Vacuum-Flush Toilets
Switching to a vacuum flush system requires some changes in habit. With some systems, it is important to turn off the power to the system at a proper switch or breaker whenever leaving the boat for long periods. If any of the seals in the toilet or hoses should begin to leak, the vacuum pressure would drop and the vacuum generator would turn on automatically, gradually running down the ships batteries.
Users also will have to be more vigilant about what goes into the toilet. Reduced water usage means that the bowl is not rinsed as well. Some owners provide a separate small garbage bin for users to deposit toilet paper in.
Holding the vacuum pressure is critical. Any leak around any hose fitting would compromise the performance of the system. The installation guides suggest having a digital vacuum gauge (available from Sealand) to assure level integrity, and this would be a good addition on any boat planning a cruise of a year or more.
Although the vacuum-pressure reduces water usage, some of the best electric-flush toilets in our tests were also quite miserly with water, and more forgiving with solids. If you host many guests who are unschooled in the ways of the marine toilet, you should also look at other models that have vortex-type water pumps to break and wash out solid waste.
For advice on choosing installing the best marine toilet for your boat, purchase and download Marine Sanitation Systems, Volume 1 – Marine Toilets today!
