Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Macerator quit working
| Macerator quit working [message #217788] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 13:43  |
lance
Messages: 190
Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
Karma: 0
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I just went out to drain the holding tank and discovered that my macerator is not working. I checked the fuses and all are foot. I've got 12 volts at the pump. The switch is working but complete silence. It worked just fine the three or four times I've used it. Last week I ran it and it functioned perfectly but today, nothing. I've never put anything down the drain except toilet paper, no q-tips, paper towels, knives or forks. When I shut it off last week it did not seem to jam.
Any suggestions other than reversing the wires for a moment?
1974 Palm Beach
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217789 is a reply to message #217788] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 13:47  |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
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You should have large slot head screw head that will allow you to turn, similar to a like device on a garbage disposal. It could be that a couple of turns will free it up.
Mine doesn't work but I don't think I've discovered the correct combination of switches. My PO, Bill Telgen, loved switches and gauges. I'll figure it out.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217799 is a reply to message #217788] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 14:14 |
lance
Messages: 190
Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
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Thanks for the tip but no joy. I turned the screw under the rubber plug but nothing. Worse, the PO removed the manual drain mechanism so I cannot remove the macerator and use the stinky slinky without getting a black water shower. Yes, the tank is full, full. Help!
1974 Palm Beach
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217807 is a reply to message #217805] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 14:35 |
lance
Messages: 190
Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
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I don't think that little pump will chew up the "stuff" like the macerator, which is more like a garbage disposal.
1974 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Macerator quit working [message #217814 is a reply to message #217788] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 14:59 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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it is possible to back flush the pump with a hose on the output of the pump
but
if you do not have the 3 inch pipe anymore, that may not be a good idea
gene
On Sun, Aug 11, 2013 at 11:43 AM, Lance <lance@vonprum.com> wrote:
>
>
> I just went out to drain the holding tank and discovered that my macerator
> is not working. I checked the fuses and all are foot. I've got 12 volts at
> the pump. The switch is working but complete silence. It worked just fine
> the three or four times I've used it. Last week I ran it and it functioned
> perfectly but today, nothing. I've never put anything down the drain except
> toilet paper, no q-tips, paper towels, knives or forks. When I shut it off
> last week it did not seem to jam.
>
> Any suggestions other than reversing the wires for a moment?
> --
> 1976 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217818 is a reply to message #217788] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 15:11 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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| lance wrote on Sun, 11 August 2013 13:43 |
I just went out to drain the holding tank and discovered that my macerator is not working. I checked the fuses and all are foot. I've got 12 volts at the pump. The switch is working but complete silence. It worked just fine the three or four times I've used it. Last week I ran it and it functioned perfectly but today, nothing. I've never put anything down the drain except toilet paper, no q-tips, paper towels, knives or forks. When I shut it off last week it did not seem to jam.
Any suggestions other than reversing the wires for a moment?
|
Lance
You checked for power at the macerator -- I suggest you also clean the ground wire connection
to the frame.
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217819 is a reply to message #217788] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 15:12 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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Does the macerator seem to be drawing any current when you apply power? You might try putting a light bulb (any size 12V bulb) across the switch (switch turned off) to see what happens. Normally, the light would come on nearly full brightness (and the macerator wouldn't turn because it's not getting enough voltage after the light bulb "eats" most of it). As Dennis suggests, check the ground (if you're getting 12V at the macerator, BUT not drawing any current (light bulb off), then the problem is either an open motor (see below) or bad ground connection.
If it's not drawing current, and the ground is good, I'd try banging on the macerator body with a hammer (gently, at least at first) to see if maybe it's just a bad connection internally. If it IS drawing current (light bulb on) AND you can turn the shaft easily with a scrwdriver, I would guess that there's a more mechanical problem with the macerator, and you should start looking for a hazmat suit (to swap it out).
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
[Updated on: Sun, 11 August 2013 15:14] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217826 is a reply to message #217819] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 15:32 |
lance
Messages: 190
Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
Karma: 0
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I tried the light bulb and nothing, no light. I re-did the ground connection that looked good, tapped on the macerator and nothing. I guess I need that hazmat suit, but I don't want to pollute the neighborhood.
1974 Palm Beach
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217829 is a reply to message #217826] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 15:54 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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| lance wrote on Sun, 11 August 2013 15:32 |
I tried the light bulb and nothing, no light. I re-did the ground connection that looked good, tapped on the macerator and nothing. I guess I need that hazmat suit, but I don't want to pollute the neighborhood.
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Lance
Can you run jumper wires direct to the macerator from a battery?
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
[Updated on: Sun, 11 August 2013 15:55] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217832 is a reply to message #217829] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 16:11 |
lance
Messages: 190
Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
Karma: 0
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Dennis,
I don't have a spare battery but I took my battery charger and set it to "start." That's 55 amps, and nothing, dang!
1974 Palm Beach
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217833 is a reply to message #217788] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 16:32 |
lance
Messages: 190
Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I happen to have a brand new identical Flojet macerator that I bought for my last coach but never hooked it up. It's brand new in the box and identical to what is on this coach but again, I can't swap them out without getting a face full. Ugh!
