Vacuflush number two

Just finished an 8 day cruise using the Vacuflush multiple times daily. No issues. Maybe you need to replace the duckbills. It's critical to fill the bowl about half way when going #2 and hold the pedal down for 7-10 sec. after flushing. This completely flushes and rinses the vaccum tank and parts.
 
We use the toilet all the time and never really had a problem. occasional plug when the grand kids come out but fill it with water and shut off the main water and plunge it when it's full of water. But shortly after we bought our last boat we had a similar problem and it turned our the vacuum chanber had a solid ( condoms, along with hardened ?? ) around the discharge pipe. Which by the way that discharger pipe is literally only 1/4 off the bottom of the tank. So if anything doesnt work as needed it will mess up the whole system. Since cleaning that out. ( that's a long story in itself, but use a good vacuum with a tight lid. ) we have had no issues. And it was hard to find also, had to take it all apart and took a vacuum to empty it and from there had a garden hose down there. Took a while to see it. Buts got it. ( probably tmi. lol ) good luck.
 
TTG said:
I wish I had an answer but to those who don’t go #2 or don’t flush down the TP—to each their own. I have two daughters and a wife so neither of those rules will fly. When used properly we haven’t had an issue. Meaning go easy on TP, use plenty of water, and a courtesy flush can’t hurt. I mean a pumpout at the dock is cheap compared to three girls complaining on the boat.

Is it possible the vacuum switch is bad and not creating enough pressure?
Click to expand...

That is a possibility of course, but I do know the pump runs for about 40 seconds after a flush, so it sounds like it is in the ball park for the correct vacuum level. Would be nice to have a gauge on the tank, but I don't even know what the pressure should be.
 
Darrenfon said:
That is a possibility of course, but I do know the pump runs for about 40 seconds after a flush, so it sounds like it is in the ball park for the correct vacuum level. Would be nice to have a gauge on the tank, but I don't even know what the pressure should be.
Click to expand...


That is a reasonable time to pump up in my book.
 
MonacoMike said:
We have a small stainless, covered, foot operated trashcan, about 2 gallons in size, we are all the paper goes.
Click to expand...

we do the same on our boat and all the boat I have had. This way you can use good TP and nice butt wipes.
never been an issue with odor.

anyone new to the boat that spend the weekend with us I always make them do the pump out!

When they see what flows through the pump out hose they understand my no paper goods rule!
 
Had boat since 2005 we have toilet paper waste basket. Never had a toilet plug.
 
40 seconds to pump up??

Way too long.

Rebuild the entire vacuflush. Replace your duck bills and rebuild the pump portion. Should be under $200. Likely problem will be solved. I'm also wondering if you have a defective pressure switch? Do the other two first and then retry. You should hear a massive 'suck' when that foot switch is operated. It should be on par with commercial toilet operation (almost anyway).
 
douglee25 said:
40 seconds to pump up??

Way too long.

Rebuild the entire vacuflush. Replace your duck bills and rebuild the pump portion. Should be under $200. Likely problem will be solved. I'm also wondering if you have a defective pressure switch? Do the other two first and then retry. You should hear a massive 'suck' when that foot switch is operated. It should be on par with commercial toilet operation (almost anyway).
Click to expand...
I do hear the massive suck sound when the toilet flushes, unless the bowl is half full with water when it is flushed. It’s pretty loud when you hit that foot pedal.

But a rebuild is something I want to do anyway.
Also, I’ll time the pump tomorrow to see how long it runs.
 
I've had vacu-flush on the last three boats we have owned and except for the 2004 Rinker that had a defective flush valve seal from the factory, I've had 15 years of virtually trouble free use. We use only marine/RV TP and have always briefed guests about less is best. I would bet the system just needs to be freshened up with a rebuild kit to make sure your getting max performance. An occasional clog is one thing but having regular failures points to a worn system more than improper use. I've got friends that have had nothing but problems with their systems and mitigate them using the waste bin for soiled TP, I've just been fortunate to not need to resort to that. I've got enough to deal with after using the boat with out dealing with crap smeared TP.
CD
 
Some of you may be interested in this....the ultimate upgrade on your yacht, no more vacuflush hassle, no more noflex digester. Drop the deuce and the shitty TP in the same bucket.
bucket toilet.jpg
 
I see you sprung for the padded seat option.

I like it but it’s outside of my budget right now. I’ll have to keep enduring the Vacuflush for a while longer.
 
Everyone that comes aboard my boat gets "poop talk". That discussion entails....poop flush and wipe flush. That talk applies to everyone from age 5 to 75. The talk works since I rarely ever have a problem

Keith
 
douglee25 said:
40 seconds to pump up??

