Electric toilet problems

colind3782

colind3782

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Jan 2011
Messages
4,510
Location
Shropshire/Empuriabrava
Visit site
Does anyone have the same problems as me with electric toilets? Whenever the boat is left for a while, three or four months, the pump motor packs up. I'm just about to change my fourth pump in ten years. Is it me or has anyone else had the same problems?
 
colind3782 said:
Does anyone have the same problems as me with electric toilets? Whenever the boat is left for a while, three or four months, the pump motor packs up. I'm just about to change my fourth pump in ten years. Is it me or has anyone else had the same problems?
Click to expand...
Any post mortem examination done to determine the cause of them "packing up" ?
Could be a number of things.
 
colind3782 said:
Does anyone have the same problems as me with electric toilets? Whenever the boat is left for a while, three or four months, the pump motor packs up. I'm just about to change my fourth pump in ten years. Is it me or has anyone else had the same problems?
Click to expand...

Depends on the pump, but most of them have a screwdriver slot in the end of the motor.

I suspect its drying out & leaving the salt & scale behind thats jamming the impeller.

What do you mean by packed up ?

Best advice I can give is, turn off the the inlet seacock, flush the toilet through with fresh water before you leave the boat, a drop of cleaning vinegar in that water will acidify things & will help stop the scale forming.

If its a seawater flush loo, Do Not use any bleach, that makes it worse by forcing the scale out solution of the seawater.

If the lady of the house insists on bleaching, make sure it is flushed through with plenty of fresh water
 
Always flushed through with fresh water and vinegar before leaving. Tried manually turning the motor with the screwdriver slot but it still won't operate. I've taken the pump off and I'm going to have a look at it today with a direct power supply from the battery, although there is plenty of voltage at the last connection. Not enough space for a manual bog unfortunately which would remove the stress!
 
colind3782 said:
Always flushed through with fresh water and vinegar before leaving. Tried manually turning the motor with the screwdriver slot but it still won't operate. I've taken the pump off and I'm going to have a look at it today with a direct power supply from the battery, although there is plenty of voltage at the last connection. Not enough space for a manual bog unfortunately which would remove the stress!
Click to expand...
What make and model toilet?

Are you saying that you cannot turn it with a screwdriver or that it still will not run after turning it ?

Are you measuring the volts with load on the circuit or with no load . If the latter getting a normal reading means nothing. You could still have a bad connection or resistance in the supply, or even inadequately sized wiring.
 
I have a jabsco electric toilet and I think I need I need to change the seals ad water is getting In to the motor via the shaft and making the motor stick. jUst ordered a service kit. This may be the same problem you are having ?
 
VicS said:
What make and model toilet?

Are you saying that you cannot turn it with a screwdriver or that it still will not run after turning it ?

Are you measuring the volts with load on the circuit or with no load . If the latter getting a normal reading means nothing. You could still have a bad connection or resistance in the supply, or even inadequately sized wiring.
Click to expand...

It's a TMC toilet this time but I've had the same problem with a Matromarine and a Force 4.It will turn with a screwdriver but still will not turn under power. I have the pump off and I will try it with direct power and bigger cables direct from the battery tomorrow.
 
Wired the pump direct to the battery and it works so it looks like it's a wiring problem, behind a bulkhead and very hard to get at! Seems to be a high resistance somewhere.

Hold my beer, I'm going in!
 
colind3782 said:
Wired the pump direct to the battery and it works so it looks like it's a wiring problem, behind a bulkhead and very hard to get at! Seems to be a high resistance somewhere.

Hold my beer, I'm going in!
Click to expand...

I hope your electrical cables are heavy enough because those macerators are fairly high amperage.

LENGTH: 283mm
WIDTH: 119mm
HEIGHT: 97mm
Inlet / Outlet: 1-1/2" / 1"
Volts: 12V
Amps: 12 Amp
Flow Rate: 45.4LPM

(NOTE I have just noticed one at 16A)
 
Oddly, the pump turns when wired a bit more directly to the switch panel but won't turn when fitted back onto the toilet and I can't see anything snagging it. I've fitted a new control switch but it didn't make a lot of difference. It's strange how these things work fine for a year or two and then just stop working.
 
colind3782 said:
Oddly, the pump turns when wired a bit more directly to the switch panel but won't turn when fitted back onto the toilet and I can't see anything snagging it. I've fitted a new control switch but it didn't make a lot of difference. It's strange how these things work fine for a year or two and then just stop working.
Click to expand...
It's a boat! That's what happens

Corroded/damaged wire or connection somewhere.

Worth pulling in new cables, depending on length, minimum of 2.5mm better in 4mm
 
starfire said:
It's a boat! That's what happens

Corroded/damaged wire or connection somewhere.

Worth pulling in new cables, depending on length, minimum of 2.5mm better in 4mm
Click to expand...
I'm inclined to agree but all the connections and wires seem sound. I have a new pump and base coming from SVB, hopefully tomorrow so I'll fit the bowl to that and replace the wiring with something more user friendly and electrically efficient.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top