Macerator issues

[artboas]

Being in fresh water, we use holding tanks.
But, the macerator is part of the head system, so it must be winterized every season.
My procedure is to pump out the tanks, and then do two full rinse cycles at the pump out dock. With 2 tanks, this takes awhile.
Then, I load antifreeze into the tanks
And then, open up the macerator valves, and pump it through.
In the spring, I just pump fresh water through them.
Well, last season when I did this, my aft macerator (apparently) seized up.
On the 49 there is a 2 way switch which selects fore or aft unit.
Bought a new unit, and just before unplumbing the old one, hot wired in the new unit. It didn’t chooch.
Tracked it down to the fore-aft rocker switch,
After examining this, I found that these rocker switches are way underrated for this inductive load.
So, here is the solution
The small black “automotive” relays have 25 amp contact rating, and cost $5 each.
I spent about 3 hours and rewired the macerator circuits so that the rocker switch acts as a pilot for the 2 relays. This is dead simple electrical wiring that anyone can do.
So, if you are using these macerators regularly, you might wish to consider this small zero cost modification .

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

My procedure is to pump out the tanks, and then do two full rinse cycles at the pump out dock. With 2 tanks, this takes awhile. Then, I load antifreeze into the tanks
And then, open up the macerator valves, and pump it through.

There's a much easier way that winterizes the toilets too: See the "Sanitation" section of the WINTERIZING PLUMBING thread in the Sanitation and Plumbing forum. You may also find some useful info in the Fresh Water System part of that article.

--Peggie

 

[artboas]

Thank you Peggy. You are always incredibly helpful.
The only point I was trying to make was the rocker switch was under-rated for the motor.
Your other points are very valid
Thanks, as always