Hello All. I am new to the forum and very new to Cruisers. After having a fountain for many years my wife and I have decided to get our first cruiser. We wanted something small to start with just to see how we like it and if we do we can go up from there. We ended up buying a 2007 240 Sundancer with 75hrs and every single available option. Since we never owned a cruiser I read the entire manual to familiarize myself with everything. The manual did not contain anything regarding the vacu flush system ( I assume this would be a separate manual since it was an option, the manual was not present with our boat). SO, I am asking for some help for a complete Newbie. Boat is winterized right now. WHat all do I need to do to operate the head correctly once im ready to put it in the water. I am looking for step by step instruction from winterization state to use state. ie. water supply? sea cocks that need opened closed? I do know there is a key by my head, from my understanding it needs to be turned on to the first position to flush and to the second position to use the macerator, I also know I need to open a sea cock to use the macerator. That is really all I know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Vacu Flush Head
- Thread starter jerzyjr
- Start date
Vaccuflush system works from your freshwater tank. Turn on power, fill bowl with a couple cups of water using the peddle up. Then step down and hold open for about 3 seconds. Careful that paper doesn't get left between the ball and bowl. Loses vaccum. If water leaks out and you hear hissing add water and move pettle down several times to clear the ball. The thing that you see moving in the bowl. Be careful on what goes in the flush. Marine paper only and if you eat peanuts use the head at the marina. The duck bills don't like hard materials. Dont ask how I know... 
JimG
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2008
- 6,085
- Boat Info
- 2007 310 DA
Kohler 5ECD
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- Twin 350 Mags
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drives
You are correct about the key switch and the seacock. You should also know that it is illegal to discharge waste in all inland and coastal waters. Your discharge seacock has to be closed and locked out.
Welcome to CSR!
Welcome to CSR!
The best information to give you. Only use the head for number 1. No toilet paper in the head no matter what. Put a waist basket in the restroom for the toilet paper. Also post a note in the head no feminine products go in toilet. They really cause a problem.
Gofirstclass
Well-Known Member
Jerzy, welcome aboard CSR. You'll find this is a great place to get answers to all of your questions.
The comments above notwithstanding, we use the head for #1 and #2 and use regular toilet paper, not the scratchy marine stuff. I think part of our success is that we add several inches of water before we flush so everything is carried down to the holding tank.
A tip I picked up from the distributor of Vacuflush is that when you release the pedal let it snap up, not gently letting it come up. That tends to clean the ball.
Also, pick up one of those squirt guns where you pull the handle back to load it then push the handle to squirt the water out. The reason for this is that below that black ball there's a small opening (about 1 1/4" diameter) that everything has to go through. Women tend to wipe with a wad of toilet paper and when they try to flush that it can clog that opening.
To clear the clog, turn off the fresh water system and the head system at the power panel. Get a pail or container that will hold about a half gallon of liquid. Have someone hold the pedal down and use the squirt gun to remove the liquid that's between the ball and the clogged opening. Then you can remove whatever is clogging the hole.
The comments above notwithstanding, we use the head for #1 and #2 and use regular toilet paper, not the scratchy marine stuff. I think part of our success is that we add several inches of water before we flush so everything is carried down to the holding tank.
A tip I picked up from the distributor of Vacuflush is that when you release the pedal let it snap up, not gently letting it come up. That tends to clean the ball.
Also, pick up one of those squirt guns where you pull the handle back to load it then push the handle to squirt the water out. The reason for this is that below that black ball there's a small opening (about 1 1/4" diameter) that everything has to go through. Women tend to wipe with a wad of toilet paper and when they try to flush that it can clog that opening.
To clear the clog, turn off the fresh water system and the head system at the power panel. Get a pail or container that will hold about a half gallon of liquid. Have someone hold the pedal down and use the squirt gun to remove the liquid that's between the ball and the clogged opening. Then you can remove whatever is clogging the hole.
