Troubleshooting VacuFlush
I have a VacuFlush "vacuum generator" system that intermittently stops
pumping towards the end of a cycle. The flush light stays on red and stepping on
the pedal has no effect except to let in more water.
It does not start to run slowly and does not trip the breaker. Plus it feels
cool to the touch.
If I go into the compartment and give the pump a slight tap with a
screwdriver handle it starts pumping and works for several flushes until the problem
happens again...sometimes 24 hours later.
What's going on?
Thanks
R. Lee
**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with
Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.
(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4?&NCID=aolfod00030000000002)
I had this problem
Solution - replace the motor
The brushes or something go bad
Easy R&R - no plumbing involved - just $$$$
The suckers are expensive
On Sat, Jun 7, 2008 at 8:08 AM, Ownyacht@aol.com wrote:
I have a VacuFlush "vacuum generator" system that intermittently stops
pumping towards the end of a cycle. The flush light stays on red and stepping on
the pedal has no effect except to let in more water.
It does not start to run slowly and does not trip the breaker. Plus it feels
cool to the touch.
If I go into the compartment and give the pump a slight tap with a
screwdriver handle it starts pumping and works for several flushes until the problem
happens again...sometimes 24 hours later.
What's going on?
Thanks
R. Lee
**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with
Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.
(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4?&NCID=aolfod00030000000002)
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Allegria -- Krogen Whaleback #16
Ownyacht@aol.com writes:
If I go into the compartment and give the pump a slight tap with a
screwdriver handle it starts pumping and works for several flushes until
the problem
happens again...sometimes 24 hours later.
What's going on?
A few comments:
-
This sounds like it might just be a loose connection on the pump power.
Next time, try jiggling the wires before tapping the pump. -
However, this sound a lot like a problem I had. Sometimes the pump would
not start when it was supposed to, and sometimes it would run on. After
watching the tank carefully I realized that there was a shaft which connected
to the vacacuum switch bellows and operated a microswitch. The shaft has
gotten a bit dirty and dusty, and was binding against the sleeve. This is
very easy to test -- just gently nudge the shaft. Anyhow, a quick spray of
WD-40 had it running perfectly.
Scott Welch
FirstClass Product Manager
www.firstclass.com
Those who make no mistakes rarely make anything.
For a boat system that so many owners seem to like and recommend to others,
we sure spend a lot of time talking about troubleshooting VacuFlush systems.
Valves that leak, pumps that run in the middle of the night, strange
odors... I'll stick to my manual, all bronze Wilcox-Crittendon Skipper
toilet.
Hydraulic steering seems to me to fall under the same category. The owners
seem to like them, but we are constantly treated to stories about leaking
hydraulic fluid, and spongy steering or failures from the upper steering
station. Where are the threads about troubleshooting pull-pull cable
steering systems? In 11 years, I've adjusted the cable tension and greased
the sheave bearings (10 minutes) every 2 years.
Mark Richter, m/v Winnie the Pooh
waiting out the heat-wave in Waterford, NY
From: "Mark Richter" richter-pooh@rocketmail.com
For a boat system that so many owners seem to like and recommend to
others,
we sure spend a lot of time talking about troubleshooting VacuFlush
systems.
Valves that leak, pumps that run in the middle of the night, strange
odors... I'll stick to my manual, all bronze Wilcox-Crittendon Skipper
toilet.
In VacuFlush defense, and I realize some of these have already been point
out. If a VF leaks, it leaks inward. Much cleaner to deal with than the
toilets that leak the other way.
A small leak that makes the pump run in the middle of the night is a small
inconvenience. Your system still works, and you still have working toilets.
Fix the minor leak at YOUR convenience. No emergency here. And one of the
systems with a minor leak he was trying to track down was 17 YEARS old! Not
bad.
Strange odors? No way for a VF to make odors. The thread on chasing an odor
had nothing to do with it being a VF, it was a holding tank problem.
Manual toilets? "all you have to do is put in an overhaul kit every year or
two". No thanks. And all of the manuals I've seen use raw water. NOW we're
talking about strange odors!
And last it has to do with how you use your boat. If you seldom have outside
guest, and it's just one or two of you using a manual toilet, it's not so
much a problem. But if you do like I do, and entertain "landlubbers" a lot,
it's SO much more pleasant (and easier) of a task to teach a newbie to use a
VF. Just step on the pedal and hold for 3 seconds. I'm also single and
entertain a new lady from time to time. Nothing like seeing the look on her
face (My boat used to have a manual toilet) when you tell her "OK, just look
into the toilet at what you just did, grab this nasty handle that everyone
else that just did what you did has had their hands on, and pump until all
your "stuff" has gone away" Trust me, saying " Just step on this pedal and
walk away" goes over much better..........
And I've had my 2 VF's installed for about 5 years and have had no VF
related failures. The one electric toilet and one manual I had before for 2
years were each overhauled twice, which is exactly why I have the VF's.
Brent Hodges
Friendship
43 Albin with 2 VacuFlush
Seabrook, Tx.