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Old 14-01-2025, 17:52   #1
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Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

I have a 1984 SeaRay sedan 390. I had a rip off mechanic want to do all sorts of work on my boat... he must think I am a billionaire because he charged me $2300 just to inspect it and left me with it not even running! A few other boaters at my marina ended up having similar experience with him and said he tried to get them to get work done on their boats that wasnt needed.

Well he said the septic MANSFIELD macerating pump is frozen and told me it is obsolete (I believe this)... and told me that because that Mansfeild pump is frozen - he is telling me I need an entire new septic system (toilet, holding tank... everything... "because it's old". Which he is estimating will cost $8k. And he wants to do the work... at what he charges NO WAY.

My question is... can I substitute that Mansfield macerating pump with a different brand? Has anyone had any experience with this?
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Old 15-01-2025, 13:53   #2
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

He was right that it's obsolete...Mansfield Plumbing (who introduced the VacuFlush toilet in 1978) spun their entire marine division off to SeaLand Technology (who never made macerator pumps) in 1984. So that Mansfield macerator pump is just a paper weight.

What's your intended use for a macerator pump?

--Peggie
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Old 15-01-2025, 15:22   #3
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

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He was right that it's obsolete...Mansfield Plumbing (who introduced the VacuFlush toilet in 1978) spun their entire marine division off to SeaLand Technology (who never made macerator pumps) in 1984. So that Mansfield macerator pump is just a paper weight.

What's your intended use for a macerator pump?

--Peggie
It is for my septic system. Is there something I can substitute it for? Or am I really going to have to replace the entire septic system?
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Old 15-01-2025, 20:43   #4
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

You need an entire new system...but for a fraction what that clown charged you.

That your boat is a 1984 SeaRay tells me that what you have is an original VacuFlush system...the pump isn't a macerating pump, it's the vacuum pump that gives the system its name. It has 3 components--the bowl assembly,a "vacuum" tank, and the vacuum pump, none of which are still usable or repairable. There should also be a holding tank...unless it's a Mansfield TDX system, you shouldn't have to replace it.

If you'd like to send me a private message I'll be glad to help you choose a simple macerating electric toilet from among the choices available. And fwiw, I no longer sell anything...I just offer advice and suggest what my 30 years in marine sanitation has taught me are good choices and which retailers have them for the best prices.

--Peggie
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Old 16-01-2025, 08:37   #5
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

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You need an entire new system...but for a fraction what that clown charged you.

That your boat is a 1984 SeaRay tells me that what you have is an original VacuFlush system...the pump isn't a macerating pump, it's the vacuum pump that gives the system its name. It has 3 components--the bowl assembly,a "vacuum" tank, and the vacuum pump, none of which are still usable or repairable. There should also be a holding tank...unless it's a Mansfield TDX system, you shouldn't have to replace it.

If you'd like to send me a private message I'll be glad to help you choose a simple macerating electric toilet from among the choices available. And fwiw, I no longer sell anything...I just offer advice and suggest what my 30 years in marine sanitation has taught me are good choices and which retailers have them for the best prices.

--Peggie
Oh my gosh... thank you. YES. We are pretty handy but this is quite over my head and HE speaks in riddles to confuse me saying this is a job for a pro...
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Old 16-01-2025, 13:11   #6
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

Peggie won't lead you astray! She's our preeminent expert on marine sanitation.

In general, this is not rocket science. You should rip out all the old stuff and install a modern macerating electric toilet, new hoses and pipes, new antisiphon loop.

There is a wide choice of these, but if you can afford it, I would recommend a premium one like this: https://www.westmarine.com/raritan-m...roducts__en_US

You can save a few hundred bucks with a cheap one but you'll regret it -- they are noisier and less reliable.

Besides the toilets it's just hoses and labor; maybe a new through hull. Shouldn't cost more than $3k or $4k all in even if you are paying $80 or whatever per hour for labor.

You can also do this yourself if you are reasonable handy.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
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Old 16-01-2025, 13:15   #7
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

Peggy... I am new to this forum... can you PM me? I would LOVE and appreciate your advice my friend. Grateful
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Old 16-01-2025, 13:16   #8
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

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Peggie won't lead you astray! She's our preeminent expert on marine sanitation.

In general, this is not rocket science. You should rip out all the old stuff and install a modern macerating electric toilet, new hoses and pipes, new antisiphon loop.

There is a wide choice of these, but if you can afford it, I would recommend a premium one like this: https://www.westmarine.com/raritan-m...roducts__en_US

You can save a few hundred bucks with a cheap one but you'll regret it -- they are noisier and less reliable.

Besides the toilets it's just hoses and labor; maybe a new through hull. Shouldn't cost more than $3k or $4k all in even if you are paying $80 or whatever per hour for labor.

You can also do this yourself if you are reasonable handy.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

I would need a holding tank too... right?
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Old 16-01-2025, 13:18   #9
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

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I would need a holding tank too... right?

As Peggie correctly said -- your existing one will most likely be still serviceable.


But yes -- if it's leaking or too small or doesn't offer proper connection points, you will need that too.
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We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
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Old 16-01-2025, 13:32   #10
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

I've no idea of the original mounting scheme of any of the components.
But I would only add that it'll pay-off in the future if you can contemplate any improvements in the mounting of the new stuff with an eye towards easy accessibility/ serviceability.
The less lengths of hose and the fewer the tight bends the better.
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Old 16-01-2025, 13:38   #11
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

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As Peggie correctly said -- your existing one will most likely be still serviceable.


But yes -- if it's leaking or too small or doesn't offer proper connection points, you will need that too.

Man you guys are great! Peggy sounds liek a super star! So Peggy.... you think it's serviceable? How or where would you suggest I start? I am a 58 year old female... I am pretty darn handy... just don't want to be in over ny head. In the California Delta... there isn't an abundance of reliable good boat mechanics.
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Old 16-01-2025, 13:44   #12
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Re: Mansfield macerating pump substitute?

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Originally Posted by MoxieThis View Post
Man you guys are great! Peggy sounds liek a super star! So Peggy.... you think it's serviceable? How or where would you suggest I start? I am a 58 year old female... I am pretty darn handy... just don't want to be in over ny head. In the California Delta... there isn't an abundance of reliable good boat mechanics.
If you're handy and have the time, just do it yourself.

Read up beforehand to make sure you know what to do. But in general boat plumbing is NOT rocket science.

I installed my last new toilet myself, year before last. It was an awful job which took far longer than it should have -- because I changed the type of the toilet (like you're going to do) so needed to do a lot of chopping up of thick floors etc. in order to route the new plumbing.

But if you don't have professional crew on board, it's a good idea to do as much of your own work yourself as possible. If something breaks at sea, you can't call a mechanic to come fix it -- it will have to be fixed by someone on board. It's really good if you know all her nooks and crannies and systems and have abundant tools and parts on board.
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"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
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