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dshinnick's avatar
dshinnick
Explorer
May 20, 2013

No Sanicon

Hey all-

We have an '05 Holiday Rambler Ambassador. It had a Sanicon installed after market, I believe. The sanicon first stopped working about a year ago. The only thing I could see to replace was the cube-shaped relay, which seemed to fix the problem. Then after a few months, it stopped again. Again replaced the relay, worked for awhile, now stopped. Not sure if the relay actually fixed the problem, or it was a coincidence.

Anyway, it's completely dead now; no signs of life. I got out my voltmeter and poked everything I can see down there, but can't get any indication of power to the unit (not that I really know what I'm doing....). The separately-mounted on/off switch does have continuity through it, so that should be good. I can also get continuity through two posts on the relay.

It is a bit of a wired jungle down there, so I don't know if anyone can provide specific instructions, but thoughts are welcome. My nearest RV service tech didn't seem to know a lot about it, so I may be kinda stuck.

I understand that there is a fuse for it, but I can't find it.

Any thoughts?

Thanks-

Dave
Class A

7 Replies

  • DSDP_Don's avatar
    DSDP_Don
    Explorer
    May 24, 2013
    As was mentioned, don't forget the shaft maintenance and with the age of your coach, you're probably ready for a rebuild kit. The Sanicon uses a rubber impeller (just like a boat water pump) to pump the water. The kit is about $30.00 and is easy to do, once the unit is out. The impellers get a "set" and don't work as well after many years of use.
  • Bob_Olallawa's avatar
    Bob_Olallawa
    Explorer
    May 24, 2013
    dshinnick wrote:
    Solution:
    In my battery compartment, on the rear wall, is a breaker bar with several contacts (posts) coming out of it. Several wires are connected to the various posts, except for a purple wire, which had somehow come loose and fallen off the post. That was the wire that fed power to the Sanicon. Once that wire was reconnected to the post on the breaker bar, the Sanicon powered right up.

    Thanks to all for the help-
    Dave

    Don't forget the shaft maintenance. Glad you found the problem
  • dshinnick's avatar
    dshinnick
    Explorer
    May 24, 2013
    Solution:
    In my battery compartment, on the rear wall, is a breaker bar with several contacts (posts) coming out of it. Several wires are connected to the various posts, except for a purple wire, which had somehow come loose and fallen off the post. That was the wire that fed power to the Sanicon. Once that wire was reconnected to the post on the breaker bar, the Sanicon powered right up.

    Thanks to all for the help-
    Dave
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    May 21, 2013
    Sounds like you popped a fuse to me too.

    I have a FLo-Jet I do not use often.. Every time it blows the dang fuse. EVERY TIME, till I remember I need to clean and lube the stupid thing.

    This time I did the clean and lube before I put it away and will check it before I plug in.

    I understand both Flo-Jet and Sanicon use the same pump motor. .IF so then on the non-plumbing end should be a short shaft with a screwdriver slot in it.

    Note which way the thing should turn (toward the discharge port) and try to turn that shaft using a flat blade screwdriver. If it's hard to turn, you need to clean and lube.
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    May 21, 2013
    Check in your engine compartment fuse panel on the passenger side. There should be a fuse for the sanicon there. The unit should be removed and cleaned as part of your annual maintenance. I've use one for six years with no problems..OTOH, since you indicate it's an aftermarket install all bets are off...but it's worth a look anyway....Dennis
  • dshinnick's avatar
    dshinnick
    Explorer
    May 20, 2013
    Update:

    I think the Sanicon is powered through two wires, red and white, connecting to the back of the sanicon. Connecting to those wires are two wires, purple and white, coming in from the coach. It seems I should be able to detect power on that purple/white combination, but no, nothing. Doesn't that indicate the sanicon isn't getting power? And how might I troubleshoot that?

    thanks
  • Bob_Olallawa's avatar
    Bob_Olallawa
    Explorer
    May 20, 2013
    If you haven't cleaned the shaft of hair and other stuff, that could be part of the problem. Mine is a boxed unit I attach and use as needed, it has a fuse in the power line. While using the volt meter, did you have a good ground to work with, maybe need to chase the wires from one end to the other to find the power loss if there is no power to it.

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