Sealand Vacuflush question

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Rowdyroady

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Hi! I just joined this excellent forum. I have a question that surely has been addressed in the past, so excuse me for the redundancy, but my new-to-me boat a 2001 Chris Chraft 328 has the Sealand Vacuflush system. It seems to work OK, but the vacuum system cycles pretty frequently when not in use. And after a flush, it takes a while to finally create enough vacuum for the next flush. Upon research, I believe I need to replace the Vacuflush Duck Bill Valves.

My question is, is there anything I need to know when replacing these? Is it fairly straighforward? Is there anything else I need to look for? I should note that there is fluid around both the Transfer pump, as well as the vacuum, so I will be looking to find and fix the leaks. Anything I should be looking for first when trying to locate the leaks?

Thanks in advance for the assistance!!
 
It's possible that the only problem is a loose hose clamp but based on the age I would replace the duct bills and retighten all fitting then listen for a leak. I'm about to do mine as well looks straight forward I'm sure it will be a quick job.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Rowdyroady

My question is, is there anything I need to know when replacing these?

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Yes!! Make sure the system is thoroughly flushed out 100% before doing it.

Three years ago I left on my Sea Ray (vacuum flush head equipped) for a 2 week vacation. The second night around 9:30 pm my youngest says "dad the toilet is clogged".

I go and check it and its clogged really bad.
Long story short he ran out of TP and decided to use about 8 wipes instead.

Every duck bill (3 or 4 of them) had a wipe 1/2 way through it stuck. The clog was brutal and there was pureed poop everywhere. I used all of my fresh water and the boats next to me trying to clean it up after each repair. Everytime I found one clog and fix it another appeared in a different place, I could not even get enough vacuum to do a decent flush to test it.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that we were at anchor in a harbor, not tied up to a dock with power and water (or a shower). I was finished around 3am with that mess.

Live and learn. Wipes are not allowed on our boat anymore.
 
JLC while I really liked my VacuFlush I had clogging problems with it when my wife used it. I am so happy I switched to the Raritan Elegance fresh water flush. It has been put through all the paces and no clogs. It also helps so have a Spectra Watermaker that automatically keeps itself clean and keeps the rear tank full. I got tired of the VacuFlush even though I would still recommend them. It would have been fine if I just used it but the medications my wife is on made golf balls that would not break up in the venturri and I had great vacuum. I think the Elegance would eat anything once it gets through the opening in the bowel. That is my only gripe about the Elegance the opening in the bowl is a bit on the small size nothing a coat hanger can't fix. Once it reaches the stainless chopper you could loose fingers bone and all but there is no need if its reached that stage (right in the base of the head). I am not sure if this thing would eat wipes and tampons but I have a feeling it would with ease.
Bill
 
first, does water stay in the bowl? if yes, then the issue is likely to be the duckbills.

very simple to replace, there are 2 on the inlet and 2 on the oulet of the pump. takes a few minutes to replace. just make sure you put them back facing the right way. I use some liquid soap on the flange when putting them in to make sure they don't bind. Sometimes you may need to clean some of the calcium build up inside the fitting to get the right fit.

now water neat the pump is't normal. On the discharge side it could be a loose clamp but there shodunt be any water on the intake side unless the below, at the top is leaking. that's rare.. these pumps are near bulletproof
 
Really appreciate all of the advice. Water does stay in the bowl. but when I tested the vacuflush last night, it ran forever and never did achieve a full vacuum state, so the duckbills will get replaced as soon as fedex can deliver them.

I will retighten all of the fittings and hope that takes care of my problems.

Oh, and no wipes on board!! :)
 
Billy III, while the Elegance "might" pass wipes and/or tampons, I cannot recommend that you do put them in the toilet intentionally. I'd wait until some teenage girl tries to flush one, out of being too embarrassed to ask about it. While the Elegance isn't terrible to open up and clean out, it isn't a leisurely walk in the park, either.

Rowdyroady, welcome to the absolute best Forum on the internet, regardless of topic!
 
Thanks, Vic...glad I found this forum. It has already been a huge help.

One final question here...is there any treatment I need to do to the threads when I couple everything back together? Teflon tape, plumber's putty, fitting grease or anything else to insure a good, airtight/watertight connection?
 
I'd suggest either Teflon tape or Teflon paste on the threads. With the parts mostly being plastic, I'd avoid pipe dope as it is primarily intended for iron pipe and could contain ingredients that may deteriorate the plastic. Teflon is inert, and it won't harm plastics.
 
