Macerators: SaniCon vs Others

[Adventurer_Buck]

Will be parked on a private site that is about 50' away from the sewer inlet and slightly upgrade, therefore we will need to add a macerator more for it's pumping ability than anything else. After researching, it seems like it comes down to a SaniCon or FloJet. Reviews are greater for FloJet yet not always good. SaniFlo has fewer reviews, yet mostly good. FloJet is less expensive, so imagine more buy it trying to save $$$. Thetford products have rarely let us down and while cost is always a consideration, the last thing we want is a failure, especially when we can't dump without it. Looking for others who have had success with macerating their waste away. Thanks.

[Bumpyroad]

emptying black tank using blue dump tank for several trips is "easier"?
bumpy

[JohnG3]

tkcas01 wrote:

JohnG3 wrote:
Bought a Flo-jet a couple years ago as we camped where there was a sewer dump about 120 feet and maybe 1 ft. rise. Use the 1 1/2 inch lightweight swimingpool hose. Dumped one holding tank, took a while due to start and stop because of overheating of pump. Needed to burnish the armature and replace the brushes. Not worth the trouble. Went back to the blue dump tank and several trips. Much easier and cheaper.

Of course these things have their limits. That's a pretty long run, especially with a rise. I've had no problems with an 80' horizontal run in 1" hose. It also helps to make sure the wire you use to feed it is heavy enough gauge based on how long the wire run is.

Had heavier than required wire and the rise was a "hump" part way to the dump station. I believe if the run had been even slightly down hill there would not have been a problem.

[tkcas01]

JohnG3 wrote:
Bought a Flo-jet a couple years ago as we camped where there was a sewer dump about 120 feet and maybe 1 ft. rise. Use the 1 1/2 inch lightweight swimingpool hose. Dumped one holding tank, took a while due to start and stop because of overheating of pump. Needed to burnish the armature and replace the brushes. Not worth the trouble. Went back to the blue dump tank and several trips. Much easier and cheaper.

Of course these things have their limits. That's a pretty long run, especially with a rise. I've had no problems with an 80' horizontal run in 1" hose. It also helps to make sure the wire you use to feed it is heavy enough gauge based on how long the wire run is.

[JohnG3]

Bought a Flo-jet a couple years ago as we camped where there was a sewer dump about 120 feet and maybe 1 ft. rise. Use the 1 1/2 inch lightweight swimingpool hose. Dumped one holding tank, took a while due to start and stop because of overheating of pump. Needed to burnish the armature and replace the brushes. Not worth the trouble. Went back to the blue dump tank and several trips. Much easier and cheaper.

[chuggs]

I use one at home. It pumps thru a buried 2" PVC pipe about 100 feet to our sewer. I like the portable model...as I only use it when I'm trying to dump at home...and I can use a pair of needle nosed pliers to remove any hair wrapped around the impeller when I'm done.

[tkcas01]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I think if I was taking a macerator on and off frequently, I would do as I would do with a sewer solution that kept breaking off the tabs. I would get a short 6 inch clear pipe and silicone seal or goop it to the tabbed ends of the macerator so that the continual pressure would be put on the cheap connector, not the macerator.
bumpy

ditto. For some reason my Flojet twist tabs were hard to twist on the sewer outlet and they broke before I ever had a chance to use it. They sent a replacement connector housing, then I did what bumby suggests - put a clear adapter on it. I used a 45 which worked out best for my setup. I also put in a "set screw" to keep it firmly attached to the macerator so it would not break the seal when I would remove the whole thing from the RV.

[Bumpyroad]

I think if I was taking a macerator on and off frequently, I would do as I would do with a sewer solution that kept breaking off the tabs. I would get a short 6 inch clear pipe and silicone seal or goop it to the tabbed ends of the macerator so that the continual pressure would be put on the cheap connector, not the macerator.
bumpy

[otrfun]

Big Katuna wrote:
The Seaflow has a much smaller inlet than the unit used for the Sanicon and Flojet.
The Jabsco I bought has a 2.5" inlet.

I understand people use them with success but I think the larger inlet is less prone to clogging.

I disagree. If you remove the RV adapter from the Flojet you'll quickly notice the inlet to the pump itself is the same size as the Seaflo. The Flojet 2.5" inlet you're referring to is simply the opening that mounts to the TT/RV. This opening tapers down to accommodate the smaller opening to the pump.

[Big_Katuna]

The Seaflow has a much smaller inlet than the unit used for the Sanicon and Flojet.
The Jabsco I bought has a 2.5" inlet.

I understand people use them with success but I think the larger inlet is less prone to clogging.

[tvman44]

I love our Flojet. 🙂

[otrfun]

If you're up for fabricating your own RV macerator, you can buy this Seaflo marine macerator on eBay for $60 plus $30-$50 in RV hose/adapters, wire, etc. and fabricate your own RV macerator:

Seaflo Macerator on eBay $60

This Seaflo marine macerator uses a similar, if not the same, pump and motor assembly that the Flojet uses. Same voltage, amperage, flow rate, etc. Even has the impeller release shaft on the end of the motor (behind the brush housing).

I actually prefer the DIY version to the Flojet because the DIY version doesn't stress the plastic, 3" RV black/grey water output housing with the full weight of the entire macerator assembly/motor when in use.

Here's a thread with pics of the one I fabricated:

DIY Macerator

[Pipeman]

I use the FloJet. No problems so far. Had it for a few years now.

[Adventurer_Buck]

Agree totally with both dump at the same time versus a grey water drip and Amazon is at the top of my list. Did read the reviews before first posting: several mentioned the plastic connectors break easily on the Flojet, which I'd feel would be the same with the twist on SaniCon if left on while not in use and traveling. For that reason, the SaniCon permanent box mount made some sense to avoid mounting and unmounting. Many reviews stated motor burned outs which seems more like a lack of maintenance or running dry. And as you say…replacement motors are not inexpensive. Thanks.

Big Katuna wrote:
Go on Amazon and read hundreds of reviews.

They both use the ATT/Jabsco pump so not sure why the difference in price.

They both have grey water bypass but that isn't important to me as I only connect mine when I am going to dump.

I dump at home often; 80 away 2 feet uphill.

These DO require periodic servicing; take it apart, inspect/replace the impeller, clean hair off of shaft.

I made my own bought the bare pump and mated it to a clear 3" fitting but the pumps have gone up I would watch for the Flojet go on sale.

Its $200 free shipping on Amazon.

[Big_Katuna]

Go on Amazon and read hundreds of reviews.

They both use the ATT/Jabsco pump so not sure why the difference in price.

They both have grey water bypass but that isn't important to me as I only connect mine when I am going to dump.

I dump at home often; 80 away 2 feet uphill.

These DO require periodic servicing; take it apart, inspect/replace the impeller, clean hair off of shaft.

I made my own bought the bare pump and mated it to a clear 3" fitting but the pumps have gone up I would watch for the Flojet go on sale.

Its $200 free shipping on Amazon.