New Clean Dump/Flojet macerator overheating?

[draboo]

Has anyone run into what I m assuming is an overheating problem with a Flojet macerator? When I first got this unit, it worked wonderfully for about 4 or 5 dumps. But the last two times, it stops dead after a round 5 minutes of constant pumping.I have not let it run while dry.

Now I have to let it cool down for around 5 minutes between pumping sessions of about 5 minutes. I did read somewhere that the Flojet pump will stop if the voltage drops below 12 volts.

Thanks for any input,eh?

[xctraveler]

Our experience with the SaniCon is similar to DSDP Don. 7 or 8 years without an issue. Of course I have no hair and DW keeps hers cut very short so we have no long hair going down the drain and we are fussy about what TP we use as well as NOTHING other than grey water and what has passed through the body goes into the tanks other than TP.

So far so good. We need the macerator because when we stay at #2 son's home we need to reach 120 feet and 1 couple of feet up to reach the cleanout.

[DSDP_Don]

Glad you got it fixed. I've been running a SaniCon (which uses the Flojet pump) for over ten years. The first time it plugged, it was because we were new to using it and threw one of the cleaning wipes down the toilet (most likely what you found wrapped around yours).

We had one other issue when the rubber impeller went bad. We now carry an extra kit and I rebuild the unit every three years.

[SCVJeff]

smkettner wrote:
#10? I would be at #6 minimum. Do check the impeller is clear.

yeah.. I'm a poor example since my 10ga. is hardly 6' long

[draboo]

Problem solved! The blades were wound up tight with some sort of cloth, like a bedsheet matieral. Easy fix. Emptied black tank with ease. No overheating or stopping.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I also found this, for those who may need a rebuild kit. Not a bad price, for what you get.

REBUILD KIT FOR MACERATOR PUMP

[holstein13]

draboo wrote:
I have plenty of 10 gauge wire to hook up directly to the batteries. But the batteries are on the other side of the motorhome. Can I attache the new wire on the underside till I get to the battery compartment, then drill a hole? Originally this is what I wanted to do,but I wasn't sure how to go aboot it.

I think 10 gauge is probably too small. You want the least amount of loss possible. Yes, you could run the wires under your coach in some protective corrugated wire loom and then drill up into the battery compartment. But you are safer to find a path through the insides of the compartments.

[time2roll]

#10? I would be at #6 minimum. Do check the impeller is clear.

[hanko]

draboo wrote:
Has anyone run into what I m assuming is an overheating problem with a Flojet macerator? When I first got this unit, it worked wonderfully for about 4 or 5 dumps. But the last two times, it stops dead after a round 5 minutes of constant pumping.I have not let it run while dry.

Now I have to let it cool down for around 5 minutes between pumping sessions of about 5 minutes. I did read somewhere that the Flojet pump will stop if the voltage drops below 12 volts.

Thanks for any input,eh?

you must have some really hot sheet

[draboo]

I have plenty of 10 gauge wire to hook up directly to the batteries. But the batteries are on the other side of the motorhome. Can I attache the new wire on the underside till I get to the battery compartment, then drill a hole? Originally this is what I wanted to do,but I wasn't sure how to go aboot it.

[holstein13]

I think it's voltage. I had a similar issue when I first got my macerator then I ran a direct line with thicker wires back to the battery and didn't have the problem again... until it finally clogged up beyond repair.

I've switched to the Sewer Solution for day to day waste disposal and I keep the good old stinky slinky as a backup or if I need to use the dump station quickly.

[draboo]

Thanks for the replies. I am confused about how this problem snuck up on me,tho. If it's low voltage, why didn't it stop the very first time I used it?

I wired it into wires that power a small space heater in the "water compartment"(the heater is part of the system that prevents the water from freezing when activated). I thought if the wires provide power to a space heater, they should be able to provide enough juice for the macerator. I know it was not activated at the same time as the macerator.

The pump does get quite hot after a few minutes. I guess I'll have to take it apart and see if anything is impeding it from running first. If not, then I will "jump" it from a seperate 12V sourse and see if it runs any better/cooler/longer.

Here is another idea my elderly brain just thought of: Get one of those packs you freeze for applying cold to a sore shoulder or back and put it on the pump whilst it's running and see if that prevents the pump from stopping. ???

Thanks again,eh?

Brad

[eHoefler]

I run mine on a dedicated 30 amp power supply, with no issues. Also, not all toilet papers are macerator friendly, don't ask me how I know.

[bobman]

sounds like a low voltage issue to me or too small wires ( which does the same thing). If it was clogged it wouldn't run freely for five minutes


35 years as a pump system engineer FWIW

also the more head on a centrifugal pump the less power it will draw so having a long run and some rise in the discharge line will make it pull less amps not more

I am not saying your shouldn't investigate/inspect the possibility of something winding around the shaft behind the impeller, just saying that's not the only possibility or even the most likely.

Its probably a combination of things.

[ronfisherman]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Hair wrapped around impeller........

Need to disassemble head and clean impeller

Yup. Same problem with mine. Cleaned hair off impeller and all was good.

[SCVJeff]

It needs a nice stiff power supply as well otherwise you will load down the motor. I run mine for 15 min at a time with no issues whatsoever, but I'm running 10ga to the batteries.