Macerator Pump

Stu Jackson · Jul 21, 2015

Clydo said:
Thinking
of Jabsco or Shurflo replacement.

My 1986 Jabsco died last year. I did a LOT of research and used a new Shurflo.

They are all the same dimensions, but the reviews of the Shurflos were better.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Jul 21, 2015

Clydo said:
When I bought my 2003 C310 two years ago dealer had to replace
macerator pump (leaking - ugh). Now when try to start gives low
dying hum and stops after about 3 seconds. Thinking
of Jabsco or Shurflo replacement. Any thoughts?

I suspect the impeller is firmly stuck to the inside of its housing, which happens quite a bit because waste is sticky and it rarely occurs to many people to rinse out the system after using it. The pump tries, but shuts down to prevent burning out the motor when the impeller can't move. Rinsing out the pump and replacing the impeller will prob'ly solve your immediate problem, but it won't prevent it happening again to your existing pump or any brand of new impeller pump if the pump isn't rinsed out before the boat sits. Few people ever even do that when prepping the boat for winter layup.

An electric diaphragm pump will save you from yourself in more ways than one, because there's no impeller to get stuck or be "fried" when allowed to run dry because diaphragm pumps can run dry without harm. They cost a bit more than impeller macerators, but it only takes a couple of new impellers to make up that difference. The Dometic/SeaLand "T-Series" pump is the best on the market: T series waste discharge pump I had one on one of my own boats that was 11 yrs old when I sold the boat and still working as well as it did when it was new.

Click to expand

SailFysh · Jul 22, 2015

Same issue here...

Clydo said:
When I bought my 2003 C310 two years ago dealer had to replace
macerator pump (leaking - ugh). Now when try to start gives low
dying hum and stops after about 3 seconds. Thinking
of Jabsco or Shurflo replacement. Any thoughts?

On my 2003 C310, Hull 211, I experienced the same issue you describe above. I tried it again a month or so later and the pump ran fine. I think Peggy Hall's post makes good sense... I need to take a few minutes to wash out the holding tank / macerator pump lines. I guess with just fresh water?

Neal

Stu Jackson · Jul 26, 2015

Clyde, there's also a Troubleshooting guide with the pump manual, which shows that at the back of the unit there is a screw which can be used to free a stuck impeller.

On our boat I'd need a right angled screwdriver (I have two!), but my pump was totally shot.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Jul 26, 2015

Bought new pump yesterday. Checked cost of diaphragm pump - twice as much so bought Surflow. Pushed my 200 lb 6' 86 year old body into the cave to replace two year old macerator pump.

Lessee now...cost of 1 diaphragm pump = 2 macerator pumps. You bought one macerator two years ago, a new one now...so in two years you've already spent the price of one diaphragm pump...and if this trend continues, in just two more years you'll have spent enough on macerator pumps to buy TWO diaphragm pumps. You should run for Congress, Clyde!:dance:

On impulse thinking about Peggies advice about stuck impellor vanes
decided to give pump couple whacks with pliers. Quickly crawled
back to panel and flipped switch. Imagine my surprise and great
joy pump ran perfectly. Key now - according to her advice flush
to keep clean.

Then start by replacing the impeller..the stress from being stuck seriously weakened the vanes, if it didn't actually crack one or more of them.