Official 400EC thread

So my port temp and fuel gauges don't work. On the 400EC is there an "it's usually XXXXX" when these two gauges malfunction? The temp gauge for both engines start around 130 with key off, but as soon as it's key-on the port gauge drops below the lowest gauge marking and stays there while the starboard gauge functions normally.

This weekend I'll hopefully get down to the marina where I can throw an ohm meter on the temp sending unit wire to check it, just looking for any experienced troubleshooting to save me some time before I go climbing into the bilge LOL If I remember right, seeing about 600 ohms at around 72 degrees ambient air temp would mean the sending unit is functioning...or with my gauge reading low, a malfunctioning sending unit would show infinity indicating an open?
 
Mike and Harold - Thanks so much for the quick response. I checked them out and it'll be the first thing I order after the closing. Waiting for the survey report now, but I'm not expecting any negative reports.
 
Mike and Harold - Thanks so much for the quick response. I checked them out and it'll be the first thing I order after the closing. Waiting for the survey report now, but I'm not expecting any negative reports.
I installed the one that came today--not an exact match. The color is more white than the off-white of the boat, and the opening is slightly different...but the three push-pin holes match up, and it covers the open vent hole. It'll work for now :)
 
13. If you use generator a lot and the water has a considerable amount of floating debre from trees, in Saugatuck MI we have some kind of pea size pellet that covers the water and will quickly plug up intake for generator. If you see steam coming from gen. exhaust and water is hot to touch its getting plugged.

Excellent advice - saw same symptoms on mine - checked the strainer - it was packed full. Checked the AC water strainer, about 1/4 full - engine strainers all looked clear.
 
So, I'm narrowing the list of "neglected items" down on our new-to-us 1994 400EC....got two that I'm hoping for help on:

1) The Quicksilver 7.5 genset wouldn't stay running recently, I noticed it had steam and low water flow coming out the exhaust port so I shut it down. I checked the impeller, it was in great shape, so I went to the intake side and found the pickup was clogged at the hull intake. I cleared it by taking the line off at the raw water pump inlet side and backflushing through the sea strainer with city water. Now the raw water flows great, no steam and the exhaust water temp is always slightly warm to the touch but never "hot"....but the generator will randomly shut off. Sometimes it's never, sometimes it's after 5 minutes, sometimes it's after 2 hours...and with varying loads, from no load one time to both A/C's running the next. Mechanic for the PO had told me before we bought it that he recently rebuilt the generator carb and tuned the engine up, PO had also told us he used it each weekend when he dropped anchor. Anyway, are there any "usual causes" for random shutdown onthis model of generator that veterans can point me to check, or anything I keep an eye on to troubleshoot? I know the Generac uses a Nissan Mica engine, I thought about tapping into some plugged holes on the block and running a generator temp and oil pressure line from the engine up to the dash, having generator gauges as well as engine gauges up there...but that's a project for another day :)

2) The boat has a vacu-flush head. LOVE it compared to the electric macerator on my previous boat! We emptied the holding tank at our local dump station last weekend, flushed it with water and dumped it again, then added some odor chemicals...now, whenever we flush the head there is a TERRIBLE smell in the cockpit, cabin, and outside the boat. I've read on some forums that the 400EC does not have a vent line filter, other people say they think it does....any "early 90's" 400EC owners that can confirm or deny, or tell me what else to look for? I plan on going below this afternoon or tomorrow to lay eyes on the system (and hoping there's not a yucky mess waiting for me in the bilge LOL), but it's always nice to go in prepared rather than blind :p

As always, thanks for any help!
 
So, I'm narrowing the list of "neglected items" down on our new-to-us 1994 400EC....got two that I'm hoping for help on:

