The official '99-'04 260DA Sundancer thread

Hello there, I am new to the site as I recently purchased a 2004 Sundancer. It has taken some getting use to with everything the boat has to offer. I am having trouble understanding the head system. I have read other posts here and the manual multiple times. The panel in the head has an off, on and discharge position (you have to hold the key for this one). I have had the key in the on position all the time as I read somewhere that was the correct thing to do. I am hearing a constant noise of a pump running when I have that on and do not have a very strong flush. I have watched a few videos on these heads and the vacuum is much strong than what I have. I was also told that they key was only for the macerator and I should not have that on. Could someone help me understand what I should be doing and then what may be wrong with the head?
 
Hello there, I am new to the site as I recently purchased a 2004 Sundancer. It has taken some getting use to with everything the boat has to offer. I am having trouble understanding the head system. I have read other posts here and the manual multiple times. The panel in the head has an off, on and discharge position (you have to hold the key for this one). I have had the key in the on position all the time as I read somewhere that was the correct thing to do. I am hearing a constant noise of a pump running when I have that on and do not have a very strong flush. I have watched a few videos on these heads and the vacuum is much strong than what I have. I was also told that they key was only for the macerator and I should not have that on. Could someone help me understand what I should be doing and then what may be wrong with the head?

The pump you hear running is the vacuum generator. It sounds like you have a leak in the vacuum system... it could be a bowl seal (does water stay in the bowl?) or duck bill valves, or a clog.

You should include a model number in your profile information.

Welcome to CSR!
 
On mine the key is in the on position to work. If the pump is constantly running you have a leak somewhere. Also make sure you have the water on when you flush so there is water on top of the flush valve seal or that will dry out and leak.
 
Yes, with the pump constantly running, there is a leak somewhere. That will take some investigating to figure out... which means you'll need to get up close and personal with the toilet, holding tank and vacuum tank (In your model year, the vac tank may still be separate from the holding tank? Look and see). However, the most common thing is the duckbills as they are a normal maintenance item. If you don't know when they've been replaced, and you don't find anything obviously wrong, go ahead and replace them to start with as they'd be due, anyways.

For the key... you may or may not have a macerator - you'll have to look in the bilge and see if you physically have one. FYI, the macerator, if you have it, could look just like your vac pump as opposed to a "typical" mac. The key panel is a general item - you may have a position labelled "macerator" without actually have a macerator.
 
So I think when we turn the key on it is the macerator that is making the noise because the toilet works fine without the key being on.
 
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So the noise appears to be coming from something back there in the picture, anything make sense? Only happens constantly when the key is on.

Picture? What picture? :smt001

You'll have to get us more information. Other than restating what we mentioned above, we can't really say anything more without further, detailed information. We're good... but we ain't that good!

The only other thing I'll add is that the system normally runs for about 30 seconds after a flush to evacuate everything and rebuild enough pressure for the next flush.
 
Here is the "picture". This is looking at the starboard corner of the transom.
 

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The black thing is the vac pump, sitting on top of the vac tank. The stuff gets sucked to there, then pushed to the holding tank.

Take a few minutes and just follow the lines down there. It will make more sense when you do.

The thing with the yellow cap is the pump for your outdrive.
 
Hey guys I am wondering what kind of set up you guys are using for mooring pendants. I have a bridle set up and the anchor is rubbing on it, I would hate for to chafe through. Thanks
 
Hey Mike
I just installed a Garmin 70dv on mine. I think it's a bit to large for the dash and would of rather had a 5".

Where did you install your 70dv? I just purchased one for our 260DA but haven't installed it yet. I was thinking one of three places: to the right of the compass, mounted to windshield strut using a RAM mount, or below the steering wheel left of the Raymarine VHF.

Carl
 
mine is installed above the vhf to the right of the steering wheel. Not really happy with the location, but i didn't want to block my view with it up buy the compass. If yo decide to go with the RAM mount let me know i have one that I didn't use.
 
Our 740s is the same size as the 70dv. i used a RAM mount to put ours just to the left of the compass, above the fuel gauge (I still have to finish the mount, but you get the idea):

2016-07-16 14.26.59.jpg
 
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Thanks very much for this. I told you the wrong model. We have an echoMAP 74DV but I think it's the same size as yours. Your photo helps tremendously. I think we decided to use a RAM mount to attach it to the windshield strut.
 
I think we decided to use a RAM mount to attach it to the windshield strut.

I tried that first, and was dissatisfied with the amount of movement of the mount -- both bouncing under way and twisting on the strut, so I switched to the ball mount.
 
That's nearly the same setup I started with. I found I couldn't tighten the clamp on the strut enough to prevent the mount from rotating, and the long moment arm from the strut to the GPS allowed a lot of bounce under way.

I was able to reuse the double socket arm and the GPS mounting plate, just had to get a base and bolt it to the dash. Access to the bottom of the mount is pretty good if you remove the instrument panel and open the lower panel.
 

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