Black water discharge vacuum activation

[GalliersK]

Hello, I am the new owner of a Sunseeker Portofino 47 from 2007. She is fitted with electric flush heads. To activate the flush, there is a vacuum isolator switch on the distribution panel which needs to be on beforehand. The heads flush to a macerator / holding tank or, if conditions permit, straight to sea. Now we are getting to know the boat, the vacuum pump (not the discharge, which is set to off) does flush the heads - all good - however if the vacuum switch on the panel is left on (ie overnight) to enable us to use the heads, the 'system' seems to re-energise / re-pressurise every, say, 30 minutes, which the associated noise of a pump and water movement / gurgling sound (please forgive the technical term). This lasts for about 10 seconds. Does anyone know if this is normal behaviour, or might it suggest as issue with the pump? I am visually inspected under the cabin sole and all seems in order but I am no expert. Thanks in advance for any advice. Kevin

 

[BruceK]

Every 30 minutes is about the same for me. But I dont hear anything but the vacuum pump very quietly for about 5 seconds. I would say this is about right because unter a vacuum water boils at very low temps so unless your system is completely dry.....
At every 30 minutes I wouldnt be worried about a vacuum leak

 

[dustywings]

Sounds like you have a leak, mine will go all day and night without recharging the vacuum. I had a problem with one of mine last year so called Leesan who were amazing, talked me through a process to establish what was wrong then supplied the part which cured it. I would suggest talking to them for assistance. Duck bills are the main service item it seems, a tip he gave me was to pour some boiling water down there to soften them up but really they need replacing if that is the cause. the other one is the seal in the bottom of the bowl. once you understand how they work they are quite simple.

 

[Portofino]

Those vacu flush toilets are high maintenance.
As Dustywings suggest the duck bill valves get scaled up and harden loose there seal .Its a mucky job to replace .
When I had one ( Portofino 35 ) the circulat ball valve in the bowl(s) needs to be clean .Any tissue paper trapped can cause a leak and the symptoms you describe as the vac pressure gently drops triggering the pump to restart .
A spoon full of olive oil was said to lubricate theses parts .
I paid S Seeker about €1000 once , for two guys + parts + French vat to completely overhaul mine when it was about your age .

When it’s time ( it will be eventually) to go again , buy another after few years of this boat ownership , you will know what you don’t want in the next boat .
Vacu flush bogs will figure high up on that list .
I know why SSkr do them because for newbies ( yes a S/ Skr was my first mobo too ) they best resemble a house bog .
In a house you have gravity working emptying the soil .On a boat no such thing and the vac bit is next best simulation.

So what’s the alternative I hear you ask , what’s everyone else say Riva , San Lorenzo , Ferretti , Pershing etc do ? Well they have electric macerators under the bowl and pressurised water feeds .Several manufacturers but they all share the same simplicity and reliability.
You press a button , no foot handles and the bowl fills as long a you hold the button and the macerator/ pump , pumps it to the black tank .
When its full the black tank you ( in my case ) simply press a switch on the dash when out at sea and another pump / macerator discharges it .No Y valve malarkey, no pressure leaks , no noise except when you flush , no midnight spurious motors running , no hissing from a leaky ball valve in the bowl.
The parts , the pumps , impeller etc are hanging on every chandlery wall , Jabsco for what looks like peanuts compared to vacuflush bits .

A couple more Porto 47 annoyances .
-That Waeco cool box cooler is a money pit .Never again .Next time you need another proper fridge .
-Folding cockpit table is too small , and a PITA
- The cockpit seat base height is too high by a few inches .More OAP Shackltons high chair hight as opposed to comfy sofa hight .
- Boat runs very bow high , you have to basically stand up to see out when planning
- Cream carpet soon gets grubby

Oh Yeh , pretty and well screwed together no doubt about that .
Those niggles will eventually wear you down.
But it’s a right of passage why not start with a Sunseeker and the world of vacuflush bogs ?

 

[GalliersK]

Every 30 minutes is about the same for me. But I dont hear anything but the vacuum pump very quietly for about 5 seconds. I would say this is about right because unter a vacuum water boils at very low temps so unless your system is completely dry.....
At every 30 minutes I wouldnt be worried about a vacuum leak

Many thanks

 

[GalliersK]

Sounds like you have a leak, mine will go all day and night without recharging the vacuum. I had a problem with one of mine last year so called Leesan who were amazing, talked me through a process to establish what was wrong then supplied the part which cured it. I would suggest talking to them for assistance. Duck bills are the main service item it seems, a tip he gave me was to pour some boiling water down there to soften them up but really they need replacing if that is the cause. the other one is the seal in the bottom of the bowl. once you understand how they work they are quite simple.

Many thanks, have found Leesan and will call today - I see they also have recommended specialists (btw, I am on the Hamble)

 

[GalliersK]

Those vacu flush toilets are high maintenance.
As Dustywings suggest the duck bill valves get scaled up and harden loose there seal .Its a mucky job to replace .
When I had one ( Portofino 35 ) the circulat ball valve in the bowl(s) needs to be clean .Any tissue paper trapped can cause a leak and the symptoms you describe as the vac pressure gently drops triggering the pump to restart .
A spoon full of olive oil was said to lubricate theses parts .
I paid S Seeker about €1000 once , for two guys + parts + French vat to completely overhaul mine when it was about your age .

When it’s time ( it will be eventually) to go again , buy another after few years of this boat ownership , you will know what you don’t want in the next boat .
Vacu flush bogs will figure high up on that list .
I know why SSkr do them because for newbies ( yes a S/ Skr was my first mobo too ) they best resemble a house bog .
In a house you have gravity working emptying the soil .On a boat no such thing and the vac bit is next best simulation.

So what’s the alternative I hear you ask , what’s everyone else say Riva , San Lorenzo , Ferretti , Pershing etc do ? Well they have electric macerators under the bowl and pressurised water feeds .Several manufacturers but they all share the same simplicity and reliability.
You press a button , no foot handles and the bowl fills as long a you hold the button and the macerator/ pump , pumps it to the black tank .
When its full the black tank you ( in my case ) simply press a switch on the dash when out at sea and another pump / macerator discharges it .No Y valve malarkey, no pressure leaks , no noise except when you flush , no midnight spurious motors running , no hissing from a leaky ball valve in the bowl.
The parts , the pumps , impeller etc are hanging on every chandlery wall , Jabsco for what looks like peanuts compared to vacuflush bits .

A couple more Porto 47 annoyances .
-That Waeco cool box cooler is a money pit .Never again .Next time you need another proper fridge .
-Folding cockpit table is too small , and a PITA
- The cockpit seat base height is too high by a few inches .More OAP Shackltons high chair hight as opposed to comfy sofa hight .
- Boat runs very bow high , you have to basically stand up to see out when planning
- Cream carpet soon gets grubby

Oh Yeh , pretty and well screwed together no doubt about that .
Those niggles will eventually wear you down.
But it’s a right of passage why not start with a Sunseeker and the world of vacuflush bogs ?

Many thanks for the wise words. I come from 20+ years of sailing and manual pump-out heads, but have made this transition now. As you say, let's see in 2-3 years. And interesting observations about the P47 - especially the high bow at planing speed.

 

[BruceK]

Sounds like you have a leak, mine will go all day and night without recharging the vacuum. I

Me, my wife and kids can never hang on that long to test it. You are either remarkable or a bucket and chuckit man.