[VAC] Aqua-Magic IV

[Gary Quamen <gquamen@xxxxxxxx>]

Howdy Folks:

This is intended to be a heads-up to anyone with a Thetford Aqua-Magic IV
toilet.  This unit has been used to replace the stock one.  It was in my
Safari when I bought it and I have been generally happy with its looks
and mechanics.  The problem is that early-on I had a freeze situation
when I didn't realize that draining down the water supply line to the
toilet still left water between the toilet isolation valve and the flush
valve on the back of the unit.  When it froze, the expanding water (ice)
blew apart the plastic flush valve.  It really posed no immediate problem
since a container of water could be kept near the unit for flushing.

When I got around to fixing the thing I really out-foxed myself when I
decided to leave the unit bolted and sealed to the floor (and tank) and
dismantle the unit at a joint located under the seat, secured with 6 or 7
screws. This was the start on an Odyssey that I won't go into except to
say two things:

1.  Don't ever do this!

2.  If you do, the unit comes apart like a cheap watch and launches parts
down into the holding tank.  Nuff said.

Somewhere along the line I contacted Thetford.  I made a certain
discovery about this unit and think that it is something to be shared
with other Aqua-Magic IV (and maybe other models, as well).

GQ '67 Safari
Subject: Re: Seal Lubricant Etc
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 15:24:48 -0800
From: Gary Quamen <gquamen@slip.net>
To: Wendy Crowley <wcrowley@thetford.com>

Wendy Crowley wrote:
>
> Hello! I am very sorry about the delay in responding to you....

No problem.

> use silicone spray to lubricate the seals.

Yeah, when I went back over the installation brochure, I saw that. Thanks

> you should have the toilet upside-down so your springs etc. stay in
> place and it's easier to line up the actuator arm and base that way.

Yep, I figured that out. Plus you can reach in through the bottom hole
and manipulate the actuator spring joint into place while smashing the
sealer down.  Thanks again.

There is, however, a problem that I encountered that you should know
about.  This problem was enough for me to abandon the idea of
re-connecting the new valve to the water supply, instead opting for an
independent spray.

The problem is this:  While testing the new valve etc for integrity, I
noticed that it is possible to get a significant amount of water out of
the top of the float chamber under certain operating conditions. If you
pull the valve actuator in a forthright manner there is normally no leak
because sudden water pressure causes the float to pop right up and seal
the opening at the top.  But if you are somewhat tentative, the float
sometimes does not pop to the top of the chamber immediately (or at all)
and it will expel anywhere from a few drops to a steady stream.  In other
words, I can make it spew water.  Of course, I would not intentionally do
that, but there are others who will operate that actuator and I cannot
control how they do it. It is extremely easy to do and the unfortunate
fact is that the water ends up in the one place you can't see it (or want
it): on the back side of the toilet floor. I'm sure you can agree that
continuous dampness in that area should be avoided.

I'm fairly certain that I re-assembled the unit correctly and that this
is not a result of the freeze.  Please advise if you can suggest where I
might have gone wrong or what might be causing the problem.

Thanks,

GQ


> From: "Wendy Crowley" <wcrowley@thetford.com>
> To: "'Gary Quamen'" <gquamen@slip.net>
> Subject: RE: Seal Lubricant Etc
> Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 10:58:12 -0500

> Hello! You're right. 

> If you hold the handles part-way open or if you hold them open for an 
> extended amount of time the float seal will leak. The only suggestion I 
> have, aside from not flushing the toilet in that manner would be to tape 
> over the hole above the float. The toilet will work fine this way, although 
> plumbing code requires the toilet to have a vacuum breaker. If you have 
> questions, please call us at 1-800-521-3032. Thanks! Wendy