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trflgrl
Active Member
- Jun 23, 2014
- 982
- Boat Info
- 1989 Sundancer 300
- Engines
- Twin 350 Merc/Alpha 1 Gen 1; Quicksilver 4.0 gen
Welcome to the world of cruising!
We stay out sometimes 2 - 4 days at a time and don't typically shuttle to shore, so we use the head for 1 and 2, but we and the other boaters we know follow your no toilet paper/no feminine products rule without exception. Jerzyjr: if you allow only human waste in the head, it's less work and wear and tear on the components. And the less toilet paper/junk you send to the holding tank, the more room there is for flushing with ample amount of rinse water like Gofirstclass says, which reduces the rate of build up in the pipeline, AND can allow you to go longer between pump outs. (With 2 people on an 18 gal holding tank, you may find that you can use it a few weekends without pumping.)
Something else to consider, still general to holding tank systems: flushing a bunch of rinse water to top off the tank when we know it's about time to pump out, so it can slosh and churn on our way back to the dock and help break up solid waste. Another preventive maintenance habit to keep holding tank build up to a minimum.
You should be able to find an owner's manual for it through the manufacturer, though, and perhaps a parts manual, too. You'll want to get in a good maintenance routine for things like duckbills/joker valves and other similar parts so a poopcopalypse doesn't ruin a sunny weekend of fun!
If you're on an extended trip on the hook, what do you use for number 2?
We stay out sometimes 2 - 4 days at a time and don't typically shuttle to shore, so we use the head for 1 and 2, but we and the other boaters we know follow your no toilet paper/no feminine products rule without exception. Jerzyjr: if you allow only human waste in the head, it's less work and wear and tear on the components. And the less toilet paper/junk you send to the holding tank, the more room there is for flushing with ample amount of rinse water like Gofirstclass says, which reduces the rate of build up in the pipeline, AND can allow you to go longer between pump outs. (With 2 people on an 18 gal holding tank, you may find that you can use it a few weekends without pumping.)
Something else to consider, still general to holding tank systems: flushing a bunch of rinse water to top off the tank when we know it's about time to pump out, so it can slosh and churn on our way back to the dock and help break up solid waste. Another preventive maintenance habit to keep holding tank build up to a minimum.
You should be able to find an owner's manual for it through the manufacturer, though, and perhaps a parts manual, too. You'll want to get in a good maintenance routine for things like duckbills/joker valves and other similar parts so a poopcopalypse doesn't ruin a sunny weekend of fun!
Thanks for all the replies guys! So to sum everything up. All I need to do it turn on the power at the panel, flip the key, fill with water and flush. No seacocks to open and no water supply needs to be attached. Another question. How does the pumpout work? do you just pull up to the marina and they suck it all out with a hose?
cwiert
Active Member
Yes. It's as simple as that.
You mentioned winterizing in your OP. here's my method which works for me. Have your tank pumped out. While at the dock after its pumped out, put a hose in the pump out hole, and add a few gallons to the tank. Then pump that out. Once you drain your fresh water tank (FWT) during your regular winterization process, you're going to add a few gallons of the pink antifreeze to the FWT. You will then open all the faucets until you see pink stuff coming out. Do the same for the toilette. Once you see pink coming out of the bowl into the toilette, you know your lines are good. I then add another gallon of pink stuff directly into the toilette which flows into the holding tank for extra protection.
That's about it.
bbwhitejr
Well-Known Member
As trfgrl states, we do likewise. We stay out 2-5 days, use it for #1 and #2, and use marine toilet paper as needed. We do use plenty of water to flush with. As we have a trailer and keep the boat at home, I bought a spare macerator pump and attached a fitting to it so that I can hook it to a garden hose. After every trip or two, I screw the macerator pump into the deck fitting for the pump out(1.5") and run the garden hose to the clean out for my home septic system. Prime the pump, pump her dry, rinse, pump out again, and done.
Never had the first issue whatsoever.
Bennett
Never had the first issue whatsoever.
Bennett
JimG
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2008
- 6,085
- Boat Info
- 2007 310 DA
Kohler 5ECD
- Engines
- Twin 350 Mags
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drives
A 240 with A/C? Wow... does it have a generator also?
