Okay, folks-- 14 months after having a new Shurflo macerator pump installed in my 2007 Roadtrek SS-Agile, it has failed! Of course, the warranty is only for 1 year. I am so-o-o careful in what gets flushed (no toilet paper, nothing which hasn't gone "through me" first, flush with lots of water, etc.) and I use Unique Digester in the holding tank each time after it is emptied. So, what gives? Having to replace the macerator every year is financially painful, not to mention it makes me nervous about considering long trips, if it's not reliable.
The repair shop was able to download the Shurflo (Model 3200) installation, operation and repair manual, where it states a warning: " Any air leak on inlet side can cause pump to run dry and can damage impeller and impeller housing. Check all inlet side connections, even those on deck plates. All runs should be smooth with no kinks or sharp angles"
This is the only possible suggestion of a problem, but I would presume the Roadtrek dealer who replaced the pump would have properly installed it. When the first one quit, the repair shop took it apart and could not find anything which could have damaged it. I suspect that will be the case when this one comes off. Has anyone else had these kinds of problems? I was told that because of the low ground clearance, there is no way to put in a gravity flow sewer drain, so it sounds like I'm stuck with this crummy macerator system. The $500 this will cost to repair would have bought a lot of fuel for summer travel... grrr!
Don't know what you mean by 'it failed'......and what was wrong with first one? "When the first one quit, the repair shop took it apart and could not find anything which could have damaged it"
I would buy rebuild kit before replacing the whole thing and repair it myself.
Replacement pump can be purchased for $110 and impeller kit for $44 on line.
I've used my macerator (Flojet) for several years......pumping 75' uphill, ran it dry for short periods, pumping toilet paper and don't use any tank chemicals.
I do clean impeller of stuck hair occasionally.
2007 RAM 3500 QC LB SRW 5.9L CTD 48re 4:10 4K in bed 'quiet genny'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
Hit the Road Free & Clear April '07
Old-Biscuit-- I'm a 60 year old woman who is not interested in crawling around under the van to rebuild the pump (!) even if I knew how. By failed, I mean that when I push the button to start the pump (on my van located at the base of the driver's seat near the driver's door) nothing happens! The repair man checked all electrical connections and they were fine--the pump simply doesn't run.
I sympathize with you, I have a 2010 RoadTrek 190 Popular ordered brand new, my ShurFlo Macerator also broke down on me, and was replaced with another.
A year later the second Macerator pump would not work, this happened while vacationing in St Augustine FL, and was taken to a RoadTrek dealership in St Augustine.
It was found that it was slightly blocked with toilet paper, paid over $250 for service. We use the RV toilet paper, use the proper chemicals, prior to dumping both Gray and Black holding tanks are filled with water.
After dumping I then fill the black tank with one to 2 gallons of water. I have been told by 2 RV service technicians not to deposit toilet paper in the toilet, rather deposit it in a proper container.
I do not deposit toilet paper in the toilet have a special container, and have had no problems with the Macerator Pump.
Also, have spoken with several RoadTrek owners who will not deposit toilet paper in the toilet. One of the service technicians I spoke to owns a RV with the Macerator Pump, he will not deposit toilet paper in the toilet.
I have since made an emergency secondary dumping method using the slinky gravity hose if need be.
I like the Macerator Pump, but still prefer the slinky gravity hose, I know of an individual who was interested in purchasing a RoadTrek seeing that it had a Macerator Pump he would not purchase it.
He purchased another well known Class B which does not have the Macerator Pump rather has the gravity slinky hose which can be attached and un-attached when dumping then stored in a compartment.
He also has a portable macerator pump which he can attach and un-attach in place of the gravity slinky hose.
Ron
Ron & Rose Cabral
Snoopy-Peanut-Daisy
New Bedford, MA
2010 Chevy/RoadTrek190 Popular
FMCA: 303873-02 ~K1RRC~ E-mail: RRCRT@aol.com
Okay, here's my suggestions. I have a Flojet, but, the Shurflo may be similar. Check the fuse in the button (handle?) on a Flojet it is a 20 amp fuse. Check that first. Then make sure you turn the impeller screw a bit to free it up. Again, on a Flojet it's behind a rubber covering on the end of the pump. Not sure this helps, but, hopefully it's a simple problem.
Dunno how long your hair is or what kind of screen is on the shower drain. But I wonder if your grey tank is sending hair to the pump, and it's getting wound around the impeller & shaft. That might overload the motor.
The fuse should probably blow, but there's an axiom in engineering that a $200 component will sometimes fail in order to protect a 50-cent fuse.
It should be pretty simple to dissect the old one if you still have it.
Jim, "I brake for tailgaters."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
Thanks everyone for your responses. I did get some suggestions from Roadtrek this morning, and will give those a try to see if it makes any difference. The new pump is on order, so the old one is still attached at this point. Will have it dissected once the new one is in place.
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