1) The Quicksilver 7.5 genset wouldn't stay running recently, I noticed it had steam and low water flow coming out the exhaust port so I shut it down. I checked the impeller, it was in great shape, so I went to the intake side and found the pickup was clogged at the hull intake. I cleared it by taking the line off at the raw water pump inlet side and backflushing through the sea strainer with city water. Now the raw water flows great, no steam and the exhaust water temp is always slightly warm to the touch but never "hot"....but the generator will randomly shut off. Sometimes it's never, sometimes it's after 5 minutes, sometimes it's after 2 hours...and with varying loads, from no load one time to both A/C's running the next. Mechanic for the PO had told me before we bought it that he recently rebuilt the generator carb and tuned the engine up, PO had also told us he used it each weekend when he dropped anchor. Anyway, are there any "usual causes" for random shutdown onthis model of generator that veterans can point me to check, or anything I keep an eye on to troubleshoot? I know the Generac uses a Nissan Mica engine, I thought about tapping into some plugged holes on the block and running a generator temp and oil pressure line from the engine up to the dash, having generator gauges as well as engine gauges up there...but that's a project for another day :)

2) The boat has a vacu-flush head. LOVE it compared to the electric macerator on my previous boat! We emptied the holding tank at our local dump station last weekend, flushed it with water and dumped it again, then added some odor chemicals...now, whenever we flush the head there is a TERRIBLE smell in the cockpit, cabin, and outside the boat. I've read on some forums that the 400EC does not have a vent line filter, other people say they think it does....any "early 90's" 400EC owners that can confirm or deny, or tell me what else to look for? I plan on going below this afternoon or tomorrow to lay eyes on the system (and hoping there's not a yucky mess waiting for me in the bilge LOL), but it's always nice to go in prepared rather than blind :p

As always, thanks for any help!
Like all generators there could be on of several sensors that could be shutting it down. Check them, they usually are on/off type sensors. The manual will show you where they are located. As far as the smell your head filter needs to be replaced. They last a year or two. You can make your own out of PVC pipe and fish tank charcole for pennies and refill when you start to smell the head after flushing.
 
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So, I'm narrowing the list of "neglected items" down on our new-to-us 1994 400EC....got two that I'm hoping for help on:

1) The Quicksilver 7.5 genset wouldn't stay running recently, I noticed it had steam and low water flow coming out the exhaust port so I shut it down. I checked the impeller, it was in great shape, so I went to the intake side and found the pickup was clogged at the hull intake. I cleared it by taking the line off at the raw water pump inlet side and backflushing through the sea strainer with city water. Now the raw water flows great, no steam and the exhaust water temp is always slightly warm to the touch but never "hot"....but the generator will randomly shut off. Sometimes it's never, sometimes it's after 5 minutes, sometimes it's after 2 hours...and with varying loads, from no load one time to both A/C's running the next. Mechanic for the PO had told me before we bought it that he recently rebuilt the generator carb and tuned the engine up, PO had also told us he used it each weekend when he dropped anchor. Anyway, are there any "usual causes" for random shutdown onthis model of generator that veterans can point me to check, or anything I keep an eye on to troubleshoot? I know the Generac uses a Nissan Mica engine, I thought about tapping into some plugged holes on the block and running a generator temp and oil pressure line from the engine up to the dash, having generator gauges as well as engine gauges up there...but that's a project for another day :)

2) The boat has a vacu-flush head. LOVE it compared to the electric macerator on my previous boat! We emptied the holding tank at our local dump station last weekend, flushed it with water and dumped it again, then added some odor chemicals...now, whenever we flush the head there is a TERRIBLE smell in the cockpit, cabin, and outside the boat. I've read on some forums that the 400EC does not have a vent line filter, other people say they think it does....any "early 90's" 400EC owners that can confirm or deny, or tell me what else to look for? I plan on going below this afternoon or tomorrow to lay eyes on the system (and hoping there's not a yucky mess waiting for me in the bilge LOL), but it's always nice to go in prepared rather than blind :p

As always, thanks for any help!
So, I'm narrowing the list of "neglected items" down on our new-to-us 1994 400EC....got two that I'm hoping for help on:

1) The Quicksilver 7.5 genset wouldn't stay running recently, I noticed it had steam and low water flow coming out the exhaust port so I shut it down. I checked the impeller, it was in great shape, so I went to the intake side and found the pickup was clogged at the hull intake. I cleared it by taking the line off at the raw water pump inlet side and backflushing through the sea strainer with city water. Now the raw water flows great, no steam and the exhaust water temp is always slightly warm to the touch but never "hot"....but the generator will randomly shut off. Sometimes it's never, sometimes it's after 5 minutes, sometimes it's after 2 hours...and with varying loads, from no load one time to both A/C's running the next. Mechanic for the PO had told me before we bought it that he recently rebuilt the generator carb and tuned the engine up, PO had also told us he used it each weekend when he dropped anchor. Anyway, are there any "usual causes" for random shutdown onthis model of generator that veterans can point me to check, or anything I keep an eye on to troubleshoot? I know the Generac uses a Nissan Mica engine, I thought about tapping into some plugged holes on the block and running a generator temp and oil pressure line from the engine up to the dash, having generator gauges as well as engine gauges up there...but that's a project for another day :)

