Jeanneau Leader 8 few questions

[rebekic]

I have a few questions regarding my Leader 8 (2014) – Jeanneau FR-SPBTS258G314

1. Regarding the toilet. I have a mechanical toilet (photo attached). I would like to replace it with an electronic toilet (maybe with Mercator). What exactly I should be looking for when buying, keeping in mind the space behind the toilet and measurements of the drainage pipes, and finally the waste system altogether?

2. How does this mechanical toilet work exactly? I acquired a boat a few weeks ago and still have not figured it out, when I pump waste from the toilet it goes "somewhere” but after a while, it comes back into the toilet and almost overspills from the toilet bowl. The valve for discharge into the sea is open but still, it does not go into the sea. (attached)

3. Is it possible to obtain a Service manual (spare parts) since I am located in Montenegro and the only option to order parts is via serial numbers since you don’t have a dealership in Montenegro so it would be much easier for me to get the parts this way?

4. Most importantly, regarding battery breakers, can you please elaborate on all switches? Since on the first switch (Board and Domestic – Photo attached) when I press the switch the “domestic” turns to red, but “board” is always green (stays in green whatever I do). While the rest of the switches are changing from green (on) to red (off) when pressed. Please explain to me in detail the function of the breakers so I know which breaker is for which battery and explain to me if you can why is “Board” always in green.

5. I want to install water sensor level for my 100l water tank on Jeanneau Leader 8. I have a photo of water tank but can not find specification (dimensions) for water tank. My boat is out of the country. Does anyone knows dimensions of water tank and which is the best sensor with gauge (or compatible with my E-series MFD Raymarine) that can fit

Thanks in advance

Attached photos

Water tank

[Charlie-Bravo]

I don’t have a Leader 8, but they do look good. 
Many systems on boats are similar, so here are my thoughts on your questions, but are not Leader 8 specific.

Re 2.
Your manual toilet is a simple mechanism , with a two position leaver to either suck in sea water, or to suck the contents out of the pan and into a discharge hose, all with one simple pump,  from here it will either go into a holding tank, or if permitted, into the sea via a large through hull with valve, all this is straight forward, if sometimes not easy to access. if you don’t have a holding tank …… the sea is the only option.
The outlet valve to the through hull could be suspect if there is no discharge to sea , the valve handle may move, but the valve internals may not if it is very old and broke, so you are just filling the discharge pipe, these generally ’loop’ upwards above the sea level and then down to prevent flooding, and this can lead to a little ‘back flow’ pressure to the toilet, and is why much toilet pumping is a good idea, to get the contents up and over the loop.
Discharge pipes suffer from calcification, a phenomenon of urine and sea water mix, this builds a crust on the inside of the pipe which can sometimes fall off in chunks and block the discharge pipe, the only real remedy, should this be the case, is to renew the pipe. Flushing with fresh water seems to stop this occurring.
Some systems with a holding tank have a ‘Y’ valve, allowing you to choose where the discharge goes, some can be hidden and need to be found, they go wrong as well, other systems like the one I have discharge only to the holding tank, and the tank drains to sea when the discharge through hull valve is opened.
An easy test to determine if discharge is going to sea is to flush sweet corn through the heads (toilet), just a small tin , and rush out to see if any can be spotted in the water, it floats and is easily visible.

The ‘return’ to the bowl will be caused by a failed joker valve, this is a simple rubber one way valve positioned at the toilet pump discharge, they often fail, and the only difficulty in renewing is access on some boats, new valves are available from jabsco online and a thousand others, some jokers last for years, others just weeks, it’s a lottery, always have a spare valve on board.

Re 1.
A working manual sea toilet will do everything you need, an electrical replacement just adds complications….. which you may not need, it’s a choice, some folk like them, but if the discharge isn’t working it won’t be any better than the manual device.

Re 5.
With only 100 litres, ( does a Leader 8 really only have a 100L tank?) a gauge , although possible to fit could be just another thing to frustrate, the tank will just require frequent filling up, and you soon get to know how long it lasts on a trip away from a tap. I hope a Leader 8 owner comes along with info for you, and surprised a gauge isn’t standard. (perhaps it is, and you just want to see the level on your mfd, in which case I have mis understood your question)

Re 4.
Your batteries are likely separated , domestic for lights, instruments, pumps, fridge etc, and the other just for engine starting and possibly a windlass, so if your domestic bank becomes discharged you can still start the engine to recharge the domestic bank of batteries.
The colour of the lights I think are just indicators that the switch is ‘on’, if there is a malfunction in the wiring the switch will turn its self off, again I hope a Leader owner comes along for you with further info.

Hope this helps in some small way, enjoy your boat.

CB

[rebekic]

Charlie-Bravo

You are really amazing. Thanks a lot for this detailed explanation, some of the things you helped me understand. Yes the water tank is only 100 Liters and yes i have a black tank. Your answer seem logical and i will so as you say and to be honest i will not change toilet. You convinced me (not only you) that it is totally unnecessary. I am still waiting to meet Leader 8 owner but it sems thay are scarce:) Anyway thanks for detailed answer and if you think of something let me know please. Any advise is welocome

Toilet sch