Re-building Jabsco Macerator Pump?

[womensetsail]

Hi -

We're thinking of trying to re-build our Jabsco mascerator (shower) pump as we noticed that Jabsco sells a re-build kit. This is much cheaper than buying a new one ($49 vs $169). The pump is a 1998 model, but we're not sure that it's the impeller that's bad.

Anyone ever done the re-build? Any advice?

Thanks!
Nancy

[capn_billl]

Eeeeeuuuuuuwwwwww. I looked at the price of the rebuild, and the price of the pump, and chucked it.

It might be the impeller, or it might be the motor, what are the symtoms? ....Or it might just be a piece of "debris", stuck somewhere....Good luck.

[Sailmonkey]

I have rebuilt the jabsco rotary pumps before......my advice for a shower pump........ditch it and replace with a diaphram type pump. Hair and rotary macerator pumps are hell.

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by womensetsail

Hi -

We're thinking of trying to re-build our Jabsco mascerator (shower) pump as we noticed that Jabsco sells a re-build kit. This is much cheaper than buying a new one ($49 vs $169). The pump is a 1998 model, but we're not sure that it's the impeller that's bad.

Anyone ever done the re-build? Any advice?

Thanks!
Nancy

Rebuilt the shower pumps and toilet macerator pumps onboard when we bought this boat 5 months or so ago.

Do you have a macerator on the shower pump??

Doesn't matter anyway, the kit comes with an exploded drawing so it's very straight forward, the small seal that goes on the shaft must be put in the right way around take photo's with you phone/camera as you go it sometimes helps.

When you get the motor off and you look at the shaft often you will notice a build up of calcium from gunk or red rust from the little spring inside the seal polish it clean with a plastic pot scourer, those ones with the sponge on the other side.

What has your pump been doing wrong that makes you uncertain?

Cheers Frank

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

I have rebuilt the jabsco rotary pumps before......my advice for a shower pump........ditch it and replace with a diaphram type pump. Hair and rotary macerator pumps are hell.

We have Jabsco diaphragm pumps and run the gauze filter, gotta clean them every third day (the gauze) when i ran it without the valves blocked with hair.

Do you have a filter?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

.....my advice for a shower pump........ditch it and replace with a diaphram type pump. Hair and rotary macerator pumps are hell.

Yes, a diaphragm pump is much better for shower sump application...and for holding tank pump out for that matter. In the longer run you will be much better off with the diaphragm pump solution. Besides there is normally nothing to macerate in shower sump output...hopefully.

Assuming the motor is good on your macerator pump, then rebuilding the pump head is relatively easy. If the motor is bad, more than just something simple like brushes, then you are best to take it to an electrical motor shop for rebuild. If it is that old and tired, it may be better just to replace it.

[brantleychuck]

Does it make noise when you turn it on? If it does then lets assume the motor is good. I did not buy a rebuild kit for mine , just the impeller, the old one was rotted. A little hard to get apart but I managed. Pretty simple really.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Lagoon4us

We have Jabsco diaphragm pumps and run the gauze filter, gotta clean them every third day (the gauze) when i ran it without the valves blocked with hair.

Do you have a filter?

My preferred pumps are those by sealand or whale that have large flappers or dual joker valves. No filter needed for normal shower stuff

[Safari38LH]

I just replaced my Jabsco mascerator on my holding tank for the third time in five years. They do not seem to last long. If this one fails within two years I will replace it with a Whale.blast chance.

[Bash]

Don't waste your time with another macerator pump. Not for a shower, anyway. Try one of these instead: Whale Marine - Products

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Safari38LH

I just replaced my Jabsco mascerator on my holding tank for the third time in five years. They do not seem to last long. If this one fails within two years I will replace it with a Whale.blast chance.

Yes, they are a maintenance pain, I've had similar experiences in the past. Finally ripped mine out for good.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by womensetsail

Hi -

We're thinking of trying to re-build our Jabsco mascerator (shower) pump as we noticed that Jabsco sells a re-build kit. This is much cheaper than buying a new one ($49 vs $169). The pump is a 1998 model, but we're not sure that it's the impeller that's bad.

Anyone ever done the re-build? Any advice?

Thanks!
Nancy

If you've used the shower a lot over the years, and/or if the shower sump also drains something like AC condensate) so runs a lot whether you shower or not)... you've maybe gotten you're money's worth. For only $169 (which significantly less than One Boat Unit), I'd replace the pump.

We have a Jabsco electric macerator on the head and I did try to rebuild that when it came time. It was a good learning experience, didn't completely fix the problem, and in the end (about 3 weeks later) I replace the whole pump anyway.

$169 is cheap. Simple swap (out with the old, in with the new) is fast.

-Chris

[womensetsail]

Thanks all! Great advice! We'll check out the Whale, and Chris will probably take your advice! Great feedback.

[ranger58sb]

-C