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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: GleamB on February 02, 2018, 11:15:44 am

Title: Electric toilet
Post by: GleamB on February 02, 2018, 11:15:44 am
Looked at past posts, but.....
How can I tell what brand toilet is in my FT?
I wanted to raise the water level, turned the black knob clockwise, per directions, but it didn't seem to help ??
How can I tell if the black tank is directly below the toilet? I want to raise the commode about two inches for comfort. Will I encounter any problems.??
I know..... go to mechanical toilet. Seems like a $750 purchase??
Thanks
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: jcus on February 02, 2018, 12:33:54 pm
Looked at past posts, but.....
How can I tell what brand toilet is in my FT?
I wanted to raise the water level, turned the black knob clockwise, per directions, but it didn't seem to help ??
How can I tell if the black tank is directly below the toilet? I want to raise the commode about two inches for comfort. Will I encounter any problems.??
I know..... go to mechanical toilet. Seems like a $750 purchase??
Thanks
This is what I used. My toilet sits over the black tank. RV Permanent Toilets | RV Consignment HQ | 83-1786 (https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/electrical-plumbing-lp-gas/rv-toilet-tanks-plumbing-sanitation/permanent-rv-toilets/rv-permanent-toilets_83-1786)
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Jim Frerichs on February 02, 2018, 01:22:32 pm
Hi Glenn,

The toilet I have is a Microphor LF  - the name is inside the tank lid. Perhaps you have the same brand and model.  I would like to raise my stool by " though that will require extending the seal by the same amount. There may be a tall seal that might be used for this though I have not looked for it.  Perhaps others will chime in with a suggestion as to how to maintain a good seal when the stool is elevated. The water supply also will need to be extended also. Turns out to be a bit of a project.
Jim

2002 U320
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: GleamB on February 02, 2018, 01:34:01 pm
Raising the pvc isn't hard. Plumbers do it all the time. I need to know about raising the water level with the unit we have. Change out is way down the priority list.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: jcus on February 02, 2018, 01:40:36 pm
Raising the pvc isn't hard. Plumbers do it all the time. I need to know about raising the water level with the unit we have. Change out is way down the priority list.
If you don't know what brand of toilet you have, we don't either,  and cannot tell you how to raise the water level.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: craneman on February 02, 2018, 02:50:45 pm
Looked at past posts, but.....
How can I tell what brand toilet is in my FT?
I wanted to raise the water level, turned the black knob clockwise, per directions, but it didn't seem to help ??
How can I tell if the black tank is directly below the toilet? I want to raise the commode about two inches for comfort. Will I encounter any problems.??
I know..... go to mechanical toilet. Seems like a $750 purchase??
Thanks
Do the directions give the brand of toilet? How about a pic, so it might be identified.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: 1985 on February 02, 2018, 02:54:59 pm
under your lid should be a timer turn clockwise to ad fill seconds
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: GleamB on February 02, 2018, 05:30:43 pm
It's a Microphor Model LF 229
How do I raise water level?
If I want to clean where gasket hits commode, how do I keep flap open ??
If I raise it, do I use regular wax ring ?
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: GleamB on February 02, 2018, 05:35:23 pm
Ooops...just found owners manual

My bad !!!
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Jim Frerichs on February 02, 2018, 06:38:35 pm
Hi Glenn,

I will repeat my previous warning....be careful about using multiple wax rings to seal the toilet down. Apparently I had used too much wax and some dislodged particles caused a sticking of the black tank drain valve. Not fun to get to clean. I did not see a wax ring when I had pulled the toilet so maybe they do not use them. Not sure how you are going to raise the tank drain to make a 2" elevation to make a good tank seal. It probably is easy?? So tell me how to elevate the drain so I may do the same for my stool elevation project.
Jim

