420AC - Installing a Macerator

[jrogina]

I have a 1997 420AC...I am looking to install a Macerator but unsure of where to place the unit and how to hook it up...has anyone added a macerator that could forward me a picture or 2 with some instructions? Thank-you in advance! Jay

 

[J Levine]

I did this on my 95 370 DA a few years ago. Contact Sea Ray customer service and they will send you the arrangment drawings and wiring diagrams you will need along with a parts list. You can probably also find this information in the paperwork that should be with the boat or online at Sea Ray site under parts manuals. You will need to install a thru hull fitting with a sea cock in the bilge which requires hauling the boat and using a hole saw to drill though the bottom. The backing plate for the thru hull in your boat was most likely already installed at the factory. Your boat has a balsa wood cored bottom so installing this thru hull fitting where the backing plate is located is very important and must be done properly to avoid any water getting in to the core. You will also have to add a circuit breaker and actuator switch to your 12 volt panel and run a power line to the pump along with a ground line from a terminal strip in the bilge and a bonding wire to the thru hull. The real fun part is cutting into the existing pump out line from your holding tank to connect the discharge line to the macerator. The pump out line is connected to the very bottom of the holding tank so even when you pump the tank before you cut the line you will be dealing with you know what that is going to spill out into the bilge. To say the least this is a sh%&y job! On my boat Sea Ray used a "T" fitting on the discharge line. I elected to install a Y valve so I can choose between dock side pump out or macerator. Some marinas will require that you have a Y valve and that it is locked out either with a pad lock or by removing the handle or both. The macerator pump used by Sea Ray is a Sea Land unit same as this:
http://www.boatersworld.com/product/358730240.htm

The Y valve I used is from Jabsco:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jabs...5490-1000_W0QQitemZ190086280375QQcmdZViewItem

If you give me your email address I can send you a few pictures of the install in my boat (I can not figure out how to post pictures on this site)

Jon