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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Holding Tank macerator not cooperating

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albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/28/2005 : 00:39:38

Went offshore to empty my holding tank using the electric Jasbco mascerator the other day. Won't work. Its worked fine in the past, but it now runs for about 1.5 to 2 minutes then blows its 15 amp fuse. Before the fuse blows the motor starts to slow down; it doesn't suddenly stop (as if something were caught in the macerator blades). Why would it blow the fuse? Does it every single time now. It never did this and used to work fine.

Could older, weaker wet cells cause this or is something "stuck" in the holding tank. This stuck "thing" could jam up the pipe or macerator blades as the macerator builds suction. I've used a garden hose and poured water into the holding tank via its Y-valve and the pump out deck fitting. Air comes out of the vent and it doesn't appear to be obstructed.

Two things have occurred since the macerator last worked properly:

1. My Guest brand charger boiled off the water in one of my type 27 batteries. Its not supposed to do that, so I don't know what the root cause was. I refilled with distilled water and it appears to take a charge. When the macerator worked last; it worked using one battery; I didn't need to combine them.

2. Vent on the holding tank broke. Its been replaced, but a piece of the old one may have fallen into the tank. I doubt this possible "piece" is the culprit as the macerator winds down (as if it has back pressure) then blows the fuse.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
Abacus 1984 C25 #4679

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2005 : 06:46:39

Albert... on the end of the pump shaft, there is a slot for a straight bladed screwdriver, it may need a cover removed. Use a screw drive to make some judgement about how much drag the motor has, if it doesn't turn freely, what is likely happening is the motor is heating up and further binds and of course then blows a fuse.

It may be the pump needs removed, cleaned and possibly new bearings if they are ball or the pump replaced.

If the pump turns freely, then I'd look for a wiring problem causing low voltage to the pump, a corroded terminal, etc.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 07/28/2005 06:48:03

albert
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USA
262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2005 : 00:55:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Arlyn Stewart
 Albert... on the end of the pump shaft, there is a slot for a straight bladed screwdriver....
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks Arlyn, will try.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2005 : 09:56:35

As I (vaguely) recall, shunt wound DC motors draw more current if the supplied voltage is too low... or if the load on the motor is too high. I'd speculate the motor issues are related to your battery woes. Wonder if you have some bad battery connections.

Alternative theory is motor overload.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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2030 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2005 : 20:34:41

During the few minutes that it runs, is it pumping? Witness the brown cloud outside the boat.....If not, the intake is blocked. When mine run dry they get hot and then slow down. I don't let it go long enough to pop the breaker, but I'm sure it would.

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albert
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262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2005 : 00:32:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Oscar
 During the few minutes that it runs, is it pumping? Witness the brown cloud outside the boat.....If not, the intake is blocked. When mine run dry they get hot and then slow down. I don't let it go long enough to pop the breaker, but I'm sure it would.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No cloud. It builds pressure then stops. It does sound like there is an obstruction, but I have no idea how to find/remedy the obstruction. Maybe use a plumber's snake?

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albert
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USA
262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2005 : 00:36:11

Would marine toilet paper cause obstructions? Its rated to decompose; its probably been in there close to 9 months. Quoted from WestMarine catalog: "Soft! Sealand BIG SHEETS toilet paper breaks up quickly - prevents clogs - no tissue digesters needed!"

What would be clogging and how do I remove the clog?

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