May 3rd
2004
It was a bit too windy today to work on painting the bus, so I
decided to tackle a project that I have been putting off for a little
while...
The toilet (a "La Toilette") that we purchased from the RV
supply place broke shortly after we arrived in Arizona. We'd been using a container full
of water next to the toilet to flush with until I could fix or replace
it. The valve on the toilet would stick open and slowly fill the
black water tank until it literally reached the height of the valve in
the toilet (about 1 inch or so from overflowing). I have had the
water to the toilet shut off ever since it started to have problems.
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I found the valve mechanism at an RV repair place
in Sierra Vista about a week or so ago. Apparently the toilet
valve breaks easily. As soon as I
mentioned the name of the toilet the clerk at the RV repair shop
grabbed me a replacement valve assembly.
After taking the toilet apart to replace the valve, I have to agree
that the toilet valve is the weak link. If I had known how
poorly this valve was made and that I was going to have to
shell out $27.00 every 3-4 months, I would have invested another
$40-$60 in a better designed pedal actuated model.
I do like the fact that this toilet works more like a
standard flush model than an RV toilet - too bad it doesn't hold
up well... |
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I give the new valve about the same amount of time
(3-4 months max) before it breaks too. The small pivot arm
is under a lot of strain all of the time - especially on the
return stroke of the flush handle. The old valve lever was
broken off inside right at the pivot point where a single screw
holds it in place. The lever arm is very small and thin plastic.
Unfortunately I can't see any way to modify the mechanism to
make it stronger. I'll keep the old valve and see what I
can put together when I have some extra time - this thing is
going to be a reoccurring problem I can tell. I instructed
everyone in the family to be very gentle with the handle when
flushing.
We'll see how long it lasts... |
I sent an email via Valterra's customer feedback form (www.valterra.com/RV/contactrv.htm)...
We'll see if they respond...
Update (May 6th):
I received several e-mails from Valterra's customer support
already. I am pleasantly surprised. They have offered to
replace the toilet (free of charge) and are going to give the broken
valve assembly to the QC department for follow up. From the emails
I have received it sounds like I may have received a defective
toilet. I hope so. I am very impressed so far with the
timely response I have received from Valterra's customer support and
their offer to make it right. I was also informed that the toilet
carries a 1 year warranty from the date of purchase - I may not have had
to buy the valve in the first place - live and learn... I hope
that the new toilet holds up better...
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