Water system and vacuflush stopped working

[jmanteu1]

Hello,

I have a 2001 Sea Ray Sunsport 280 and a new problem with the water system.

I bought it about a month ago, had surveyed, inspected, etc. and everything was in good running condition at the time. I used the water system for the first time and everything seemed to be working well. I ran the faucets for a while, one in the head, one in the galley, and one on deck. Vacuflush system working. I was going to run them out of water, but it was taking a while so I decided to run it out another day before refilling. The next day I went out and neither the vacuflush nor the water system (none of the faucets) run at all. I thought maybe I did run all the water out of the system, so I filled the water tank with several gallons from a hose, but still nothing.

There is a switch at the helm for the water pump which when I turn on does nothing. There is a Breaker Panel which has a button for the water pump but it does not appear any different than the other buttons for boat functions which are all operating. I did try to depress it to see if it popped out. Everything else on the boat is working well.

I am new to this boat and maintenance in general, but I'm trying to learn. Just finished the ABC3 power squadron course and got my vessel safety inspection sticker today from the USPS.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[rldustyc]

the vacuflush is totally seperate from your water source. do you hear the water pump run when you turn on the water in the galley?
and does the gupper pump come on after you flush the toilet?

 

[jmanteu1]

the vacuflush is totally seperate from your water source. do you hear the water pump run when you turn on the water in the galley?
and does the gupper pump come on after you flush the toilet?

Thanks for the help...

One part of my problem is solved. I checked the water pump and it was making a constant running noise, but no water was being vacuumed from the tank. I took it out and into a marine supply shop and we tested it, poured water in the intake and it just pooled. So I bought a new one and put it in and it runs great. Water system now working!

With regards to my vacuflush, when I press the toilet foot pedal, water now enters the bowl, but no motor sound and no vacuum sound. I did have this thing fully surveyed, but I'm thinking the surveyor never checked to see if the vacuum and motor for vacuflush worked. It appears to be working as water enters the bowl. I don't think the previous owner ever used the toilet (I'm going to call him and ask). I know he probably didn't use the water system... it still had winterizing liquid in it. The water pump was 14 years old (same age as boat) looked in excellent condition (probably not used much). The vacuflush system components appear in great shape, I'm thinking it was rarely used if ever.

So where do I start with troubleshooting the vacuflush? Take off the motor and take it in to see if it works? The users manual says to "short the B wires" as one of the troubleshooting steps, can I do that with a regular 12 or 14 gauge speaker wire? I am a little concerned with getting into the wiring for the vacuflush. It seems to be hard wired in, no switch anywhere for it. Where as the water pump had the switch on the dash so I could ensure the power was cut, before getting into the wires.

Thanks for the help.

 

[magstang1]

Just post this in one area. You don't need 4 threads with the same question.

Look for the key switch.

Where on St. Clair are you?

 

[jmanteu1]

Windmill pointe. It was suggested that I post in a couple of areas, in particular because the SS thread doesn't get a lot of views. I'll try the key, that would be great if that is the fix.

 

[magstang1]

You're right. The 280ss thread doesn't get much traffic. Starting a new thread for a new topic isn't a problem but asking the same question in multiple areas is unnecessary. Most people browse with the "new post" tab.

I'm not too far from you. If you get stuck I could swing by one day and give you a hand.

 

[jmanteu1]

You're right. The 280ss thread doesn't get much traffic. Starting a new thread for a new topic isn't a problem but asking the same question in multiple areas is unnecessary. Most people browse with the "new post" tab.

I'm not too far from you. If you get stuck I could swing by one day and give you a hand.

Gotcha, I didn't realize there was a new post tab, as you can see I'm new to the board. Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on that. The boat is in great condition, but it seems there is always something!

 

[magstang1]

In the header bar under where it says "Advertise" and "Support The Site" there is a button for reading the new posts.

I see that you are new to the board. That's the only reason I said something.

Welcome aboard. And nice boat! I miss mine.

 

[jmanteu1]

Yes this is a much better way to browse the board, and i see my 4 posts are a bit redundant. Why did you get rid of your SS? I had a 94 Sundancer 230, only an 8 ft beam, it got bounced around pretty good in the lake with boat traffic. I really like the SS, its got a lower profile, handles the lake much better, its like a tank. The wider beam helps a lot I'm sure.

 

[magstang1]

I was changing jobs and didn't want the overhead of a boat at the time. A guy I had been working with was asking to buy it for two years. We made a deal and he bought it in February sight unseen, still shrink wrapped. It just kind of happened. I almost bought another one but I couldn't find a clean boat that didn't need a million repairs.

I bought a 290DA that needed a million repairs instead.