Raritan toilet question

[sndog]

I am about to place the order for my two new toilets for my boat. And all the reviews and feedback tell me Raritan is the way to go.

So my questions are as follows:

Is there any real difference, besides size, on the Raritan Marine Elegance and Raritan Atlantes
I know the marine elegance, there is no fancy bidet that will fit it, but will the Atlantes fit a regular Bidet.

Thank you

 

[Comodave]

I have a Marine Elegance. I put a bidet on it. Works great. Got this one on Amazon for $39,

Bio Bidet Essential Bidet Attachment for Toilet, Non Electric, Self Cleaning Dual Nozzles for Front and Rear Cold Water Wash, Adjustable Water Pressure, Wooden Knob, White​

 

[SteveK]

I recall there is a height difference allowing for most that have a raised mount location.
Higher one sits on same as floor level.

 

[Comodave]

There are height options, back straight or slanted and elongated or standard bowl shapes. 12 or 24 volt available too. I have a 24 volt in the current boat. You can also get a Bluetooth option and download their app to control it. Pretty versatile.

 

[PhilPB]

I went with the taller Raritan ME (straight back) and then added an additional 1 1/2" (2 layers of 3/4" Starboard to the head deck to raise it a bit more. I was very happy with the end result. Went 12volt freshwater flush.

 

[Bmarler]

The bowl shapes are different, and a hear feedback that the ME uses less water because of it.
I have the ME as a replacement for the vacuflush I pulled out, and the seat is definitely smaller. It’s nice, and surely usable, but I wish it was a bit larger.
I also hear the Atlantis when fitted with the smart control is a very nice combo. Most comparisons favor ME though.

 

[Comodave]

I went with the taller Raritan ME (straight back) and then added an additional 1 1/2" (2 layers of 3/4" Starboard to the head deck to raise it a bit more. I was very happy with the end result. Went 12volt freshwater flush.

You must be pretty tall, can your wife reach the deck while sitting on it???

 

[Moon]

I have installed Raritan ME toilets on my previous boat and purchased them for the boat I am rehabbing now. Each time I install them I replace all of the waste lines and water lines. In my last boat I opted for the dual flush (fresh or raw water) because the holding tank was only 60 gallons. Raw water stinks to high heaven when it sits. I ended up never using the raw water feature. This time I went with the fresh water flush only MEs. They are great toilets! Quiet and reliable. No clogs, unlike the toilets I removed. The ability to flush with or without water is a plus if there is a clog. I urge you to run new waste lines if you can. Old lines get clogged easily and allow odors to escape. It’s a PITA but you will be glad you did it!

 

[HeadedToTexas]

I am sure the Elegance is elegant; sure looks so, but the job of replacing joker valves is far less so. I didn't have a Raritan Marine Elegance and instead had the Jabsco model of similar "fully enclosed" design. On my boat, that meant removing the head to access the mechanism inside. For me, that was to clear an unfortunate clog. Memorable job.

So memorable that I decided to replace the Jabsco Elegance (for lack of a better name) with an older and less elegant Raritan Sea Era like I have on our other head aboard. Yes, you can see the connections and motor and valve housing, but you can see the connections and motor and valve housing! In my mind (and aching knees and back), that makes maintenance much easier and well worth the perhaps less elegant design. Food for thought.

 

[Takoradi]

I have installed Raritan ME toilets on my previous boat and purchased them for the boat I am rehabbing now. Each time I install them I replace all of the waste lines and water lines. In my last boat I opted for the dual flush (fresh or raw water) because the holding tank was only 60 gallons. Raw water stinks to high heaven when it sits. I ended up never using the raw water feature. This time I went with the fresh water flush only MEs. They are great toilets! Quiet and reliable. No clogs, unlike the toilets I removed. The ability to flush with or without water is a plus if there is a clog. I urge you to run new waste lines if you can. Old lines get clogged easily and allow odors to escape. It’s a PITA but you will be glad you did it!

