Operation of electric head with holding tank

[BeachsideDave]

Hi all

I have recently remodeled my cabin including the head and just installed a new electric toilet. The boat is new to me and I never used the previously installed toilet as it was inoperable when I got the boat (bad pump, broken lid and seat, generally not maintained).

I installed a new toilet (Jabsco 37010 w/electric macerator pump).Yesterday day while out for the first time since it was installed, I went to give it a first flush (fortunately without actually using it). The pump wont prime after running it for a good thirty seconds at a time. Seacock is open.

Can anyone give me some insight into how this system is actually supposed to operate correctly? I have a separate macerator pump in the center bilge which I always assumed is what was supposed to be used to pump the tank at sea when appropriate. I am assuming that the pump on the toilet is a combination water flush intake and macerator delivery to the holding tank, and the separate macerator pump in the bilge is there to pump out the holding tank.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any help.

 

[littlebookworm]

I'd suggest you check that the seacock is operating properly. Close the seacock; remove the outflow hose; slowly open the seacock to see if water flows; then close it.. If none flows, the seacock is broken and needs to be replaced. If water flows, reconnect the outflow hose and disconnect that hose at the head. Have someone open the seacock to cheeck if water is flowing to the head. If it is, then there's something wrong in how you connected the new head, or possibly, there's something wrong within the pump on the head. Check the installation as compared to the manual.If none flows, that hose is clogged somewhere. The macerator for overboard pumpout should be connected to a selector-valve Y-connector. One hose should go to that macerator and the other should go to the holding tank. It should be switched to the holding tank hose. Dumping overboard, unless at sea, is illegal and unsanitary. Hope this helps. Hy

 

[pdecat]

Does the maker provide any instructions on how to prime the pump? You probably have an anti siphon loop and valve. If it is not too late using fresh water often reduced odors.

 

[ranger42c]

Xylem/Jabsco has several troubleshooting videos available; don't know if one might address this specific problem. Think that website is jabscotech.com or something like that.

-Chris

 

[Comogene]

Dave:

The head should self prime unless there is a great distance from the seacock to the pump. Hose from seacock goes to one side of pump. There should be a label indicating "in" and "out" sides of pump. Hose from opposite side of pump (out) to bowl should have been installed by mfg and 1" sanitation hose runs from pump to tank. Disconnect raw water hose from seacock and open seacock to check for raw water flow. If no flow, your issue is with the through hull or seacock. If flow, then the impeller in the pump housing may need replacing. Try a squirt or two of liquid soap into the "in" side of the pump to see if lubricating the impeller helps.

The holding tank should have a hose running to a diverter valve with one outlet to the macerator and the other to a deck pump out.

 

[BeachsideDave]

Short distance from seacock (5' +-). In and out is all correct. Flush hose was installed by manufacturer. Toilet is brand new so I am assuming that the impeller is free.

Going to check the seacock for flow. If there is flow, I'll pour a half gallon of water into the toilet to see if I can start a prime.. I've heard that these Jabsco macerator pumps can lose prime even if they are self priming?

~ BD

 

[Comogene]

Dave:

I am not sure how pouring water into the bowl will help with priming the pump. Anything in the bowl is evacuated by a separate metal "chopper" not the neoprene impeller. If there is flow from the intake hose, before you reconnect to the pump, take a 2-foot piece of hose and attach it to the pump. Pour some water into that hose and try the pump. If the impeller is working properly, it will send that water to the bowl.

Gene