Help! Macerator not working

[sasmith217]

Hello all,

Pardon me in advance, I'm a new boat owner and still trying to figure all the systems onboard, so its possible this could be a super easy fix that I'm just not getting.

Anyways, so my problem is that my macerator pump is not working.. when I bought the boat, it seemed to work fine, then after having my boyfriend onboard for the weekend (and flushing extra thick toilet paper!), alas she fails to pump.

I thought first I had blown a fuse, but after replacing it, still no luck. All I can hear is a quick 'click' when I push the macerator switch.

I then tried turning the impeller, but it's definitely not stuck in place. (It's a jabsco self priming pump with run dry protection, model 18590 series - new in 2005)

I opened up the deck cap for the tank but couldn't really see anything.. it seems to be ventilating fine as well.

If anyone has any experience whatssoever I'm sure you have a better idea than I do, and would greatly appreciate your opinion! Thanks

[captain465]

If you are hearing a click, it seems that the circuits are all intact, however, you might have a connection problem in the way of bad contact at a junction.
check all connections for cleanliness and corrosion. (have HIM do it!)
All else fails, run a set of wires direct from batteries to the macerator, and see if it works..if it runs, you have a definite connection problem. If it does not run, it is likely toast.

[Kenomac]

If you can hear the motor spin, but nothing is pumping, you probably need to replace the macerator impeller. The impellar is what pumps the pee and poo down the hose. The impellar usually only lasts a couple of seasons, because the rubber tends to dry out.

[DeepFrz]

If you look under the search tab you will find "google custom search" as one of the options. Search "macerator pump". There have been several recent threads on this subject. Some people really don't like the jabsco pump.

[barnakiel]

Perhaps try once the boat is vertical again. Some macerators are know to perform poorly at 90 degs.

b.

[smaarch]

Second the advise regarding connections and impeller. Been thru both.
Depending on age it could also be brushes in the motor.
Still haven't found a source for those....

[smaarch]

Second the advise regarding connections and impeller. Been thru both.
Depending on age it could also be brushes in the motor.
Still haven't found a source for those....
This year iafter replacing the same Jabsco Pump I disovered an intermitten electrical connection problem. I'd start there.

[DeepFrz]

You might want to read this article.
Sequitur

[chrisjs]

Before you sweat this too much, you might consider pulling the macerator apart to check for tampons or similar blockages that will "lock" the macerator blade.