And if you have an older boat with 1” piping, move it all to 1 1/2 and use Saniflex. Worth the money. ME really pushes waste and the 1” clogs way too easily.

 

[Comodave]

I have installed Raritan ME toilets on my previous boat and purchased them for the boat I am rehabbing now. Each time I install them I replace all of the waste lines and water lines. In my last boat I opted for the dual flush (fresh or raw water) because the holding tank was only 60 gallons. Raw water stinks to high heaven when it sits. I ended up never using the raw water feature. This time I went with the fresh water flush only MEs. They are great toilets! Quiet and reliable. No clogs, unlike the toilets I removed. The ability to flush with or without water is a plus if there is a clog. I urge you to run new waste lines if you can. Old lines get clogged easily and allow odors to escape. It’s a PITA but you will be glad you did it!

Excellent advice on the hose replacement. Make sure you use Raritan Saniflex hose. Defender sell it by the foot and had the best price last time I bought some. With the ME head you can either use 1” or 1.5” hose for discharge. I use 1” because it takes a lot less water to flush it clean after a poop. Also I used the old 1.5” hose as a chase for the new 1” hose. I cleaned the old hose and then scoped it to make sure there were no obstructions. Then we ran 36’ of new 1” hose in less than an hour. Worked great.

 

[SteveK]

And if you have an older boat with 1” piping, move it all to 1 1/2 and use Saniflex. Worth the money. ME really pushes waste and the 1” clogs way too easily.

The ME has the macerator at the head. I am curious how a liquid gets clogged. 2nd boat with the ME and 1 inch lines.

 

[HeadedToTexas]

It wasn't an ME, but I believe the designs are similar. The hose was kinked inside the porcelain body and that created problems over time. We had only owned the boat for a couple months when that reared its ugly head. The new Sea Era has been flawless.

As far as I know, the material difference between the exposed design of the Sea Era and the enclosed design of the Elegance is the enclosure. The mechanicals inside are virtually identical.

 

[Comodave]

I have installed Marine Elegance heads in multiple boats. I always use 1” hose for discharge. The head macerates the sewage so it is really like a slurry mix. The 1” hose holds much less water so I can much more easily flush it clean each time there are solids. I have never had any clogs at all. My discharge hose on the current boat is 36’ long. The 1” hose will hold less than 1.5 gallons. If it were 1.5” hose it would hold 3.3 gallons. I use so much less water flushing the hose clean so I don’t fill the holding tank as quickly. If you do a good flush each time you flush solids it won’t clog. Also I used the old 1.5” hose as a conduit to run the new 1” hose, simple.

 

[Nepidae]

IF you haven't done the install yet then forget the hoses, except to connect to a sanitary hard PVC pipe between the head the holding tank. Hoses to the head end and the tank end.

I think you'll get more life and service from the pvc pipe.

 

[Ken E.]

It wasn't an ME, but I believe the designs are similar. The hose was kinked inside the porcelain body and that created problems over time. We had only owned the boat for a couple months when that reared its ugly head. The new Sea Era has been flawless.

As far as I know, the material difference between the exposed design of the Sea Era and the enclosed design of the Elegance is the enclosure. The mechanicals inside are virtually identical.

That's my understanding too. I've had Sea Era heads in my boat for 10 years. Never a problem.

 

[sndog]

And if you have an older boat with 1” piping, move it all to 1 1/2 and use Saniflex. Worth the money. ME really pushes waste and the 1” clogs way too easily.

I am installing 1.5" PVC, with 1.5" saniflex to the toilet to pipe, and pipe to y valves, yalves to tank and purasan.

 

[sndog]

Excellent advice on the hose replacement. Make sure you use Raritan Saniflex hose. Defender sell it by the foot and had the best price last time I bought some. With the ME head you can either use 1” or 1.5” hose for discharge. I use 1” because it takes a lot less water to flush it clean after a poop. Also I used the old 1.5” hose as a chase for the new 1” hose. I cleaned the old hose and then scoped it to make sure there were no obstructions. Then we ran 36’ of new 1” hose in less than an hour. Worked great.

