Microphor support update

Topic: Microphor support update (Read 865 times) previous topic - next topic

Microphor support update

March 18, 2021, 02:16:47 pm

I hate my Microphor. I guess Foretravel and Newell thought it was state of the art technology, at the time, but it is a VERY expensive, overly complex, piece of junk. My opinion. Anyway, a few years ago, I had to replace the control unit, for a ridiculous price. I have lost my notes, but think the owner of Mullaney and Assoc., Bill?, was very helpful in walking me through the needed repair. I STILL can't get enough water in the bowl without supplementing it with a nearby cup. I have the adjustment maxed out, and wonder if there is any mod I can make to get more water.
I believe that Anna Maria and Mullaney are no longer available. I believe that in 2019 they were bought out, and I have Ed@ Wabtec and a phone number, if I needed parts. I Googled this and didn't get too much useful information, only was told they aren't supporting old units.
The existing commode is too low for my needs. I have considered building a pedestal for it, but before I get into it, I also looked into a replacement. I read Sven's posts, as he also wanted to change his unit, and I think we both have the same constraint of 8" from our "wall" to the bolt. I found an offset at Home Depot, and considered offsetting the flange, but I don't want to open a can of worms.
Sooooo.....after this rant, I am open to any ideas to rid me of my pain. It doesn't hold water, even after I replaced the gasket and cleaned and greased the flap....a lovely task. When it broke down on me, I had to jury rig it, to flush, while waiting for the, now hard to get, parts. I was lucky to find help, here on the forum. Don't EVER want to go through that, again.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #1 – March 18, 2021, 03:22:03 pm

Glenn,

"No Whining on the YACHT"

Sorry you are having trouble with your ceramic shrine, the throne of contentment. While ours has worked with no troubles for the 10 years we have used it it would be nice to have a taller seating height with a longer seat. That might interfere with the shower door. Some have mentioned a Dometic version that stands taller, sort of looks like a precarious mushroom, but it had a lot of negative sounding comments about the shallow bowl.

We needed a new seat for ours and it was like $120 from Mullaney and they didn't have any. The helpful lady on the phone told me to get one a ZORO. I did and it was $14. I am collecting spare parts, someday it won't be enough.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #2 – March 18, 2021, 03:49:43 pm

For all you "tall drinks of water" with "short" microphore toilets. What about a toilet seat riser? There was one such device on our microphore toilet when we purchased the coach. Had to take it off as my DW feet didn't reach the floor.

Roland

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #3 – March 18, 2021, 05:33:45 pm

Roger, what is Zoro?
Roland, my wife, who is vertically challenged, also gave me a hard time about raising the height of the throne. I told her ALL the new commodes are 17" tall, just like her kitchen chairs. I thought about a riser.....my mom had one. Maybe.
The BIG problem is holding water and the amount of water. It's on the " to do" list, but I need to get motivated.
Thanks
Anyone bought parts recently?

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #4 – March 18, 2021, 05:57:37 pm

Replaced my microphor money eater with this, really happy with it

Thetford Aria Deluxe II High Profile, Bone | Camping World

Different hole pattern in floor, fixed that when I redid flooring in the Coach

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #5 – March 18, 2021, 06:27:19 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – March 18, 2021, 05:57:37 pm

Replaced my microphor money eater with this, really happy with it

Thetford Aria Deluxe II High Profile, Bone | Camping World

Different hole pattern in floor, fixed that when I redid flooring in the Coach

Tim Fiedler
Gen-Pro.biz
630 240-9139

My coach came with the earlier version of this toilet. I am also very happy with it. The PO didn't waste any money on the Microphor changed it out when it gave him the first trouble.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #6 – March 18, 2021, 06:44:54 pm

" different hole pattern in floor".......I've been in Tim's coach. Different floor plan. Mine is against an angled cabinet at the shower and vanity. Eight inches to the bolts. Usually need 12" ??
I think Sven has same floor plan. Also Roger. Wouldn't mind getting rid of the Microphor, but don't want to reinvent the wheel.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #7 – March 18, 2021, 06:50:24 pm

Toilets screw into floor, you will have two holes visible when you swap toilets. If black tank is under toilet, all else will work perfectly

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #8 – March 18, 2021, 06:52:20 pm

Jerry,
ZORO = Zoro.com: 1,000s of Brands, Millions of Products
A pretty amazing place and generally very price competitive.

Get a tube or small tub of plumber's silicone grease (a very small amount will last a long time)
Hercules 40610 .85 Silicone Plumbers Grease, 2 Oz. | Zoro.com
Turn you water supply or pump off and flush the toilet a few times until it is out of water. Get a gob of grease on you finger and flush the toilet and run your finger around where the flapper closes. It might take a couple times to get it good amd then once more with your finger to get it smeared on good. It will help keep water in the bowl. Ours holds water (RV antifreeze) for a couple months between winterize time and heading south time.

We have a big coin cup from a casino that we got from the original owner. It holds about 3 cups of helper water.

