Macerator Pump

[Mike]

I recently bought a 1980 Catalina 27, my first boat. The macerator pump, which is not a stock item and therefore not original to the boat, does not work. I am considering removing it and not replacing it. What are the ramifications of such a plan? And do I simply run the macerator intake hose to the holding tank?I will be using the boat primarily for day sailing and occasional weekend cruising.Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Depends on whether...

You want to be able to dump the tank. If the motor still works, but the pump doesn't, chances are all it needs is a new impeller. If it's not making a sound, check to see whether it's getting any power...and chances are you'll have to change the impeller anyway. However, if you just don't want it, run the head discharge hose straight to the holding tank. Close the seacock on the overboard discharge...and if I were you, since it's an underwater thru-hull that won't be used, I'd also put a plug in it. Btw...what difference does it make whether the macerator was orginal equipment? Even if it were, after 20 years it's prob'ly the 3rd replacement. And fwiw (as the owner of a 20 yr old boat I know first hand), you can expect to replace just about everything on the boat that still is original...nothing electrical or mechanical lasts much more than 10 years, if that long.

 

[Hayden Watson]

More info?

Mind if I jump in here? My macerator has a good electrical connection. The amp usage goes up when I hit the switch. The motor doesn’t spin, so I assume that the impeller is stuck.How do you go about rebuilding it. I don’t remember ever seeing any thing written about the process. Is it one of those jobs that if you told someone what was “really” involved they wouldn’t even attempt it?Thanks for your help.Hayden Watson“Papillon”‘88 C30

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

It's not a difficult job...

E-mail me a fax number and I'll send you the instructions for replacing an impeller.And btw...ALWAYS keep at least one spare impeller aboard! You're guaranteed to need it.

 

[Rodney Kidd]

Reverse It

I un-jammed my 15 year old macerator pump by briefly reversing the polarity to the pump and it has worked fine ever since. In other words, connect the pump's positive lead to ground, and connect the pump's negative lead to battery +. The best way to do this is reverse the connections at the pump with all power removed. Then, when the connections are reversed, use the switch/circuit breaker to briefly run the pump in reverse (brief = 1 or 2 seconds). If the "reverse hail mary" doesn't work, then you can always rebuild/replace/remove the pump.Rodney KiddC-38 # 297 Flying Bear

 

[Rodney Kidd]

Reverse It (more)

I should have added that after the 1 or 2 second reverse, restore the connections to normal and try the pump.Rodney KiddC-38 #297, Flying Bear

 

[Hayden Watson]

e-mail address

I can't find your E-mail address listed anywhere on the forum. Could you sent it to me at hayden.watson3@gte.netThanks for your helpHayden