Vacuflush circuit breaker problem

[pwillis@mail.com]

I have a 1999 Carver 406. The vacuflush keeps tripping the circuit breaker when I turn it on. I get about three rotations on the bellows and then it trips. I replaced the bellows and duckbills as well as the "O" rings. Has anyone changed from Vacuflush to another system? There are alot of moving parts on Vacuflush. Thanks in advance!!

[Viper]

It's a good system and not worth replacing IMO. The tripping could be due to a few things. Could be a bad breaker, bad connection, bad motor, worn pump bushings or cam. All of these are suspect and common culprits and just need proper diagnosis. Every toilet system design has its drawbacks. Unless you've had major issues over the years above regular maintenance items that ALL toilets have, 24 years is pretty good in my books.

[g36]

In my previous boat I installed the marine elegance head from raritan. It worked very well has a good flush which goes down very much like a household toilet. Heres a link to a company with a good price right now. Not exactly cheap but does work very well.......https://www.boatersland.com/rar2-2-1-hf ... EALw_wcB...

you could have a weak breaker in the electric panel you could take a look at . Will the motor run without connected to the bellows without tripping? The vacuflush system is pretty straight forward once you get to know it. I've really only changed duck bills and a couple toilet gaskets in 12yrs on my 405. Sorry your thinking of changing.

[pwillis@mail.com]

Thank you! The motor does run when not attached to the bellows, so I don't think it's the breaker or the motor. I'm the third owner of the boat, and I'm not sure what has been done in the past. I've read that it could be the pressure switch? The vacuum breaker? I'm not afraid of pulling apart, but it seems like there are sooo many things that could be wrong. Thanks for the Raritan link! I'll keep working on it! The other head on the boat is working okay, but it seems to run for a very long time while building up a vacuum.

[Viper]

Unless there's a short or poor connection at the pressure switch, I don't see how the switch would be the cause of the breaker tripping that soon into the cycle. The motor running when not attached to the bellows doesn't tell you much as it's not under any load. As mentioned, you also need to check the cam/linkage from the motor to the pump, and the bushing in the bellows arm if it's not new. If these are worn, it will affect the performance of the pump and load up the motor. Check all your connections including those at the pressure switch, breaker, motor wire connections, etc. Is there a knocking/thumping when the pump is operating?

How long is "a long time" for the other pump; 90 seconds, 5 minutes? That's a different issue but the most common cause is worn duckbills. After the pump stops, does it cycle on its own shortly after?

[pwillis@mail.com]

I'll check all of the connections like you suggested. When I turn on the switch at the toilet it makes about three turns and then the breaker trips. It's very quiet and the shoulder bolt and cam are very well greased. There's no noise. I'll try to post a pic later today. I've only had the boat about 3 months, so I'm just learning about this system. I appreciate your help immensely. Any suggestions will be helpful.

The front head just doesn't stop running. I turn it on, use the toilet, flush (and I hear the vacuum) but the pump continues to run. I turn it off after a few minutes. I'll start with new duckbills. I also thought about taking the front head motor and swapping it for the aft head to see if the motor is bad. Just another try I guess.

Thank you again!

[km1125]

You can (and probably should) swap the motors to verify it's the motor. I just helped a friend with his and he had the exact same symptoms. I tore the motor apart and the bearing at the base of the motor (near the brushes) was destroyed. I was able to replace it with a bearing I had onhand (it's the exact same size as the in-line skates use and that my furnace draft motor used... easily available and very low cost). He had bought a new motor ($$$!!!) in the meantime but now he has a spare.

Swapping the motors is not a real hard job and won't cost you anything to verify. Plus, sounds like you also have to get to that one unit to address the duckbills anyways.

(and I totally agree with Viper that it can't be the vacuum switch unless there's a wiring short there).

[pwillis@mail.com]

I'll keep you posted! I'm going to swap the motors tomorrow. Thank you!

[pwillis@mail.com]

It was the motor!! Now I need to replace the one in the front head. Does anyone have a link to a seller?

Thanks for your help and support!!!

[g36]

Here's one place. I would google some others to check pricing though....https://marinesan.com/pump-conversion-s ... /%20(4each)%202%22%20Duckbills