Visit our Popular Forums

altlife · 10-07-2016, 03:48 PM

I have tried everything suggested in the numerous posts out there. Opened value on hose, opened black water tank valve, loosened the macerator using a screwdriver. No results. Nothing coming out of the hose. I have tried this at least 10 times. I can see the macerator spinning. Any other suggestions? Thank you.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

UKDUDE · 10-07-2016, 04:22 PM

Can you hear the macerator spinning fast without the typical sound that it's under load? (Don't run the macerator dry for more than 10 seconds, otherwise it will be damaged.)
And is either of the valve switch lights on at the time? One has to be on, otherwise the valve is not open properly.
And are you sure there is something liquid to discharge in either of the tanks?
And have you extended the hose fully? There may be a kink in it.
And has it ever worked?

M and R · 10-07-2016, 04:23 PM

Can you hear the valve opening when you activate the toggle?

When you push the switch, you should hear the valve motor run, the motor turn off after it opens the valve, simultaneously with the valve opening the red light on the selected tank valve illuminates.

If you don't hear the valve motor run, the valve is not open.

Mike

altlife · 10-07-2016, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

Can you hear the macerator spinning fast without the typical sound that it's under load? (Don't run the macerator dry for more than 10 seconds, otherwise it will be damaged.)
And is either of the valve switch lights on at the time? One has to be on, otherwise the valve is not open properly.
And are you sure there is something liquid to discharge in either of the tanks?
And have you extended the hose fully? There may be a kink in it.
And has it ever worked?

Thanks.
I can hear it running and can see it spinning without the typical sound when it is under load. I turn it off quickly since nothing is coming out.
My black water tank is 2/3 full
The hose is fully extended and open
It has never worked consistently

altlife · 10-07-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M and R

Can you hear the valve opening when you activate the toggle?

When you push the switch, you should hear the valve motor run, the motor turn off after it opens the valve, simultaneously with the valve opening the red light on the selected tank valve illuminates.

If you don't hear the valve motor run, the valve is not open.

Mike

I can hear the valves open. I have tried both tanks unsuccessfully. When each tank is open the red light comes on.

Thanks

altlife · 10-07-2016, 04:49 PM

To make matters worse I took it in for service and they showed me how to manually dislodge the motor. That's it. First time trying it since I brought it home. That was two weeks ago. I guess they didn't really test it. And they made me pay since there wasn't anything wrong with it. ???

altlife · 10-07-2016, 05:24 PM

UKDUKE

As a last resort I followed the hose all the way back to where it connects with the hose reel. There lies the problem. The hose it "smashed" right at the connection. I lifted the hose up at hose reel and wah lah it works. It's not a great or permanent solution but will work in the mean time.

I'll attempt to post a pic though it's not all that great.

Thank you both.

UKDUDE · 10-07-2016, 05:38 PM

Glad you found it. I've had my hose develop a pin hole on the nozzle end so I had to trim the hose and reattach the nozzle. I guess getting to the hose at the reel end may be more difficult, so worth getting the dealer to do it for you under warranty.
Peter

Hi Yo AG · 10-08-2016, 12:12 PM

Same problems on both ends of our macerator hose - kink at the hose reel so had to cut that out and reattach. Also wrapped up the pin holes on the valve end and now wonder if I am storing it correctly as I often have to bend it with more force than I would like to be sold to get in the box and close the lid. Any guidance out there. Hi Yo Ag

UKDUDE · 10-08-2016, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi Yo AG

Same problems on both ends of our macerator hose - kink at the hose reel so had to cut that out and reattach. Also wrapped up the pin holes on the valve end and now wonder if I am storing it correctly as I often have to bend it with more force than I would like to be sold to get in the box and close the lid. Any guidance out there. Hi Yo Ag

Always fully extend the hose, and carefully wind it in guiding it with a gloved hand so that its rewound evenly from one side to the other. Then stop when about 18" are remaining, and use that length to create a loop inside the box. It's much easier that way than struggling with a small length and creating a kink which will eventually become a pin hole.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Hi Yo AG · 10-08-2016, 04:17 PM

Good guidance. Thank you Ukdude. Now if I can figure out how to remove and replace that "screwless" clamp to cut off the damaged section. Any idea as to how to remove and reuse it?

UKDUDE · 10-08-2016, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi Yo AG

Good guidance. Thank you Ukdude. Now if I can figure out how to remove and replace that "screwless" clamp to cut off the damaged section. Any idea as to how to remove and reuse it?

My problem was just on the discharge (nozzle) end, so I cut off the hose with a light saw, removed the nozzle, and replaced it with a screw clip. Easy. I'm not sure about the reel end though. Maybe it's the same but harder to get to. Good luck.

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

UKDUDE · 10-08-2016, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

My problem was just on the discharge (nozzle) end, so I cut off the hose with a light saw, removed the nozzle, and replaced it with a screw clip. Easy. I'm not sure about the reel end though. Maybe it's the same but harder to get to. Good luck.

