Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » What would be your "Dream" macerator system? (Macerator system)
What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275702] |
Sun, 12 April 2015 18:49 |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 782 Registered: January 2015 Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
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Hello all, my next project for my 1977 Palm Beach is going to be a macerator system. With all the options out there (Seaflo, Flojet, etc.) and price ranges from $50 to $250 for the pump, what would be the ultimate system and setup? Since I do a lot of primitive camping I will rely on it heavily. So I don't want to skimp on design or price. I have never had a real close look at other coaches out there, so I will be relying greatly on your input and advice.
Thank you, Scott.
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
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Re: What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275707 is a reply to message #275706] |
Sun, 12 April 2015 19:24 |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 782 Registered: January 2015 Location: Houston/San Diego
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Thanks Larry, I only have one holding tank on my coach. I do like your setup though, very clean.. Also what pump do you favor? Scott
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
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Re: What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275715 is a reply to message #275713] |
Sun, 12 April 2015 20:29 |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 782 Registered: January 2015 Location: Houston/San Diego
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Thanks Chr$! You perpetual smart ass!! But very good point. And that was part of my plan. Start at the tank, add a CLEAR sweep 90' 3" tee, with a hose adapter in the mix there somewhere (to back flush the system with water), then go to the pump. I also like what Larry did with the switch/fuse in the gen battery compartment and a easy to get to hard mounted drain hose connector.. So there I am..still a long way from even having the design 20% complete.. Scott
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
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Re: What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275723 is a reply to message #275702] |
Sun, 12 April 2015 21:35 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046 Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Scutter wrote on Sun, 12 April 2015 18:49 Hello all, my next project for my 1977 Palm Beach is going to be a macerator system. With all the options out there (Seaflo, Flojet, etc.) and price ranges from $50 to $250 for the pump, what would be the ultimate system and setup? Since I do a lot of primitive camping I will rely on it heavily. So I don't want to skimp on design or price. I have never had a real close look at other coaches out there, so I will be relying greatly on your input and advice.
Thank you, Scott.
Scott
I spent a lot of time thinking about how I wanted my system to work -- and ultimately followed the Duane Simmons design heavily. His method is linked in the first photo of my album.
A 23 ft 73 coach has some unique features -- for example the last crossmember does not have a removable section on the center hole.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5767-macerator-for-73-2c-23-ft-coach.html
There are lots of good ideas on the photo site.
Let us know how you proceed.
Dennis
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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Re: What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275768 is a reply to message #275723] |
Mon, 13 April 2015 10:09 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690 Registered: January 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Mine was similar, but I used a Y instead of a sweep elbow to position the pump in the corner where the crossmember meets the side frame rail under the front of the Genset area. This made it easier to access the outlet if needed.
I put a switch with a flip hat on a radio shack project box and installed a fuse holder in that. The unit had a cord long enough that I could hold it and stand a few feet away to watch the outlet hose when using an RV dump station to tell when I was done.
On macerators in general:
I chose not to install one on my new rig as I have found that it is faster and easier to use the stinky slinky, and I get a cleaner tank when done due to the flushing action. GMC's are lower than Trailers, so I get the reason they are so popular on GMC's. Both hoses need to be stowed, but the slinky's use is obvious. I always worried someone would borrow my macerator hose to use for fresh water. It was a black/grey heavy duty garden hose that went in the trash after I sold my GMC so nobody would use it inadvertently and get sick.
Do yourself a favor, and install a flush line somewhere on the tank or drain line. They help a lot. I have an outdoor shower compartment above my waste port and replaced the shower head with a hose sprayer that I connect to the flush port when there is not an external one at the dump station that I can use.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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Re: What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275773 is a reply to message #275702] |
Mon, 13 April 2015 10:39 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324 Registered: October 2010 Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Here is my install:
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/search?q=macerator+install
Things I would change:
1. flip pump around, and get pump closer to floor. (I have hit mine twice). an extra inch or two would all it would need.
2. remote cable valterra valves
3. some sort of way to hook water up from the outside easily to flush out the tank well.
