Does a standard Thetford cassette fit the spigot under my Laika?

[Zebra]

Hello,
I have a 1998 Laika, I think it's an Ecovip 2.1 but it's referred to as different things in different places in the paperwork.

It has a marine tank for the toilet waste. A small tank of about 16.5 litres can be dropped into a large storage tank of about 40 litres. The large tank is emptied via a 75mm drain pipe. The smaller tank can either be emptied into the larger tank or via a spigot under the van that will take (I'm guessing) a standard Thetford cassette.

I know I'm posting on a Laika forum so you all probably already know that information (sorry to teach my grandmother to suck eggs, etc.) but I wanted to make my set up clear.

And now we come to the question:
I don't have a cassette and am thinking of buying one. Does any standard Thetford cassette fit on the spigot?

Just to sneak in another question:
If yes; surely the sliding fitting on the top of the cassette isn't designed to take the whole weight of a full cassette as they are usually supported underneath when installed?

Thanks to anyone who replies.

 

[Lenny HB]

Can't help with the fitting, yes a Thetford cassette needs fully supporting underneath.

 

[Zebra]

Thanks Lenny. Hmmmm.... not sure how it can be supported. The spigot just sticks down from the bottom of the tank into thin air; not very supportive thin air!
I've been quoted £250 ex VAT and delivery for a 'Laika' one but in the picture it looks just like a standard Thetford but maybe the fitting is stronger? Either way, I had to have a lie down in a darkened room after reading the price.

 

[Lenny HB]

Just for emptying you might get away with it but Thetford ones are 100 quid so expensive if splits & could get messy.

 

[Zebra]

Yes, ‘release main ballast’ is not an action I wish to undertake at random intervals.

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[john-A]

Hi have you got sorted ok if not let me know I've had a laika fir many years and love it

 

[Zebra]

Hi John,
No, not really but I haven't been anywhere where I need the cassette option recently so it hasn't been a problem. In addition (if you have a Laika you'll know what I'm about to talk about), the handle next to the toilet that empties the small 'cassette sized tank' into the larger holding tank came off a couple of weeks ago. Luckily it came off in the open position. Anyway it now means that, until I can repair it, letting a measured volume into a cassette is currently not possible. It's not a job I'm looking forward to but the blade on the toilet leaks too so maybe a toilet system rebuild is on the cards..... Nice.....

 

[john-A]

Only just seen your post.
I have a cassette that fits ok it came with the motorhome when I bought it so I don't know much about it I'll have a look next time I pop out to open it.
When i first purchased ours the pipe next to the cassette connector was broken so I popped over to CAK tanks (I know what a name ) they removed it and sorted a connection that you fix a flexible hose to, I've never used it with the pipe connected I just pull the lever and the tank empties into the grill you get at some sites for black water.
I worried about the control lever to open and close the top tank onto the bottom tank I had to phone the guy I bought it off to ask what it was for and he told me what it did but said he never used it so I leave mine open because i am afraid of doing just what you did.
We have had ours for ten years now a love it, it's a low profile and easy to drive I've driven it all over France, Germany and to Croatia.
Let me know how you get on fixing your broken lever i might need to do the same some time.
I'll take a picture of my cassette and post it here when I get the chance.