Thetford toilet

marbs
marbs Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited April 2021 in Caravans #1

I have a Thetford toilet in my Senator which intermittently flushes  of its own accord, filling the bowi and sometimes overflows. Anybody else had this problem? TIA.

Comments

  • Impy
    Impy Forum Participant Posts: 257
    edited April 2021 #2

    We have a Senator, never had that problem,  I am assuming that you have checked the flush button to see if it is sticking in anyway. 

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #3

    Thankfully - no!   But it is another reason to remember to turn off the master power switch at the door when going out.

    If you don't fancy taking out the switch to fix the problem you could always fit an additional switch in line that a user would need to operate whenever they really wanted to "go".

  • mnlatham
    mnlatham Forum Participant Posts: 108
    edited April 2021 #4

    We had same problem in our Swift Challenger. The switch is sticking. We tried a bit of grease but in the end changed it. Not too expensive and easy to do.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #5

    Yes it does seem as though the switch is sticking.  If you have a C250 or similar with the press button on the top try gently easing off the plastic cover where you press, this will expose the clever bits.  Spray with WD40.  Should solve the problem.  If it fails, well fitting a new one is a straight forward job.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #6

    It may be due to condensation on the switch board, so do as comeyras says, ease the switch assembly out and give it a gentle blast with a hair drier before applying any WD 40 or silicon spray. Best try this before thinking of replacing the board, much cheaper if it works.wink

    This,was a tip from our mobile caravan engineer,and it worked for us.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #7

    Yes we had the same problem, changed the switch board at great cost, no change. I have now bypassed the switch board with a separate switch which powers the pump motor directly and this works fine.  The problem is probably that the electronics as supplied are too sensitive and maybe a small amount of dampness in the compartment is enough to activate the circuit.  We were lucky and did not have an overflow.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited April 2021 #8

    Why is a circuit board required for a simple on/off switch? Why do we need an electric flush at all? A manual pump handle worked perfectly in the past. A problem ridden solution to a problem that didn't exist previously.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #9

    Tend to agree with you Cyber.   I like the electric pump but a simple on off switch to operate the pump would be less prone to faults.  However, the 'full' warning light is useful giving a  timely for you to prepare yourself for an unpleasant task!

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited April 2021 #10

    The 'full' light on ours always seems to come on some time between going to bed & getting up through the night  🤔 

  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #11

    I have one, but was not going to say anything unless folk thought we were caravaning in the dark ages, electric flush, electric beds, dont suppose we will ever buy a new caravan now, so will just have to be content with yanking the handle or pulling out the slats laughing

  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #12

    Think i have one of these even on my manual flush, well there is a battery in the cassette compartment with a couple of batteries in but never been able to find out exactly what they are for, quick look down the hole has to suffice for us cool, someday i will read the manual laughing

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #13

    I had a similar problem with another piece from a well known manufacturer. As far as I could see the only reason the circuit board was necessary was to display an indicator led. The problem was I could not get a replacement. In the end I rang the manufacturer who confirmed I could simple replace it with a simple on off switch which I did and it is working fine.

    peedee

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2021 #14
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #15

     the 'full' warning light is useful giving a timely for you to prepare yourself for an unpleasant task!

    I would just like the light to come on at a lower level in the tank. Has anyone who has delved into the workings seen if it is possible to move something to achieve that effect?

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2021 #16
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #17

    The full light on mine also seem to come on with the last use at night!  Luckily there is enough capacity to last the night, in the toilet that is not ussealed

  • Freedom a whitebox
    Freedom a whitebox Club Member Posts: 296 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #18

    There is a wiring mod and new float PCP that is fitted with the Thetford  toilet fan kit, that provides a half full warning light 

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #19

    We lost our float device, last seen disappearing down the CCEP. We now empty it by experience, when just the two of us it's every fourth day. 

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #20

    You obviously don't use CLs without toilets very much do you?winklaughing

    I remember once on a CL in Norfolk where the Chemical Disposal was accessed by lifting a grid on the floor with direct access to the sewers below, about 6 feet. The owner kindly left long handles to lift the grid up with which came in handy to retrieve the cap from the toilet that I accidentally kicked into the sewer. Fortunately it was prior to emptying the toilet itself and the cap lay on its side enabling me to lie on the floor with said long handle which had a T bar at the end to hook onto the cap. The missus did ask what the hell I was doing lying on the floor and unfortunately remained unsurprised at the escapade.embarassed

    Only done it once though.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #21

    So there is a float in the tank.  Great.  Would be simpler to find the reed switch that the magnet influences and move it down a tad. Task for a warm bright day then.     x

  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #22

    Oh!!! that is what went missing , tks CS always wondered how it worked and now know why it doesnt, 3rd day for us, else it gets too heavy coolalthough i do have a small sack type trolley should the CCEP be far away.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #23

    Indeed a disaster waiting to happen, and not due to a sticking switch as it started flushing totally randomly.

    I know of several caravanners who have fitted a switch to interrupt the power to the flush pump, and my solution was slightly similar as both buttons had to be pressed to activate the flush.  

    Now the original flush button has just failed, so I have removed it from the circuit and we will just use the additional button I fitted.

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,669 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #24

    I agree with Rufs!!  I wouldn't miss the little light coming on that much!....  I usually subscribe to the 'look down the hole' routine!!  When our little light comes on, that it usually am indication that it's time for me to start 'looking down the hole....'  🤣🤣🤣  Never have I ever 'had a problem'... 🤣🤣

    David