Frank Burrows was describing his wizardry at dealing with Sealand heads. Frank is correct in his description and I fully concur that the Vacu-Flush variety is very choosy in what it chooses to pass. Those of us with such units (unless we just turn the problem over to the yard but then again, if we did, we would be unlikely to be TWL subscribers!) have learned some hard lessons about Vacu-Flush heads. I have gotten very good at field stripping the vacuum generator. I can remove mine from the engine room, disassemble it, clear the clog, reassemble and reinstall it in about 20 minutes. I presume that the urgency imparted by the imminent presence of guests doesn't disqualify that time! That was my personal best and luckily, there was no coin in it!!!!! On another list, it was made clear (I think by Peggy Hall herself if memory serves me) that one of the chief problems with Vacu-Flush heads is that most of us run too little water through them. It was recommended that relatively frequently we run a full bowl of water and then flush it. This was recommended to prevent the build up of solids in various parts of the mechanism via a thorough flushing. Jim (Jim & Mim McCrea, mcc272@aol.com Nordic Tug 32-154 "North Star" Home Port Norwalk, CT)

a. use ONLY TP that's so flimsy it almost dissolves in your hand if it 

b. Limit the amount of TP and solids that go down at once. In some 

I hate to break it to you, Jim...but 99% of VacuFlush problems--especially clogged pumps--can be directly attributed to "operator error" (iow, failure to follow directions for use). The three most common errors: 1. Releasing the pedal too soon The wrong way: releasing the pedal the instant the bowl is empty--step, "whoosh," release. The right way: stepping on the pedal not only releases the vacuum, allowing the bowl contents to be sucked out, but also starts the flush water running. Because the accumulated suction only pulls the bowls contents as a far as the vacuum pump, it's essential to leave the pedal down at least 3 seconds following urine only, and at least 5-7 seconds following any solids and/or paper, to put enough flush water through the pump to rinse any solids or paper out of the pump...otherwise, they accumulate till the volume prevents the bellows from moving up and down enough to pump waste the rest of the way to the tank OR re-establish vacuum. 2. The use of "premium brand" toilet paper and/or larger wads of the "right" kind of TP. The wrong way is pretty obvious. The right way: a. use ONLY TP that's so flimsy it almost dissolves in your hand if it gets wet. That doesn't mean you have to spend extra for TP that's labeled "marine/rv"...it's nothing but cheap flimsy TP with a high price tag. To determine whether a TP is suitable for use in ANY marine toilet--including a V/Flush--tear off a sheet and put it in glass of water overnight. If it's still an intact, or mostly intact, sheet in the morning, it's not suitable for onboard use. But if the water is milky, and all you see when you stir it is a little "snow," it's the same thing as "marine/rv" TP and can safely be used in any toilet. b. Limit the amount of TP and solids that go down at once. In some circumstances, that may mean flush early and often instead of waiting till you're completely finished...and it also may mean retraining crew to use less than half a roll a wipe...'cuz there's a limit to the amount of paper and solids that ANY toilet can swallow in a single flush. 3. The third most common V/Flush user error has nothing to do with pump clogs, but will result in air leaks in the bowl: The wrong way: ease the pedal back up The right way: Let the pedal go. It's spring loaded for a reason--to allow the dome to snap back into place with enough force to seat it properly. Easing the pedal back up defeats that, and can eventually create a "memory" in the spring that will no longer let the dome spring back with enough force. All of the above is in the instructions (how many of you kept 'em--or if you did, have ever read 'em?)...but this isn't: the suction in a V/Flush splatters waste and TP all over the inside of the vacuum tank and hoses, and jams it into the pump...and no matter how long you leave the pedal down following each flush, the volume of flush water isn't enough to completely fill the hose and vacuum tank to rinse it out. So if you want to make sure you never have to clear a clog in the pump again, in addition to all of the above, at least once a week--once a day if you have guests using it--and especially just before closing up the boat, fill the bowl to the rim with water and flush...twice. AND make sure your guests don't put ANYthing down it they haven't eaten first. > On another list, it was made clear (I think by Peggy Hall herself if memory > serves me)... I 'spect it was. :) I've not only owned two of those beasts for a combined total of 16 years, but my company (which I sold in 1999, btw) was also a VacuFlush dealer/distributor for about 10 years. So I'm INTIMATELY acquainted with the VacuFlush. (And no, it won't swallow coins, lighters, or pantyhose...that's the Headhunter. Sounds great...till you have to try to get any of that stuff out of the holding tank or the overboard discharge pump. :) Peggie ---------- Peggie Hall Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

----- Original Message ----- From: <McC272@aol.com> To: <fburrows@mail.com>; <trawler-world-list@lists.samurai.com> Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 10:14 PM Subject: Re: TWL: Re: Marine sanitation I bought a vacu-flush system back in 1983 when they were made by Mansfield. In 1996 I added the Sealand holding system. We lived aboard for four years in the early eighties and have lived aboard every summer since. The vacu-flush system has had very few wear and tear maintenance issues one would expected with a system that's over twenty years old. After all the problems we had with other head ystems on our other boats, it was money well spent not to be problem free. We inform all our guests as to the operation of the toilet and not to go overboard with toilet paper use. I wish the twenty year old vacuum pump was quieter, maybe the new ones are, anyone have information on that. A VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER of Vacu-flush sanitation systems. No association with them at all. Mike Gladwin 44' Trawler "Waterbed" Boat hibernating in S, Bristol ME while we enjoy sunny Naples FL

One thing I have done with a plugged vacuflush head is to not take it apart, but insert the vacuum hose from the shop vac in bowl end and turn on the shop=vac...works every time...I try to get the Admiral or the Guilty party to then clean the shop-vac Ted Brustowicz MD(ret) trbrustowicz@cox.net capnted@earthlink.net "MOONSHINE", DeFever 43 Niceville, Florida