Peggy Have checked the archives on this and assume I need to replace my macerator impellor. 1)Can I get away without a pumpout? 2)I have a 270 and imagine I have to remove that whole darn back panel, n'est pas? 3)Is it obvious how to take the macerator apart? 4) any other advice appreciated! Yes, I know, only use it three miles out to sea. And yes, a little preventive maintainence goes a long way And furthermore I do keep up with the reference library on head maintainence. Merci Beaucoups. Scott S/V Hello Dolly
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It would be helpful if...
I had a better idea of what your problem is. I'm only guessing that the macerator no longer pulls anything out of the tank. If that IS the case, the first thing to check is the tank vent. If it's blocked (99% of vent blockages occur at the thru-hull, btw), neither the pumpout nor the macerator can empty the tank. If you've allowed the tank overflow out the vent without rinsing it out immediately each time, the odds are, that's your problem. If the vent is clear, and if the macerator motor runs but doesn't pump anything out, then yes, I'd say the impeller needs replacing. It's an easy job if the tank is empty...so, yes, I'd advise going to the pumpout AND *thoroughly* rinsing out the tank before you start.
I had a better idea of what your problem is. I'm only guessing that the macerator no longer pulls anything out of the tank. If that IS the case, the first thing to check is the tank vent. If it's blocked (99% of vent blockages occur at the thru-hull, btw), neither the pumpout nor the macerator can empty the tank. If you've allowed the tank overflow out the vent without rinsing it out immediately each time, the odds are, that's your problem. If the vent is clear, and if the macerator motor runs but doesn't pump anything out, then yes, I'd say the impeller needs replacing. It's an easy job if the tank is empty...so, yes, I'd advise going to the pumpout AND *thoroughly* rinsing out the tank before you start.
Thanks!
The pump works but gets slower and slower until the circuit breaker button pops out. I notice it does the same thing with the stop cock open or closed. How do I check the vent-is that the little chrome piece on the hull? Do you just try to look through it from the dock?
The pump works but gets slower and slower until the circuit breaker button pops out. I notice it does the same thing with the stop cock open or closed. How do I check the vent-is that the little chrome piece on the hull? Do you just try to look through it from the dock?
Trace the vent line from the tank to the hull
It's the "little chrome piece," but so are the vent thru-hulls for your water and fuel tanks...you need to check the right one. (Actually, you should all of 'em, regularly--to prevent blockages). If it's the kind that looks like a cap, it has a slit in the bottom of it...you won't be able to look through it. Clean it out with a screw driver. If that doesn't free it up, you'll have to take the vent hose off the thru-hull--and maybe off the tank too--to find the blockage. You won't be able to pump out until you clear it. However, unless the macerator impeller has fried, you can dump the tank at sea if you open the deck pumpout fitting to let some air into the tank. If the tank vent IS blocked, the tank is likely to be pressurized...so be prepared for an eruption. Open it very slowly, hang on tightly to the cap, and make sure you're upwind with a hose at the ready to clean up the deck. If I were you, I'd relieve the pressure before starting work to clear the vent line. However, you just gave me another major clue: the macerator motor is overheating, blowing its internal breaker. That indicates a clog in the macerator....that there's something in it that has the impeller jammed, preventing it from spinning, and is overheating the motor. But before taking it apart, I'd make VERY sure that a blocked tank vent isn't causing the problem...and then pump out and THOROUGHLY rinse out the system.
