Our heads will cycle 7-8 times during the course of a night. Have heard others have had the same problem. Any suggestions?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
P
Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
If the bowl holds water...
Most likely it just means it's time to replace the duckbill valves in the vacuum pump. If the bowl doesn't hold water, try cleaning the underside of the opening. If that doesn't work, you may need a new ball kit. Or, you may only need to learn how to flush it correctly. The two most common mistakes VacuFlush owners make are: 1) not leaving the pedal down long enough. The pedal not only opens the hole in the bottom of the bowl, it also controls the flush water. It's necessary to leave the pedal down at least 3 full seconds after the bowl is empty, to rinse the waste out of the vacuum pump. 2) easing the pedal up instead of just releasing it. It's spring loaded for a reason--to allow the dome to snap back into place with enough force to seat it so it can seal. Easing the pedal back up doesn't let that happen, and can damage the mechanism. Just let it go...that's how it's designed to work. Just about every symptom a VacuFlush can develop, along with the probable causes and cures, is covered in the owners manual. If you don't have one, ask SeaLand to send you one when you order the duckbills (800-321-9886). And keep it on the boat where you'll have it to refer to...'cuz messing with a VacuFlush without knowing what makes what happen (and you obviously don't if you had to ask what causes it to cycle) can create bigger problems than the one you're trying to solve.
Most likely it just means it's time to replace the duckbill valves in the vacuum pump. If the bowl doesn't hold water, try cleaning the underside of the opening. If that doesn't work, you may need a new ball kit. Or, you may only need to learn how to flush it correctly. The two most common mistakes VacuFlush owners make are: 1) not leaving the pedal down long enough. The pedal not only opens the hole in the bottom of the bowl, it also controls the flush water. It's necessary to leave the pedal down at least 3 full seconds after the bowl is empty, to rinse the waste out of the vacuum pump. 2) easing the pedal up instead of just releasing it. It's spring loaded for a reason--to allow the dome to snap back into place with enough force to seat it so it can seal. Easing the pedal back up doesn't let that happen, and can damage the mechanism. Just let it go...that's how it's designed to work. Just about every symptom a VacuFlush can develop, along with the probable causes and cures, is covered in the owners manual. If you don't have one, ask SeaLand to send you one when you order the duckbills (800-321-9886). And keep it on the boat where you'll have it to refer to...'cuz messing with a VacuFlush without knowing what makes what happen (and you obviously don't if you had to ask what causes it to cycle) can create bigger problems than the one you're trying to solve.
S
Sam Bocchicchio
Same problem on 386
John: I have a 2002 H-386 with the same problem. My head would cycle during the night so I asked around and I was told to clean the "ball" that seats in the bowl and put some vasoline on the "ball". When you flush make sure there is water in the bowl after the "ball" seats itself. Just hold the pedal slightly to release some water in the bowl. That took care of my problem. I hope it works for you. Sam
John: I have a 2002 H-386 with the same problem. My head would cycle during the night so I asked around and I was told to clean the "ball" that seats in the bowl and put some vasoline on the "ball". When you flush make sure there is water in the bowl after the "ball" seats itself. Just hold the pedal slightly to release some water in the bowl. That took care of my problem. I hope it works for you. Sam
P
Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
To bring water into the bowl without flushing
Stick your toe under the pedal and lift it. Vaseline should not be used on any rubber parts...petroleum degrades rubber. If you think you need anything, use mineral oil or vegetable oil. Apparently John isn't the only one who needs an owners manual.
Stick your toe under the pedal and lift it. Vaseline should not be used on any rubber parts...petroleum degrades rubber. If you think you need anything, use mineral oil or vegetable oil. Apparently John isn't the only one who needs an owners manual.
F
frank arndorfer
Vacuum pump running
I have vacu-flush toilets on my 426 and in addition to Peggy's comments, there's another possibility that worked on mine and solved a similar problem; Follow your manual as it explains tightening the sealing collar around the valve assembly. It's a large hose-clamp type device. Takes very little adjustment.
I have vacu-flush toilets on my 426 and in addition to Peggy's comments, there's another possibility that worked on mine and solved a similar problem; Follow your manual as it explains tightening the sealing collar around the valve assembly. It's a large hose-clamp type device. Takes very little adjustment.
P
Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
What the manual doesn't tell you...
The suction splatters waste all over the inside of the hoses and vacuum tank...and the highly touted small amount of flush water isn't enough to completely rinse out the system--it's not enough volume to fill up the hose. So, once a week--or even more often, and especially as the last thing before closing up the boat--fill the bowl to the rim with clean water and flush it...do it twice. Not only will this rinse out the hoses and vacuum tank, but also clear out any bits of waste and TP that may be caught in the vacuum pump and duckbill valves. Follow the rinse with a cupful--no more--of white vinegar to dissolve any urine crystals before they can build up in the hoses. White vinegar also retards odor production, which reduces the potential for permeated hoses.
The suction splatters waste all over the inside of the hoses and vacuum tank...and the highly touted small amount of flush water isn't enough to completely rinse out the system--it's not enough volume to fill up the hose. So, once a week--or even more often, and especially as the last thing before closing up the boat--fill the bowl to the rim with clean water and flush it...do it twice. Not only will this rinse out the hoses and vacuum tank, but also clear out any bits of waste and TP that may be caught in the vacuum pump and duckbill valves. Follow the rinse with a cupful--no more--of white vinegar to dissolve any urine crystals before they can build up in the hoses. White vinegar also retards odor production, which reduces the potential for permeated hoses.
S
Sam Bocchicchio
What's up with the comments
Hey Peg What's up with the owners manual comments? Vasoline worked for me and it did not degrade the rubber. Lighten up.
Hey Peg What's up with the owners manual comments? Vasoline worked for me and it did not degrade the rubber. Lighten up.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.