My Jabsco 18590-2092 macerator will not pick up even when the holding tank is full. It is only about 2 ft above the top of the holsing tank. To get it to work I have to disconnect the large intake hose and put a pint of water down the hose and immediately reconnect it and then it works. Any ideas whats wrong?
Macerator not picking up.
- Thread starter AndrewB
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My guess: It needs a new impeller.
Impellers don't last forever. We all know that allowing an impeller pump to run dry for any extended time will cause dry friction heat to "fry" an impeller...but most people don't realize that each time an impeller pump starts, there's a tiny bit of wear to the edges of vanes from dry friction heat till the pump primes...till finally the impeller becomes so worn that it no longer fits the housing tightly enough to be able to pull (impel) anything through it any more. It's very even wear, not obvious enough to see...so people just assume that because the impeller looks ok, it still is. But it only takes a few microns of wear to edges of the vanes to gradually reduce an impeller's efficiency over time to the point where it finally wears out. Which is why impellers should be replaced every couple of years as preventive maintenance.
Impellers don't last forever. We all know that allowing an impeller pump to run dry for any extended time will cause dry friction heat to "fry" an impeller...but most people don't realize that each time an impeller pump starts, there's a tiny bit of wear to the edges of vanes from dry friction heat till the pump primes...till finally the impeller becomes so worn that it no longer fits the housing tightly enough to be able to pull (impel) anything through it any more. It's very even wear, not obvious enough to see...so people just assume that because the impeller looks ok, it still is. But it only takes a few microns of wear to edges of the vanes to gradually reduce an impeller's efficiency over time to the point where it finally wears out. Which is why impellers should be replaced every couple of years as preventive maintenance.
Hi Peggie, our macerator pump is...
located next to and below the tank and water line. I'm assuming that since the pump is below the water line and always exposed to water that impeller wear should be greatly reduced. Terry
located next to and below the tank and water line. I'm assuming that since the pump is below the water line and always exposed to water that impeller wear should be greatly reduced. Terry
Andrew, I just noticed where you are...and
You shouldn't even be using your macerator...'cuz it's illegal to dump a tank in the Bay--or in any other US waters. To dump a tank legally, you have to be outside the "3 mile limit," which does NOT mean just 3 miles from shore in a bay or lake, but at sea in open ocean at least 3 miles from the nearest point on the whole US coastline...which in your case means 3 miles offshore in the Atlantic on the other side of the Eastern Shore. And the MD cops are very strict...if they catch you dumping a tank in the Bay, it'll cost you BIG bucks. And as for your point, Terry...the old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" certainly does apply here...'cuz have you ever known anyone who found out that his macerator wouldn't work when the tank was empty?
However, it's also doubtful that you're using your macerator legally either...'cuz it's certainly not legal to dump a tank anywhere in the Sound, and the Straits are the only waters in the entire San Juans in which it's possible be at least 3 miles from shore or an island, making it illegal to dump a tank just about anywhere in your waters that isn't at least a day's sail away. However the discharge of TREATED waste from a CG certified Type I MSD (i.e Lectra/San or PuraSan) IS legal is both the Chesapeake Bay (except in Herring Bay) and all of WA state waters. So if you don't want to have to find a pumpouts, both of you should be seriously considering installing a treatment device...'cuz fwiw, just ONE illegally dumped tank has more negative impact on the environment than 1,000 boats equipped with Lectra/Sans or PuraSans all anchored in that same place for 24 hours.
You shouldn't even be using your macerator...'cuz it's illegal to dump a tank in the Bay--or in any other US waters. To dump a tank legally, you have to be outside the "3 mile limit," which does NOT mean just 3 miles from shore in a bay or lake, but at sea in open ocean at least 3 miles from the nearest point on the whole US coastline...which in your case means 3 miles offshore in the Atlantic on the other side of the Eastern Shore. And the MD cops are very strict...if they catch you dumping a tank in the Bay, it'll cost you BIG bucks. And as for your point, Terry...the old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" certainly does apply here...'cuz have you ever known anyone who found out that his macerator wouldn't work when the tank was empty?
However, it's also doubtful that you're using your macerator legally either...'cuz it's certainly not legal to dump a tank anywhere in the Sound, and the Straits are the only waters in the entire San Juans in which it's possible be at least 3 miles from shore or an island, making it illegal to dump a tank just about anywhere in your waters that isn't at least a day's sail away. However the discharge of TREATED waste from a CG certified Type I MSD (i.e Lectra/San or PuraSan) IS legal is both the Chesapeake Bay (except in Herring Bay) and all of WA state waters. So if you don't want to have to find a pumpouts, both of you should be seriously considering installing a treatment device...'cuz fwiw, just ONE illegally dumped tank has more negative impact on the environment than 1,000 boats equipped with Lectra/Sans or PuraSans all anchored in that same place for 24 hours.
Hi Peggie, since you used my name in the same...
paragraph, I'm assuming you are directing your presumptive illegal use of our macerator in US waters as jumping to conclusions? Just because I have a macerator on the boat does not mean I use it illegally, which I do not. As I have said before some number of times I cruise PNW waters, much of which the US discharge law does not apply. I abide by all applicable national and international laws as appropriate and again I appreciate your thoughtful advice. Terry P.S. Has anyone told you you're gorgeous? I had a much different mental picture of you before your avatar appeared.
paragraph, I'm assuming you are directing your presumptive illegal use of our macerator in US waters as jumping to conclusions? Just because I have a macerator on the boat does not mean I use it illegally, which I do not. As I have said before some number of times I cruise PNW waters, much of which the US discharge law does not apply. I abide by all applicable national and international laws as appropriate and again I appreciate your thoughtful advice. Terry P.S. Has anyone told you you're gorgeous? I had a much different mental picture of you before your avatar appeared.
I agree with Terry on everything....
Terry, you beat to the punch. We do have different waste regulations in these waters which are controlled by two nations. You have to work to stay in the know.... In recent years I have seen most yachtsmen do a pretty good job of watching out for the environment around these parts. And I also agree that Peggie is pretty good looking even if she is from the far side of power boating. I was going to propose but my wife tells me that is not good form. Anyway, good letter, Terry
Terry, you beat to the punch. We do have different waste regulations in these waters which are controlled by two nations. You have to work to stay in the know.... In recent years I have seen most yachtsmen do a pretty good job of watching out for the environment around these parts. And I also agree that Peggie is pretty good looking even if she is from the far side of power boating. I was going to propose but my wife tells me that is not good form. Anyway, good letter, Terry
Thanks for the compliments!
I think I can guess your previous mental image: http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article|10001|10051|/HallmarkSite/Maxine/
I think I can guess your previous mental image: http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/article|10001|10051|/HallmarkSite/Maxine/
Cruising Bahamas not Chesapeake
Every so often I can get a internet connection ...... so sorry for delay. The pump is new (six months) so the impeller replacement is not high on my list of solutions. Any other ideas?
Every so often I can get a internet connection ...... so sorry for delay. The pump is new (six months) so the impeller replacement is not high on my list of solutions. Any other ideas?
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