2) The boat has a vacu-flush head. LOVE it compared to the electric macerator on my previous boat! We emptied the holding tank at our local dump station last weekend, flushed it with water and dumped it again, then added some odor chemicals...now, whenever we flush the head there is a TERRIBLE smell in the cockpit, cabin, and outside the boat. I've read on some forums that the 400EC does not have a vent line filter, other people say they think it does....any "early 90's" 400EC owners that can confirm or deny, or tell me what else to look for? I plan on going below this afternoon or tomorrow to lay eyes on the system (and hoping there's not a yucky mess waiting for me in the bilge LOL), but it's always nice to go in prepared rather than blind :p

As always, thanks for any help!
 
#2) there is a vent filter on the 400 EC, it is located right above your holding tank which is on the port side it is in between the holding tank and vent port for the head. Question, did you empty the tank when the indicator light came on? It’s possible you may have overfilled your tank and once it comes out the vent your filter is done.. also on my 400 when the indicator light went on 3/4 it was actually full. So don’t rely too much on that. So when I’m 3/4 it’s time to pump out!!
 
#2) there is a vent filter on the 400 EC, it is located right above your holding tank which is on the port side it is in between the holding tank and vent port for the head. Question, did you empty the tank when the indicator light came on? It’s possible you may have overfilled your tank and once it comes out the vent your filter is done.. also on my 400 when the indicator light went on 3/4 it was actually full. So don’t rely too much on that. So when I’m 3/4 it’s time to pump out!!

No lights were on, but I'm not even sure if they're working...we had just bought the boat at the end of July, so we emptied it as a "we don't know but let's be safe" measure LOL Thanks SO MUCH for mentioning whether it had a filter and the specific location, saves me some time. I'm assuming it's a standard filter with the 5/8" ends, but I'll find out this afternoon. I'm going to buy this first one and if the current (full) one is in decent shape I'll convert it to the refillable one via the instructions in other threads.

Along those lines...apparently I have the San-X treatment system installed, since on my power distribution panel I have a macerator switch marked HOLD, NORMAL, and DISCHARGE. I've read the owner's manual but still not sure how that system works compared to just a holding tank--are they specific chemicals, is there a chemical storage system or do they just go in the head at intervals, etc? I'm also not sure where I should leave the switch for just normal "holding tank/pumpout" operation, on HOLD or NORMAL? I haven't touched it because I don't want to do something by accident, it's currently on HOLD. Is this correct? Thanks again :)
 
No lights were on, but I'm not even sure if they're working...we had just bought the boat at the end of July, so we emptied it as a "we don't know but let's be safe" measure LOL Thanks SO MUCH for mentioning whether it had a filter and the specific location, saves me some time. I'm assuming it's a standard filter with the 5/8" ends, but I'll find out this afternoon. I'm going to buy this first one and if the current (full) one is in decent shape I'll convert it to the refillable one via the instructions in other threads.

Along those lines...apparently I have the San-X treatment system installed, since on my power distribution panel I have a macerator switch marked HOLD, NORMAL, and DISCHARGE. I've read the owner's manual but still not sure how that system works compared to just a holding tank--are they specific chemicals, is there a chemical storage system or do they just go in the head at intervals, etc? I'm also not sure where I should leave the switch for just normal "holding tank/pumpout" operation, on HOLD or NORMAL? I haven't touched it because I don't want to do something by accident, it's currently on HOLD. Is this correct? Thanks again :)
What year is your 400 EC? Here is my email address thomascaronna@icloud.com. Send me an email we can chat boating there..
 
