2018 AS macerator pump HELP!

[carpenc]

Ok, NOW the pump is not pumping out grey or black tank. The pump sounds ok but nothing is coming out of the tanks into the hose. And yes, I can hear both tanks open and close. Any suggestions. I have tried with the engine on and off but also when I tried to start the generator, it would not start despite showing fully loaded. I think this think has a major elec problem because the step hasnt worked for months and neither do the usbs in the back and front. I have looked at both fuse panels and they seem to be ok. At my wits end esp for the price!!!! Help!!!!

[Pahaska]

Are you sure the shutoff on the end of the macerator hose is open?

Silly question, but I have done worse.

[carpenc]

How can I be sure?

[carpenc]

One other possible clue: when I open the black tank the light on the button doesn’t come on. The button light comes on on the grey tank button but nothing is coming out of either tank.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

Are you sure the shutoff on the end of the macerator hose is open?

Originally Posted by carpenc

How can I be sure?

Red handle on the valve on the end of the hose. Open is in line with the hose, closed is perpendicular to the hose.

I accidentally left mine closed once when trying to drain the waste tanks. It happens.

[carpenc]

Thank you, I will check tonight although there is no reason for it to be closed. It all worked a few days ago. Oh as I write this, I remember something that could have done it. A truck in front of me in the middle lane was going really fast and hit some tread from an 18 wheeler which promptly ran up under my van. Maybe it hit the valve you are talking about. Thanks

[Pahaska]

The valve on the end of the hose is unlikely to be closed any way except by a person turning the red handle. It is well protected when the hose is retracted and the cover closed and locked. It is also quite stiff to turn and unlikely to be closed accidentally.

That said, you should close the valve each and every time you are going to retract the hose. Otherwise, you are asking for a messy dribble. I don't open the valve until the hose outlet is inserted into the sewer opening and I close it before I remove the hose from the sewer opening. Before closing the valve, I raise the hose starting at the AI and moving outward so that the contents of the hose are drained.

[carpenc]

Thank you. I always close the valve on the hose and like you, open it when its connected to sewer. Problem today is, nothing is getting into the hose!

[carpenc]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Red handle on the valve on the end of the hose. Open is in line with the hose, closed is perpendicular to the hose.

I accidentally left mine closed once when trying to drain the waste tanks. It happens.

I just re read your note. The red valve in the hose was open. The problem is nothing is getting into the hose!

[Pahaska]

Although the accordion-ribbed rubber pipe that connects to the macerator is 3" in diameter, the actual input into the macerator pump is about half that diameter. The pump suction will pull all normal waste contents into the smaller hole, but it can not handle cloth, feminine products, and possibly even huge masses of the wrong sort of toilet paper without clogging.

I had a situation a few months ago when a mechanic left a shop rag in the piping which destroyed the pump. That was an extreme case, I realize. It did make me all too familiar with the system.

Not a nice task, believe me, but you could undo the clamp holding the pipe to the pump and carefully drain the gallon or so of waste in the 3" pipe into a container so that you could pull the pipe off the pump and look for a blockage. Make sure both the black and gray valves are closed or you will get a lot more than a gallon or so when you drain it.

[carpenc]

Ugh! The maseratornis located between the toilet and the hose, correct? It should be able to handle the normal “load” , right? Unless someone out something in there before I bought it, it would have to be another issue. Cant believe this is happening Christmas weekend! Think I will be using the campground toilet. Ha! Thank you.

[carpenc]

Crossing my fingers that driving dislodged what ever the hold up is if indeed thats the issue

[carpenc]

It worked! Must have been clogged btw macerater and hose. Driving to and from my mom’s house (45 each way) dislodged whatever it was. Thank you and Good Night!

[GETRIDAONE]

I imagine there was a "Happy Dance" at the dump station

[FlyFishinRVr]

Originally Posted by GETRIDAONE

I imagine there was a "Happy Dance" at the dump station

The one and only time anyone ever "happy danced" at the dump station....

[rmkrum]

I’ve seen ‘dancing and dodging’ at dump stations......

[carpenc]

Yes, well into the night!