Vacu flush quit cycling (on vacation now) Aug 7, 2014

Nehalennia

Nehalennia

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2007
10,006
Marysville, WA
Boat Info
2001 310DA twin 350 MAGs, Westerbeke 4.5KW
Engines
Twin 350 MAG V-drives
While on our vacation trip we're on now my head quit. I thought at first the bowl full of love was because the duck bill valves had a clog and/or failed. I replaced them (so fun!). When I restored power to check, still the unit would not cycle. The breaker was not tripped and the vacuum generator just won't start. Bad Motorola maybe?

Looking for ideas. Luckily we're at marina resorts with close by facilities.
 
There is a vacuum sensor and control on top of the vacuum accumulator tank.....SeaLand says it isn't servicable and to replace it rather than to try to adjust or repair it. It is much more likely that the vacuum sender is stuck open (try tapping it) than the motor being bad.

You can check the motor by sticking a volt meter probe into the positive and negative butt splices when the motor is wired in (9" from the motor). If you have 12VDC at the butt splices, then the motor is either bad or the bellows pump has something in it that has it bound up.
 
Thanks a ton Frank. I'll have a closer look later this morning.
 
We made it through the trip using the facilities at the marinas we were at. This weekend's project will be to figure out what is happening. I appreciate the advice (Frank) and humor (Rick). I'll report my findings. Started a new job today so wasn't too focused on heading up to the boat tonight.
 
If you have girls that have not gone through menopause, I think FW is correct when he says something might be blocking the bellows if the switch and motor are OK. Every one of these I have taken apart has had a tampon under the bellows that was being beat to smithereens by the bellows. One stopped altogether, some of the others made noise, and one would not pull a vacuum.

Good luck.
 
My issue was shot duck bills and bowl seal. $80 in rubber and a blast of the garden hose through the base of the toilet and it was fine!
 
Well I finally got some time to tinker around (more like stinker) on the vacuflush today. I first looked inside the bellows for said "feminine hygiene relics" (My family knows not to put those down there and instruct guests as well, after Gary's fine write up on how fun this is). Nothing blocking. Then I tested the vacuum relay switch and it was fine. I found power at the motor itself and then pulled the motor to test independently. I turned the shaft block with a 3/4" open end wrench 45 degrees, then tried it again. voila, it started pumping. I then hooked it back up and tested it. It cycled and pumped, but seemed anemic. Once it stopped, it would not start again. I think it's a bad spot in the motor. So, I'm on the hunt for a new motor, but it seems they only offer the entire assembly, which, if true, is crap. Literally.

Videos
[video]http://s118.photobucket.com/user/ToddOlason/media/Nehalennia%20-%20Head%20issues/001_zpsf86f5f61.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0[/video]
[video]http://s118.photobucket.com/user/ToddOlason/media/Nehalennia%20-%20Head%20issues/002_zps9cd7bf2b.mp4.html?sort=3&o=0[/video]


3/4" bolt with sleeve that holds the bellows arm to the motor.


The gateway to hell: nothing blocking.
 
I haven't looked at the motor to tell, but if you have a good auto electrician, or a wholesale supplier in the industry. Someone like me lol, apologies I don't know the industry suppliers over there to suggest anyone.

You may be able to purchase a suitable motor.

The other option is an electrical motor rewinder, as it sounds like brushes and commutator.

In an emergency, like your in.........dripping the motor, and running emery paper around the commutator, and a hacksaw blade in the gap between each segment, will probably fix it. If your not up to it or a bit unsure a good auto elec should be able to do that for you to get you going.

I say good......maybe I should say 'OLD', as unfortunately most of them have lost their skills in this area.

I don't have any pics to describe above, but if you don't quite comprehend, let me know and I will see if I can google something for you.

Stripping the motor is not a daunting task, the only reall tricky bit is reassembling in regards the brushes, as they are spring loaded


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
IanBat said:
I haven't looked at the motor to tell, but if you have a good auto electrician, or a wholesale supplier in the industry. Someone like me lol, apologies I don't know the industry suppliers over there to suggest anyone.

