High clean water level in toilet bowl

[johnn33]

Hi John 320 On my small boat I have a Jabsco pumping to sea (no holding tank). I shall need please your questions as well as photos so I can get the best result for you; I have not used a Lavac for several years.
John

[dgoddin]

I have the same problem. We use fresh water to flush (from the shower nozzle) to keep the smell down and have replaced the jocker valve several times. I've noticed weather pressure impacts if we get water in the bowl and I read the collection of water could also be coming from a clogged vent. Given the pressure observation, I'm leaning toward a clogged vent ... maybe some insects got in there and a screen needs to be cleaned out.

[peghall]

Better yet, knock out the screen...they create more problems than they prevent. Then, to prevent future vent blockages, put a hose nozzle against the vent thru-hull and back flush the vent line every time you wash the boat. Any critters who try to set up house keeping in the vent line will just get a water slide ride into the tank.

Assuming that your sink drain thru-hull is below waterline and is on the same side of the keel as your toilet, there's a better way to supply flush water than using the shower head:

Re-route the toilet intake hose to tee or wye it into the sink drain line as close to the seacock as possible because the connection must be below waterline to work.This will allow you to flush normally with sea water, conserving your fresh water. After you’ve closed the sink drain seacock in preparation to close up the boat (you do close all seacocks before leaving the boat to sit??), fill the sink with clean fresh water and flush the toilet. Because the seacock is closed, the toilet will draw the water out of the sink, rinsing the sea water out of the entire system—intake line, pump, channel in the rim of the bowl and the discharge line,(Water poured into the bowl only rinses out the toilet discharge line). If your toilet is electric, be careful not to let it run dry…doing so can burn out the intake impeller. Or you can keep the sink drain seacock closed except when it's needed to drain the sink and flush with fresh water down the sink all the time...your choice.
It may also be necessary to keep the sink plugged except when in use, with a rubber sink plug or by installing a conveniently located shut-off valve in the drain hose. Otherwise the toilet may pull air through the sink when you try to flush, preventing the pump from priming.

--Peggie

[Tartan31]

Here is a link to a copy of the owners manual for the Lavac head.

https://manualzz.com/doc/7165434/la-...-lavac-taylors

They are great units albeit a little bit different from the regular heads on most boats in the US. We are very happy with our Lavac head.

[Malahi]

I have a Lavac loo, and also Jabsco ones on another boat, so I know how they both work. They are very different in operation.

The Lavac works with a standard Henderson pump (like a manual bilge pump) which pulls the contents of the loo bowl out and pumps it to holding tank or sea. Fresh (or clean sea) water is drawn into the vacuum created because the loo seat and cover have rubber seals. That is all there is to it!! No joker valve or any other valves in the piping, except for a small air bleed valve.

The air bleed valve is pushed into a hole drilled at the highest point of the loop in the inlet pipe. This allows a little air into the system, preventing syphoning and releasing the vacuum when pumping stops.

The installation kit contains two air bleed valves of different sizes. For installations on or above the water line, use the white plastic bleed plug. For installations below the water line, use the black plastic bleed plug.

Attached (hopefully) is an electronic copy of the manual. Don't try to add to the system, or treat it like a Jabsco, or it will not work.

Good luck!

[Clivevon]

The Lavac bleed plug reference is Lavac TLZ9251 Bleed Plug kit - about GBP£4. You get 2 plugs - 1 black & 1 white.
https://sparesmarine.co.uk/webshop/t...or-inlet-hose/

[randomrun]

My Nicholson 35 has a factory installed Lavac with a vented loop above the Henderson Pump. It has worked flawlessly for 45 years.

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by John320

Hello,
I know this was discussed before and I know Peghall came out the clear winner in the knowledge bit!
I have the same problem. I am paranoid about through valves, especially on toilets so I keep all valves closed unless they are in use. Nevertheless the water level sits very high. Obviously it finds its level before I close the through hulls. Any ideas?
Attached a pic.

If the toilet bowl fills up after the inlet and outlet valves are closed it stands to reason you have a leaking inlet or outlet valve and the anti-syphon solenoid relieve valve is blocked.

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by John320

Hello,
I know this was discussed before and I know Peghall came out the clear winner in the knowledge bit!
I have the same problem. I am paranoid about through valves, especially on toilets so I keep all valves closed unless they are in use. Nevertheless the water level sits very high. Obviously it finds its level before I close the through hulls. Any ideas?
Attached a pic.

Yes, you have a leaky through hull valve and a blocked anty syphon valve.

[Moon Snail]

Reading further in the Lavac manual, (Installation Summary point #4) it says the water level remaining in the bowl is controlled by the size hole in the Air Bleed Valve, which is a small hole drilled in the inlet hose loop. "The larger the hole, the less water remains in the bowl"
If you google Lavac you will find the manual online.

[John320]

Hello,
Apologies for not replying sooner.
Attached is my solution to high water level. Works perfectly. Thanks to all who helped.
John