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

Aargh - I always get confused with this since we call it a Jubilee Clip in the U.K. I believe it's called a hose band over here. Sorry!

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

gmillerok1 · 10-08-2016, 08:50 PM

To fix any issue at the reel end of the hose, you must remove the reel cover. It's not hard, but it's not much fun, either.

To remove the cover, you will need to raise up the streetside of the vehicle so there will be enough room to work, and to remove the cover.

After the vehicle has been raised up, there are 4 screws (or in my case, just 3) that hold the cover on, and it is easy to figure that out when you take a look at it. But you have to remove the 1" hose from the connection on the reel that pokes through the cover first so you can remove the cover itself, and to do that, you either have to remove the other end off the macerator, or loosen the clamp so the hose will turn (which is what I did because it's a bear to put back on) as you unscrew the 1" threaded adapter from the reel inlet connection.

The hose itself is held onto the reel with two clamps that screw onto the center hub, and the hose is pushed onto the right angle adapter in the center of the reel. This adapter is connected to a mechanical seal and the other side screws into the 1" hose.

Replace the cover, and you are done. Hope that helps.

gmillerok1 · 10-11-2016, 02:39 PM

By the way, if you have to replace the macerator hose, it's not easy to find a 3/4" PVC ID 1" OK diameter hose any, at least for me. I could find nothing similar locally or on the net. The AS dealer said AS would sell me 20' for $100.00, plus his markup and shipping. They would not give him the manufacturer's name or source.

I ended up ordering Kanaflex Flexible PVC Heavy Duty Water Suction and Discharge Hose from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's actually a bit smaller than 1" so I had to use a different adapter. For some reason, when I ordered it, the cost for 100 feet was only about $38.00. Now it's closer to $100. Because it's a bit smaller, I could get about 3' more on the reel. It seems just as solid as the original and Kanaflex is a good brand.

To replace the hose, you have to remove the reel cover as my previous post states. It took an hour or so to complete and was not as difficult as I expected.

UKDUDE · 10-11-2016, 03:36 PM

The macerator hose came from Shoreline Reels:
http://www.trci.net/products/shoreli...eels-rv-marine
Last time I looked they had replacement parts listed on their website, but I don't see them this time.

mrgolf · 12-16-2016, 02:42 PM

I have a related macerator problem that this group may be able to assist in answering. The hose reel will no longer turn. I hear the motor noise for both retract and extend, but no movement. I called Airstream tech support and they think that the reel gear may be shot on this four month old 2017 AI. I learned early on to fully extend the hose when operating the system so I avoid the earlier referenced kinks. Now I have this issue with no movement in or out. I was able to roll a few inches back onto the reel and then carefully store the long length of hose in the small compartment behind the door and in front of the reel. Any easy answer on this you can suggest? I plan to take to dealer to resolve, but that is a two hour drive and all day commitment for me.

gmillerok1 · 12-17-2016, 09:38 AM

If the motor is trying to move the reel, and you can hear it when you turn it on, and the reel does not move, and it doesn't blow a fuse after a few seconds, then they are probably correct, something in the gear housing has failed.

You could remove the housing cover (held in with 2 or 3 screws) and take a look around and see if anything is jammed, but again, that fuse will quickly blow if the motor is drawing high amps if it is jammed and can't move.

On the other hand, if the gear or rather motor to gear connection is bad, and the motor is just spinning loosely, no fuse would blow. It could be that whatever holds the motor to the gear has failed. It likely is nothing more than a loose or now missing screw. If the gear itself has failed, I think it would sound like a load of rocks trying to move inside the housing when you turn it on.

They will simply replace the entire assembly. It is not an easy job, so the two hour trip would likely be worth the effort since it is still in warranty.

Good luck.

rogertharris · 12-23-2016, 01:39 PM

Have had similar problems. Have not noticed if hose is kinked but maybe that is my problem. Mine works sometimes just fine other times not at all. Last time I tried to empty my black water tank, I was just getting a trickle. I actually removed the hose between the tank and the macerator to see if there was a clog. There was not but what a mess! Anyway, I was about to give up when I extended the hose one more time and all of sudden it worked. Obviously not a good design.

UKDUDE · 12-23-2016, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogertharris

Have had similar problems. Have not noticed if hose is kinked but maybe that is my problem. Mine works sometimes just fine other times not at all. Last time I tried to empty my black water tank, I was just getting a trickle. I actually removed the hose between the tank and the macerator to see if there was a clog. There was not but what a mess! Anyway, I was about to give up when I extended the hose one more time and all of sudden it worked. Obviously not a good design.

Are the valves opening correctly? The light on each switch should come on, one at a time.
You should always fully extend the hose when dumping, and in the process inspect it for kinks, and minor holes, etc. Then carefully wind it in, using a gloved hand, guiding the hose so that it wraps around the reel neatly from one side to the other. i.e. not haphazardly criss-crossing over.