Re: TWL: vucu flush
Finn & Judy Frederiksen" finnsf@execulink.com said ....I explain the use
of the head NOTHING in the Head unless You have eaten it first including
toilet paper..........
I've heard this comment a number of times on the list by posters. I don't
understand -- why would anyone want a head that you had to put the toilet
paper in a wastebasket rather then flushing it?
Dolores & I spent 10 years every summer, all summer every day, flushing
our waste & toilet paper down our Wilcox Headmate. During that period we
only had one problem when the hoses clogged (narrowing from urine). Other
then replacing the "piston ring" and seal at the top, we did no other
maintenance on the Headmate. After the hose clog we started using vinegar
and never had the "hose" problem again.
We have a similar setup on our trawler. In two years of ownership I've
done nothing except pump all into the holding tank.
No criticism implied -- just don't understand having a really expensive
system that seems to clog.
Regards Robby & Dolores [robbyr67@comcast.net]
Robby and Delores, I totally agree with you. I've been aboard boats that
had such a policy and wondered what on earth their owners were thinking, if
at all. Rather than fix a poor-performing toilet, they live with piles of
used TP stinking up the whole area, evidently of the opinion that everyone
does that. As discussed elsewhere, we use Electrasans, and absolutely love
them. The Jabsco electric pumps on our toilets grind all waste, including
TP into such minute pieces, the Electrasan rarely has any problems dealing
with it. When and if that doesn't work, I'd fix it, rather than insist my
friends neatly file their used TP in a wastebasket! I'm lost too. Why
anyone would accept that is beyond me. A macerator that doesn't effectively
macerate is screaming for repair, simple as that. Mandating that friends
and guests not use the macerator for what it was designed seems very strange
to me.
Bob Peterson
-----Original Message-----
From: Robby & Dolores
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2004 8:46 PM
To: finnsf@execulink.com
Cc: Trawler World
Subject: Re: TWL: vucu flush
Finn & Judy Frederiksen" finnsf@execulink.com said ....I explain the use
of the head NOTHING in the Head unless You have eaten it first including
toilet paper..........
I've heard this comment a number of times on the list by posters. I don't
understand -- why would anyone want a head that you had to put the toilet
paper in a wastebasket rather then flushing it?
Bob Peterson wrote:
Robby and Delores, I totally agree with you. I've been aboard boats that
had such a policy and wondered what on earth their owners were thinking, if
at all. Rather than fix a poor-performing toilet, they live with piles of
used TP stinking up the whole area, evidently of the opinion that everyone
does that.
I see no valid reason for owners to avoid flushing TP, but landlubber
guests are another matter...they can clog even the best maintained
system...in fact, I'd estimate that they're responsible for 90% of
clogs. Few men can see themselves conducting a "marine toilet 101" class
for guests, but all too often the alternative can be taking apart a
clogged toilet to remove a wad of facial tissue, a paper towel, or even
a tampon! So unless you can see yourself explaining to your
guests--especially women (who seem to be genetically programmed to use
half a roll per flush)--that they should limit TP to 5 sheets a flush,
or what makes facial tissue different from the TP onboard...and to the
men and women WHY nothing--not even a toothpick--can go down a marine
toilet except small amounts of the toilet paper provided, it's a lot
easier to ask them not to flush ANYthing they haven't eaten first.
That's especially true if you have macerating toilets and/or a Lectra/San.
A macerator that doesn't effectively
macerate is screaming for repair, simple as that.
No macerator can handle paper towels, chewing gum, tampons or
condoms--all of which can be flushed down a household toilet,
though...and there's even a limit to how much TP at a time a macerator
can take without choking.
If all your guests can be trusted never to flush anything but waste and
TP, there's no reason to ask them to do anything different. But we've
all had guests at one time or another that are clueless and happy to
stay that way...and when those are expected, 'tis better to insist that
nothing goes down the toilet they have eaten first than to have to take
the toilet apart--or worse yet, a Lectra/San to unclog it. That doesn't
mean YOU can't flush TP, though...they aren't watching when you're in
the head. :)
Peggie
Peggie, I was not referring to guests; which might very well need such a
lecture and strategy. I was referring to boat owners who preferred to
impose such a restriction rather than deal with a poor-performing head.
BP
-----Original Message-----
From: Peggie Hall [mailto:peg.hall@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2004 8:42 AM
To: Bob Peterson
Cc: 'Robby & Dolores'; finnsf@execulink.com; 'Trawler World'
Subject: Re: TWL: vucu flush
Bob Peterson wrote:
Robby and Delores, I totally agree with you. I've been aboard boats
that had such a policy and wondered what on earth their owners were
thinking, if at all. Rather than fix a poor-performing toilet, they
live with piles of used TP stinking up the whole area, evidently of
the opinion that everyone does that.
I see no valid reason for owners to avoid flushing TP, but landlubber guests
are another matter...