No lights were on, but I'm not even sure if they're working...we had just bought the boat at the end of July, so we emptied it as a "we don't know but let's be safe" measure LOL Thanks SO MUCH for mentioning whether it had a filter and the specific location, saves me some time. I'm assuming it's a standard filter with the 5/8" ends, but I'll find out this afternoon. I'm going to buy this first one and if the current (full) one is in decent shape I'll convert it to the refillable one via the instructions in other threads.

Along those lines...apparently I have the San-X treatment system installed, since on my power distribution panel I have a macerator switch marked HOLD, NORMAL, and DISCHARGE. I've read the owner's manual but still not sure how that system works compared to just a holding tank--are they specific chemicals, is there a chemical storage system or do they just go in the head at intervals, etc? I'm also not sure where I should leave the switch for just normal "holding tank/pumpout" operation, on HOLD or NORMAL? I haven't touched it because I don't want to do something by accident, it's currently on HOLD. Is this correct? Thanks again :)

On my 1994 400EC, I do not have a vent filter, but need to add one bad. When I had my engines out of the boat during a rebuild, I should have put one in, but did not get to it. Now back to working while imitating a contortionist to get into the space. :(

You may not have a San-X system. You could have an overboard discharge that allows the draining of the holding tank or the direct overboard discharge of the head. On mine the Discharge activates the second vacuum pump that will pump from the holding tank to the overboard thru-hull located aft of the generator water inlet thru-hull. There are two Y-valves on the engine room bulkhead forward of the port engine that control where the flow from the head goes. - 1. Head to Tank; 2. Head straight overboard; 3. Tank to deck fitting; 4. tank to overboard thru-hull. (I replaced all of the hoses while the engines were out of the boat, except the run to the deck fitting because I could not reach it behind the fuel tank. Tried to lift the deck fitting up but it used bolts and I could not get to the nuts :mad:)
 
So h_gerry and Oh La La... both correct :) My current system has (had) no in-line filter, and I didn't have the San-X system, just the 2 Y-pipes. I disconnected the vent tube off of the top of the holding tank and installed a filter as high in the bilge as I could get it--not too bad of a job, all things considered. I'm still not sure what the "HOLD" and "NORMAL" settings on the distribution panel switch are for, but I know I won't be using the "DISCHARGE" position :D

Edit: I have no idea why the pictures are uploaded at crazy angles, they're correct when I choose them. Picture number 1 is sideways, pictures 2 and 3 are upside down!
 
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So h_gerry and Oh La La... both correct :) My current system has (had) no in-line filter, and I didn't have the San-X system, just the 2 Y-pipes. I disconnected the vent tube off of the top of the holding tank and installed a filter as high in the bilge as I could get it--not too bad of a job, all things considered. I'm still not sure what the "HOLD" and "NORMAL" settings on the distribution panel switch are for, but I know I won't be using the "DISCHARGE" position :D

Edit: I have no idea why the pictures are uploaded at crazy angles, they're correct when I choose them. Picture number 1 is sideways, pictures 2 and 3 are upside down!

I think the Hold and Normal are used when someone ordered the San-X system, but are not used for our boats without it (Guess they did not want to make two different panels).
Are the Y-Valves located in front of the port engine on your boat? Figured I would have seen them or the hoses in the first picture you took.
Also, since you just did it, is the vent hose 5/8"? I too want to have the parts in hand when I tackle the job.
Did you flush the vent line when you took it off the tank?
 
I think the Hold and Normal are used when someone ordered the San-X system, but are not used for our boats without it (Guess they did not want to make two different panels).
Are the Y-Valves located in front of the port engine on your boat? Figured I would have seen them or the hoses in the first picture you took.
Also, since you just did it, is the vent hose 5/8"? I too want to have the parts in hand when I tackle the job.
Did you flush the vent line when you took it off the tank?

I followed my system's flow. A correction, I do only have one Y, and it's just a PVC fitting--not a valve (no handles to switch or anything). Its only purpose is to let waste flow either through the macerator and overboard, or through the pump-out fitting via suction. All of my black water plumbing and mechanics is beside the port engine, not in front of it--mounted between the holding tank and the port fuel tank. I mounted the filter high on the bulkhead in front of the port engine.

