385/388 - Replacing the Electric Heads

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Replacing the Electric Heads

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 385/388
Forum Description: 385/388 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15368
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 01:23
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Replacing the Electric Heads

Posted By: is46664
Subject: Replacing the Electric Heads
Date Posted: 24 September 2025 at 15:41

I have a Jabsco Lite Electric Toilet. I find taking them apart tedious to replace the belt drive, which appears to fail frequently.

I’ve already replace the whole unit once at a cost of about £900. I am now looking at replacing this unit as it’s cracked with a model from a different manufacturer.

Can you let me know please if you have done the same and or which model has the best fit in terms of footprint and connections

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Ian Stevenson

Replies:

Posted By: Black Diamond
Date Posted: 24 September 2025 at 18:46

I can't speak for the 388, but I'm guessing an electric head is an electric head. I replaced the original Hanse installs with TECMA fresh water heads. Yes. the use fresh water, but I have a water maker and the smells are much reduced. It also freed up a seacock for use by the watermaker. Its been 7 years now and no problems with the two I put in. (knock on wood)

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Rick
S/V Black Diamond
Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161
Newport, RI

Posted By: Wayne's World
Date Posted: 24 September 2025 at 21:31

Ian,

I know your pain. We put up with the standard Jabsco Lit Flush electric toilets for a few years before replacing them with Sanimarin electric toilets and like Rick we went for fresh water flush. I think the Tecma and Sanimarin are very similar with Tecma being made in Italy and Sanimarin in France. In the 8 years they have been in place I have not needed to do anything to these toilets. We live onboard 24/7/365 and they get a lot of use.

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Wayne W
Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026.

Posted By: Gale Force
Date Posted: 25 September 2025 at 05:49

Hi,I replaced mine with Tecma.Apart from lack of use during covid which damaged the joker valves they have been great.So from toilets being the worst part of my boat they have become one of the most reliable.Mine are salt water but plan to convert as per Wayne' solution soon

Duncan

Posted By: Ian Coverdale
Date Posted: 26 September 2025 at 06:30

At one point our Jabsco electric toilet was without doubt, the most unreliable piece of kit aboard. Frequent leaks, macerator bearings and broken drive pulleys so in desperation, replaced the whole unit ... then more leaks, macerator bearings and touch panel failure. Replaced it with manual.

None of my crew are too precious to pump away their own waste.

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Ian & Andrea
SV Gabrielle (H445)
Liveaboards - currently Montenegro.
www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle