Macerator pump issues

The macerator pump is located AFTER the bayonet valve. The 3" pipe from the bayonet valve then reduces down to about 1 or 1-1/2" before going to the macerator pump. I suspect that this is where my problem lies, but I have not taken anything apart yet because I don't want to have a nasty mess inside the compartment and ON ME when I open things up. Granted, the only amount of mess will be what's between the bayonet valve and the macerator pump, but still, I'd like a sanitary way to do this! Changing diapers on my kids was nearly enough to kill me, much less dealing with this kind of mess!

If I have this correct, your macerator pump is between the black tank and the knife value. Wonder if you could insert the wand or hose of a wet/dry vac down through the toilet to empty the tank in order that you may detach the pump to repair it.

Is your macerator enclosed within the black tank,or is outside?(like installed as an accessory).

I just installed a macerator pump and had problems,which I posted aboot here on this forum. Mine was acting the same as yours. I took off the 3 inch hose where it connects to the macerator and could see the blades were clogged up solid with some sort of cloth. I took off the four bolts and pulled the cover off and cleaned out the blockage. It worked great until..

I started having the same trouble again. This time it was only about 15 seconds between the pump being turned on and the FUSE BLOWING. I took it apart once again, and, yep, another large cotton rag clogging up the works. It came apart again and cleaned out.

Word of caution: (and I m assuming you have a Flojet macerator).

When tightening the four brass castle nuts that hold the cap on, do not use much torque when tightening. I snapped off one of the 4 brass rods that held the cap on. Brass cannot take much torque. I replaced it with a cheap 3" length of allthread from the hardware store. I coated the all thread with grease before installing it with hopes it will prevent rust. I now have 8 spare rods.

Thanks for the replies. To clarify, my black tank is full. Plenty of liquid in the tank. Either I have a clog between the bayonet valve and the macerator pump, or the pump itself is not pumping, or the line from the pump to the main dump (on the other side of the coach) is clogged. My main concern is how to remove the macerator pump and how to empty the black tank without making a huge nasty mess on me and in the compartment where the bayonet valve and macerator pump are located. THEN I can deal with the maintenance/repair to the macerator pump. Any advice is welcome.

tommy salmon wrote:
Help please! My 2013 Winnebago Vista 35F has 1-1/2 baths. The half bath has it's own black tank with a macerator pump to pump the waste to the dump. After opening the valves to dump and operating the pump I get barely a trickle of liquid and the pump shuts off after running about a minute. After a short time I can run the pump again with the same results. I'm assuming that the pump works but is overheating due to the lack of liquid flowing through it. I'm guessing I have a clog between the black tank and the pump. Any suggestions on clearing the clog that doesn't involve a really nasty mess on me and in the compartment where the pump is? Thanks in advance for your help!

Tommy, it maybe too late for this now...but i put 4 oz of water softner in my toilet..then flush,I found that it will flush so much easier..so everytank I add 4oz... seems to lube the macerator ...Chuck

To answer your question, your best bet would be to get a FLUSH KING that will allow you to direct a spray of water back up into the tank with a regular garden hose......that is, if the clog in the black tank is at the opening of the tank.

You didn't mention if the tank was full? It sounds like it is either empty or clogged.

I don't know how much experience you have with black tanks and the proper use of them along with the macerator. As long as the macerator can suck liquids from the black tank, it will do so. If no water, then it will not suck out the solids. So make sure you have plenty of water in the tank to begin with.

If the problem lies in the macerator, the problem is that one or more of the vanes on the impeller (not the steel blades) has broken off and it can no long create a suction. The macerator will need to be disassemble, cleaned and a new impeller installed.

Good luck

Ron

tommy salmon wrote:
Help please! My 2013 Winnebago Vista 35F has 1-1/2 baths. The half bath has it's own black tank with a macerator pump to pump the waste to the dump. After opening the valves to dump and operating the pump I get barely a trickle of liquid and the pump shuts off after running about a minute. After a short time I can run the pump again with the same results. I'm assuming that the pump works but is overheating due to the lack of liquid flowing through it. I'm guessing I have a clog between the black tank and the pump. Any suggestions on clearing the clog that doesn't involve a really nasty mess on me and in the compartment where the pump is? Thanks in advance for your help!

FIRST, I fail to be able to determine if you are having an issue with the waste leaving the toilet(the macerator pump) or the fresh water entering the toilet to allow a proper flush. (a fresh water pump or toilet valve issue).
Ted

Macerators need routine maintenance. It probably needs a new impeller and/or cleaned and has hair around the shaft.

The vanes break off.

Macerator pumps operate most efficiently when:

1. Adequate voltage is present. Often, wiring is less than 12GA causing the pump to work extra hard to operate. Make sure batteries are up to snuff and wire ga is no less than 12ga.

2. Pump is clean and can operate at peak rpms. This usually requires annual maintenance of the unit. I take mine apart, clean it completely and reassemble during my annual maintenance check off. Hair, toilet tissue and other debris get caught on the metal impeller causing it to slow down and not operate at peak efficiency.

Check an ensure you have 12Ga red wire from the circuit breaker to the pump.
Remove the pump, disassemble, clean and reassemble. Everything should now work. Make sure you use caution with the small housing gasket. If you tear it, you'll have to make a new one out of gasket material. You can buy that in sheet form from NAPA, Auto Zone and others....Dennis