I like the 3" dump for backup. It is also an option in case I want to hook up to a full service dump. When camping with others using the shower, sometimes distraction gets in the way of how full your tank is...
my macerator hose is from JimK. I have not found as nice of a hose anywhere else. very flexible even in cold weather, and it is 1".
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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Re: What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275792 is a reply to message #275706] |
Mon, 13 April 2015 14:36 |
rjw
Messages: 697 Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Larry wrote on Sun, 12 April 2015 20:14FWIW, here is how I did mine. Only down side might be that I do not have a 3" back-up dump in case the Macerator gives up. I do carry an extra pump that have not needed in the 9 or 10 yrs weve been using the coach. JWIW
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3603-macerator-install.html
My macerator apparently failed over the winter. I didn't know that it was not functioning until I got to the Patterson rally and tried to dump. Not having a working macerator was not that big of a hardship, but it would probably have messed up my time in Patterson if I didn't have the backup gravity dump capability.
I am now in the process of installing a new pump and am real glad that I didn't have to replace it on the road or at a rally. It would be a real PIA to do it that way. Even though I tried to clean up the tank as best as I could with the 3" hose and plenty of water I still got some smelly stuff on me. Replacing my macerator with a full tank would have not been fun today.
My advice is to keep the gravity dump as a backup, just in case.
My macerator lasted 14 years before going on strike.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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Re: What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275793 is a reply to message #275768] |
Mon, 13 April 2015 14:57 |
rjw
Messages: 697 Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Chr$ wrote on Mon, 13 April 2015 11:09
On macerators in general:
I chose not to install one on my new rig as I have found that it is faster and easier to use the stinky slinky, and I get a cleaner tank when done due to the flushing action. GMC's are lower than Trailers, so I get the reason they are so popular on GMC's. Both hoses need to be stowed, but the slinky's use is obvious. I always worried someone would borrow my macerator hose to use for fresh water. It was a black/grey heavy duty garden hose that went in the trash after I sold my GMC so nobody would use it inadvertently and get sick.
I don't agree that it is faster and easier to use a slinky in a GMC. With a working macerator, once I pull up to the dump, it takes less than 5 minutes to pull out the 1" hose (permanently connected to the macertaor), insert it in the dump, hit the switch and pump out the contents. A couple of minutes to rinse off the end of the hose and stow it in its carrier. All total less than 10 minutes. I would be willing to race anyone using a slinky from start to finish. Plus it is a much cleaner way to dump.
With a 1" hose permanently connected to my macerator, it is not very likely that anyone would confuse or use it as a fresh water hose.
Not having a working macerator at Patterson really reminded me of the advantages of having one.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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Re: [GMCnet] What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275801 is a reply to message #275793] |
Mon, 13 April 2015 17:50 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912 Registered: July 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Richard,
I agree with you the way I have the macerator setup on Double Trouble is way faster than the 3" dump. Here's a link to photos of the
setup in Double Trouble:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6528-macerator-install.html
However, I agree with Chris that the velocity of the water stream out of the black tank probably would give a better flush. To get
rid of solid waste that might build up I installed a QD (not shown in the photo below) and valve under the sink to which I can
attach a wand to clean the black tank through the toilet.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/under-double-trouble-27s-bathroom-sink/p36569-iota-auto-transfer-panel-c-2fb-panel-blue-sea-fuse-p
anel.html
BTW do me a favor and DON'T tell me about the risk to the IOTA being under the sink and the water connections. I considered that
before JimB installed it and that was in 2008 and it's been fine. Yes I know I should add "SO FAR."
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: RJW
Chr$ wrote on Mon, 13 April 2015 11:09
On macerators in general:
I chose not to install one on my new rig as I have found that it is faster and easier to use the stinky slinky, and I get a cleaner
tank when done due to the flushing action. GMC's are lower than Trailers, so I get the reason they are so popular on GMC's. Both
hoses need to be stowed, but the slinky's use is obvious. I always worried someone would borrow my macerator hose to use for fresh
water. It was a black/grey heavy duty garden hose that went in the trash after I sold my GMC so nobody would use it inadvertently
and get sick.
