Carver Owners Forum

We just put our 2007 Carver 42 Super Sport back in the water and the head pump is running (the head tanks are empty). Any suggestions on how to get it to turn off. We turned the breaker off so it won’t burn out.

What kind of head? Vacuflush? Or?

my guess is the duck bill valves need replaced.

Lmancuso wrote:Source of the post We just put our 2007 Carver 42 Super Sport back in the water and the head pump is running (the head tanks are empty). Any suggestions on how to get it to turn off. We turned the breaker off so it won’t burn out.

If it is vacuflush then it is not making the vacuum setpoint for one reason or another...unfortunately there is not one easy answer......after spring commissioning you will have to check the system/pump/vac tank for ice damage, loose connections after the winterizing, the toilet seal etc etc as there could be many different causes......good luck with it....

Assuming it is vacuflush, I have rebuilt two units numerous times. If it is running constantly, it probably is not maintaining suction. You can put a gage on the generator tank and see if it is losing the vacuum. The leak could be in several places. joker valves need replacing or replace the uniseal (where the 90 deg. pvc elbow enters the tank) or the O rings at the vacuum switch. On one unit after testing all that, it was the 12 V motor that was worn out and needed replacing. If waste is leaking out the pump top (where the motor shaft drives the bellows), the bellows assembly and/or clamps are suspect. All depends on how much of a DIY guy you are. Having said all that, I have found excellent support for these at Ardemco, Inc. (800) 253-0115. Walt, Rick or James have been very helpful, with the attitude of start simple step by step an don't just throw $$ at replacing parts you don't need. If totally stuck, you can send the unit to them and they will fix it. They are in Costa Mesa, Ca. No kickback. Just boater helping boater. If you have another make unit, this may not apply.

If it's running by itself, I'll assume it's a Vacuflush. There are several possibilities but the simplest place to start is; does the bowl hold water while the pump is on? If not, start by replacing the bowl seals and see if that solves the problem. If the bowl holds water, the next obvious maintenance items are the duckbill valves on both sides of the vacuum pump. Short of those, other possibilities are a failed vacuum switch, bad pump, clogged plumbing, or a leak somewhere in system preventing it from building a vacuum.

Sure would be good if the poster would respond back