The third and last most common Sealand Vacuflush marine toilet problem after a period of time is that the pump will run and run and won't shut off at all. This is the easiest one of all to fix. Most of the time when a customer says to me"Brad, the damn thing just never shuts off" I ask is this an 80's or early 90's vessel? Almost always it is. The fix is to replace the vacuum switch. The vacuum switch in older models is located in the end of the large white accumulater tank. The accumulater tank is a large white round tank with 2 wires going to one end of it. The little nub that sticks out from one end is the vacuum switch. Simply remove the 2 wires(paying attention to wheather they are on the "A" side or"B" side). Unscrew the entire assembly from the end of the accumulater tank and screw a new assembly in. Clean the surface where the large o-ring rests and lubricate it with dish soap. Never use grease or vasoline or anything petroleum based as a lubricant. Reinstall your wires and you are back in action.
The accumulater tank is most often found in the bilge in the engine room. Somtimes below the floor forward. In older 37 and 39 searays it is under the pull out dinette seat, a real pain in the rear.
If your toilet is in the 2000's for age then you probably have a vacuum generater. There are 2 types of vacuum generaters. If your vacuum generater has a black vacuum pump then it is a VG-3. The vacuum switch is located under the flexible plastic cover on top held down by two small screws. Remove this cover and loosen the hose clamp holding the vacuum switch in place. Pull the vacuum switch out(not threaded) and disconnect the wires. Install the new switch is the reverse of what we just did. Use dish soap on the double o-rings and be sure that they do not roll out of there little slot when sreinstalling as this will create a small vacuum leak. Soap up the opening and the o-rings, insert the vacuum sitch, now slowly turn the switch in the hole and look to make sure the o-rings are in place. Tighten hose clamp and reinstall wires, you are done.
The second vacuum generater is only if you have an 2006 or newer model. This is a J-W series unit. It will have a white pump on top of it. The vacuum switch sticks up, under a cover, in one corner of the unit. Very easy to get to. Simply remove the switch and install a new. As always these parts are available at very reasonable cost at www.marinediscounters.com
More of a question than a comment. How long should the vaccum pump run the first time that a system is started -- i.e., newly installed system?
ReplyDeleteThe pump might run for a long time up to 1 or 2 min. on a new install. The system needs time to get water all the way through and lubricate everything. After that only about 45-50 seconds and it should shut off.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brad, finally the hell of the flush shaft breaking over and over the past 2-3 years. It created such a vacuum that the ball valve wouldn't turn and snap the screw, or the shaft if you weren't careful flushing. Ordered the part from you on Monday at 2-3am got it today.
ReplyDelete94' carver 390 CPMY @ CYC, OH
Brad,
ReplyDeleteI have a 1994 330 Sundancer that has a SeaLand S Vacuum pump that won't shut off. Your post indicates there may be (probably is) an issue with the vacuum switch. Here in lies my problem...I can't find the darn switch? I looked all over the 40 gallon tank and can only find wires associated with the "level" of the tank. Assuming the "switch" is my problem, what am I missing?
Thanks
Joe
jhdhunting@gmail.com
On vacation with 2003 26' Sea Ray. Vacu Flush toilet has never given me one problem. Now pump won't come on when I push pedal. Red "Power" light is on when head key is on like always, but nothing happens. Any ideas? Thanks! Please respond to john_hilderbrandt@merck.com
ReplyDeleteIf the system is on but you have no vacuum when flushing, the toilet is plugged or the tank is full.
ReplyDeleteWhen I hit the pedal on my vacuflsuh, the bowl empties, but SOMETIMES the pump won't start unless I tap it. Then it will work normally for many flushes, and then the same thing will happen. All the wires are tight and making good contact.
ReplyDeleteWhat's going on?
Howard
Hi Howard,
ReplyDeleteI'm having the same trouble. What did you discover was the problem with yours?
Chris
Converted my 1997 S model Vacuflush motor to an upgrade motor kit -- pump runs 21 seconds to shut off and starts every 15 to 20 minutes -- should I adjust the spring tension of the new switch I also also installed?
ReplyDeleteBill
bill@ffmria.com
We have a 2000 340 Sundancer, the problem I am having is water wont stay in the actual toilet bowl it leakes out everytime - not onto the floor but just down the toilet.... any help is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThank You,
Nicole