|
|
08-02-2019, 03:12 PM
|
#1
|
Veteran Member
City: Secret cove B.C.
Vessel Name: Sea'esta
Vessel Model: 89 36'GB Europa
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 87
|
Vacu flush problems
Afternoon all,We just purchased a 1989 GB36 EU.Its a nagging problem that even the hired experts can't find.The Vacu flush system is still expelling black water through the air vent,even after two full pumpouts.this system has a
three way switch next to the system in the E/R.This switch says empty.off and fill.The vacu flush power is connected to the maserator switch on the main panel.It operates normally but the discharge goes out through the air vent,
and to use the maserator for overboard discharge of which we dont do,
you need to open the main discharge valve and put the switch in the E/R
to empty,if turned to the off position it shuts off the maserator,and if turned to the fill position it turns it back on.Any ideas why it still pumps out of the air vent and not into the holding tank.
|
|
|
08-02-2019, 03:27 PM
|
#2
|
Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,131
|
Welcome aboard. Peggie will probably chip in on this problem.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
|
|
|
08-15-2019, 07:02 PM
|
#3
|
Veteran Member
City: Secret cove B.C.
Vessel Name: Sea'esta
Vessel Model: 89 36'GB Europa
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 87
|
vacu flush problems but no responces yet
still have no answers
|
|
|
08-15-2019, 07:28 PM
|
#4
|
Guru
City: Gulf Islands, BC Canada
Vessel Name: Sea Sanctuary
Vessel Model: Bayliner 4588
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 4,993
|
do you have an inline vent filter? Mine has what appears to be garden hose connections. If you have those maybe try reverse flushing, or at least loosen/remove to see if the vent line is under pressure.
what you describe still sounds like a full holding tank. Flush has nowhere to go but out the vent line.
|
|
|
08-15-2019, 07:53 PM
|
#5
|
Guru
City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
|
Some pictures of the internal plumbing and the system would help a lot. Is your system one of those with an integrated holding tank:
or a separate one built into the boat?
It doesn't sound like you have hired any "experts", that's for sure. But I would have to see it. It "sounds" like someone mis-plumbed the vent.
__________________
George
"There's the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and what some guy says he's gotten away with"
|
|
|
08-15-2019, 08:45 PM
|
#6
|
Guru
City: AR
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,514
|
Peggie will probably chip in on this problem.
Yup...I'm like a fire horse smelling smoke when someone posts a potty problem!
H WillI ! I see you've just joined our merry band..welcome aboard!
The Vacu flush system is still expelling black water through the air vent,even after two full pumpouts
It's the HOLDING tank, which isn't a part of the VF system, that's expelling waste out the vent, which is a good indication that your tank is overfull. And it has to be both full and highly pressurized to do that because what you've described is a good indication that the vent is at least 90% blocked, preventing the pumpout from pulling out more than a gallon or two. So although you've been to a pumpout twice, your tank is still mostly full.
All tank vents have two main functions: to provide an escape for air displaced by incoming contents and provide a source of air to replace contents as they're pulled out. When air displaced by incoming waste cannot escape out the vent the tank becomes pressurized, creating increasing back pressure that prevents the toilet from flushing.
Without a source of air to replace contents as they're being sucked out of the tank, the pump will pull a vacuum that'll prevent it from pulling out more than a gallon or two. A particularly strong pumpout can even implode a tank.
When air displaced by incoming waste cannot escape out the vent the tank becomes pressurized, creating increasing back pressure that prevents the toilet from flushing.
Do NOT use the toilet again or try to pump out or dump the tank until you've cleared the vent. Without a source of air to replace contents as they're being sucked out of the tank, the pump will pull a vacuum that'll prevent it from pulling out more than a gallon or two. A particularly strong pumpout can even implode a tank.
99% of tank vent blockages are the vent thru-hull and the other end of the vent line--that end of the hose and the vent fitting on the tank. Start by cleaning out the thru-hull...use a screwdriver blade, ice pick--whatever works. If that doesn't result in a spew out the vent, you'll need to relieve the pressure before removing the vent line from the tank to clean them out...so open the deck pumpout fitting VERY CAREFULLY with a hose at the ready. Be sure you're UPwind of it! Scrape out that end of the vent line and the vent fitting on the tank...replace the vent line.
