j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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I'm repairing subfloor damage that seems to have originated from a toilet leak. The leak was not from the seal between holding tank and toilet. Rather it appears to have been a water supply leak. The common culprit is the ball valve that we open to provide flushing water.
With this Aqua-Magic IV, I'm not so sure. The valve becomes part of the toilet itself with a couple O-Rings. Part of it looks like an anti-siphon device. Then there's what seems to be a small water reserve tank.
Our previous Galaxy toilet used a ball valve that connected to the supply line and an output hose. Replacing the valve changed everything that could leak barring a crack in the bowl and such.
Ours is also the clumsy hand-flush model as opposed to pedal flush.
I'm thinking maybe I should just replace it with a different model from Thetford.
What's your experience with these, any suggestions? Thanks!
God Bless, jd
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Fishinghat
Western Washington, USA
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I replaced a Sealand Traveler with a Thetford Aria in 2006, which works similar to the toilet at home. We're happy with our decission.
Several friends had the Aria and had problems, possibly due to low voltage due to discharged batteries. They had their toilets replaced with different models. Also, it appears Thetford no longer carries the Aria or the Aria II. They may sell a new, improved model or a redesigned model. If they do, I'd recommend it.
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opnspaces
San Diego Ca
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Well if it was my toilet here's what I would do. I would go buy a tapered sprayer nozzle for the garden hose from Home Depot. It screws onto the end of the hose and just tapers down to a point. Remove the toilet, two nuts and a hand tightened supply line. Hook your pressure regulator onto the garden hose and then the pointy sprayer nozzle. A short piece of 5/16 or 3/8 vinyl tubing (the kind with the crosshatched threads in it) also from home depot and two hose clamps. Now pressureize the toilet and let it sit overnight. You should be able to find the leak in the morning.
Also notice while it's out that you could go buy a kitchen sink sprayer and hose combo and attach it to the already supplied but capped fitting on the back of the flush valve. Then you can have a bowl wash down sprayer.
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vikx
Washington State
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Replace the Aqua Magic IV. It doesn't have a solid tube from the bowl directing waste into the holding tank, so "splashes" junk inside the toilet body. The Bravura is an excellent quality Thetford. They also have some china bowl models. Just be sure that the tube is one piece to the toilet flange. VK
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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I have an Aqua Magic 2000 model and I developed a leak from the ball valve this season. My ball valve can be removed from the toilet by slipping (with difficulty) it off of a hose. I was prepared to replace the valve which would have cost about $30, but before buying the part I disassembled the valve and saw that there is an O ring shaft seal. I found an O ring in my large assortment and fixed the leak. I would say that replacing the toilet for less than $200 assuming you do the labor is not a bad deal either. BTW does your Aqua Magic have an overflow drain. Mine did and it leaked odors until I plugged it as recommended my Thetford. Newer Thetford toilets don't have an overflow drain.
Jim Walker
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j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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Guys, this is great info!
I think I'll call Thetford tech support and find out about any tricks for the Aqua Magic IV. But, since we're getting odor that hasn't been cured by keeping water in the bowl and verifying that the seal to the holding tank is good, it may be time to replace, probably Bravura. Not sure the current one is worth putting parts into or labor to change it out again. Especially with no direct outlet tube...
Any plastic RV toilet is a little cheezy, but this one seems very cheezy. The hand flush is OK, but it does look to me like this model was not one of their better efforts.
THANKS!
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vikx
Washington State
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If you think the Aqua Magic IV is cheap, you should have seen La Toilette...no parts available. I believe you'll be happy with the Bravura; even tho plastic, it is proven. VK
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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Plugging the overflow couldn't be easier. Just put plumbers putty in the hose. It requires removing to toilet for access. The ball valve is also easy and can be done when the toilet is removed. The Bravura looks like a nice replacement if you go that way. Since I considered replacing briefly I looked at the installation and two things occurred to me. First, the water inlet of the new toilet should be close to where the inlet of the the old toilet was, and the bolts positions should be the same. The water line in your MH is probably PEX and cannot be easily moved or modified. I would call Thetford and verify these things before upgrading. I felt that easy fixes to my original toilet were preferable to undertaking upgrading. With some foresight the upgrade may be a piece of cake. BTW plugging the overflow does stop odors.
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j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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Will definitely call Thetford in the next few days.
Supply connection and bolt pattern were among my concerns.
Also will ask about salvaging what we have now.
Last toilet was a Galaxy and better made, better operating overall. Bravura is listed as suggested replacement for Galaxy.
Galaxy bolt pattern was different from Aqua Magic, not sure yet about which way Bravra goes, but the flange accepts different arrangements OK.
THANKS!
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PUCampin
Castaic, California, USA
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Consider the Aquamagic Style II. China bowl, straight tube with no "splash chamber" and parts are available. I had a Aguamagic V. The seal on the flush handle shaft failed and was leaking odor into the TT. It took me 2 months to track it down. When I did, I found out the aquamagic V is disposable, no parts available.
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