1980 26ft Sea Ray

R

Redeye1962

Member
Feb 15, 2010
46
Texas
Boat Info
26
Engines
260
ok the first go round with our "new to us" Sea Ray and there are some things that are not functional and would like to get fixed in a hurry.
We began checking systems one by one to make sure they all work (we were not able to check when purchased, got a deal) and most everything worked except a couple of things.
The water system is not working we thought it may have been the blown fuse we found but still would not work after replacing. I cannot find a water pump anywhere. Any idea where this thing could be? I looked in the bildge and found the water heater (picture attached).
Another thing that is a bit more pressing is the head (picture attached). We were able to use it but it would not flush, everything (liquids only thank God)would go to a storage container below the head. There is a pump (picture attached) activated by a button on the counter that appears to pump the bottom container out directly into the lake. when pushing the button the lights dim but nothing happens. It does not make sense to me the waste would drain directly into the lake. I may have my hoses wrong. I am guessing the waste material tank is by the gas tank. I was not able to pull the deck off to confirm.
We went the whole weekend off shore power and woke up to dead batteries. I was under the impression if you are on shore power there is a battery charger to charge the batteries. I later found the after market battery charger with a cord coming out so I need an extension cord to charge the batteries..........hope it works.

Most of the things that did not work at first was cured with some WD 40.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
Sounds like you have some fairly common probs with an older Dancer.

Starting with the macerator pump.

If your lights are dimming, the motor is locked up, or the impellar is jammed with "something". I know it's an awful thought, but those can be dismantled fairly easy and rebuild kits are avail if it's the impellar. Replacing the unit is another option and not a real expensive part.

On to the water pump.

The pump should be mounted very close to your freshwater holding tank. Once again, very common prob. They lock up, bout $100 to replace at any boat/rv joint.

Sometimes a locked up h2o pump or macerator can be freed by tapping on it with a hammer.

Also, search csr for more info about pumping out and macerators etc. I'm sure there are many threads explaining why your boat pumps into the lake if you do not have a holding tank.

Best of luck,
 
That sure looks like a household water heater in the bilge (and maybe even Romex wiring). If it is, get it out of there before you go "BOOM"...
 
That sure looks like a household water heater in the bilge (and maybe even Romex wiring). If it is, get it out of there before you go "BOOM"...

That is correct it is a household water heater with Romex. the sticker says it was replaced in 1985. I take it this was not a replacement part. I was thinking about replacing it with an instant water heater......not sure why we need hot water only that the wife wants it.

I forgot to mention on the first post, when I filled the water tank it appeared the floor in the cabin was wet just below where the tank is. If the water pump is in where the tank is (below one of the inside benches) I would have to take the bench apart to check it out more.

As for the head, I was reading in the manual about the different types of heads and I am not sure why the impurities are landing in a lower holding tank other than this may be a portable head. There are hoses that go around under the sink to the macerator pump which tells me the waste should be going to the boat holding tank. I will check for CSR on the web.

In regards to the illegal setup, I have a 1965 Texas Maid with a head originally factory setup discharging to the lake. I kept it mainly because it is original, we do not use it and do not want to take it off thinking it may devalue the boat.

Thanks for all the replies.
 
Head looks just like ours, The hose you see on the right of your pic goes to the waste pump out port on the side of the boat. (at least on ours it does) Ours does not have a Macerator. I know there are many different setups so anything is possible.
 
I would really hope the waste is not going into the lake. There is a waste port on the starbord side so there must be a tank. I am guessing it is by the gas tank but will need to get the deck up to make sure.
 
Head looks just like ours, The hose you see on the right of your pic goes to the waste pump out port on the side of the boat. (at least on ours it does) Ours does not have a Macerator. I know there are many different setups so anything is possible.
So what does that device do on the left side. It will unscrew and looks like some sort of sealed pump but nothing moves on it............as you can see I do not spend much time in the head.
 
