Head: Jabsco 12 volt electric conversion kit

[hdevera]

I just purchased a jabsco toilet 12 volt conversion kit.  It fits the compact head pump assembly perfectly.  Just replace one for the other and connect wiring.  I have not installed it yet, but was wondering if anyone already has. Comments on satisfaction with this kit would be helpful, before I decide to install it.  It's easier to return, if I decide not to install it.  THANKS.

[Ed Ryan]

Hal,

When I purchased our boat the PO had installed such a kit.  Worked fine at the time, although I found out later that he seldom used it.  I had nothing but trouble with it and finally removed the whole head, conversion kit included, and replaced it with a PH II.  The main problems were voltage (they are very sensitive to having proper voltage so if your out and the voltage has decreased, it can be a problem).  The other was that the impeller would freeze up, and was a messy job to clear/replace. Finally, if the electric part didn't work, you were stuck since it couln't be operated manually.  If you do go ahead with it, make sure the wire is properly sized (or oversized) running to the head to minimize the voltage drop.

Ed. Ryan

[hdevera]

Ed,

Was your toilet a jabsco or another model?  Sounds like it could have been a Raritan.  I understand that the jabsco conversion kit has adaptors that can fit other types of heads.  If this was your case, the adaptor may have been the source of the problem... if not, I may just return the unit.  Thanks.

Hal

[jentine]

I installed one eight years ago and it is the best upgrade I made.  It has lasted through two toilets with not so much as a single misfire.  If all the other equipment worked as well as this, I would spend all my time sailing and none maintaining.
Jim Kane

[Mike Smith]

If the Raritan electric conversion unit goes out, you can easily disconnect it and operate the head manually.

Mike

[Ed Ryan]

Hal,

I was never able to ID the mfgr of the original head, although the PO had material on an adaptor for the unit, so I believe that the head was not a Jabsco.  Since the boat is a 1989 O'Day (it has a M25XP, so that's the main reason I find this forum so useful)I figured it was time to replace the head.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Ed

[kss1220]

I have two instances over a 1year period where the pump just stopped pupming.  After disassembley I found that the impellar was totally pack full of _____.  Not a pleasant experince.  The chopper blades apparently were not enough to break everything up.  One of the keys is that you must use a lot of water.  I find that my tank fills up a lot quicker with the addition of the electric version.  One other problem was that if you try and regulate the flow of in coming water supply and use the original toilet water supply hose (in my case it is the same thru-hull as the shower pan drain is hooked to) and you engage the diaphram pump to drain the shower pan it will fill the toilet with all the waste water.  So think about where the most sutiable petcock.

Kelly

[hdevera]

Kelly,

Is your head a jabsco or are you using an adaptor to fit the electric conversion kit to another model of toilet?  I have the impression that using an adaptor may be the culprit in poor function of the conversion kit.

Hal

[hdevera]

Installed the Jabsco 12v electric conversion kit today.  It was easy to install.  Seems to work great.  A little noisy but I beieve it will be a welcome upgrade.  I'll respond again if any problems develop.