Head Lubrication

[Happydrv]

It seems that flushing some vegie oil down a head is supposed to lubricate something. Even Raritan say so.
But what can be lubed if it's just flushed down the drain? Seems like the only thing is the joker valve and the sides of the drain lines....

[donradcliffe]

If its pumping hard, the oil will briefly lubricate the pump piston seal. However, for a treatment that lasts longer, pull the piston out and coat the seal with silicon grease.

[billknny]

Vegetable oil is definitely not the best. It doesn't last long, and it can solidify and make a real mess in your holding tank.

Far better is a thick formulation of silicone grease. These are amazingly waterproof, and will not damage the elastomer seals and valves. You need just a TINY bit on the pump o-ring to keep things pumping smoothly for weeks.

Molycote 111

It's great for anyplace onboard you need a truly waterproof grease, and it is even suitable for seals and o-rings in potable water service.

[jamhass]

I've had good success with Superlube , a silicone based waterproof lube.

[peghall]

SuperLube thick grease is what Raritan uses and even includes a one-use tube in their rebuild kits. Available from Ace Hardware and Home Depot for about $7/tube that'll last for several years.

To use it: If your toilet is a Raritan PH II remove the 4 screws that hold the pump on the base and lift the pump just high enough to stick the nozzle on the tube into it...Any other manual toilet: remove the top of the pump and stick the tube nozzle into the pump. Give the tube a healthy squirt--about a tablespoon. Re-attach the pump to the base or replace the top, pump a few times to spread the grease all over the inside of the pump...that should be all the lubrication your toilet will need till next spring if you're a "weekend warrior," at least 6 months if you're a live-aboard...never any need to pour any "head lube" or veggie oil into it. Replace the joker valve annually to maintain the pump's efficiency.


--Peggie

[peghall]

A bit of marine toilet trivia: original manual toilet seals, valves etc were made of leather--and there are still a few super expensive bronze "thrones" that still use leather. Veggie oil was recommended to lubricate them because leather absorbs oil. A couple of tablespoons left to sit for a few hours kept the leather soft for months. As rubber, nibril,neoprene and other materials that do NOT absorb oil replaced leather in marine toilets, people just continued pouring oil down the toilet 'cuz no one had come up with a better way...and still do because veggie oil is cheap, readily available and pouring down the toilet is the only effort required to use it. And all the commercial "head lube" products are liquids because they're as easy to use as veggie oil and people have to replace 'em often...A tube of thick grease that lasts for years isn't very profitable.


--Peggie

[Happydrv]

"Four screws" in the Superflush are lower than the joker valve. IS this where one squirts the lube...? Assuming the pump is the cylinder with the moving, vertical shaft.
This sure makes more sense than running oil down the system.

[peghall]

3 of the 4 screws are clearly visible in the photo on the first page of the SuperFlush owners manual Raritan SuperFlush Owners Manual No need to remove any hoses 'cuz it's not necessary to lift the pump more than 2-3 inches, if that much...just enough to stick the tube nozzle well into it.


I'm glad you think think method makes sense 'cuz it's how Raritan taught me to do it when I spent several days in their shop.



-Peggie

[Happydrv]

This from Mac:
Hello,

The Superflush doesn’t typically need to have lubricant added.

A small amount of Super lube SL1CC-SUPER LUBE: 1CC PACKET W/ RARITAN PRINTING | added to the seal area, is a good idea.

Refer to the bottom of page 2 here http://raritaneng.com/wp-content/upl...perFlushOM.pdf for additional maintenance information.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Thank you!

Mac McCoy

So Peggy, still don't understand where you think I need to squirt a bunch of lube. I see the three of 4 screws in the manual and they are the same screws I asked about in my photo above. this is below the joker valve. What is down there to lubricate?
Thank you.

[Happydrv]

Originally Posted by peghall

SuperLube thick grease is what Raritan uses and even includes a one-use tube in their rebuild kits. Available from Ace Hardware and Home Depot for about $7/tube that'll last for several years.

To use it: If your toilet is a Raritan PH II remove the 4 screws that hold the pump on the base and lift the pump just high enough to stick the nozzle on the tube into it...Any other manual toilet: remove the top of the pump and stick the tube nozzle into the pump. Give the tube a healthy squirt--about a tablespoon. Re-attach the pump to the base or replace the top, pump a few times to spread the grease all over the inside of the pump...that should be all the lubrication your toilet will need till next spring if you're a "weekend warrior," at least 6 months if you're a live-aboard...never any need to pour any "head lube" or veggie oil into it. Replace the joker valve annually to maintain the pump's efficiency.
--Peggie

Mac's thoughts on that:
Dave,

Yes, the grease is exterior.

I’m not sure of the procedure you mentioned. It might be safe procedure, but we don’t recommend it.

Hope this helps.



Mac McCoy