I don't agree that it is faster and easier to use a slinky in a GMC. With a working macerator, once I pull up to the dump, it takes
less than 5 minutes to pull out the 1" hose (permanently connected to the macertaor), insert it in the dump, hit the switch and pump
out the contents. A couple of minutes to rinse off the end of the hose and stow it in its carrier. All total less than 10 minutes.
I would be willing to race anyone using a slinky from start to finish. Plus it is a much cleaner way to dump.
With a 1" hose permanently connected to my macerator, it is not very likely that anyone would confuse or use it as a fresh water
hose.
Not having a working macerator at Patterson really reminded me of the advantages of having one.
Richard
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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Re: [GMCnet] What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275804 is a reply to message #275801] |
Mon, 13 April 2015 18:13 |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 782 Registered: January 2015 Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
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All great ideas. Thanks! Mine will definitely have the 3" slinky as a backup. It sounds like the average pump will last about 15 years. If quality was the first choice, what brand of pump would be the ultimate? Hard mount or quick disconnect? Thanks for all the opinions, scott
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
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Re: [GMCnet] What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275813 is a reply to message #275804] |
Mon, 13 April 2015 19:00 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912 Registered: July 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Scott,
As far as the SeaFlo goes I doubt there is any difference in the reliability of the macerators they make the only difference is the
QD feature. The only reason to use one of those over the "hard plumbed" is ease of replacement.
As noted earlier in this thread was a dumbass and threw some paper towels down the toilet once and it required removing the plumbing
connections, electrical connections, mounting, disassembling, cleaning, reassembling, and installing the macerator. The QD feature
would make that easier in case I do something stupid AGAIN!
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Nutter
All great ideas. Thanks! Mine will definitely have the 3" slinky as a backup. It sounds like the average pump will last about 15
years. If quality was the first choice, what brand of pump would be the ultimate? Hard mount or quick disconnect? Thanks for all
the opinions, scott
--
Scott
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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Re: [GMCnet] What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275817 is a reply to message #275723] |
Mon, 13 April 2015 19:21 |
kelvin
Messages: 608 Registered: February 2004 Location: Eugene, OR
Karma: 0
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On 4/12/2015 7:35 PM, Dennis Sexton wrote:
> Scutter wrote on Sun, 12 April 2015 18:49
>> Hello all, my next project for my 1977 Palm Beach is going to be a macerator system. With all the options out there (Seaflo, Flojet, etc.) and
>> price ranges from $50 to $250 for the pump, what would be the ultimate system and setup? Since I do a lot of primitive camping I will rely on it
>> heavily. So I don't want to skimp on design or price. I have never had a real close look at other coaches out there, so I will be relying greatly on
>> your input and advice.
>> Thank you, Scott.
>
> Scott
> I spent a lot of time thinking about how I wanted my system to work -- and ultimately followed the Duane Simmons design heavily. His method is linked
> in the first photo of my album.
> A 23 ft 73 coach has some unique features -- for example the last crossmember does not have a removable section on the center hole.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5767-macerator-for-73-2c-23-ft-coach.html
>
> There are lots of good ideas on the photo site.
>
> Let us know how you proceed.
> Dennis
Mine is a very similar design to Dennis. This was a Denny Allen kit so
the plumbing that bolts to the black tank was custom. Dennis' idea of
using a 20amp breaker is better than my 20amp fuse. Never had the fuse
fail but I've been comtemplating that fix for years.
Also notice the hole in the Generator door for switch access. I got
tired of opening that door just to flip a switch.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6771-macerator.html
Pics taken many years after the initial install when I was taking the
pump apart just to check it out and maybe clear any debris. No need for
that exercise it turned out, but now I know.
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR
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Re: [GMCnet] What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275831 is a reply to message #275793] |
Mon, 13 April 2015 21:42 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726 Registered: March 2004 Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Richard, et al,
You might consider installing a black tank flusher. When I put new tanks
in the GMC in '98, I made one rather than buying it: A hose connector
similar to this forms the basis:
http://www.dyersonline.com/jr-colonial-white-city-water-flange.html
Note that it has a built in check valve.