Ditto on the water pumps being close to the tank itself. Usually under the sink or by the engine. Easy to spot as they are big, 20 gallon I think.

Definately need to lose the water heater (didn't know romex was bad - why ? because it is solid core and can't flex/vibrate?) I don't think the instant one will work well unless you are on shore power. Otherwise you can hook one up to the engine cooling system.

Get a nice multible bank charger and wire in a 110 recepticle on the boat (not in the engine bay I think that isn't allowed anymore - due to errant sparks?) to plug it into so when you are on shore power it is going too.
 
sounds like the plan of action is;
1. to take an extension cord and plug in the battery charger to get some juice going............I guess the bilges need to work.
2.search for the water pump by the tank. the bench seat will need to be removed anyway to see if there is a leak somewhere in the tank.
3. once water is working check the macerator pump (with hammer) to see if it is functional.
4. Battle with the wife to see if we really do need a water heater on the boat.

This is just the first phase of repairs to get things going.
 
That place where the waste collects in the bottom of the head, thats your holding tank. There should be a 2 position wye valve under the bathroom sink. In one position it diverts to the pump out fitting on the starboard side of the boat, in the other it diverts to the maserator pump. Turn that pump on and it sucks the waste out of the bottom of the head, through the pump and then overboard. It's ok to pump overboard after three miles out in the ocean. It sounds like your pump is jammed. Try shooting water in through the through with a hose (back flush). For the fresh water pump just follow the water line back to tank and you'll find the pump, close to the tank. Good luck
 
tobnpr said:
That sure looks like a household water heater in the bilge (and maybe even Romex wiring). If it is, get it out of there before you go "BOOM"...
Click to expand...

Oh yea!!! That exactly what crossed my mind.

Take some time to thoroughly go through ALL systems BEFORE you hit the water with her. This way there are not any surprises.
 
LmannyR said:
Oh yea!!! That exactly what crossed my mind.

Take some time to thoroughly go through ALL systems BEFORE you hit the water with her. This way there are not any surprises.
Click to expand...

Tell that to my family. They are ready to go and I have no room to work:huh:
I am planning to visit while I have some time off and take a closer look at things without all of the luggage etc in my way. We did take it out for a spin to see how she handled but did not go too far because we are not exactly legal yet.

If I take the tank out I will have all kinds of room. I could take the romex and run it our to the back to plug in a heater and the charger. I know it should not go in the bildge but will it be alright tucked under a ledge toward the back out of the way?
 
I would not put it anywhere near the engine area -
How about some pictures of boat.
Have fun with it.
 
Looking at that heater, you can't see the top. How many lines do you have going to it? those two lines that are visable in the picture apear to be for the heat exchanger in the heater,that runs off engine heat. If you have two more lines going into it, it could infact be a marine heater. If that wire is romex, loose it. When my water heater went I removed and bypassed it. Cold showers ain't so bad:grin:
 
Update:
I went to the boat today and had a chance to take it apart and look around.
I found the water pump after banging a few times no go. When activated the lights would dim and nothing, evedently it will pump automatically every so often because the lights will dim and I hear the pump trying to activate. Sounds like it needs replacing. The floor was not wet so the tank may be alright, the inside did not indicate any leaks in the storage area.
I got the Macerator pump to work and yes it does pump into the lake...........eeewwwee:smt089. The waste port does not lead to anywhere there is no holding tank on the boat. I see there is some room in the storage for a holding tank on the starboard side where the waste port is. My question, what does it take to get one of these things installed? I know there is a filter that needs to go somewhere.
I plugged the battery charger and started to charge the batteries and was able to start the engine. It appears the engine battery is not doing well, the indicator light keep stating it was charging the whole time I was there.
I forgot to take a pic of this thing in the bildge I have a question about but will and post.
 
Another question in regards to pulling up the deck. Does anyone have an idea of the best way to pull the deck up? Hopefully the side panels are not connected so I will not have to pull those.
 
Sorry should have been clearer "The 110 outlet"
 
pictures ?
 
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