Macerator woes

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I replaced my Jabsco macerator pump 1 1/2 years ago and for the past 6 months it has developed a problem. Before I rip it apart I thought I'd get some advise. It is actuated by a switch on the 12V panel. When activated it runs for about 90 seconds before it starts to slow down, then stop. It does not pop the breaker and the motor is not hot. I leave it for a few minutes and it will run again for 10-15 seconds before slowing and stopping. I continue to do this until the holding tank is empty. The only thing I can think it may be is that something got flushed and is somehow jamming the impeller? It also leaks by the pump and fills the holding tank if the sea cock is left open (everthing is below the waterline and there is nowhere to put in a loop). What say you masters of the head?
Thanks, Rick
 
if something was jamming it, the breaker would pop and it would get hot... does this happen if you keep it on after it stops ?

i've never had good luck with those macerators... teh sea lands are MUCH better and will not suffer if run dry. yes, they're a little more but cheaper in the long run.

you need a loop. no doubt... a system that allows the tank to fill is a sinking waiting to happen. who installed this ? you have to have a way to route the hose above WL against the hull or a bulkhead...
 
One thing I do if I suspect that something is wrapped up in the macerator is I reverse the positive and negative wires on the pump. This will reverse the direction on the pump. Sometimes this can free it up. A trick an old boat mechanic who doesn't liek to mess with black water taught me.

With your other issue, you might want to try a good solid check valve. Sometimes they work. Otherwise you will have to keep the seacock closed. Had this situation on my last boat.

Jonathan
 
Pascal, if I keep it on nothing happens and this is a factory installation on a 31 Silverton. It's under the galley floor midships and there is literally nowhere to put a loop. If I were keeping the boat I would put in a Sealand pump but I'm trying to sell it and don't want to go overboard.

Jonathan, that's a good tip about reversing and I was thinking of putting a check valve in but was concerned with it possibly sticking or restricting the flow.
 
a check valve in a macerator discharge ? yikes...

can't believe a builder would install a tank without a loop ! if it's under the galley, you shoudl be able to route the hose up behind a cabinet or something and place the loop there. My tank is also under the floor, in the forward SR with the discharge hose going up thru the floor in the washer.dryer cabinet.

dont' you have a pump out fitting ? you shodul be able to route the hose the same way, place the loop and back down.

what are boat builders thinking...
 
Sounds like the armature is seizing in the bushings. These units also rust internally in salt water and the armature and field permanent magnets (there are no windings in the fields) tend to get rust particles on them which touch the armature slowing it down. If you take it apart check the brushes they could be stuck. When disassembling lay out the parts in sequence so as to put it back in the same order. it can be a bitch to reassemble. I had one that the glued on field magnets came loose.
 
If it were I, I'd go ahead and replace the macerator pump; it isn't worth the aggravation to fight with one that only works part of the time, plus it'll make for better relations with your buyer - you can get one for around $100 through BoatFix:

http://www.boatfix.com/bypage2index.asp?page=595
http://www.boatfix.com/bypage2index.asp?page=594

I agree with Pascal about the "yikes" about putting a check valve in the macerator discharge line, but in the event that someone forgot to turn off the seacock it'd still be better than nothing at all...
 
quote:
Originally posted by Vic Willman

If it were I, I'd go ahead and replace the macerator pump; it isn't worth the aggravation to fight with one that only works part of the time, plus it'll make for better relations with your buyer - you can get one for around $100 through BoatFix:

http://www.boatfix.com/bypage2index.asp?page=595
http://www.boatfix.com/bypage2index.asp?page=594

I agree with Pascal about the "yikes" about putting a check valve in the macerator discharge line, but in the event that someone forgot to turn off the seacock it'd still be better than nothing at all...

Click to expand...


The check valve is the fall back like you say. 2 boats ago, when I picked it up from the buyer (clueless) the potty tank was full to the seams with seawater, guy had no idea what was going on. Considered the check valve then, but since I'm aware of what goes on in my boat I just keep the seacock closed.

On our 86' Broward we have a nice bronze check valve that really has never given us trouble. It's reather large, but it does work.

Jonathan
 
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