You are using 1" Raritan recommended 1.5" Any issues with 1"? One toilet to the Purasan and holding tank will be about 35~45ft.

 

[sndog]

IF you haven't done the install yet then forget the hoses, except to connect to a sanitary hard PVC pipe between the head the holding tank. Hoses to the head end and the tank end.

I think you'll get more life and service from the pvc pipe.

That is the current game plan.

 

[rslifkin]

You are using 1" Raritan recommended 1.5" Any issues with 1"? One toilet to the Purasan and holding tank will be about 35~45ft.

Unless I've lost my mind, Raritan is OK with either 1" or 1.5" for the macerating electric toilets.

 

[SteveK]

Unless I've lost my mind, Raritan is OK with either 1" or 1.5" for the macerating electric toilets.

I suspect Raritan provides for 1-1/2" for those who retro fit using existing hose which appears standard size 1-1/2".
But these heads only need 1" for those who are willing to change the hose for whatever reason.

 

[HeadedToTexas]

My discharge hose on the current boat is 36’ long.

36 feet! Wow. That says a lot.

 

[SteveK]

36 feet! Wow. That says a lot.

exactly, most people use tanks to store it.

 

[HeadMistress]

1.5" is the standard inlet and discharge fittings size on holding tanks and Raritan treatment devices.

--Peggie

 

[sndog]

1.5" is the standard inlet and discharge fittings size on holding tanks and Raritan treatment devices.

--Peggie

Peggie, since you are the defacto forum expert, do you think 1" pvc is sufficient for the marine elegance heads? I have two of them I intend to order, then a 25 gallon black water tank, and a purasan unit as well, to one thru-hull. Toilet one to tank system is about 10ft, Toilet two, is about 40. As it has to run from my aft bath thrugh my engine room, thru the tool room/laundry room, then it makes it to the tank system. Vertical rise will be less than 4 ft.

 

[HeadMistress]

This requires more detailed discussion than is practical in open forum...so how 'bout sending me a PM (starting a "conversation") and from there we can go to email (SO much easier than PMs!)

--Peggie

 

[Comodave]

Peggie, since you are the defacto forum expert, do you think 1" pvc is sufficient for the marine elegance heads? I have two of them I intend to order, then a 25 gallon black water tank, and a purasan unit as well, to one thru-hull. Toilet one to tank system is about 10ft, Toilet two, is about 40. As it has to run from my aft bath thrugh my engine room, thru the tool room/laundry room, then it makes it to the tank system. Vertical rise will be less than 4 ft.

I use 1” because it takes so much less water to completely flush the discharge hose clean after solid flushing. My 1” hose holds less than half as much as a 1.5”. Raritan says either hose is fine. But since the ME is a macerating head there are no chunks to clog the hose but rather a slurry.

 

[Comodave]

You are using 1" Raritan recommended 1.5" Any issues with 1"? One toilet to the Purasan and holding tank will be about 35~45ft.

No, Raritan says either hose size is fine. The 1” is better with long runs because it takes so much less water to flush the hose clean after solids. We always pump some extra water when we flush solids. With the ME it takes 2 regular flushes to get the solid slurry into the holding tank. If we had the 1.5” hose it would take about 5 flushes. Huge savings in water and therefore holding tank capacity. I know exactly how much water is required to get the stuff into the holding tank because when we installed it I tested it to see how many flushes it took to get the water to the holding tank.

 

[Mac2]

I have three MEs and used 1 inch PVC on all of them. Longest run is about 25 feet with three 90s. Five years and not one issue. I use the water saver flush one to two times depending.

 

[Comodave]

The PVC should last longer and not smell if you have straight enough runs to fit it in. Otherwise SaniFlex is the wa to go.