Rocking Ron Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Hi I have a 14 year old Thetford (c3) bench toilet in my van. And because I suffer with rheumatism in my hands I am finding it difficult to turn the flush/blade opening knob. I am told that because the toilet is so old no one as come up with an adaptor for the knob. I therefore wonder if anyone has any idea how I could adapt the knob to make life easer. Yours in anticipation Rocking Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Ron If I understand correctly you are saying the handle that closes the blade to seal the smells in is difficult to open and close, if so ours would be difficult also we had arthritis or other mobility problems. Spraying the blade and mechanism with Thetford seal spray could help. If the problem persists you maybe need to find a friend or neighbour who is a bit of a 'bodger' and see if they can extend the handle for you so it gives you easier access/more leverage which ever is the problem. It should not be too difficult a job for someone who has worked in mechanical/electrical or similar engineering area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Cliffy - 2012-10-20 9:22 PM If the problem persists you maybe need to find a friend or neighbour who is a bit of a 'bodger' and see if they can extend the handle for you so it gives you easier access/more leverage which ever is the problem. It should not be too difficult a job for someone who has worked in mechanical/electrical or similar engineering area. Or, if you don't know anyone who is a bit of a 'bodger' then try getting in touch with Remap who are a group of volunteers who specialize in 'bodging' !!! Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Hi Ron Looking at the Leisurespares website, shows a round knob for flushing http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan/water/product_30058/Flush_Knob_Assembly_for_Thetford_toilet_C2_C3_and_C4_-_White.aspx Depending on how much free space there is between the knob & the bench, it may be possible to fit a "ring spanner shaped" bar / lever to operate the flush, by cutting away one of the recess's of the side on the knob to allow the bar to protrude through with the "ring" accomodating the spindle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 I suspect your cassette is like ours with a large round knob on the right hand side to turn?................I have noticed ours has become stiff at times :-S.......................I'm wondering whether we're due a seal change after 22 years :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 flicka - 2012-10-20 10:11 PMHi Ron Looking at the Leisurespares website, shows a round knob for flushinghttp://www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan/water/product_30058/Flush_Knob_Assembly_for_Thetford_toilet_C2_C3_and_C4_-_White.aspxDepending on how much free space there is between the knob & the bench, it may be possible to fit a "ring spanner shaped" bar / lever to operate the flush, by cutting away one of the recess's of the side on the knob to allow the bar to protrude through with the "ring" accomodating the spindle. Flika Ron sounds like he still needs a local 'Bodger' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Another alternative, not requiring Mr Bodger's intervention. http://www.jhmbuttco.com/acatalog/info-TBR1605.html Or similar :-) :-S http://www.thedisabledshop.com/category/Kitchen/Cap-Gripper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 flicka - 2012-10-20 11:10 PM Another alternative, not requiring Mr Bodger's intervention. http://www.jhmbuttco.com/acatalog/info-TBR1605.html Or similar :-) :-S Well that's what they call a duel purpose tool :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Early ones had a big round knob they changed it to a knob with big sculptures around the rim changing the knob for one of these may help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 I assume your toilet is the same as the one in the first picture below. Perhaps attaching one of these hooks and then putting a 'blob' (small ball of some sort) on the hook part for you to grip would do the trick? B&Q Small hook link Or even something like this - when the handle is 'locked' it would then become a nice 'lever' instead. B&Q window handle link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 The one in the pic above has the knob I was talking about earlier ones had a round smooth knob a pain to use even when young and fit. It shouldn't be too hard to convert to electric flush as thetford list most of the spares for older models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Collings Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 I have found that the effect of Thetfords silcon lubricant is much improved if the blade is thoroughly cleaned and allowed to dry off and a couple or more coats of the lubricant applied and left to dry right off before use. I did mine last spring and its still easy to operate. I made up a tool for a disabled owner some years ago. It was cut from a piece of 3/8th plythetford knob key.doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianBW Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I had the same problem, see my web site on how I solved the problem: http://ourwanderer.org/wan14.htm#THETFORD BENCH TOIL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianBW Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Sorry, Rocking Ron, my reply did not relate to your problem. But, the problem I had, similar to yours, was due to elongation in the shaft. Oiling it helps, when the oil dries off, problem returns. I had to replace the cassette in the end. Replacment Cassettes are now available with added bottles of cleaners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 I think you are referring to the "Fresh UP Kit" that can be obtained for C2/C3/C4 bench toilets (and certain other Thetford models). The kit costs £70-£90 on-line and an example is advertised and fully described here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thetford-TOILET-HOLDING-TANK-FRESH/dp/B003I5MK9I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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