It appears that the macerator pump isn't pumping anymore even though the motor seems to work. So I'm trying to eliminate all possible causes such as the tube/hose coming from the black water tank that might have an air leak causing a loss of prime for the pump. Any hose recommendations for an Ericson 32 would be welcomed.
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Replacing the black water (white) hose connecting the tank to macerator
- Thread starter Thalassa
- Start date
peaman
Sustaining Member
My 32-3 has no macerator, but I recently replaced all of my hoses with mostly Trident 102 (I like the white color over the black 101), but I also used some Raritan SaniFlex.
Does the macerator inlet hose come from the bottom of the tank? If it does, there should not be a problem with air leaking into the hose. Have you considered opening the working end of your pump? That’s where suction gets created, so a blockage there could be the root cause of your issue.
Does the macerator inlet hose come from the bottom of the tank? If it does, there should not be a problem with air leaking into the hose. Have you considered opening the working end of your pump? That’s where suction gets created, so a blockage there could be the root cause of your issue.
Pete the Cat
Sustaining Member
I am not following your logic here. The pump should not really need a prime, as it doesn't need a prime and simply pushes water out of the bowl. I would say you have a blockage somewhere in the output line or the impeller is shot. Easy to disassemble. Go to the website for a diagram. There is a rebuild kit for it and I would do that if you have had it for any length of time. Something to do when it is apart.
Thank you, that's helpful. You make a good point about the unlikelihood of loss of prime due to the location of the outgoing hose (bottom of tank). I'm now suspecting the macerator impeller as the culprit. By the way I replaced the pump on 7/2020 and again on 1/2023 while using it only sporadicly and never more than 2' at a time... So you have a dedicated handpump for the pump out, and if so where is it installed?
peaman
Sustaining Member
The hand pump is a Whale Gusher 10 mounted inside the vanity cabinet, with the yellow-painted socket for the operating handle on the aft face of the cabinet. It works pretty well. Once the overboard through-hull is open, it takes maybe 5 or 6 easy strokes on the pump handle before resistance indicates that pumpout has begun. Another 2 dozen strokes or so later and a reduction in resistance indicates job done.
he pumps do fail. In my case, the long bolts holding the casing together broke, apparently by vibration over many years, causing corrosion and permitting (I think) air to get in. Macerator pump plumbing can't deal with air leaks. The system must be closed, and the deck discharge option shut off with a selector valve.
Old pump.
Swapping the old macerator for a new one was straightforward. (Yes, there's a rebuild kit if you're willing to probe your own excrement to save $100). I did learn that if the chopper wheel sticks, there is a screw on the back of the unit to free it--much like a household kitchen sink food grinder unit.
Old pump.
Swapping the old macerator for a new one was straightforward. (Yes, there's a rebuild kit if you're willing to probe your own excrement to save $100). I did learn that if the chopper wheel sticks, there is a screw on the back of the unit to free it--much like a household kitchen sink food grinder unit.