2005 260 VacuFlush System Glitch

[Dougbb]

Ok, I am a new boat owner and just got my 2005 260 Sundancer a month ago. Love it. As a new boater, I am doing stuff wrong all the time, and having fun learning. When I took possesion of my boat, the head vacuflush system worked fine. I didn't use it for 3 weeks, then powered up the head system and water pump, and nothing.

The water worked, but the vacuflush does not. I don't see a fuse on my fuse panel under the steering wheel. Is there something else I should check? This boat is in perfect condition, so I doubt it is the system itself. Am I missing another switch to turn on? I have a key system in the head that I can turn on, but I believe that is for the macerator only. Suggestions?

 

[jg300da]

There is also a circuit breaker in the 12vdc panel located in the cabin labeled "Head System" This breaker must be on as well as the switch in the head.

 

[Skip]

Doug, I owned a 2002 260DA for a short while and if memory serves the Key in the head to the left of the commode actually turns on the vacuflush system, not the macerator...but it has been a while since I was on a 260DA. Think JG300DA is on the mark here.
regards
Skip

 

[Dave S]

There is also a circuit breaker in the 12vdc panel located in the cabin labeled "Head System" This breaker must be on as well as the switch in the head.

Joe has this one explained correctly. Make sure the breaker in the cabin electrical panel is on and the key switch by the commode is turned on as well. There is a red indicator light that lights up when the red key switch is turned on.

 

[estebanj]

And to explain the entire system, just in case:

* Switch in elec panel: water on and head on. Unless you are connected to city water at a dock, then the water switch should be off.

* Key in head: normally on all the time. The display also shows status of holding tank. Empty, 1/2 full and full. Note that in most boats, the 1/2 full mark actually comes on closer to 3/4 full. Ideally, empty your tank weekly and at the latest when at the 1/2 full mark.

* Macerator: through hull open (normally closed and secure with wire tie), head switch on, and key in the head all the way to the right and hold to activate. Must be offshore 5 miles to dump overboard, or better yet use a pump out station whenever possible.

* When flushing, wait for pump to build vacuum before flushing a 2nd time if needed. Also, hold the pedal down to flush some water through the lines.

* Get a spare set of duck valves. They need replacement every few years and usually go when you are away cruising for a week. I think the entire system uses 4. (I still need to get my own set of replacement valves.)

* Replace the air filter on top of the tank once a year. You can buy them new or make your own (do a search on this forum). Never get it wet.

* If you don't have them, you can find manuals for the head and the tank in the Dometic/Sealand web site in PDF format.

Hope this helps.

Esteban

 

[gerryb]

90% of the time with a new sea ray owner and the vacuflush, it is indeed the key in the head being turned off. Happened to me my first week with our 280. However, I also had another problem later that year where the system didn't work. The 12v wire powering the vacuflush pump had come off from the connector - bad crimping at the factory. Cut it, sliced it, and with a .04 new connector properly attached - problem solved. Multimeter is your friend... check if 12v getting to the pump after you turn engage the power switches.

 

[Dougbb]

Re: 2005 260 VacuFlush System Glitch (SOLVED)

Ok...problem solved! It sounds like gerryb and I are alike...it was simply the lack of turning on the system in the head. I figured it was a silly newbie problem...a cheap one to fix! I thought I may have been turning on the macerator, and dumping into the marina when I heard the noise, which turned out to be the vacum system charging up. Your guys' input gave me the confidence to work through it.

Thank you many times over!!!!