moe f
ON.
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Joined: 08/25/2002
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Am considering installing a macerator pump to empty the black water tank on my 5th wheel into a tote for disposal. Shurflo sells a 'macerator ' pump which has an inlet port 1 1/2 inch in diameter, which would mean going from a 3" pipe down to 1 1/2" at the pump inlet. Has anyone used one of these pumps for black water? If you have, does the pump clog up due to solids at the diameter reduction area?
Another question, if my tote does not hold the entire contents of the black water tank the black water dump valve must be shut off. When shut off, is there a problem due to lack of air not allowing the black water from entering the pump inlet or does the pump suction take care of that?
Thanks for your input and have a great day
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2oldman
Moses Lake
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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moe f wrote: black water dump valve must be shut off. When shut off, is there a problem due to lack of air If you mean when using the macerator, you can simply shut off the M, dump, then resume maceration. It has a good bit of suction.
Mine just fits on my black water pipe like a sewer hose.
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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The marine folks use the 1 1/2" pump. They also come with a 3" intake so you can mate a clear 3" bayonet fitting onto it with a short piece of 3" radiator hose. I would think you would want the 3" intake. I think they cost more, tho.
No problem with shutting it on and off. Just don't run it dry any more than you have to.
You also should take it apart every year or every other year and clean the hair off the shaft and inspect the impeller. It has a nitrile rubber impeller like an outboard motor water pump.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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badboy368
OHIO
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Is that the one that will drain thru a garden hose ? I was thinking of getting one, just not too sure if they really work that good.
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Gezzer
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Having the macerator pump has saved our butts big time. We've been using a macerator pump almost continuously for the past 3 years. We've had no problems with clogs from the black tank. As I understand it, the macerator sort of grinds up everything to a smaller size.
You do need to use a lot of water when you flush the toilet. It helps move everything out.
As mentioned earlier, you should take it a part once a year or so to clean out the hair that accumulates. Even tho we have strainer things on the shower and in the kitchen sinks, we still get some hair trapped in the macerator.
DH had a medical emergency once when he was dumping and so we had shut the pump off and closed the valve before it has completely dumped. I went back later and finished dumping with no problems.
We also found that if we need to replace the impeller, a marine store has them and they are cheaper and easier to find if you go through a marine store. We had absolutely no luck trying to get one through Camping World.
Safe travels,
Judy
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Ranger Smith
Wherever the rig is parked
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badboy368 wrote:Is that the one that will drain thru a garden hose ? I was thinking of getting one, just not too sure if they really work that good.
I have one of those and it works great. Can pump theough 150' of hose with no problem.
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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badboy368 wrote:Is that the one that will drain thru a garden hose ? I was thinking of getting one, just not too sure if they really work that good.
A macerator is like a garbage disposal. It chops and pumps poo over 100' up to something like 14' elevation. No water required (except to rinse the tank).
The other kind uses a water hose (Sewer SOlution?) to break up the poo and then pushes it out:no pump. A lot slower, requires a water hose and uses a LOT of water. Also cheaper.
I have used a macerator for years. Works great. I only use mine to dump at home. If there is a 3" dump available I use it. Macerators do wear out and can jam too if a grand kid puts a candy wrapper in the toilet or a female type puts a you-know-what down the toilet.
Yes, West Marine knows a lot more about macerators than CW.
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mlts22
Austin, Texas
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Any good recommendations on macerator pump brands? I'd like to get one that can use a garden hose.
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eHoefler
ozark mountains
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You can pick up a new FloJets on Ebay for $160.00 with free shipping.
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jdkd123
Northeast
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My Class C has a very low black tank valve (about 8" from the ground). My BlueBoy is 11" at the top valve...well the stuff doesn't flow up hill so the macerator allows me to pump the stuff into the BlueBoy when I'm without hookups. A 2 foot section of 3/4" hose is all I need to go from the macerator/black valve to the BlueBoy. Works really well.
JDKD123
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