Vacuflush

[Boatdave]

This is my first Vacuflush. I notice the vacuum pump running for 20 seconds up to 5 minutes. I've shut it off and then back on again and it seems to help but other times I have flushed again and then it runs for 20-30 seconds. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sbw1]

20 seconds is about right. If it runs for 5 minutes, that is not normal. If it goes back to 20 seconds after doing that, it could be something as simple as the seal leaking a little air because the pedal was not allowed to snap back into position. or the seal is a little dirty and air is leaking into the accumulator. Duck valves, pressure switch, hose leaks are possibilities. Look at the simple thing first.

 

[skolbe]

Look to see if the head is holding water or if there is a slight leak at the seal there. If it loses water over time, put some vasoline on the seal in the bowl.

Otherwise, your duckbill valves are worn. Little bits of Toilet Paper can get caught in the valves. If you replace the valves - rinse lots of water through first and wear some rubber gloves.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Look to see if the head is holding water or if there is a slight leak at the seal there. If it loses water over time, put some vasoline on the seal in the bowl.

Otherwise, your duckbill valves are worn. Little bits of Toilet Paper can get caught in the valves. If you replace the valves - rinse lots of water through first and wear some rubber gloves.

I found that a painter's dust mask with the charcoal filters makes the duckbill job more tolerable. Well worth the money if you don't have one.

Henry

 

[Four Suns]

7+ year old boat...

Duckbills

 

[RollerCoastr]

How does it typically behave? Does the 5-minute pumping routine happen often? Does the pump cycle between flushes?

Just for the record, 20 seconds is fast. Even a 90-second cycle is in within spec. My heads both average 40 seconds to build a vacuum and shutoff. (one has 6-month old duckbills, the others are 12.5 years old)

This could be clog, particularly if you have a separate pump and vacuum tank. With that design, clogs have a way of making the pump run without allowing the tank to actually develop a vacuum. When you shut off the pump, the pressure can equalize enough to satisfy the pressure switch, and the pump won't turn on when it's re-energized. That would explain why turning it off and on makes the pump stop. In fact, this has happened to me twice this season. Wet wipes and tampons. They're killers, I'm telling ya.

That it behaves erratically is confusing, but I suppose it's possible that debris is moving around, sometimes causing a clog, and other times not.

 

[Four Suns]

20 seconds is not fast! Mine run ~10 seconds after a flush...

Might be time to change out your 12.5 year old duckbill valves.

 

[RollerCoastr]

20 seconds IS fast. 10 seconds is REALLY fast, and per Sealand / Dometic, up to 90 seconds is acceptable.

(and note: I have new DB's in one system, 12.5 yr old in the other)

What's more important than the pumping duration, provided that it's within spec, is a CHANGE in duration. Mine have run for +/- 40 seconds for a decade. Once a pump consistantly needs significantly more time to build a vacuum, it's time to troubleshoot.

 

[tginz]

20 seconds is FAST. Mine runs just seconds after the flush is over. I only had long and erractic pumping after my daughter left a little TP in the bottom where the seal occurs preventing an airtight seal. While it is not fun for some, a tech told me to lube the seal in the bottom of the can with vaseline a couple of times per year to keep a good seal. It works great.

Turn off your water source to toilet. Hold the ball valve open with one hand on the pedal and rub a 1/2" long bead of vaseline on the sealing ring with the other.

Would highly recommend not chewing nails for a few days......:smt018


tginz

 

[Four Suns]

I actually timed mine this morning when I went to get my boat ready for the storm.

14 seconds.

 

[rondds]

the amount of time that the pump runs before shut-off depends on how far the pump is from the vacuum tank. according to the sealand dometic dealer i get my parts from on long island, 35-45 seconds is normal. gary's pump may be right next to the tank - either that or it is a magic pump!

if your pump doesnt shut down but you have enough vacuum to produce a flush, it is your vacuum assembly switch on the tank. as the vacuum is produced in the tank, it draws in a diaphragm which trips a microswitch. if the diaphragm is bad, the micro switch is not tripped and, even though there is adequate vacuum, the pump will keep running. if you know where your vacuum tank is, follow the wires and take off the end cap. then trip the microswitch by hand. if the pump shuts, there's your problem. extremely easy to replace.

if your pump is running continuously and no vacuum is produced, it is either a leak in the pathway, bad duckbills or your commode 1/2 ball is not making a good seal. if it's the latter the bowl will not hold water.

 

[Four Suns]

My pumps are about 15 feet from the tank.

35-45 seconds?! No WAY!

 

[rondds]

15 feet from the tank

mine too. maybe the newer ones run less time??

 

[Hwillcockson]

My tank is about 15 feet away and the pump usually runs for about 15 seconds... unless one of the kids half-flushes a bung-wad of TP and hangs up the ball valve.

:smt101

 

[sbw1]

My tank is about 4 feet away and it runs maybe 15 secs.