You may be able to purchase a suitable motor.

The other option is an electrical motor rewinder, as it sounds like brushes and commutator.

In an emergency, like your in.........dripping the motor, and running emery paper around the commutator, and a hacksaw blade in the gap between each segment, will probably fix it. If your not up to it or a bit unsure a good auto elec should be able to do that for you to get you going.

I say good......maybe I should say 'OLD', as unfortunately most of them have lost their skills in this area.

I don't have any pics to describe above, but if you don't quite comprehend, let me know and I will see if I can google something for you.

Stripping the motor is not a daunting task, the only reall tricky bit is reassembling in regards the brushes, as they are spring loaded


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...

I understand what you're suggesting. I found one on Ebay but was outbid overnight, while I slept. It was used and I wasn't willing to pay over $100 for a used one.

Here's a compiled Youtube video.
[video=youtube;L-vMYzXnrdk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-vMYzXnrdk&list=UUW8_yPv1I-5-tmu9OdhCCag[/video]
 
Hi Todd-just rebuilt vacu flush system in a Formula 40PC-worked with the boatdoc-@ marine discounters-419-625-0605-he will fix you up
 
Just spent some more before the long weekend taking the motor apart deeper. I took the motor apart, cleaned the brushes and commutators. They weren't that bad and still wasn't able to get the motor to run and stop and run and stop and start again. I then took the worm drive and gear apart. All of that was well greased and all the teeth were great. I then decided to take the gear and shaft out. Well there was the issue. the shaft was worn at the outside bearing. It had an ovaled shaft with a worn groove on the shaft. I took it to a motorized grinder, then wire wheel to relieve the ridge, then polish wheel to clean it up. I just was opposed to spending the $250 when I knew the motor worked but didn't know why. I'll see how long this last and when it dies, which it will since the shaft is now compromised, but be prepared to replace it when it goes. BTW< I can't seem to just buy the motor or the gear and shaft. It all comes in a kit.
 
Finally broke down and ordered the Vacuflush kit from Amazon and installed it yesterday.
Part #385311423.
[video=youtube;-JYaEkH1AEc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JYaEkH1AEc&feature=youtu.be[/video]
 
Well done! My vacuum sensor is out on the Master Head. It was on my list while my boat was the dealer for 2 weeks, but apparently, they didn't get to it.

My master head will run and run and run (with a red light indicator in the head). I turn it off at the electrical panel, go to bed, get up in the morning, and turn it on to see a green light. This has happened several times. So, the vacuum is there, it's just not moving the sensor over to turn the pump off - it's sticking.
 
Hampton said:
Well done! My vacuum sensor is out on the Master Head. It was on my list while my boat was the dealer for 2 weeks, but apparently, they didn't get to it.

My master head will run and run and run (with a red light indicator in the head). I turn it off at the electrical panel, go to bed, get up in the morning, and turn it on to see a green light. This has happened several times. So, the vacuum is there, it's just not moving the sensor over to turn the pump off - it's sticking.
Click to expand...

Check is close as it is adjustable too. It may have slipped and not getting the pressure.
 
Todd,

I think you would have gotten more hits WITH the complete video. :huh:

I looked up up the kit you used on Amazon, and, because of the lack of description, I hit Dometic's website, and couldn't even find it. (That is one obtuse website.) My question is it says is is a Conversion kit Std. to Whisper. What, exactly, does that mean? Is this pump and bellows significantly quieter?

Also, how are you guys doing up there?

Bryan
 
The motor and bellow are suppose to be quiter. It's hard to say, but it does sound quiet.
 
Nehalennia said:
Finally broke down and ordered the Vacuflush kit from Amazon and installed it yesterday.
Part #385311423.
[video=youtube;-JYaEkH1AEc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JYaEkH1AEc&feature=youtu.be[/video]
Click to expand...


I did this 2 years ago. It is quiet and that will take care of jt an all that goes bad..
 
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