Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Airstream Forums > Airstream Knowledgebase > Airstream Motorhome Forums > Sprinter and B-van Forum
Click Here to Login
Register Vendors FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search Log in

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-09-2019, 08:40 PM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
South Glastonbury , CT
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 9
need help with macerator malfunction 2015 Interstate twin

Macerator on/off switch is not working. Need help troubleshooting system.
Black tank, grey tank switches do work, however, macerator switch does not engage macerator. What might be problem?
Where is the macerator switch fuse located?
Any assistance would be appreciated. I'm not electrically savvy.
Thanks.
Gulliver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2019, 09:17 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
Hawk-ination's Avatar
 
2014 19' International
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Cedar Rapids , Iowa
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 587
We have a 2014 and the fuse is located under the lounge area, you'll see the two silver buttons on each side of the lounge. Pull the handles out and open the panel, it should swing down, and can be a bit stuck if no one has been in there yet. If you haven't been in the fuse panel in that area yet, the door is somewhat hidden after you get the first wood door open. It's a plastic lid that you have to push in at the top left corner, I believe. I had a hard time figuring that out as there's no handle, but it's simple once you get to the spot and know how to do it. It's like the glass doors with the magnet hold for stereo equipment or TV stands. You push in to get the magnet to release, and the door should also open down if I remember correctly. You'll see a few circuit breakers and a row of fuses on the right. It's been a few months since ours was stuck, so I might be off on my lefts and rights, but I think that's correct. You'll see it once you get the door open.

What I remember is it might have about seven fuses, I think the macerator is a 10 Amp fuse. Can't remember the position/number. I think it's listed on the identification, but maybe not super clear either. Might be the only 10 amp fuse in there, can't remember that for sure either.

We purchased our Lounge this fall, and the last owner didn't use all the systems much. The owner before that did not either, and some dirt had made it's way on the outside of the macerator. It was very, very little. The people on the forum helped me to find the macerator, which is just to the left of your macerator hose probably, and under the coach. There's a plastic sleeve that covers the end, you just wiggle it off, and take a straight edge screwdriver and turn the screw that's on the end of the macerator (the plastic cap and macerator are black). Look for the PVC looking hose that runs from left to right under your coach, you'll find it.

Turning the screw turns the pump and will free it up hopefully. Like I said, ours was barely stuck and was blowing fuses every time I'd hit the macerator switch. It's a very common problem on the Interstates so if this doesn't help, do a search and you'll find some feeds that might explain it better.

If it helps, it might not look like that fuse is blown but ours ended up being blown even if it didn't look like it, so we just slipped a new one in the slot. Freed up the screw and we were good to go.

If you don't have the problem we had, some said it can jamb up with toilet paper and other fun stuff. If you have that issue and you can't get that screw to turn, I'd consult someone who has a better answer than me and/or see if you can't search it on the forum.

Don't sweat it at all, I was freaking out but it ended up being pretty easy once I asked for help and everyone pointed me in the right direction through the forum. Finding the locations of the fuse panel and macerator were the biggest trick but it was a pretty easy after I got help with the locations and solution. Good luck!
Hawk-ination is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2019, 10:19 AM   #3
4 Rivet Member
 
Rig Rat's Avatar
 
2015 Interstate Ext. Coach
Columbus , Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 434
Helpful thread

Here's one thread that may help you, http://www.airforums.com/forums/f240...es-170131.html

There's plenty more posts on this same issue that you can access by using the search function located at the top of this page!

BTW, it should be a 20 amp fuse. We carry extras for this very reason!
__________________
Adventure before Dementia!
Rig Rat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2019, 11:04 AM   #4
3 Rivet Member
 
k9jackie's Avatar
 
2015 Interstate Ext. Coach
Great Falls , Virginia
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 187
I just replaced the fuse on my 2014.5 macerator yesterday. The fuse panel is under the lounge 2nd to the last fuse yellow #20.
__________________
2014.5 Airstream Interstate Ext.

AI Facebook Group

k9jackie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2019, 01:19 PM   #5
Contributing Member
 
Pahaska's Avatar
 
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County) , Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
Images: 4
With no power, I found that I can spin the macerator using my 18v battery-powered drill with a large screwdriver blade chucked. I turned it manually first to ensure that there was no hard blockage. One last way to empty the tanks if power fails.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
Pahaska is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2019, 05:45 AM   #6
Prof. of Pending Projects
 
wachuko's Avatar
 
2018 Tommy Bahama Interstate
Orlando , Florida
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,658
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pahaska View Post
With no power, I found that I can spin the macerator using my 18v battery-powered drill with a large screwdriver blade chucked. I turned it manually first to ensure that there was no hard blockage. One last way to empty the tanks if power fails.
Good to know. Thank you!

Note to self - Need to add a battery-powered drill to the tool box.
__________________
Safe travels!
Wachuko
WBCCI #26769
2018 Airstream Interstate 3500 Lounge EXT Tommy Bahama w/ARS
wachuko is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2019, 06:15 AM   #7
1 Rivet Member
 
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
South Glastonbury , CT
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 9
Thanks!

Thanks to all. Learned several new things with your help. It was the fuse. Replaced it and that fixed the problem.
Gulliver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2019, 10:43 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Mansderm161's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH , South Carolina
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 892
Fyi...it was probably turning it manually and replacing fuse together that got it going. I had same problem. It will blow fuse if it can't spin. I blew 3 fuses in a row until I manually turned the macerator and then replaced the fuse. Keep an eye on it. Mine was defective and was eventually replaced.
Mansderm161 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Looking for a Trade-Up opportunity. 2015 27' FC Twin to 2017 30' Classic Twin santaman Airstream Classifieds 0 04-14-2019 07:16 PM
RF causing brake controller malfunction nm1oqrz Phone, CB & Ham Radio 6 04-12-2011 06:03 PM
GM truck antilock brake malfunction dwightdi Tow Vehicles 20 03-13-2006 04:38 PM
345 LP Tank Gauge Malfunction cooperhawk LP Gas, Piping, Tanks & Regulators 1 12-06-2005 01:36 PM
water heater malfunction--help! ready to depart for xmas trip! susanborck Water Heaters, Filters & Pumps 23 12-22-2003 10:31 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:13 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.