If there's a filter in the vent line, remove it...once a filter gets wet--which can happen when a tank is overfilled, the charcoal swells and blocks the vent.
That you're including the holding tank and its vent in the VacuFlush system doesn't sound like you really understand how a VacuFlush toilet system works either....you're not alone! Which is why I've written a piece I call "VacuFlush 101" that I'll be glad to to send you (and anyone else who wants it) if you'll send me a PM that includes your email address (no way to attach anything to a PM). I'll also be to help you sort what you need to do to solve this problem and prevent it from happening again.
And I just realized that the system here won't allow newbies to include email addresses in PMs till they've been here long enough to demonstrate they aren't spammers. So I'll send you a PM that includes MY email address...if you use it, I'll attach the info to a reply.
--Peggie
|
|
|
08-16-2019, 02:10 PM
|
#7
|
Veteran Member
City: Secret cove B.C.
Vessel Name: Sea'esta
Vessel Model: 89 36'GB Europa
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 87
|
Thanks all of you for your responses,Ive taken everything apart and found every thing in working order,this system had a diaphram waste pump going from the holding tank to the discharge thruhull fitting.I found the diaphram to be cracked,so I replaced this with a new maserator pump,tested it and it works great,tank is empty,from previous pump out.the vent from the holding tank was clear at both ends.The vent from the top of the holding tank goes out at a thru hull at the water line,and has no loop,straight from the tank and down three feet to the water line?Could this be my problem,She still pumps waste.and why is there a separate switch to use the maserator,its by the discharge line and has three settings.empty-off and fill.when turned to empty the maserator works.And thanks Peggie ,will get your book
|
|
|
08-16-2019, 02:53 PM
|
#8
|
Guru
City: Gulf Islands, BC Canada
Vessel Name: Sea Sanctuary
Vessel Model: Bayliner 4588
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 4,993
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Will knot
The Vacu flush system is still expelling black water through the air vent,even after two full pumpouts.............
..........the vent from the holding tank was clear at both ends.The vent from the top of the holding tank goes out at a thru hull at the water line,and has no loop,straight from the tank and down three feet to the water line?Could this be my problem,She still pumps waste.and .............
|
still pumps waste?
Are you by chance speaking of the vent at the top of the 'U' anti siphon discharge hose is still leaking sewage?
|
|
|
08-16-2019, 03:22 PM
|
#9
|
Veteran Member
City: Secret cove B.C.
Vessel Name: Sea'esta
Vessel Model: 89 36'GB Europa
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 87
|
The only vent line on this system is on top of the holding tank,there is no loop in this line and it drops down to thewater line thruhull,not having a loop may be our problem.
when you flush the head the vacu flush pumps it into its own tank and I think with this much pressure it goes up the vent and out,my prognosis?
|
|
|
08-16-2019, 03:23 PM
|
#10
|
Guru
City: AR
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,514
|
and why is there a separate switch to use the maserator,its by the discharge line and has three settings.empty-off and fill.when turned to empty the maserator works
Several things you said--including a reference to what seems to be TWO vent lines from different tanks:
the vent from the holding tank was clear at both ends.The vent from the top of the holding tank goes out at a thru hull at the water line,and has no loop,straight from the tank and down three feet to the water line
--lead me to wonder if you have TWO holding tanks--a combination 9 gallon holding tank/treatment device called the TDX AND another larger holding that the TDX dumps into...the overboard discharge pump dumps the larger tank. (and btw, that route for for the vent from the top of the tank is not what it should be!)
A big clue for that would be a panel somewhere (that may or may not still be working) that has switches for "treat & hold," "treat & discharge" along with a really basic tank level indicator.
--Peggie
|
|
|
08-16-2019, 04:49 PM
|
#11
|
Veteran Member
City: Secret cove B.C.