2002 U320

LF-229?? Mine is Microphor LF-220.  A typo or is that really your model number?
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: rbark on February 02, 2018, 07:38:11 pm
A call to Microphor will answer all your questions Glenn.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: jcus on February 02, 2018, 07:48:55 pm
Do a forum search for Microphor. You will see why many have changed theirs for another brand.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: John Duld on February 02, 2018, 08:14:00 pm
Try for parts and info.
‭1 (866) 840-4944‬
That worked about five years ago.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: GleamB on February 02, 2018, 09:16:21 pm
Thanks, everyone. I will be calling them next week. The PO had rebuilt the vacuum breaker Aug. 2016. It seems that the level of water can be adjusted by turning the top of this unit??  I'll find out. I think that water is getting by the seal. Either I can clean it, or replace the gasket.
As to the question of raising the existing drain.....I have seen plumbers run the " rough in " for the drain " wild ", in other works, higher than needed. They, then, used a special saw blade in a drill to cut the down pipe to correct height from the INSIDE of the pipe, not the outside. They, then, glue up a new flange that installs flush to the floor, to which the commode attaches. I think I could do something similar, and raise the flange the two inches that I need. I fully intend to do this remodel, as I am having trouble getting the knees to work correctly to get me UP !! Getting old. Need a 17" high commode. !!!!
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 02, 2018, 09:24:33 pm
In the past Microphor made a handicap riser kit for these.  Seems like they made them in both black and cream color. You might see if they have an old one on the shelf as the last time I checked they were no longer in production.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Mike Brez on February 03, 2018, 06:13:14 pm
Troubleshooting Microphor LF-220 (http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/troubleshooting_microphor_lf-220.html)

I personally would never get rid of my Microphor. It's like a Swiss watch in operation.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: craneman on February 03, 2018, 08:03:18 pm
Troubleshooting Microphor LF-220 (http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/troubleshooting_microphor_lf-220.html)

I personally would never get rid of my Microphor. It's like a Swiss watch in operation.
Wait until you need some parts and see the price!
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Carol & Scott on February 04, 2018, 02:13:48 am
We had a couple of issues with our MF 220.  Called Mullaney & Associates -http://www.edmullaney.com/.  Very knowledgeable folks.  Was able to walk me through a couple of repairs to the water solenoid, the water timer and seal flapper replacement.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: hdff on February 04, 2018, 04:07:15 am
It's a Microphor Model LF 229
How do I raise water level?
If I want to clean where gasket hits commode, how do I keep flap open ??
If I raise it, do I use regular wax ring ?
ok here's a stupid newby question, what water level are you trying to raise??  I don't remember my bowl holding any water...
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 04, 2018, 07:51:48 am
hdff,

The water in the bowl of a LF-220 and LF-229 should hold at just slightly above the dump hole (where the flapper seals off) This level is controlled by the timer in the back of the commode under the tank cover on the 220 and can be hid in a cabinet on the 229 with the remote flush handle. There is a dial that you can adjust to make the water fill valve stay open longer resulting in more/less water in the  bowl.   

If your throne is dry then you have a flapper seal leaking. If the water is leaking out of your bowl the sewer gas can leak in.  If it has been setting unused for an extended time  you may be able to open the flapper and lube the seal with  silicone grease. There is a tension adjustment for the flapper also.  If all else fails you can replace the flapper seal. 

 To prevent this problem during long term storage you can stop the flapper in the full open position (turn the power switch off that is located under the tank cover). Once the water has stopped running into the bowl, then take a foam rubber football and stuff it into the open hole to prevent gas from entering the coach.  When you are ready to put the commode back in service just pull the "football plug", flip the power back on, and give it a couple of flushes.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Sven and Kristi on February 04, 2018, 03:28:26 pm
 "...take a foam rubber football and stuff it into the open hole to prevent gas from entering the coach.  When you are ready to put the commode back in service just pull the "football plug", flip the power back on, and give it a couple of flushes."

When our toilet flap stuck in the open position while on our last trip, we filled a gallon sized zip lock freezer bag with water - it did a great job of sealing the opening.

