Jabsco toilet (model 37045-0012)...

problem is: water fills bowl whenever washdown pump (sal****er supply
to toilet) breaker is turned on (and therefore the pump runs all the
time). Sounds to me like the solenoid valve has gone bad. Before I dig
in to it and buy a new one, can anyone confirm or suggest another reason
for the problem?

Thanks,
Ken

Ken Hughes wrote:
Jabsco toilet (model 37045-0012)...
problem is: water fills bowl whenever washdown pump (sal****er supply
to toilet) breaker is turned on (and therefore the pump runs all the
time). Sounds to me like the solenoid valve has gone bad. Before I dig
in to it and buy a new one, can anyone confirm or suggest another reason
for the problem?

It sounds like the problem is in the pump or the wiring. 'Cuz a solenoid
valve is just an electrically operated "vented loop"--siphon
breaker--that has an air valve in it that stays open except when the
toilet is flushed, then closes when the flush button is pushed to allow
the pump the prime. It doesn't start the pump, nor it should prevent the
pump from running even if it does fail...the worst it can do is either
fail to close, preventing the pump from priming, or remain open,
allowing the siphon started by flushing to continue, flooding the bowl.

So my guess is, somethin' ain't right in the way your toilet is wired,
or a short has developed that's starting the pump when the breaker is
turned on. Before you start throwing parts at it, I suggest you talk to
Jabsco and maybe a qualified electrician too.

Btw...that toilet is actually designed to use pressurized flush water
from the onboard fresh water supply. It can use a washdown pump to
supply sea water instead, but that's really a work-around. Why did you
opt to go that way instead of quiet, low volume, odorless fresh water?
--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Thanks Peggie...

The boat's 5+ years old and the system's been working flawlessly
(including two summer-long trips to Alaska) until last time out - so
pretty sure it's wired correctly :-) Something's definitely wrong.
The washdown pump is a pressure system. Used to be that when you were
running the washdown hose - the toilet bowl didn't fill (and when you
weren't running the hose or the toilet, the pump shut off
automatically). Now, I gotta believe that the toilet fill valve
(controlled by the solenoid?) is open - causing the pressure pump to run
continuously. I'm headed to the boat this afternoon and will do some
more checking.

Yup, it would be nice to have fresh water filling the bowl - but we
don't carry enough water to use it that way.

Thanks again.
Ken

Peggie Hall wrote:

Ken Hughes wrote:

Jabsco toilet (model 37045-0012)...
problem is: water fills bowl whenever washdown pump (sal****er
supply to toilet) breaker is turned on (and therefore the pump runs
all the time). Sounds to me like the solenoid valve has gone bad.
Before I dig in to it and buy a new one, can anyone confirm or
suggest another reason for the problem?


It sounds like the problem is in the pump or the wiring. 'Cuz a
solenoid valve is just an electrically operated "vented loop"--siphon
breaker--that has an air valve in it that stays open except when the
toilet is flushed, then closes when the flush button is pushed to
allow the pump the prime. It doesn't start the pump, nor it should
prevent the pump from running even if it does fail...the worst it can
do is either fail to close, preventing the pump from priming, or
remain open, allowing the siphon started by flushing to continue,
flooding the bowl.

So my guess is, somethin' ain't right in the way your toilet is wired,
or a short has developed that's starting the pump when the breaker is
turned on. Before you start throwing parts at it, I suggest you talk
to Jabsco and maybe a qualified electrician too.

Btw...that toilet is actually designed to use pressurized flush water
from the onboard fresh water supply. It can use a washdown pump to
supply sea water instead, but that's really a work-around. Why did
you opt to go that way instead of quiet, low volume, odorless fresh
water?

Ken Hughes wrote:
Now, I gotta believe that the toilet fill valve
(controlled by the solenoid?) is open - causing the pressure pump to run
continuously.

I just took a look at the drawing..I should have in the first place (red
face here), 'cuz it's not the type of solenoid valve I thought it
was...it's a water valve that opens and closes kinda like an
electrically operated faucet. In installations that use onboard
pressurized water, it just opens and closes to block or allow the flow
of pressurized water already in the hose...but if, when a sea water pump
is used instead, it starts the pump, you're prob'ly right--if the valve
is stuck open, it would cause the pump to run when the breaker is on to
supply power to the system.

And, if that's the case, sea water mineral buildup could be the culprit.
Try removing the valve (take a look inside the hose when you do...'cuz
if there's buildup in the valve, there most likely will be in the hose
too) and soaking in it a 12% solution of muriatic and water for 30-45
minutes--no longer may dissolve it and solve your problem. If not, a new
valve is prob'ly the answer.
--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Thanks again Peggie. Turns out the fix was simple. One of the power
leads to the solenoid was loose. Just needed a new crimp and all was well.

Peggie Hall wrote:

Ken Hughes wrote:

Now, I gotta believe that the toilet fill valve (controlled by the
solenoid?) is open - causing the pressure pump to run continuously.


I just took a look at the drawing..I should have in the first place
(red face here), 'cuz it's not the type of solenoid valve I thought it
was...it's a water valve that opens and closes kinda like an
electrically operated faucet. In installations that use onboard
pressurized water, it just opens and closes to block or allow the flow
of pressurized water already in the hose...but if, when a sea water
pump is used instead, it starts the pump, you're prob'ly right--if the
valve is stuck open, it would cause the pump to run when the breaker
is on to supply power to the system.

And, if that's the case, sea water mineral buildup could be the
culprit. Try removing the valve (take a look inside the hose when you
do...'cuz if there's buildup in the valve, there most likely will be
in the hose too) and soaking in it a 12% solution of muriatic and
water for 30-45 minutes--no longer may dissolve it and solve your
problem. If not, a new valve is prob'ly the answer.