On my boat, it looks like the vacuum chamber is charged and waste drawn through it and pumped into a high-mounted holding tank inlet via pump 1 (closest to holding tank). Waste flows out the bottom tank discharge fitting into the PVC Y fitting; at that fitting it is either drawn overboard via pumpout station suction through the top leg, or drawn through pump 2 (via the DISCHARGE button on the power distribution panel I'm assuming) which then forces the waste through the macerator and out the overboard thru-hull.

Yes, the OEM vent line was a 5/8 line; the filter came with a few different connections, I was able to use the clamp-on connections with the existing vent line and some reinforced 5/8 hose I bought to extend condensate lines when I installed a new shower sump last week.
 
I followed my system's flow. A correction, I do only have one Y, and it's just a PVC fitting--not a valve (no handles to switch or anything). Its only purpose is to let waste flow either through the macerator and overboard, or through the pump-out fitting via suction. All of my black water plumbing and mechanics is beside the port engine, not in front of it--mounted between the holding tank and the port fuel tank. I mounted the filter high on the bulkhead in front of the port engine.

On my boat, it looks like the vacuum chamber is charged and waste drawn through it and pumped into a high-mounted holding tank inlet via pump 1 (closest to holding tank). Waste flows out the bottom tank discharge fitting into the PVC Y fitting; at that fitting it is either drawn overboard via pumpout station suction through the top leg, or drawn through pump 2 (via the DISCHARGE button on the power distribution panel I'm assuming) which then forces the waste through the macerator and out the overboard thru-hull.

Yes, the OEM vent line was a 5/8 line; the filter came with a few different connections, I was able to use the clamp-on connections with the existing vent line and some reinforced 5/8 hose I bought to extend condensate lines when I installed a new shower sump last week.

That sounds like the 'basic' normal system. My boat has a slightly different plumbing arrangement, which I believe is also factory, giving an option of a direct overboard discharge.

These are the Y-valves I was referring to:
Holding Tank Y Valves.jpg


They are mounted forward of the port engine near the holding tank:

Holding Tank.jpg

This is how things looked when I first removed the engines, so you get the perspective:
IMG_8030.JPG

I have two vacuum pumps, but no macerator pump:
Vacuum Pumps.jpg

Things looked better with a good cleaning and some new hoses :):
Y-Valve - Engine Room.jpg

I moved the Y-Valves a little higher and closer to the tank to make some room in front of the engines during the repower.
Y-valve.jpg


What the valves allow me to do, as I said before, are to: 1. Use vacuum pump #1 to pull from the head into the tank; or 2. use Pump #1 to pull from the head and go directly overboard; or 3. Use a dockside pumpout to empty the tank through the same PVC 'Y' fitting you have at the bottom of the tank; or 4. Use vacuum pump #2 connected to the other side of the PVC 'Y' fitting to draw from the tank and pump the tank overboard.

I will likely mount the vent filter in the same place you did. You have more room in there than I do, but I should still be able to reach it.
 
I'm not sure what year you are looking for parts for, but I have a 1994 400EC. The companion door glides can be ordered as a kit from Pompenette (I believe they were the original manufacturer?). The kit is part # 601-0005 and includes all 4 trucks for about $60 plus shipping. They also have the small white access hole plugs for about $3 each, part # 40-4059. Lead time is given as about 6 weeks due to COVID, but may be sooner. Pompenette prefers you contact them by phone at (603) 826-5791.

You might check your mounts first...I just recently bought the boat, and ordered the door glide kit a couple weeks ago because the door felt "sloppy" and I assumed they were worn out. With a 6 week lead time, in the meantime I decided to check out the installation. I discovered that all 8 mounting screws were just loose. I tightened them up (be careful, they don't take a lot of torque), shot some white lithium grease in the upper and lower tracks, and it opens and closes smooth as silk with one hand now. When it comes in, I guess I'll keep the glide set for when they REALLY fail LOL
Great to know they are available and thanks for sharing the info. I do the same with the white lithium grease, makes a massive difference.
 
I removed the starboard side helm seat for new upholstery and found that there is a seat adjustment lever on the right side of the seat for forward, and rearward adjustment, and the left side has a broken off stud in the rail. Can anyone tell me if where I found the broken stud there should be a Tee handle that would lock down the left side of the seat after a seat adjustment was made?
 

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