Vacuflush leaking vacuum

I had to remediate an improper installation of one of my units by a PO. The vacuum gauge was invaluable in checking the entire system, as you go through it systematically it will indicate where each weak spot is, no guessing, no switching things out unnecessarily. I think the thing cost me 70 bucks and saved me way more than that in time spent. I have three systems on board so it seemed like a good investment anyway which it definitely was.
 
quote:
Originally posted by caltexfla

I had to remediate an improper installation of one of my units by a PO. The vacuum gauge was invaluable in checking the entire system, as you go through it systematically it will indicate where each weak spot is, no guessing, no switching things out unnecessarily. I think the thing cost me 70 bucks and saved me way more than that in time spent. I have three systems on board so it seemed like a good investment anyway which it definitely was.

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+1
I bought a new old stock SeaLand vacuum gauge on E-Bay for $35.00 it was worth every dollar.
Bill
 
No joy today. I completely disassembled the head, cleaned and lubed the gaskets with DuPont silicone and reassembled. The pump still runs every few minutes. I'd kill for one of those vacuum gauges about now.
 
What kind of head do you have, some have a gasket / seal at the base which is prone to crushing if over tightened. Forgot the model number, it's not the one with the clamp to attach the bowl to the base, it s the one where the seal is at the base on the floor. If you have one of these, you can sometimes hear the leak getting bigger depending on where you press on the bowl.

If it cycles every few minutes, the leak should be audible. Turn off every thing on the boat that an interfere and cover up the sound and listen carefully,
 
The head is a 500S or something like that. There is no part number on it but it looks like the 500S on the Dometic site. When I removed the head I plugged toilet base with a tapered dowel. The leak continued. I also put some water in the base around the dowel and the water remained. So, I'm 99.9% sure the leak is down stream of the head.

Even with everything turned off on the boat, it will be hard to hear a leak. I'm in a pretty noisy environment but I'll give the listen test a try.

Either way the pump is coming off again for an inspection of something I missed.

Thanks for the input. I'll report back.
 
I had the same problem with my j series. Took the unit out of boat and brought to sea coast service, turned out to be the diaphragm on the vacuum switch. I also was able to isolate the problem to the vacuum generator by using the vacuum gauge.
 
A mentioned previously I ve had 2 or 3 pressure switch membrane fail over the years... Usually you can hear the leak
 
Ok, here's the news. I listened for leaks. I used a plastic hose to check every inch of the system. I listened around every gasket in the head, every fitting and all around the pump. Nothing, nada, zilch. I completely disassembled the pump. The bellows is OK. I cleaned and lubed it and put it back. Same story. The pump cycles every 5 or 10 minutes.

I need a special tool to get the pressure sensitive switch since the hose clamp is in the back and not accessible without a universal joint for a socket. I plan to replace the switch next, once I get the part number. As usual, I'll report back.
 
Once you fix the unit, I would install one of these in case this ever happens in the future. SeaLand is the only company I know that needs a night switch.
"The VacuFlush Status Panel 500012. The unit indicates when vacuum level is ready for flushing. Convenient circuit breaker switch allows the system to be shut down at night".
The problems your having and more are the reasons I yanked my VacuFlush system after 2 seasons and installed a Raritan Marine Elegance. I have had the Marine Elegance for 5 seasons now and have had -0- issues.
Bill
 
The Vacuflush has been pretty reliable for 9 years until now. I have nothing against the Raritan unit but I already own the Vacuflush so I will stick with it for now. The boat already has a "night switch". My wife and I can deal with that but marine heads are already confusing for guests. I'm trying to eliminate most of the mystery for them.
 
When the diaphragm on the switch goes bad, does the unit cycle continuously or just run way too often?
 
No it will cycle on and off, depending on how bad the leak is. But if the pump comes on every 5 to 10 minutes you should hear the leak.

If you don't hear the leak anywhere, I d look at the DBs again...did you over tighten the fittings? That can twist the DBs.

We have 4 VF (the electronic version but same pumps, etc) on charmer and they see a lot of use with charter guests... They are as reliable as it gets. Even tampons sometimes make it thru... Believer me when you have 15 people on a boat for an entire day, the heads get a work out :)
 
quote:
Originally posted by Shake n Bake

The Vacuflush has been pretty reliable for 9 years until now. I have nothing against the Raritan unit but I already own the Vacuflush so I will stick with it for now. The boat already has a "night switch". My wife and I can deal with that but marine heads are already confusing for guests. I'm trying to eliminate most of the mystery for them.

Click to expand...

I have to agree with you about any marine head being a problem when you have guests. Even my control unit has guests stumped because it has 4 choices.
Pascal is giving good advice about the duckbills getting twisted if overtightened.
Glad you have the switch so you can control the uncontrolled vacuum pump cycling.
Bill
 
I replaced the vacuum switch this morning. No improvement. Maybe the duckbills are twisted. I have listened and listened and I can't hear any leak. The first time I put the new vacuum switch in it didn't seal properly and I could hear it leak. Once it sealed, I couldn't hear any leaks but the pump is still cycling VERY frequently.

I'm beginning to think it must be the duckbills since now that I've heard a leak I can be almost certain there is no other audible leaks.

I'll report back tomorrow since other duties call today.

Keep those ideas coming. This system is pretty simple. I can't believe it's this confounding.
 
It could be the Duckbills or if you haven't already check the bellows drive to make sure it isn't slipping or sloppy. The bellows not pumping fast enough under load would give you the same problem and there wouldn't be any audibile leaks.
Bill
 
All 4 duckbills are brand new. The bellows drive is turning the same RPM it always has. I'm very used to the sound. I lubed the shaft and it appears like it's working as it always did.
 
If it was the bellow drive it would not build vacuum and once vacuum is built, which is the case here, it still takes a leak for the pump to cycle.

When the shaft gets loose, you can hear the difference... Totally different sound
 
Lubing the shaft is not what I am talking about there is a small set screw on the actuator arm. You might not notice much difference if the assembly is slipping slightly and it will allow you to build vacuum but it's just on the hairy edge of not enough vacuum. I'll admit the chance of this is remote but if your going to have the pump apart again for Duckbills why not at least check it?
I'm still thinking the Duckbills are the problem.
Bill
 
If it slips and doesn't built enough vacuum it will keep running. In this case, since the pump shuts downs, it means it is building enough vacuum but there is a leak somewhere
 
OK, here's the latest. All 4 duckbills are brand new. However, just before the last duckbill, the piping turns 90 degrees vertical. Instead of using a standard, threaded elbow, the manufacturer used an elbow with a swivel fitting much like the connection to a sink's basket strainer. I'm thinking they did this to insure a perfect vertical pipe. Inside this fitting was a rubber washer. Since I didn't disturb this fitting it didn't occur to me that it might have a rubber wash and that washer might be worn out.

I replaced the rubber washer with one from a hardware store and it looks like it's holding a vacuum. I couldn't wait very long to see if the pump ran again but it didn't run in the 10 minutes I was cleaning up. I turned the pump off and I'll see if the vacuum held overnight. I have a feeling it will.

As usual, thanks for all the input and I'll report back after further testing.
 
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