Way too long.

Rebuild the entire vacuflush. Replace your duck bills and rebuild the pump portion. Should be under $200. Likely problem will be solved. I'm also wondering if you have a defective pressure switch? Do the other two first and then retry. You should hear a massive 'suck' when that foot switch is operated. It should be on par with commercial toilet operation (almost anyway).
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. The distance from the head to the pump will greatly affect the length of time it takes to generate the required amount of "vacuum" "not pressure" in the waste line. My 390 has about 15 ft from the head to the pump and requires about 45 seconds to satisfy the vacuum switch and shut the pump off. Some boats only have a few feet and the pump generates enough "vacuum" to shut the pump off in 15-20 seconds. Of course if there is a bad component it can take longer but mine has always (10 years) taken 45 seconds and I rebuilt the pump and installed new duckbills this spring. It did not change a thing.
 
+1 on the 45 seconds or so. You haven't lived until you have replaced the poop pipe. Put a new 16 foot hose in last winter (as the old hose was 16 years old and starting to stink), all new duck bills, clamps and cleaned the bellows & housings. Good thing for disposable gloves!
Ya'gotta love a good flush!
 
DB360 said:
+1 on the 45 seconds or so. You haven't lived until you have replaced the poop pipe. Put a new 16 foot hose in last winter (as the old hose was 16 years old and starting to stink), all new duck bills, clamps and cleaned the bellows & housings. Good thing for disposable gloves!
Ya'gotta love a good flush!
Click to expand...
Yeah, mine is 15 years old at this point. On a 280 though, I'm not sure that the pipe is accessible. :(
 
Darrenfon said:
Yeah, mine is 15 years old at this point. On a 280 though, I'm not sure that the pipe is accessible. :(
Click to expand...

I had to contact Sea Ray for a print to access under the port side fuel tank & next to the aft stateroom. Where there is no way to open up.
They were very helpful.
Dennis
 
I have had vacu-flush on my current ad my last boat,over 15 years, no special TP, good old SCOTT, use it just like the KOHLER at home, and have never had a clog or anything like that.

I dont count the seconds, I count the amount of clunks that the pump makes till it builds enough vacuum to shut itself off. Is always between 65 and 72 clunks. (15 feet between bowl and pump). If it starts to go over 72 clunks, sure enough I find a bad duckbill in the mix. (change all four at this time) and usually good for another 2 or 3 seasons.

I believe you might have a very sharp bend or even a slight kink impeding the flow. Send a camera down to get a visual on the entire hose.

One more thing-a good portion of the hose between my bowl and pump is actually hardwall regular 1 1/2" pvc drainage pipe, with only 22 degree elbows, no 45 degree or 90 degrees ell's .
 
+1 ON THE SCOTTS
3 different types of heads over 40 years and no issues.
 
Darrenfon said:
That is a possibility of course, but I do know the pump runs for about 40 seconds after a flush, so it sounds like it is in the ball park for the correct vacuum level. Would be nice to have a gauge on the tank, but I don't even know what the pressure should be.
Click to expand...
hottoddie said:
Not necessarily. The distance from the head to the pump will greatly affect the length of time it takes to generate the required amount of "vacuum" "not pressure" in the waste line. My 390 has about 15 ft from the head to the pump and requires about 45 seconds to satisfy the vacuum switch and shut the pump off. Some boats only have a few feet and the pump generates enough "vacuum" to shut the pump off in 15-20 seconds. Of course if there is a bad component it can take longer but mine has always (10 years) taken 45 seconds and I rebuilt the pump and installed new duckbills this spring. It did not change a thing.
Click to expand...
Sublimetime said:
I have had vacu-flush on my current ad my last boat,over 15 years, no special TP, good old SCOTT, use it just like the KOHLER at home, and have never had a clog or anything like that.

I dont count the seconds, I count the amount of clunks that the pump makes till it builds enough vacuum to shut itself off. Is always between 65 and 72 clunks. (15 feet between bowl and pump). If it starts to go over 72 clunks, sure enough I find a bad duckbill in the mix. (change all four at this time) and usually good for another 2 or 3 seasons.

I believe you might have a very sharp bend or even a slight kink impeding the flow. Send a camera down to get a visual on the entire hose.

One more thing-a good portion of the hose between my bowl and pump is actually hardwall regular 1 1/2" pvc drainage pipe, with only 22 degree elbows, no 45 degree or 90 degrees ell's .
Click to expand...
I timed both heads on my boat. The master head took 26 seconds and the guest head took 23 seconds.
 
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