Roger

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #9 – March 18, 2021, 07:38:21 pm

My concern isn't how it screws to the floor....
My concern is where the opening into the tank is in relation to the back wall.
The center of the bolts are USUALLY the center of that hole.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #10 – March 18, 2021, 08:20:24 pm

We changed to the domestic 320 and are very pleased--no electrical parts just a foot valve--
Glen you might look at the offset that would allow to move commode away from wall plus give you a little riser, in which case you would probably need to get a shorter commode so it would come out at 17" tall
Chris

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #11 – March 18, 2021, 09:58:03 pm

The toilet was the same distance (clearance) to the wall vs the microphor it replaced in my coach

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #12 – March 18, 2021, 10:25:46 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – March 18, 2021, 06:50:24 pm

Toilets screw into floor, you will have two holes visible when you swap toilets. If black tank is under toilet, all else will work perfectly

Tim Fiedler
Gen-Pro.biz
630 240-9139

Tim your are correct on the 40 footer. His coach is like mine and the toilet position is different and very tight on the 3610. You only have 8.5 inches from dump center to back of wall. Using a short toilet and a platform with a pair of 45 degree fittings may offset enough to work. Wish the 36 footer wasn't different but it is. I always have concerns about figuring out how to manual dump, but haven't dug into it yet. Seems most toilets need 11 inches to clear, possibly I pinch less.
Scott

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #13 – March 19, 2021, 01:04:27 am

+1 with Chris! The Dometic 320 is the best and it is ADA at just over 16 inches tall. Glenn, you should be able to do the offset and it should work fine. If I was closer to you I would fix you up, as I have done many commode change outs and offsets over the years. There is nothing that can't be done with your setup. You might find a good plumber and they can make it work for you! Good luck! The Microphor is an accident waiting to happen and expensive to boot!

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #14 – March 19, 2021, 05:29:57 pm

Quote from: GleamB – March 18, 2021, 07:38:21 pm

My concern isn't how it screws to the floor....
My concern is where the opening into the tank is in relation to the back wall.
The center of the bolts are USUALLY the center of that hole.

The Microphor uses different spacing for the bolts holding it down. You will need a set of regular bolts and nuts to secure the Dometic down. If memory serves me correctly, you will need 8 inches from the center of the hole to the back wall. I also purchased the plastic floor kit for the Dometic. Gives it a finished look.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #15 – March 19, 2021, 08:17:21 pm

Quote from: juicesqueezer – March 19, 2021, 05:29:57 pm

The Microphor uses different spacing for the bolts holding it down. You will need a set of regular bolts and nuts to secure the Dometic down. If memory serves me correctly, you will need 8 inches from the center of the hole to the back wall. I also purchased the plastic floor kit for the Dometic. Gives it a finished look.

So here is the install information
Dim A is the drop center to wall dimension
Scott

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #16 – March 19, 2021, 08:40:27 pm

Exactly. I would have to offset three inches. That's quite a bit.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #17 – March 21, 2021, 07:22:36 pm

I removed my Microphor and set the Dometic 320 in with zero issues. No offset, etc. It can be plumbed for the 3 inch offset if need be.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #18 – March 22, 2021, 08:45:54 am

Regarding holding the water in the bowl, check for small cracks in the lever arm actuating the flapper. You likely don't have enough pressure holding the flapper closed.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #19 – March 22, 2021, 10:56:23 am

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – March 18, 2021, 09:58:03 pm

The toilet was the same distance (clearance) to the wall vs the microphor it replaced in my coach

Tim Fiedler
Gen-Pro.biz
630 240-9139

Tim, with a 40' coach, you may have a different bathroom layout. I have not found any toilet that would fit. A few months ago I fixed the leak in the cabinet and installed a leak alert monitor, since it is out of sight. For some reason, the toilet doesn't leak anymore. We had been using a small pitcher that resided in the sink to use when we needed it.
The only solution to our problem was to build a small platform with offset to allow for a different toilet; for now that plan is on hold. Kristi made fun of me when I mentioned the effort to stand up with a short toilet. Having the adjacent cabinet helps in going all that distance.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #20 – June 18, 2022, 01:40:33 pm

So what are the current toilet models that don't require modifications to the pipe below? My Microphor isn't working and a repair seems less and less likely.

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #21 – June 18, 2022, 01:53:49 pm

Quote from: ViewRVs – June 18, 2022, 01:40:33 pm

So what are the current toilet models that don't require modifications to the pipe below? My Microphor isn't working and a repair seems less and less likely.

Meas

Quote from: Sven and Kristi – March 22, 2021, 10:56:23 am

Tim, with a 40' coach, you may have a different bathroom layout. I have not found any toilet that would fit. A few months ago I fixed the leak in the cabinet and installed a leak alert monitor, since it is out of sight. For some reason, the toilet doesn't leak anymore. We had been using a small pitcher that resided in the sink to use when we needed it.
The only solution to our problem was to build a small platform with offset to allow for a different toilet; for now that plan is on hold. Kristi made fun of me when I mentioned the effort to stand up with a short toilet. Having the adjacent cabinet helps in going all that distance.

2001 U320 3610 microphor toilet mod to Dometic 320
So glad we switched over.
Yes you do have to change the drop pipe on the 36' but this is done from above. Twist and pull to remove. Will also need to fill in tile and remove some tile to clearance. There was one box tubing that may need to be flattened for additional clearance. If you measure the clearance from the wall I believe the 40' coaches need no modifications other than changing. Chris Lang would be a great source for installation information. Our only complaint is that DW says it's too tall.
Scott

Re: Microphor support update

Reply #22 – June 18, 2022, 03:05:49 pm

Quote from: ViewRVs – June 18, 2022, 01:40:33 pm

So what are the current toilet models that don't require modifications to the pipe below? My Microphor isn't working and a repair seems less and less likely.

I replaced the Microphor in our 40 ft 1995 U320 with a Thetford Aria II and no modifications to the pipe below were required. We are pleased with its operation.

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