Vacu Flush?

Audrey II

Audrey II

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Joined
Aug 5, 2008
RO Number
30499
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I have not had any issues at all for over 8 years and suddenly both heads have any having two different issues. One head the pump continuously runs oddly it builds vacuum and seems to hol it. If I turn off the pump after a minute or so it holds the vacuum until the next time I flush even over night. I thought it was going to be a duck bill issue but I have replaced all 4 of them and still have the same problem. The toilet hold water so it's not the seal. Not sure what to try next?

The second toilet cycles on once in a while not a lot but enough to be annoying at night!

The only thing that has changed is we recently changed toilet paper to a thicker marine paper this is the only thing common to both toilets. They have separate pumps and tanks so they is nothing common to both of them.

Any thoughts welcome!
 
Most likely the vacuum switch for the first issue. As far as the one that cycles once in a while, check all of the clamps. If you have not seen any loose calcium build up in the duck bills that's about all there is that could be wrong unless the bowl is leaking vacuum.
 
neither bowl leaks they would hold water for weeks!
 
They can leak air in between the china parts. It's where the clamp around the top and bottom pieces are. There is a torque spec for that clamp. I think it is 30 inch pounds.As to the first issue, if you have the big old vacuum chambers and the pump runs on and on, wiggle the diaphragm adjustment under the cover and see if the pump stops.

http://marinesan.com/v/Vacuflush -SuperTech- Service & Troubleshooting.pdf
 
I agree...wiggle the vac switch on the first one. If the pump stops then it's likely the switch. The mechanical part inside is exposed to stuff...you can actually feel the amount of vacuum by pulling on the spring

On the second pump i d start witht he duckbills. If they re 8 years old it s time
 
Dave, I have the exact same issue with my day head. I just got a new vacuum switch and will install it tomorrow. I'll let you know if that fixes it.
 
The parts place I used referred to it as the 13 year switch.
 
Hey Dave, I had to replace the switch in the Master Head on mine. Right before we left MD. Mine did as you describe. It would cycle ever couple seconds even though water would stay in the bowl for days without leaking. I want to say the puppy cost a couple hundred dollars too. Did you check to see how much vacuum it is creating? Something like greater than 10" hg or so
 
I don't own a vacuum gauge but I may invest.
Hogan let me know how you make out.
I plan to look into this a little farther this evening after work.
I'm going to the Channel Club next weekend and would really like to have this fixed before I go!
I'm so sore from working on this already I don't know why they install these things in such hard to get to places?
 
quote:
Originally posted by HOGAN

Dave, I have the exact same issue with my day head. I just got a new vacuum switch and will install it tomorrow. I'll let you know if that fixes it.

Click to expand...


Where did you buy the switch?
 
Although it has been nearly 5 years since replacing mine, I got it at West Marine because they had it in stock. I borrowed the vacuum gage from someone at the Marina I was in
 
I ordered a gauge today and finally looked for how the floor comes up in the stateroom. I remember you told me years ago that the hatch in the galley is actually bigger then it appears. I will have to pull up the carpet but it looks like I will have easy access to the bullet tank and switch. I hope to have the gauge within a few days and then I can trouble shoot the problem.
 
I replaced the pressure switch yesterday, it did not fix the problem.]
 
Just replace the switch. I thought about the gauge and just replaced the switch.
 
I figure the gauge will come in handy to trouble shoot in the future. Both Hogan's and my toilet will turn off of you tap the sensors his is brand new. Until I put a gauge on it there it no way to know if it is creating enough vacuum and this would be the reason it doesn't turn off. I spoke at length with a tech and he seems to think it is the switch as well. I will know soon enough. The good news is I cut my carpet and can now easily remove a hatch giving me complete access to the switch if need be.
 
The parts came in before the gauge so I decided to replace the pressure switch with the hope this was the problem and sure enough everything is working perfectly. I was heading on vacation for a few days so I was happy everything was working!
 
Mike it could be duck bills, clamps, or even the pump. The pump has an upper piece that has screws around the perimeter. I had one loosen up but inside after I disassembled the pump, the bellows had a crack in it. If you have any odor around the pump itself that could be indicative of a failed bellows. Since we lived aboard the pump received quite a bit of "attention" over the years.
 
Thanks Dan, I will check those items this week.
 
flush a mess of fresh water through it and don't forget the cloths pin.
 
Hogan I did it in reverse order, I replaced the duck bills and then I changed the pressure switch which resolved my problem. I now have to replace the duck bills on the other toilet that once cycles on far to often.
 
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