The Modern-day Flush: Push All the Right Buttons

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Several of the units PS looked at came with what might be called “smart” flushing capability. Instead of a simple momentary switch—push to flush, release to stop flushing—these switches controlled flow and the timing of various filling and flushing functions. Most allowed for about a half-gallon of water for a full flush, and a five-second delay between rinse and flush.

1. The Jabsco Lite Flush panel offered a buffet of functions: fill, flush, empty, and quick flush, which uses very little water.

2. Johnson Pumps Aqua-T (80-47436-01) had a simple membrane “push-to-flush” button, an interface that left no ambiguity.

3. & 4. The more rugged and nearly identical rocker switches on the Johnson Pumps Aqua-T (80-47231-01) and the Jabsco Quiet Flush allowed for simultaneous fill and flush, fill, or flush. Testers found this a good compromise between automation and manual control, without becoming too complicated.

Darrell Nicholson
Darrell Nicholson is editor emeritus of Practical Sailor. He is a longtime liveaboard sailor and has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans. A winner of dozens of writing awards in disparate genres, he currently edits Marine Electronics Journal for the National Marine Electronics Association. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license and sails his S&S-designed Yankee 30, Opal, out of St. Petersburg, Florida. He can be reached at darrellnicholson.com.