Wow! i have the exact same issue as Rowdy. mine will achieve vacuum, but, every 15-20 min the pump comes on!! i have a sealand system too at least that's what the head shows. question: how do i know what duck bills to order and is there a manual to show online how to replace these? i'm not sure where they are located? thanks!!
 
I had another thread on this exact subject; head recycles every 1 to 1-1/2 minutes, water stays in bowl. Changed duck bills and tightened all clamps; no effect. Changed switch o-rings; no effect. Changed uni-seal; no effect. Turned over to Sealand-authorized repair folks; turned out the ball/shaft seal was leaking (this is at the bowl, not the pump). They changed the seal (there's a ball/shaft kit for this) and say it's all better now. Picking up the boat on Saturday and will confirm fix then. That's the one thing never mentioned when talking with Dometic service folks and I never would have thought about it; didn't even know the seal was there.

If new duck bills don't fix the problem and all your clamps are tight, check the ball/shaft thing-a-ma-jig (if water is staying in bowl).
 
I believe one size fits all
the DuckBills are part # 10 -there are 4 of them

Vacpump.jpg
 
Rowdy,

I've just completed a major overhaul of my vacuflush system. Replaced the tank with a larger, had the pump rebuilt, replaced all the hoses.

There are a couple of things to check.

1. As you noted, the duckbills, You may have something clogged in them. As abalmuth indicatd, they are enclosed in the fittings of the pump. Make sure the "bill" points downstream (Towars the holding tank)
2. The head - since you cannot get enough vacuum to shut off the pump, you may have a leak in the head. Sea Land recommend rebuilding the head every several years. It's pretty easy and if you plan on keeping the boat for a while, I would go ahead and do it. I replaced the water valve, gaskets, floor seal and vacuum breaker as a complete overhaul.
3. If your pump is not shutting off but yuo have a strong vacuuum when flushig, there is a possibility the pressure switch is failing. the pressure switch is on the vacuum tank between the head and the pump. When vacuum reaches the set point, the pump shuts off. I replaced mine as it was original and I had everything out of the boat. They are not cheap however,($150 or so)
4. As pascal notes, water leaking is not normal. It may be the cause of yor problem and in any case leaks need to be fixed for obvious reasons. If in fact your pump has gone bad (Mine were 23 years old, I have a contact that will rebuild them for half the price of new. They sell other itmes that compete with Boatfix so PM or email me and I will get yuo the contact.

The system is pretty simple and I'm sure you will figure it out.
 
I am really asking, why get that system? It is so overboard to what you need, all these things have to work or it doesn't. I'm an engineer and I don't see the worth of it. I'll go with my Crown and a holding tank, simple and trusted.
 
Jim they are attractive because they don't use much water so you can easily get 2 to 3 times the number of flushes for the same size tank. Unless you move up to Raritans Elegance which is what I did simpler unit. It will eat anything you put into it.
Bill
 
Got the leak fixed. It was grey water due to a leak in the transfer pump which just happens to share the same bilge as the vacu system.

Replaced two of the duck bills last night before it got late. These were the two leading to the holding tank. But how do I replace the two inner valves? Can I disassemble the pump body (#12 in diagram)? It is not intuitive how I access these.

SO the two that I did replace looked completely fine. Not so sure that this will end up being my problem. I appreciate the suggestions, I will keep hunting until I figure it out.
 
Depends on the tank you have, I think. On the GenII I have (looks like an L shape), I had to loosen the inlet nut (it was plastic, big, and white) and then remove the 4 bolts holding the pump to the tank. That allows the pump to slide away from the inlet fittings and expose the duck bills.
 
Roady,

There shoudl be two plastic fittings on each side, one for the hose and one that is straight. The duckbills are on either side of the straight piece. All the pump fittings unscrew but may be reverse threaded. (I don't remember but they are on the T-Series pump)
 
go to the auto parts store and buy one of the cheap($20) stethoscopes. Run the system till the pump stops then run around everything with the stethoscope.Ball valve, hose connections, pump bellows etc. You will hear the leak. Much better than a whole load of guessing and replaced parts that don't need replacing
Bazza
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Jim they are attractive because they don't use much water so you can easily get 2 to 3 times the number of flushes for the same size tank. Unless you move up to Raritans Elegance which is what I did simpler unit. It will eat anything you put into it.
Bill

Click to expand...


Don't let the ad copy fool you. To keep the system clean and trouble free you need to flush it out with a fair amount of water on a regular basis.
 
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