconds of water to ensure things get where they are supposed to go, and not gum up the works. After a year of use, things were starting to show issues which would have required more maintenance than I would have wanted.

With the Raritan system, I am 100% using less water, as I can go almost 3x as long without pumping out. Not only that, it is dead simple for my crew to use - I even put little colored stickers on the smart toilet control panel buttons that they should use the most often, and matched the colors to... well the input if you know what I mean.

Peggie was instrumental in providing data to help me make this decision.

I also installed a similar system on my previous boat (a sailboat) although I think it was the SeaEra model, but it still used the same control panel. Had it for 4 years with little or no maintenance, and a perfect track record.

Click image for larger version

Name:	water-saver-flush.jpg
Views:	87
Size:	30.3 KB
ID:	94568
__________________
Steve Mitchell - Editor SeaBits.com
m/v Aruna
50 Kristen Yachts Pilothouse
stevemitchell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2019, 07:33 PM   #19
DDW
Guru
 
City: San Francisco
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,094
^^^ Thanks for that info, just what I was looking for.
DDW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2019, 12:43 PM   #20
Guru
 
Moonfish's Avatar


 
City: Port Townsend, WA
Vessel Name: Traveler
Vessel Model: Cheoy Lee 46 LRC
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,576
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pau Hana View Post
My son drops torpedoes the size of human forearm (he's 6'5", around 275).

Our ME chews his remnants with no problem...
LOL! Now THAT is a great example of the depth of actual experience (dispensed with a dose of good humor) that makes reading some threads so worthwhile.
__________________
Darren
m/v Traveler - '79 Cheoy Lee 46 LRC, Port Townsend, WA
https://www.boatertested.com
https://www.theboatgeeks.com
Moonfish is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:33 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012