The seacock for the A/C will be near the A/C pump, and I'm not sure where that would be on a 240. If it's not in the bilge, it will be under a couch/bed in the cabin.
If you're on a trailer, look underneath for the intake... the seacock will be just above there.
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Yes it has AC and heat. It was a boat show boat and has every option. A generator was not an option on the 240. I did however buy a HondaEU2000 which should work well.
Thanks i I will try to look for it
trflgrl
Active Member
- Jun 23, 2014
- 982
- Boat Info
- 1989 Sundancer 300
- Engines
- Twin 350 Merc/Alpha 1 Gen 1; Quicksilver 4.0 gen
Uh oh. You said Honda. Better make some popcorn.
But I digress. Page 6 of the owner manual says bilge, and page 10 has a detailed diagram showing the intake/strainer/pump: http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/_23_2252010100627AM.pdf
But I digress. Page 6 of the owner manual says bilge, and page 10 has a detailed diagram showing the intake/strainer/pump: http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/_23_2252010100627AM.pdf
Mike Blake
Active Member
- Jan 27, 2012
- 2,413
- Boat Info
- 89 340 Sundance all Raymarine.
- Engines
- Gas hogs 454X2.
OH NO! Honda. FOTFLMFAO
mistercomputerman
Well-Known Member
- Jan 6, 2008
- 4,321
- Boat Info
- 410 Sundancer - 2001
- Engines
- Twin 8.1L Mercruisers - 2009
Just put the Honda in the same cabin you sleep in and forget about all the comments you are about to hear about how CO from a portable generator can kill you and your family.
- Apr 26, 2009
- 5,807
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- '97 330 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 suite with radar, Mercury 310 Hypalon w/8hp Yammie 2stk
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(And have some plastic lined small paper disposal bags stored in the head for feminine hygiene so no one need be embarrassed about it. We have them, but for the life of me I don't know where we got them. Maybe at the marina? My wife would know I guess. Ask your wife to discretely tell female guests about the importance of this and where the bags are stored)
Here are the instructions I have have on a card that I tape to the wall in the head when we have new guests on board:
Instructions for the Marine Toilet
The toilet operates by vacuum suction and is similar to an airplane toilet.
The toilet can clog easily, and it is very hard to unclog (and not a lot of fun), so proper operation is important.
Important!:
• Do not flush anything other than human waste and marine toilet paper.
• No other tissue, paper towels, or wipes can be flushed.
• Do not flush any hygiene products. They WILL plug the toilet.
• There are lined paper bags in the storage cabinet to use for hygiene products which can then be put in the trash bin.
Toilet Operation:
• Before use, lift up the foot handle to let water fill the bowl about half full.
• Do not use a lot of toilet paper at one time without flushing.
• It is better to flush multiple times, rather than put a lot of paper in at once and risk a clog.
• Re-fill the bowl with water before each flush.
• To flush the toilet, push the foot pedal down and hold it down to flush the bowl. Let the water run a bit with the pedal held down after the flush, then release the pedal. Repeat if necessary.
• After a flush, it takes a minute or so for the vacuum pump to build pressure again before you can flush a second time. You can hear the vacuum pump run and then stop, and then it is ready.
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be_prepared
Active Member
- Oct 12, 2015
- 377
- Boat Info
- 2002 Sea Ray Sundancer 340DA
- Engines
- Twin Mercruiser Horizon 8.1 inboards
That's a great tutorial! I think I'll be printing up a similar instruction card for the head, probably can find a waterproof page protector or something to put it in. Thanks for sharing it.
Howard Portugal
New Member
- May 15, 2019
- 6
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- 2016 Monterey 258SS
2017 Sea Ray 350 SLX OB
- Engines
- 350 Mercruiser w/Bravo III on 258SS
Triple Mercury 300 Verrados on 350 SLX
This is an old article but a great explanation for us because we haven't had a usable head in any boat we've owned prior to our current one. Thanks very much!
Howard
Howard