The drill powered pump from Harbor Freight is too small, only 1/2 inch hose. That "stuff" is not going to go through a 1/2 inch hose without getting chewed up first.
I tried back flushing for a couple seconds only because my tank is full. Again, nothing. Come on, you brilliant, brain storming GMC experts! If I somehow burnt up the existing one or whatever is wrong with it, can anyone think of how I can swap macerators without a hazmat suit, ground pollution and the lingering odor?
I'll buy a beer for the guy who can solve this conundrum.
1974 Palm Beach
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217834 is a reply to message #217833] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 16:39 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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| lance wrote on Sun, 11 August 2013 16:32 |
I happen to have a brand new identical Flojet macerator that I bought for my last coach but never hooked it up. It's brand new in the box and identical to what is on this coach but again, I can't swap them out without getting a face full. Ugh!
The drill powered pump from Harbor Freight is too small, only 1/2 inch hose. That "stuff" is not going to go through a 1/2 inch hose without getting chewed up first.
I tried back flushing for a couple seconds only because my tank is full. Again, nothing. Come on, you brilliant, brain storming GMC experts! If I somehow burnt up the existing one or whatever is wrong with it, can anyone think of how I can swap macerators without a hazmat suit, ground pollution and the lingering odor?
I'll buy a beer for the guy who can solve this conundrum.
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Take the toilet out and get a septic tank service to pump out the tank.
I can't drink beer, a soft drink will be fine.
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217835 is a reply to message #217788] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 16:44 |
lance
Messages: 190
Registered: December 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Unfortunately it's Sunday afternoon. Like the doctor who had a plumber come out on Sunday, when he got the bill he said, "I'm a doctor and don't charge that much.!" The plumber said, "When I was a doctor I didn't charge that much either!"
A little levity helps, but not a lot. Anyone?
1974 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Macerator quit working [message #217837 is a reply to message #217835] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 16:56 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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use the small pump
get all you can
flush the tank with fresh water
put ice in it
drive around
use the small pump
over,and over
till you are ready
then remove the macerator
over a tub
rebuild the system with a gate valve and a 3" dump
like these
http://gmcmotorhome.info/list.html#macerator
gene
On Sun, Aug 11, 2013 at 2:44 PM, Lance <lance@vonprum.com> wrote:
>
>
> Unfortunately it's Sunday afternoon. Like the doctor who had a plumber
> come out on Sunday, when he got the bill he said, "I'm a doctor and don't
> charge that much.!" The plumber said, "When I was a doctor I didn't charge
> that much either!"
>
> A little levity helps, but not a lot. Anyone?
> --
> 1976 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Macerator quit working [message #217838 is a reply to message #217833] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 17:05 |
Emery Stora
Messages: 959
Registered: January 2011
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Move the motorhome to a place where you don't care if you put a mess on the ground.
You don't say how your pump is mounted. Hopefully you used a rubber collar connected. If so, loosen the clamps, disconnect the wires and the mounting bolts for the pump, tie a small rope around the mascerator and stand to the side and pull it off.
Emery Stora
On Aug 11, 2013, at 3:32 PM, Lance <lance@vonprum.com> wrote:
>
>
> I happen to have a brand new identical Flojet macerator that I bought for my last coach but never hooked it up. It's brand new in the box and identical to what is on this coach but again, I can't swap them out without getting a face full. Ugh!
>
> The drill powered pump from Harbor Freight is too small, only 1/2 inch hose. That "stuff" is not going to go through a 1/2 inch hose without getting chewed up first.
>
> I tried back flushing for a couple seconds only because my tank is full. Again, nothing. Come on, you brilliant, brain storming GMC experts! If I somehow burnt up the existing one or whatever is wrong with it, can anyone think of how I can swap macerators without a hazmat suit, ground pollution and the lingering odor?
>
> I'll buy a beer for the guy who can solve this conundrum.
> --
> 1976 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: Macerator quit working [message #217839 is a reply to message #217835] |
Sun, 11 August 2013 17:12 |
 |
WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Senior Member |
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Ok, now, everyone reading this knows why we leave a 3 inch short dump. Never install a maserator without keeping a 3 inch hole.
Lance, I assume you have a dump site there at your coach. Go get a 3 inch hose. Hook one end to the dump. Get your plastic gloves and a good size funnel. This can be done with minimal spillage. I know this for a fact. Raise the rear of your coach as high as possible. Snatch the hose from the input to your pump, fast, and stick into the funnel that you have inserted into the 3 inch hose. Some, like mine, are inserted into the pipe. If that is your case then you will need to pull the pump and let the liquid hit the funnel.
Once it stops dripping you can install the new one and then figure out what happened to the old one.
I have had several quit on me but once I tore them down none of the problem ended up being the pump motor itself. Since you have placed 12 volts to the motor then yours may be bad inside, a brush or something.
Make sure someone is there to document this with a camera. And, don't forget to put a 3 inch opening on there for future use. You only want to do this once.
Report back after you clean up.
Dan
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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