macerator pump blows
I have had this same problem for many years & even after changing
macerators (after a few months).
My solution: on the top of the vented loop I pull off the neoprene hose with
the anti siphon valve (siphon break) and put on a different longer hose &
squirt water into it with a ketchup bottle to liberate the impeller or
maybe prime it.
Annoying but works every time.
George Grafer
Time Out
Previous post
It could be that the impeller is stuck. If it is a Jabsco one ,there is a
fitting on top with a bolt that has a slot for use with a screw driver. Try
turning this by hand. If difficult then the impeller is stuck. If not then
open the inlet pipe and spray some WD40 or similar to loosen the impeller
blades. You might have to do this procedure several times.
The best solution to macerator pump problems is to ditch them altogether
and substitute a diaphragm pump such as the Sealand. They can run dry and
they will run forever with no maintenance.
Best,
Steve
On Tue, Jan 19, 2016 at 2:18 PM, GEORGE F GRAFER JR via
Trawlers-and-Trawlering trawlers@lists.trawlering.com wrote:
I have had this same problem for many years & even after changing
macerators (after a few months).
My solution: on the top of the vented loop I pull off the neoprene hose
with
the anti siphon valve (siphon break) and put on a different longer hose &
squirt water into it with a ketchup bottle to liberate the impeller or
maybe prime it.
Annoying but works every time.
George Grafer
Time Out
Previous post
It could be that the impeller is stuck. If it is a Jabsco one ,there is a
fitting on top with a bolt that has a slot for use with a screw driver. Try
turning this by hand. If difficult then the impeller is stuck. If not then
open the inlet pipe and spray some WD40 or similar to loosen the impeller
blades. You might have to do this procedure several times.
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I never owned a sewage macerator before I bought my current boat, and I
found in the maintenance records where it had been replaced a couple of
years back, reason unknown. From a couple of comments I have read, it seems
possible that the operators are not pumping the system clean which results
in material being left in the infrequently used macerators which in turn
hardens causing damage the next time the pump is energized. One solution
seems obvious to me: pump the tank dry and then fill it with water and pump
it clear leaving the macerator in a clean storage condition.
Rich Gano
FROLIC 2005 Mainship 30 Pilot II
Panama City, FL
I noticed when I purchased my MS390 2 yrs ago that the macerator ran a
couple of minutes and then tripped breaker. I assumed the impeller was
messed up and ordered a new one. when I took apart to change it i noticed
that even though the tank was over half full, the hose to the macerator was
empty and dry. I changed the impeller anyway. since then several times it
has done the same thing. Based on my findings I concluded that it is dry at
the pump and it can't pull "liquid" from tank, which creates increased
friction and then the breaker trips. The last time I used it, I took hose
off and poured water in and then reattached quickly. It did work, but was
messy.
On Tue, Jan 19, 2016 at 8:35 AM, Rich Gano via Trawlers-and-Trawlering <
trawlers@lists.trawlering.com> wrote:
I never owned a sewage macerator before I bought my current boat, and I
found in the maintenance records where it had been replaced a couple of
years back, reason unknown. From a couple of comments I have read, it
seems
possible that the operators are not pumping the system clean which results
in material being left in the infrequently used macerators which in turn
hardens causing damage the next time the pump is energized. One solution
seems obvious to me: pump the tank dry and then fill it with water and pump
it clear leaving the macerator in a clean storage condition.
Rich Gano
FROLIC 2005 Mainship 30 Pilot II
Panama City, FL
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You have had a lot of good advice on reasons why the macerator is
blowing the fuse, and perhaps the very best of all is to replace it with
a diaphragm pump. I did this, but also kept the macerator pump in line
with its impeller removed. The diaphragm pump is happy to pull through
the macerator, and the macerator "chopper" still works to ensure that
any clumps of crud that periodically break off the bottom of the tank
get chopped up and don't stick in an duckbill valve on the diaphragm pump.
Failing this solution, one other thing to look for is what you are using
in the holding tank as a chemical. It is not unknown for these
chemicals to cause the impeller to swell in the longitudinal axis (i.e.
the width, not the diameter) and present too much friction along with
the work of pumping. Anything that loads the motor will draw more
current as these are series wound motors, and this swelling can be the
straw that broke the camels back.
Ken Bloomfield
m/v Tellico Lady
We have been using a product called "Noflex Digestor" by Zaal as our only
head chemical product. I'm not sure what Peggy Hall would say about it, but
it breaks down everything in the tank and virtually eliminates the odor. I
can tell when I'm macerating overboard. Pricey, and you're supposed to use
it daily, but I use about half the recommended dose.
Jeff Janacek on Adirondack
currently in storm on Green Turtle Cay,
tied up with an anchor out!
From the MSDS for Noflex I note that it is primarily Sodium Carbonate
Peroxyhydrate, which is a fairly corrosive substance. I don't doubt
that it does a good job of breaking down the holding tank contents, but
would have some concern about its effect on downstream treatment components.
One tip that I learned is that some of the most successful sewage
treatment chemicals are essentially nothing more than urea. We buy urea
from a local farm co-op (sold as fertilizer) and make a supersaturated
mixture with water, and then add this via the toilet. It is easy on the
rubber components of the system, is cheap, and is effective. It not
only retards the bacteria, but also creates a cover gas of nitrogen in
the tank.
Just my 2-cents worth.
Ken Bloomfield
m/v Tellico Lady
On 1/22/2016 12:35 PM, Tamaroak wrote:
We have been using a product called "Noflex Digestor" by Zaal as our
only head chemical product. I'm not sure what Peggy Hall would say
about it, but it breaks down everything in the tank and virtually
eliminates the odor. I can tell when I'm macerating overboard. Pricey,
and you're supposed to use it daily, but I use about half the
recommended dose.
Jeff Janacek on Adirondack
currently in storm on Green Turtle Cay,
tied up with an anchor out!