What is this pump in my raw water intake hose?

[SkuffedKeel]

Hello!

Can anyone tell me what this pump is that's connected to my raw water intake for the head? It's wired up but I'm pretty sure it's not doing anything because when I'm touching it and press the switch to flush I don't feel anything.

[KenKrawford]

A couple of thoughts come to mind. Does your commode use fresh water or sea water for flushing? If fresh water then maybe the previous owner used the raw water head intake thru hull as a source for a washdown pump. If you don't have a washdown pump the only other scenario I can think of is that some marine heads (Ratitan Sea Elegance) can have a dedicated pump when using sea water to flush.

[SkuffedKeel]

My current commode is a Jabsco with an electric macerator pump that uses sea water for flushing. I have yet to figure out what the stock system was when the boat was new, I'm pretty certain this is not it.

I do have a washdown pump but it's not tied to this system at all, it's up in the anchor locker and completely standalone, I drop a hose overboard for water intake when I need to use it.

Whatever this device is it's directly inline between the raw water sea cock and the commode itself.

[russp]

Maybe I am getting senile, but this looks like a solenoid valve to me, not a pump??

[SkuffedKeel]

You could very well be right, this is not my area of expertise. Any idea what the need for a solenoid valve for a commode would be?

[russp]

Only guessing as may be non-standard. Safety valve so raw water only “live” when head is turned on, or maybe part of a pump n/pump out timing cycle.

I still have the Newport original head, no valves anywhere.

Regards

[SkuffedKeel]

Haven't been on for quite awhile, but thought I'd give an update. It turned out to be a solenoid valve that is only open when the flush button is depressed, with the intention of stopping raw water from entering the bowl if the thru hull is left open.