Electro Scan questions

R

rbcooper

Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2001
RO Number
5878
Messages
6
Vic,

I have a three year old electro scan that seems to have a non-functioning macerator pump. I have a couple of questions:

1) I have a macerator on the toilet (raritan Sea Era) is that sufficient to keep the system functioning correctly or should I go ahead and get the replacement kit from raritan?

2) The system was functioning well until I moved the boat from salt to fresh water. It may have been coincidence but now doesn't seem to be running (the noise from the flush cycle is much reduced). Is there some way to make certain that the mascerator is not functioning?

3)I've been using "solar salt" (1/4 cup per flush) and the current is fine (approx 17amps) but the salt is large crystals and there is significant grinding noise from the raritan Sea Era toilet. A simple test shows that the salt is NOT dissolving completely so is it ok to continue using the salt or should I switch to fine granulated table salt?

Thanks for any help you might be able to supply.

RB Cooper
 
Bob, the Lectra/San and Electro-scan units do not have a macerator pump; in fact, they don't have a pump at all. They have a macerator and a mixer (the two motors have long shafts with "beaters" on the ends); the macerator chops up the contents inside the treatment unit to indiscernible particles (sort of like a blender does). The mixer churns up the already-macerated stuff, to keep it in solution, so that the solids don't settle to the bottom and form sludge inside the unit. Lectra/San and Electro-scan are both dependent upon the pumping action of the toilet, to get the effluent into and out of the treatment unit. The unit, after having been commissioned, stays full all the time, with fully and partially-treated waste. As more is introduced from the toilet, it displaces an equal amount of what's already inside, and forces it out the other end, and overboard. Your original flush of the toilet goes through anywhere from 3-6 full treatment cycles as it is passed along through the unit, before finally going overboard. This redundancy is how the high degree of treatment is attained.

#1, Don't use solar salt in the toilet; it is way too coarse and will eventually wreck the macerator (cutter blade) inside the head. Use standard granulated household table salt. Solar salt is used in the add-on salt feed systems, where it is dissolved first. It should never be put directly into the head.

Now, if the macerator motor (larger motor) on the treatment system isn't running, it could be a blown fuse or a bad motor. Some investigating will be in order. Before anything else, write down the model number and serial number of the unit, and post it here, so that I'll have a better idea on which system you actually have. The Lectra/San MC was discontinued and the Electro-scan was introduced (both during 2005) - so your unit could be either one, depending on when and where you bought it.

Are there any warning lights coming on, on the wall switch unit? Can you describe the wall switch - is it rectangular or is it round?
 
I'm not sure if the unit is similar to my PuraSan but are you sure the unit was properly primed by removing the center cap and filling the unit with water?
Vic correct me if I am wrong.
Bill
 
Vic,

Ok on the solar salt, I'll use table salt instead (of course now I'll have to dispose of 40lbs of solar salt).

I know for a fact that I have an electro-scan unit but I'll check the exact model number and post same. There are NO failure messages posted on the control head it just seems like the unit runs much more quietly than usual so I'm assuming the mascerator motor has failed. However the unit does run and is getting power to the power distribution strip on the tank. I didn't notice any fuses when I cleaned the unit where might the fuse for the mascerator motor be located?

RB Cooper
 
Vic,

It took me a while but I finally got down to the boat to check and confirmed that the unit is an Electro-Scan. I couldn't find ANY model number or serial number anywhere on the unit so I can't help with that. I did take a meter to the motor and when operating there is 13.3V at the inputs to the motor. I also noticed some salt "oozing" from the joint at the base of the motor mount. Could this be an indication that the seal is leeking? There is absolutely NO fluid around where so I kind of doubt that this is the case but thought I should ask.

Again, I saw no indication of a fuse on the leads to the mascerator. Could the fuse be somewhere in the motor case? The unit appears to be working correctly with the table salt and there've been no warnings or other error messages on the control panel. Of course I've only been flushing with salt (no human waste or tp). I'm concerned that once the real sh** starts to flow we could have a problem if the mascerator is not working. What do you think?

Thanks again for your help,

Robert Cooper
 
Yes you've got a leaky seal under the macerator motor, which will have to be changed before the motor is ruined (if it isn't already).

The fuses are all inside the "black box" electronic unit, not in the wires or inside the motor. You should also find a model number and serial number on a label inside the black box.
 
Vic,

Appollogize if this is a repeat but I've seem to have missent the last reply.

I suppose that the motor has died an inglorious death and will need to be replaced so:

1) Where can I order a replacement (with seal)?

2) How hard is it to replace motor and seal? I have good all around access.

I'll check for model numbers etc in black box as well as verify that fuses are good before ordering replacement. Is there a circuit diagram for the black box available?

Regards,

RB Cooper
 
Replacement motor is part # 32-101AW, seal and retainer are included with it. The unit must be opened up in order to remove the motor. The impeller on the end of the motor shaft must be removed, then the two screws under the silicone globs are removed. Then the motor may be removed and replaced.
 
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