DWABoat
Well-Known Member
- Aug 13, 2019
- 1,012
- Boat Info
- 2001 280 Sundancer
1989 220CC Cuddy Cabin
- Engines
- Twin 4.3 w/Alpha Ones
5.7 Mercruiser Alpha One
New owner of a 2001 280DA with the Vacuflush system - no macerator.
I am testing the system.
I energize the boat water pump...all good, the water lines pressurize fine and the pump shuts off as expected.
I put water in the bowl using the foot pedal..all good. Water stays in the bowl. No leak down until I got tired of watching.
I energize the head system on the main panel and turn on the key on the control in the head. Little panel reads “Empty” in green and the vacuum generator starts clunking away in the engine room.
I say “clunking” because it makes more noise than I would expect, but have no experience with these systems. Is that normal?
Vacuum generator runs for 38-40 seconds and shuts off. I did this four times after flushing and the time was the same each time. Is that about normal?
The system remained in a vacuum for 8 minutes undisturbed then the vacuum pump started on its own and ran for about ten seconds before shutting off. Toilet flushed fine afterward. Is that amount of time before re-pulling a vacuum normal?
While waiting and watching in the engine room after the vac pump shut off, about two minutes into my timing, I can hear low volume squeaks and little noises sounding like things moving inside the system. Is that normal?
I realize there are four questions here. I am just hoping to get a baseline of expectations from you guys who have handled these for a long time.
thank you for any information.
I am testing the system.
I energize the boat water pump...all good, the water lines pressurize fine and the pump shuts off as expected.
I put water in the bowl using the foot pedal..all good. Water stays in the bowl. No leak down until I got tired of watching.
I energize the head system on the main panel and turn on the key on the control in the head. Little panel reads “Empty” in green and the vacuum generator starts clunking away in the engine room.
I say “clunking” because it makes more noise than I would expect, but have no experience with these systems. Is that normal?
Vacuum generator runs for 38-40 seconds and shuts off. I did this four times after flushing and the time was the same each time. Is that about normal?
The system remained in a vacuum for 8 minutes undisturbed then the vacuum pump started on its own and ran for about ten seconds before shutting off. Toilet flushed fine afterward. Is that amount of time before re-pulling a vacuum normal?
While waiting and watching in the engine room after the vac pump shut off, about two minutes into my timing, I can hear low volume squeaks and little noises sounding like things moving inside the system. Is that normal?
I realize there are four questions here. I am just hoping to get a baseline of expectations from you guys who have handled these for a long time.
thank you for any information.