Freshwater head conversion

[wtsheff]

I have marine elegance electric heads with remote sea water pumps on a sportfisher. I am going to convert them to freshwater per this guide.

https://www.sailmagazine.com/diy/kno...ectric-toilets

The only thing that seems odd or unclear is it appear this author is saying the pressured fresh water should be injected on the line between the seawater pump and the thruhull as opposed to the the line between the pump and the head. Why would I want my water to have to pass thru this pump. I assume it’s a diaphragm style pump and would not even work ? Am I missing something here for some biological reason?

[rwidman]

I'm not going to read the article and I can't tell you why you're supposed to do any particular thing, but I am going to say this:

Cross contamination (allowing sewage to enter your potable water system) is very dangerous and can lead to some really bad diseases. A simple check valve is not sufficient to prevent this from happening.

The safest way to have a fresh water toilet on a boat is to install a fresh water toilet. One that has been designed and manufactured to be safely connected to the potable water system.

[mvweebles]

The article seems to focus on converting a head that is not designed for freshwater flush and has installed a check-valve and a solenoid to isolate the water. The Elegance is designed for freshwater - saltwater flush is an option that your head apparently already has. Why not just use the freshwater flush Raritan elegantly designed and installed into the head?

Peter

[wtsheff]

Awesome - Thanks for the feedback on my head basically being ready to go.

[S/V Illusion]

The reason they recommend connection at the pump is to ensure positive pressure thereby precluding the possibility of backflow.

There is nothing inherently wrong with converting this head to fresh water if you use a dedicated isolated source water tank.

[mvweebles]

OP is fortunate to have a Marine Elegance head - it's about the best head out there right now. Many, many happy customers.

Here's the install manual - just hook-up the freshwater side if it isn't already hooked-up.

https://www.raritaneng.com/fileslibr...L490-v0816.pdf

Peter

[wtsheff]

Awesome - THANK YOU - this will be even easier than I thought!

[flightlead404]

Interestingly I'm considering going the other way. I only have 75G of water and the head is our largest consumer by far.

[mvweebles]

Originally Posted by flightlead404

Interestingly I'm considering going the other way. I only have 75G of water and the head is our largest consumer by far.

If interested, I have a Groco Model K-E (Electric) for sale in the classifieds for $700. With the electric option, it's a $2000 head new. I purchased it new 25-years ago. This is a classic bronze piston pump that is downright bulletproof. Also has elongated seat for comfort.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...sh-255144.html

Peter

[peghall]

Fwiw, the Marine Elegance is designed to use pressurized fresh water...it CAN use sea water via a remote intake pump. Each uses a separate inlet fitting in the bowl to prevent contaminating the fresh water supply with sea water. In fact, Raritan even offers a kit that makes it possible to switch between fresh and sea at will Raritan seafresh.pdf.



Apparently the PO of your boat didn't bother to keep the "Installation, Operation and Maintenance Instructions" (aka "owners manual") Raritan Marine Elegance Owners Manual I suggest you download and save or print it for future reference.

--Peggie