I used a 1/2" PVC pipe long enough to extend across the black tank and
fitted it with a screw end for the above inlet and a cap on the other end.
Small holes drilled in a straight line down one side act as jets. When I
mounted the flusher into the tank with silicone sealant, I made sure the
streams were aimed at the tank outlet so "everything" is sluiced that way.
A hose from the inlet to a quick disconnect mounted on the rear frame makes
it trivially easy to connect a hose while dumping. I let it run until the
effluent is clear in the transparent macerator hose.
After 16+ years, it's still working perfectly. I use it about every time I
think of it -- maybe every 3-6 months. Otherwise the tank "takes care of
itself". Speaking of which, I use NO chemicals in my black tank and have
NO odor problems. For a while, I did use Rid-X periodically to get/keep
things "brewing" in there, but for the past couple of years, I haven't even
done that. NEVER use those formaldehyde base concoctions -- they kill all
the "good bacteria" without helping much of anything, IMHO. Surprisingly,
using the flusher doesn't wash out enough of the "good stuff" to require
restarting Rid-X.
Ken H.
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Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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Re: What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275877 is a reply to message #275702] |
Tue, 14 April 2015 12:37 |
Beach Coach
Messages: 50 Registered: December 2011
Karma: 1
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Hi Scott,we installed a macerator on our 1978 Palm Beach last June. The design and installation is based on the Denny Allen method www.bdub.net/dennyallen/. Denny's design allows you to keep your present dumping system as a back up. We purchased a Jabsco 18590-2092 macerator at a boat shop, a fellow GMC'er provided the 3" to 1.5" concentric adapter and a local plumbing & electrical shop supplied the other materials needed. We routed the 1" discharge hose into the generator/battery compartment and located the switch nearby. I must say that this is the most appreciated upgrade we have done to date; clean, fast & effortless!
Hugh MacDougall, Nova Scotia: 1978 Palm Beach, 1977 Transmode & 1976 Glenbrook
hugh MacDougall
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
1975 Eleganza II
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Re: What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275893 is a reply to message #275793] |
Tue, 14 April 2015 21:23 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690 Registered: January 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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rjw wrote on Mon, 13 April 2015 12:57Chr$ wrote on Mon, 13 April 2015 11:09
On macerators in general:
I chose not to install one on my new rig as I have found that it is faster and easier to use the stinky slinky, and I get a cleaner tank when done due to the flushing action. GMC's are lower than Trailers, so I get the reason they are so popular on GMC's. Both hoses need to be stowed, but the slinky's use is obvious. I always worried someone would borrow my macerator hose to use for fresh water. It was a black/grey heavy duty garden hose that went in the trash after I sold my GMC so nobody would use it inadvertently and get sick.
I don't agree that it is faster and easier to use a slinky in a GMC. With a working macerator, once I pull up to the dump, it takes less than 5 minutes to pull out the 1" hose (permanently connected to the macertaor), insert it in the dump, hit the switch and pump out the contents. A couple of minutes to rinse off the end of the hose and stow it in its carrier. All total less than 10 minutes. I would be willing to race anyone using a slinky from start to finish. Plus it is a much cleaner way to dump.
With a 1" hose permanently connected to my macerator, it is not very likely that anyone would confuse or use it as a fresh water hose.
Not having a working macerator at Patterson really reminded me of the advantages of having one.
I must have had a shitty one. Seemed to take forever... I could pull up to another coach at the dump and "share" the drain. One way to skip the lineup.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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Re: What would be your "Dream" macerator system? [message #275894 is a reply to message #275702] |
Tue, 14 April 2015 21:32 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690 Registered: January 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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The pic here shows how I did it. The Macerator pump is not yet installed, but goes at the end of the leg that has the offset reducer and cap. It is protected by the frame rail. and a piece of steel diagonally across the corner to hold it in place. The rubber fuel line you see in the pic for the genset was relocated.
There are two slide valves, one at the tank, and one downstream of the pump for the stinky slinky.
I didn't realize I never shot a pic of the finished install. If I could get the guy who bought my coach to respond, I may be able to get a better picture if he has not changed it, however, he has never contacted me since he bought the coach.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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