If anyone has found a manual ceramic toilet that will fit in a FT with corner cabinet, I would really appreciate the info.  We found that with 7.5" from bolts to cabinet, there doesn't seem to be one out there.  I am considering creating an inset to the space below the cabinet door to allow for a new toilet.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: hdff on February 04, 2018, 07:13:39 pm
I assume my 2000 u320 has one of these model thrones. Maybe I've just never noticed any switches or adjustments. I'll investigate when I visit her this week.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: rbark on February 04, 2018, 08:08:23 pm
Can you post a picture? Will help us help you.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Mike Brez on February 04, 2018, 08:25:18 pm
Wait until you need some parts and see the price!

Allready been there. New hopper,flapper and gaskets. Few hundred $

Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: hdff on February 04, 2018, 09:42:38 pm
I'm at work and this is the only one I have access to
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 05, 2018, 06:50:44 am
Keith,

That appears to be the Microphor LF-220.

Glenn & Keith,

Here is a pic. of the control assembly. You can see an on/off switch and the timmer that regulates the water level by adjusting the little rheostst/timmer.  If you want to hold the flapper open to clean and grease all you have to do is flip this switch to the off possision when the flapper gets to the full open possision after you push the flush handle.  It may take you a couple of times to get the flapper to stop where you want it.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Lon and Cheryl on February 05, 2018, 01:07:19 pm
Troubleshooting Microphor LF-220 (http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/troubleshooting_microphor_lf-220.html)

I personally would never get rid of my Microphor. It's like a Swiss watch in operation.

When I set my self down on my Micrphor and prepare to solve the problems of the world, I can't help but feel that the Microphor greatly contributes to my solutions.

While your in there, think about replacing the plastic cam with a metal one (found on Ebay). The plastic cam will become very brittle as it ages.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Jan & Richard on February 05, 2018, 05:52:40 pm
The plastic cam will become very brittle as it ages.

Don't we all. 
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: amos.harrison on February 05, 2018, 09:25:03 pm
You can tell if you need a new cam.  Try turning the flapper by hand.  If it turns, the cam has cracked.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Jim Frerichs on February 06, 2018, 05:28:59 pm
"Microphor LF-220"
Jim

2002 U320
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: GleamB on February 07, 2018, 12:14:36 am
I did not have a switch on the controls of the toilet. When I called New Jersey, we discussed how I can turn off the power to the flap in its open position. I wanted to clean up the gasket, as I noticed some calcium buildup near the top of it.  I could NOT find the fuse for the toilet. I sprayed the area with vinegar, let it set, did a little scraping, and then QUICKLY dabbed some grease on the gasket when the flap opened. It seemed to help. Now the water is at the proper level, and it stays at that level. I will keep my eye on it, but I think I may have fixed the problem.......at least for now. I still want to raise the toilet. I was told that the handicap riser is not available, and that building a box and modifying the down pipe will be a good route to take. I will make this change when I get the YACHT home next summer. Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: GleamB on February 07, 2018, 07:25:58 pm
The good news is that I found a switch to keep the flap open. I cleaned the gasket up, REAL GOOD. Thought I solved the problem. I watched the water level go from the top of the opening to about half way. So....is it a new gasket OR an adjustment to the flapper??
Anyone ???
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 07, 2018, 08:56:04 pm
Glenn,

Now that the flapper is clean and greased (I use a good silicon grease) you need to give it a couple of days to "get set in" before you do any adjustment on the flapper spring tension.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: GleamB on February 07, 2018, 09:12:43 pm
Roger that !!
Title: Re: Electric toilet
Post by: Carol & Scott on February 07, 2018, 09:20:23 pm
Glen -

You might want to call:  Mullaney & Associates -http://www.edmullaney.com/  I believe the gals name is Sue.  Get 2 rubber flapper seals.  Use one and put the other away.  My hand was too big to install so my DW applied the new rubber gasket/seal.  Not a big job and then it's done.  ;D

She really knows the product.  Really.