Vacuflush head plugged

[ezwoo]

I had 9 women on my 2003 Sea Ray 320. Now the head will not flush. It's plugged. The pump is trying to work and then it flips the breaker. I tried a plunger but no luck. What do I do next?

Ezwoo

[Boracay]

If I was a gamblin' man I put money on your head being blocked.
Vacuflush recomends care in the selection of toilet paper and I'd go along with that. The nice modern stuff jams up my Lavac. I find the really cheap Homebrand stuff from Woolworths works best but there is probably a wide variation.
Have a browse through the Vacuflush website and see if you can pick up some handy hints.
Now you have to decide if you want service or to do the job yourself.
I could not see any manual for the Vacuflush on their website but I'm sure if you had a chat with their service dept. they would steer you in the right direction.
Then its a matter of getting the right tools and parts and going to work.
Some tips...
1) If undoing a connection that may have had some pressure behind it stay well clear.
2) Find a container that should collect any drips/flows/deluges and place it under whatever item is being undone.
3) If normal operation requires seacocks to be open make sure thay are open.
Don't ask how I know this...

[ezwoo]

Thanks for the diagnosis. Do I dare run a snake into the head? Or do you recommned dismantling the line by a service tech?

[mudnut]

I'm guessing ya don't think it's toilet paper,so the only thing I could suggest is after it is fixed invest in a sign and a seperate bin for sanitary napkins and such.Nine women eh.I'm also guessing ya want that fixed ASAP<GR>Mudnut.

[Alan Wheeler]

Which model do you have??? There are several models and each has a slightly different design in the valve/funnel assembly. I have had no experiance with Sealand, but presume all vacum tiolets will be similar principle. Tell me if I am wrong.

So if I am right, I am not sure why a blockage is causing a fuse to blow in the pump. I am presuming we are talking the suction pump?? This should just be creating a vacum and should not be affected by a blocakge in the base funnel. I am also presuming this is where you are talking about blockage??
A little more detail may help here. These are simple but complex machines.

[Boracay]

I would expect that any attempt to unplug a blockage by pushing a "snake" into it would cause expensive and possibly irrepairable damage.
I would strongly suggest talking to a Vacuflush technical representative and taking their advice.
My Lavac has a large cover plate on the pump. When it is removed the blockage gives a convincing representation of a brown waterfall.
There is almost certainly some easily removable part which, when loosened in the correct manner, will deposit the blockage somewhere other than where you put the receptacle to catch it.
Look for something with large arrows on it.

[cat man do]

Holy Crap


Have fun

Dave

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Holy Crap


Have fun

Dave

OUCH Dave that's cold. Poor fellas up to his eyes in (what he hopes is) pooh.

[camaraderie]

Before doing anything with the pump I would tackle the more likely places for "blockages".... the Y valve is always a favorite and if you have "check" valves in the line as many do, that is always a problem spot. Wear your foulies as lines under pressure tend to come off the fittings rather explosively. Don't ask me how I know!!

[ezwoo]

Thank you all! I have decided to do the safe thing and get a tech out there.

Ezwoo

[Alan Wheeler]

Chris and Comaraderie, I WANT TO KNOW!!!!!!!!!!
Go on, fess up.

[rtbates]

besides foulies I'd don a mask and snorkel.

[DeepFrz]

I'm really dissapointed. I thought Lavacs were unpluggable. Maybe you have to cut back on the bread.

[camaraderie]

Alan...in the interest of "science"...I will respond.
Situation...females aboard.
Complaint...Raritan PHII head handle "won't move"
Professional Evaluation: Handle will move up and down if great force is exerted. Finally will not move at all.
Analysis: Blockage in line is likely at Y-valve.
Action: Don rubber gloves. Loosen hose clamps. Remove hose from fit....ohhhhhh nooooo!!!! EWWWWWWWW!!!!!!

Result...blockage was in Y valve. Pressure was in hose! New sign is in head.
Lesson: Wear wet suit next time.

[Zeus]

Ya know, there are alot of things I'll do to save a buck. Playing in pooh and such is not one of them. $$$ is no object when it comes to that. Call me what you will but the line must be drawn at some point.....this is that point. Anyone have the number to MarinaRoooter......