What don't you know about your boat?

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:09 am

Its a funny thing about Lectrasans. I guess you either love them or hate them. I had one in my 1981 28 Bert and it worked flawlessly. When I spoke with my mechanic about installing one in my 33 he railed on and on about how many problems other customers have had with theirs. Now CB is railing against them while my friend with the 1988 33 FBC has one and thinks its great. For the record, the Lectrasan in my 28 never produced half the odors that my current set up does. I currently have a Raritan head that was rebuilt last summer going to a holding tank that I assume is original. I also installed a macerator and all new stink resistant (not sure of the real name) hoses. While its better than it was before I had the work done, it still smells more than my 28 did. Go figure. As far as them being polluting POS's, I believe that what comes out of them (if they are working correctly) is cleaner than what comes out of a sewage treatment plant. Again, I think the whole deal is BS anyway. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 6:01 am

I agree Doug. That seems to be the general consensus. The good news with mine is that doesn't stink at all. I replaced the whole unit in '00 and since then it's been odor free. Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze this extra tank in there one of these days and feel polically correct about pulling into harbors !

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:12 am

Mine works great with absolutely no smell. The whole thing behind the system is pretreat with salt, that is what the unit needs to work. If you live in brackish or fresh water you need to pretreat. I have not had a problem in the 2 years I have been using it. Stu

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:31 am

Doug I call them a polluting POS because it is up to the Captain to make sure it is working correctly. Most people really believe their $hit does not stink and therefore have the attitude that we can just pump this "little" amount overboard and it really will not hurt anything. "After all I saw a big Canadian Goose just crap out a pound of green goo". Sorry I just don't trust you lectra san guys on proper operation. Now remember I am a [:o)] Charlie

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:48 am

It is up to the captian to make sure that "everything" on his vessel is working properly, that includes his toilet. If you have smell than your unit is not working correctly. Stu

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 1:26 pm

This is exciting, my first post and I get to talk about poo![:D] Just wanted to add that I am extremely happy that the Bert I just got last year has an electrasan. I love stepping onto my boat on a 95 degree day, and opening that cabin door, and NOT being knocked over by the smell of rotting feces! I would have gladly spent the money on one if the boat did not come with the unit. As far as winterizing the unit, I called them directly and all you have to do is run a few times, then remove the cap on top of the unit with a large cresent wrench, and then pump out the waste water inside. I used my oil changing pump, which took about 30 seconds BILL D "REBECCA ROSE" 1988 33'CONVERTABLE

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:16 am

Bill, Never thought of the oil changer pump....good idea ! I currently use the Salt Water wash down pump as it feed from a thru hole right next to the lecra san. Then just flush that same hose afterward. Hope once I get this thing reconditioned at Raritan that winterizing is all I'll have to do !

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 2:41 pm

Hey Mike Stuart, How are you, quick question, are you in brackish water, and is that why you need to salt the system? Or do you do add it just to be sure? Bill Dunlop "Rebecca Rose" 33 Bertram FBC 1988

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:53 am

I live on a lagoon that has alot of underground fresh water streams. If you go swimming in the lagoon on a hot day and come across one it will take your breath away. Thats why I use the salt tank. Its nice to have to insure that the toilet will work no matter what. Mike

Post by **Admin** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:31 pm

I ducked under the salon to see why the waste flush guy couldn't get the contents out of my holding tank, and of course, the valve was set to divert to sea as opposed to the tank. What a numbskull. Luckily, I didn't allow anyone to use the head for any "serious thinking", so the damage was minimal. I think subconsciously, I knew this might be the case, so that is why I limited use of it. Now, I am glad I got under there, and really got to understand how the system works. Or at least, understand better. David Sumich Bertram33.com Forum Administrator

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:38 pm

Just following up on the posts here about the lectrasan. I kept getting low treatment lights .I am in good saltwater so i figured i had plenty of salt .i even tried adding salt by hand and that did not work. i flushed the system with muratic acid and still no good.so from what i read the only thing left was to change the electrode pack.so i removed the lectrasan from the boat and opened it up.I was expecting this to be a slimey smelly messy job.I was totally shocked to open up the unit and it looked like it just came out of the box.this may sound silly but any of you guys(charlie)that do not believe these units work ...believe it!.i dont know how much use this unit got before i got the boat but in yhe year that i have owned it i know it has got plenty of use and it still had that new car smell.Now ,for those who have the unit ,here is what i found out. I called raritan to tell them about my low treatment lights and they confirmed that it is probably the electrode module.I was going to just buy the part for $230 and install it but they informed me that if i send them the unit they will do a complete overhaul which includes the electrode pack ,all the gaskets and o rings and they will upgrade the unit with new parts that will allow the motors to run together to save battery usage.For $300. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 7:32 am

Tim, Could you post the number for Electrasan, and perhaps whom to speak with, as others may wish to have the complete overhaul done in the future. that is great to know information and saves $ on the learning curve too! 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 4:30 pm

http://www.raritaneng.com/contact_us/index.html There is a nj number and a fl number.I think the service tech who answers the phone in the fort lauderdale office is Sergio. 954-525-0378 Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 5:07 am

Thanks, that is helpful. 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida