electrically operated toilet experience.

[wborst]

Has anyone had experience with an electrically operated toilet? Our new to us 2003 Mountain Aire has one. I had never seen one before. It seems like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. How is this an improvement to the old foot flush toilet that I had in my fifth wheel?

Are these things reliable? Am I looking at problems down the road? Are they supposed to hold water above the flush valve? If so, is there a replaceable seal? How much trouble is it to replace this seal?

So many question about a solution to a problem that I didn't know I had.

Thanks for you experience.
Bill

[Executive45]

Remember too, press the switch UP to flush and DOWN to add more water to the bowl. You will also go thru most of your fresh water tank in four days if you "forget" and leave it on high...don't ask me how I know.....:B.....Dennis

[DSDP_Don]

"wborst".....Many of the electric toilets have a knob at the back that will let you turn it (screw type) and open the valve in the toilet manually. You probably have an Aries II toilet. They have two push buttons on the side, one to add water and the other to flush.

If you turn the knob on the back, you can open the drain valve all the way. Put on a glove, reach in and clean the seal. Often there is debris caught in the seal. Once clean, turn the knob all the way back until it stops and check how your seal is now working.

The addition of electric toilets and porcelain bases have just made the camping experience better. They're easier to use than pushing pedals and are pretty trouble free. Many newer coaches don't directly drain over the tanks anymore, so some of the toilets even have built-in macerators to pump the fluid to the tank.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

we use plumber silicone "grease" (small jar at Home Depot in Plumbing section). Keeps the seal lubricated. (Use gloves! LOL). We had the electric Thetford toilet in our '04 Country Coach and one day it started flushing by itself. If we hadn't been in the RV it would have flooded. We put an off switch on it so we could turn it off between flushes. Then we replaced it with another Thetford foot flush model which broke in about 7 months right after the warranty ran out! The foot flush mechanism broke. We had to have the toilet removed and a new part installed at our expense. Not cheap. If there was another brand that we could purchase that would fit in the same location with the same plumbing we would replace it. So far it's still working about a year later. For now when you are away from the RV, I would turn off the water and the pump or install an "on-off" switch and keep it turned off when not in use.

[Jim]

Those seals dry out if left without water for too long a time, like when it sits for several months between camping seasons. That's what happened to mine when it sat on a consignment lot for 2 years until I bought it. The bowl wouldn't hold water.

What I did was pour 1/4" deep puddle of ATF in there and let it sit. That caused the seal to swell up and it started sealing against water again. Got away with doing that periodically for years before I got around to changing the entire toilet because of a rotted out mechanical part.

[wborst]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. My toilet is a Thetford. It doesn't seem to be holding water in the bowl very long. Other than that, it seems to be working fine. I just have no experience with them.

Thanks again for the input. I now have a little more confidence that it won't let me down.

Bill

[Ivylog]

Like Bill ^^^ I have a Opus #3010 that's worked well. When dry camping I put it on the least amount of water and when snowbirding on the middle amount. Occasionally it will get it's bits in a wad, but turning it off and then back on has solved the issue. I was able to buy a used one and carry the control board but never needed it. I have thought about grinding a hole in the side of it so I could get to the shaft that opens the valve, but never seem to get around to doing it. 12 years and still works well.

[jorbill2or]

I guess it depends on what you have , I have a Sealand Magnum opus electric toilet and yes it's very reliable and on mine has 3 water levels in the bowl to select from. Control board is in the back of the toilet. Compete info is available online . Like any rv toilet it should hold water in the bowl. Mine started leaking down and cleaning the seal ( toilet brush scrubing the seal ) worked for me but the seal can be replaced. Just as in a manual toilet. Not always the most enjoyable job but fairly easy .
Advantages over manual ? Well it provides a more " home" like experience. Standard flush handle, large bowl, sturdy and hey. When someone spends the type money these coaches cost when new, you get more " complexity 🙂 maybe you even expect it .

[Bill_Satellite]

What model do you have? I like mine as they keep water in the bowl and operate very similar to a home toilet. They do use more water during a flush but I want lots of water in my tanks. The amount of water used can be adjusted up or down but mine uses about 1/2 gallon per flush.
They are very dependable and parts were available the last time I looked. I rebuilt the entire flush valve setup in my many years ago and have had no issues since.

[Mandalay_Parr]

I've had one for 12 years. Should hold a little water above the valve.