Electric toilet problems

[colind3782]

AND the current TMC website shows them at 18 amps for 12 volt models. ( 9 amps for 24 volt models)

Electric Toilets & Service Kits, - TMC TECHNOLOGY CORP.

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That's correct, it's 18 amps

 

[PaulRainbow]

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.

If the wiring condition/current rating is marginal, it will work OK when new, but the slightest bit of additional resistance to pumping can be enough to stop it working.

I'd agree with the suggestion of new wire, how long are they?

 

[colind3782]

If the wiring condition/current rating is marginal, it will work OK when new, but the slightest bot of additional resistance to pumping can be enough to stop it working.

I'd agree with the suggestion of new wire, how long are they?

Thanks Paul. The total length s 3m from the switch panel including a spur to the control switch. The leads on the pump are 14 AWG/2.5mm. Would I get away with that over 3m or do I need bigger. If I can find a bigger gauge here in Empuriabrava I'll use it but it will come down to what's available.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks Paul. The total length s 3m from the switch panel including a spur to the control switch. The leads on the pump are 14 AWG/2.5mm. Would I get away with that over 3m or do I need bigger. If I can find a bigger gauge here in Empuriabrava I'll use it but it will come down to what's available.

Really should be using 6mm cable Colin. If you cannot get 6mm, bigger won't hurt, although anything bigger than 10m starts to get a bit clunky for a toilet. If you can only get 2.5mm cable run two wires in parallel, for both the positive and the negative.

 

[colind3782]

Really should be using 6mm cable Colin. If you cannot get 6mm, bigger won't hurt, although anything bigger than 10m starts to get a bit clunky for a toilet. If you can only get 2.5mm cable run two wires in parallel, for both the positive and the negative.

Thanks Paul. Cable shopping in the morning!

 

[coopec]

Thanks Paul. The total length s 3m from the switch panel including a spur to the control switch. The leads on the pump are 14 AWG/2.5mm. Would I get away with that over 3m or do I need bigger. If I can find a bigger gauge here in Empuriabrava I'll use it but it will come down to what's available.

When wiring my yacht I've always used the charts published online. You say the distance is 3m (9+ feet) but you have to double it so that is 20ft. If you have a look at the chart for 20A you would need 8ga. (Since the macerator is DC electric motor and requires X3 times the amperage on start-up I went up in size of cable and fuse)

You can use the second chart to convert AWG/B&S to diameter (or area) of wire

I'm certainly no expert but I'm sure someone will correct me if I have overlooked something!

 

[coopec]

Thanks Paul. The total length s 3m from the switch panel including a spur to the control switch. The leads on the pump are 14 AWG/2.5mm. Would I get away with that over 3m or do I need bigger. If I can find a bigger gauge here in Empuriabrava I'll use it but it will come down to what's available.

You are working to a different set of tables? Where am I going wrong?

Mine state 14ga is only 1.6mm diam

Wire Gauge Conversion

Wire Number (Gauge)	A.W.G. or B&S (Inches)	A.W.G. Metric (MM)
11	0.0907"	2.304mm
12	0.0808"	2.052mm
13	0.072"	1.829mm
14	0.0641"	1.628mm

 

[PaulRainbow]

You are working to a different set of tables? Where am I going wrong?

Mine state 14ga is only 1.6mm diam

Wire Gauge Conversion

Wire Number (Gauge)	A.W.G. or B&S (Inches)	A.W.G. Metric (MM)
11	0.0907"	2.304mm
12	0.0808"	2.052mm
13	0.072"	1.829mm
14	0.0641"	1.628mm

Confusing gauge with area

 

[prv]

Where am I going wrong?

Mine state 14ga is only 1.6mm diam

We measure wire by cross-sectional area, not diameter.

Pete

 

[coopec]

Confusing gauge with area

Well I still don't get it! This is the table I uploaded in comment# 26

The area of 14ga is only 2.080mm Have they used a comma when they should have used a full-stop?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Well I still don't get it! This is the table I uploaded in comment# 26

The area of 14ga is only 2.080mm Have they used a comma when they should have used a full-stop?

You are using one chart in post #27 and a different one in post #28. In the UK we use mm2 not AWG

2.5mm roughly translates to 14AWG (there are no direct equivalents).

A Simple Guide on Cable AWG to Metric Conversions - Nicab

 

[coopec]

I have a fuse for every motor on my yacht. If the motor drew 15A I have used a 20A slow acting fuse to allow for the current on start up. Is this correct?

 

[coopec]

You are using one chart in post #27 and a different one in post #28. In the UK we use mm2 not AWG

2.5mm roughly translates to 14AWG (there are no direct equivalents).

A Simple Guide on Cable AWG to Metric Conversions - Nicab

Both tables in #27 and #28 are different but give the same results.

But your table gives 2.5 and I can't argue with that

The wording in the table "Approx Strading" should read "Approx Stranding"? If that is the case I can understand the equivalents are a bit vague as there is no direct equivalent (as you say)

 

[colind3782]

Well I still don't get it! This is the table I uploaded in comment# 26

The area of 14ga is only 2.080mm Have they used a comma when they should have used a full-stop?

View attachment 123594

Here in Spain, a comma is used instead of a decimal point.

 

[colind3782]

I've managed to find some 6mm cable so I'll run it through in the morning and we'll see if it helps.

 

[prv]

I must admit I'm slightly surprised to find that Australia uses American Wire Gauge. I thought they were more metric than us (kilometres on the road, etc) and that only the USA sold wire in AWG.

Pete

 

[coopec]

I must admit I'm slightly surprised to find that Australia uses American Wire Gauge. I thought they were more metric than us (kilometres on the road, etc) and that only the USA sold wire in AWG.

Pete

Both standards are exactly the same so we in Australia use them interchangeably.

Is AWG the same as B&S? Yes, they are identical. AWG (American Wire Gauge) and B&S (Brown & Sharp) are both American Standard Wire Gauge Standards.2 Nov 2019

 

[prv]

I’ve never heard of Brown and Sharp, but it’s clearly not the same as cross-sectional area in mm² which most of the world uses.

Is B&S the Australian version of AWG?

Pete

 

[coopec]

I've managed to find some 6mm cable so I'll run it through in the morning and we'll see if it helps.

I'm sure it will help but according to the table (above) you are still going too light.

For your 18A macerator and 20 feet you should be using 8ga (3.2mm diam/8.35mm² )

 

[coopec]

I’ve never heard of Brown and Sharp, but it’s clearly not the same as cross-sectional area in mm² which most of the world uses.

Is B&S the Australian version of AWG?

Pete

The size of cables can be expressed in:

Diameter, mm² , B&S, AWG and ISO. Have a look at this table.

How To Size Automotive Wiring | Auto Cable Size Calculators + FAQs

A quick check on eBay for electrical cable indicates that all the standards (except ISO) are used