Macerators

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Boat builders use tees because they're cheaper than y-valves. Replacing the TEE with a y-valve should solve the problem. I'm surprised that no PO hasn't already done that.

--Peggie

 

[JoeWhite]

Macerator Pump | Sail La Vie

mei1970.org

Yes. I have replaced the "T" with a Y valve, see link above with images. In my case the screw rod broke on the macerator impeller housing and the stuff filled the bilge. I installed the Y valve and added 4" hoses between the Y valve and all its connections to allow to flex without breaking the devices that it was connected to. The way that the T was connected to the macerator there was no room to flex, hence the screw rod broke.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

In the factory setup on my Catalina, the macerator is screwed into a PVC "T" fitting at the tank outlet. Then the 3/4"ø outlet hose goes to the seacock thru-hull. In this setup, doesn't the pump get filled with sewage anytime the head is used given that the only value is beyond the macerator? I have not seen a setup where there is a valve between the macerator and the pumpout hose.

That seems to be the standard configuration on Catalinas. I didn't like it either and replaced the T with a Raritan diverter valve. I had a little trepidation over it because when I bought it at Defender a few years ago (they don't seem to carry that model anymore) there was a warning to not use any of these y-valves below the waterline. Technically, it is below the waterline, but I figured that because the thru-hull is normally closed, it wouldn't matter that it is below the waterline. But I did still question if the valve might eventually leak because it is below the tank contents except when the tank is completely empty. So far so good. What I like about this valve is that it makes it easy to lock in compliance with rules about locking the shutoff.

 

[Sailm8]

After replacing 2 expensive electric pumps I bought this 5 or 6 years ago. As near as I can tell it empties as fast as the electric.

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[Hayden Watson]

Macerator Pump | Sail La Vie

mei1970.org

Yes. I have replaced the "T" with a Y valve, see link above with images. In my case the screw rod broke on the macerator impeller housing and the stuff filled the bilge. I installed the Y valve and added 4" hoses between the Y valve and all its connections to allow to flex without breaking the devices that it was connected to. The way that the T was connected to the macerator there was no room to flex, hence the screw rod broke.

I feel your pain. It was truly a horrific day when the pump head fell off my Jobsco macerator. We were out sailing with my sister-in-law and her husband and she when down below and came up shortly saying that it "smelled bad below". I went down to investigate and bad was not the word I would have chosen. It was a rainy day but surprisingly everyone wanted to say in the cockpit and "enjoy" the rain.

 

[Hayden Watson]

After replacing 2 expensive electric pumps I bought this 5 or 6 years ago. As near as I can tell it empties as fast as the electric.

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Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for YaeMarine 720GPH Manual Diaphragm Hand Bilge Waste Water Transfer Pump at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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Wow. That looks like a nice option but at $25 it seems too good to be true.

 

[Sailm8]

That's not the acual one I bought. It was only $20 and I bought 2. Have never used the second one.