It's the "little chrome piece," but so are the vent thru-hulls for your water and fuel tanks...you need to check the right one. (Actually, you should all of 'em, regularly--to prevent blockages). If it's the kind that looks like a cap, it has a slit in the bottom of it...you won't be able to look through it. Clean it out with a screw driver. If that doesn't free it up, you'll have to take the vent hose off the thru-hull--and maybe off the tank too--to find the blockage. You won't be able to pump out until you clear it. However, unless the macerator impeller has fried, you can dump the tank at sea if you open the deck pumpout fitting to let some air into the tank. If the tank vent IS blocked, the tank is likely to be pressurized...so be prepared for an eruption. Open it very slowly, hang on tightly to the cap, and make sure you're upwind with a hose at the ready to clean up the deck. If I were you, I'd relieve the pressure before starting work to clear the vent line. However, you just gave me another major clue: the macerator motor is overheating, blowing its internal breaker. That indicates a clog in the macerator....that there's something in it that has the impeller jammed, preventing it from spinning, and is overheating the motor. But before taking it apart, I'd make VERY sure that a blocked tank vent isn't causing the problem...and then pump out and THOROUGHLY rinse out the system.
Merci and Gratias
So I can just loosen the pumpout fitting ( and hope it doesn't blow up in my face, whew!) and try to macerate. This will rule out the vent problem...(but I'll check the vents individually anyway) Since you've been so kind as to lead me by the hand on this, when you pump out, this clears the hose to the macerator? And when you say rinse out thoroughly...this means you pump out, then fill it again with some water from a hose, and pump out again?
So I can just loosen the pumpout fitting ( and hope it doesn't blow up in my face, whew!) and try to macerate. This will rule out the vent problem...(but I'll check the vents individually anyway) Since you've been so kind as to lead me by the hand on this, when you pump out, this clears the hose to the macerator? And when you say rinse out thoroughly...this means you pump out, then fill it again with some water from a hose, and pump out again?
It might...
Yes, rinsing out the system means pumping out, adding water, pumping out again. You don't necessarily have to fill the tank each time, but you do want to stir up all of whatever has settled to the pump so it can be pumped out. Just don't use the same hose you use to fill your fresh water tank. If you open the y-valve toward the macerator when you add water, it should rinse out that hose too, but only as far as the y-valve. If you only have a tee fitting in the pumpout line, not a y-valve, whether it'll rinse out the hose as far as the macerator depends on where the macerator is. To avoid as much mess as possible, remove the screws that hold the macerator down and put a big flat pan under it...THEN take the hoses off it and take the macerator out to wash it off and work on it. The link below goes to macerators on the Jabsco site...click on "technical data"...that's the instructions and exploded drawing. It's in .pdf format, so you'll need Acrobat to open it.
Yes, rinsing out the system means pumping out, adding water, pumping out again. You don't necessarily have to fill the tank each time, but you do want to stir up all of whatever has settled to the pump so it can be pumped out. Just don't use the same hose you use to fill your fresh water tank. If you open the y-valve toward the macerator when you add water, it should rinse out that hose too, but only as far as the y-valve. If you only have a tee fitting in the pumpout line, not a y-valve, whether it'll rinse out the hose as far as the macerator depends on where the macerator is. To avoid as much mess as possible, remove the screws that hold the macerator down and put a big flat pan under it...THEN take the hoses off it and take the macerator out to wash it off and work on it. The link below goes to macerators on the Jabsco site...click on "technical data"...that's the instructions and exploded drawing. It's in .pdf format, so you'll need Acrobat to open it.
Just buy my book when it comes out
in a couple of months.
You'll know when it's out...'cuz Phil has promised to send up flares and ride up and down every dock in every marina naked on a white horse yelling "PEGGIE'S BOOK IS OUT, PEGGIE'S BOOK IS OUT!" I hope somebody will have a video camera handy...'cuz that's a vision that makes both Paul Revere AND Lady Godiva pale in comparison. <lOL!>
in a couple of months.
You'll know when it's out...'cuz Phil has promised to send up flares and ride up and down every dock in every marina naked on a white horse yelling "PEGGIE'S BOOK IS OUT, PEGGIE'S BOOK IS OUT!" I hope somebody will have a video camera handy...'cuz that's a vision that makes both Paul Revere AND Lady Godiva pale in comparison. <lOL!>- Status