Vessel Name: Sea'esta
Vessel Model: 89 36'GB Europa
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 87
|
Hello Peggie,there is an acumulation tank that the vacu flush is attached to and it
then goes to the bigger holding tank,which has the only vent on top.there are no
other switches and no tank gauge,I have installed a Gobios tank gauge and it shows empty?All of the threads I have seen talk about a vent loop of which there is none.
On the main breaker panel there is a switch marked maserator,when using the head
this has to be on for the vacu flush to operate,but this wont operate the maserator
unless the thruhull discharge valve is open and the switch marked empty by the discharge line is turned to the on position.
|
|
|
08-16-2019, 05:11 PM
|
#12
|
Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Sandpiper
Vessel Model: Bluewater 40 Pilothouse Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,315
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Will knot
Thanks all of you for your responses,Ive taken everything apart and found every thing in working order,this system had a diaphram waste pump going from the holding tank to the discharge thruhull fitting.I found the diaphram to be cracked,so I replaced this with a new maserator pump,tested it and it works great,tank is empty,from previous pump out.the vent from the holding tank was clear at both ends.The vent from the top of the holding tank goes out at a thru hull at the water line,and has no loop,straight from the tank and down three feet to the water line?Could this be my problem,She still pumps waste.and why is there a separate switch to use the maserator,its by the discharge line and has three settings.empty-off and fill.when turned to empty the maserator works.And thanks Peggie ,will get your book
|
If the diaphragm is cracked and the pump is a Sealand/Dometic T pump, I would replace the diaphragm and duck bill's and keep it for a spare or sell it on eBay. They are a fairly expensive pump.
If you replaced the T pump with a grinder macerator, I would put the T pump back in after refurbishing it. The T pump is a lot more powerful, pumps faster and can be run dry. The macerator can not be run dry and pumps pretty slow.
|
|
|
08-16-2019, 10:23 PM
|
#13
|
Guru
City: AR
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,514
|
Will, does your "accumulator" tank look anything like the one in this drawing?
--Peggie
(Sorry about the size of the image...it's NOT a thumbnail!)
|
|
|
08-17-2019, 10:17 AM
|
#14
|
Veteran Member
City: Secret cove B.C.
Vessel Name: Sea'esta
Vessel Model: 89 36'GB Europa
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 87
|
Morning Peggie,that is not the type we have,I am attempting to send some pics,
|
|
|
08-17-2019, 10:22 AM
|
#15
|
Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Sandpiper
Vessel Model: Bluewater 40 Pilothouse Trawler
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,315
|
Accumulator like this?
|
|
|
08-17-2019, 10:39 AM
|
#16
|
Veteran Member
City: Secret cove B.C.
Vessel Name: Sea'esta
Vessel Model: 89 36'GB Europa
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 87
|
Hello SYJOS no that is not it I am attempting to send some pics
|
|
|
08-17-2019, 02:56 PM
|
#17
|
Veteran Member
City: Secret cove B.C.
Vessel Name: Sea'esta
Vessel Model: 89 36'GB Europa
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 87
|
We tried to send some pics via email to TF support but nothing back,silly
how do we send pics to our threads!
|
|
|
08-17-2019, 04:05 PM
|
#18
|
Veteran Member
City: Secret cove B.C.
Vessel Name: Sea'esta
Vessel Model: 89 36'GB Europa
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 87
|
One last thought,if I added a loop vent above my vent discharge line could this solve
our waste problem?
|
|
|
08-17-2019, 04:24 PM
|
#19
|
Guru
City: Gulf Islands, BC Canada
Vessel Name: Sea Sanctuary
Vessel Model: Bayliner 4588
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 4,993
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Will knot
We tried to send some pics via email to TF support but nothing back,silly
how do we send pics to our threads!
|
did you "Go Advanced" in the reply, it is button at bottom. Then click on the paperclip symbol and choose file.
The mtn picture one wants a web page address I suppose would work with dropbox or?
|
|
|
08-17-2019, 05:12 PM
|
#20
|
Veteran Member
City: Secret cove B.C.
Vessel Name: Sea'esta
Vessel Model: 89 36'GB Europa
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 87
|
Thanks Soo-Valley
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Trawler Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|