Rich D. wrote: OK, flame away, but I would not use a macerator unless I needed to pump uphill. The 3" hose is a simple, non-clogging device that will QUICKLY evacuate the waste tank. That is what is needed to draw all of the paper and waste down the hose to the sewer. The s-l-o-w-n-e-s-s of a macerator tends to draw off the liquid and leave solids behind. Sure, you can use $pecial fa$t de$olving toilet paper, (hate it), use more chemicals and purchase an electrical device (or worse, a water powered device that pumps good clean water down the sewer without even going into the tank to rinse it. But why? A quality 3" hose and fittings works just fine. It allows one to backflush the black tank with gray water and pretty much guarantees a black tank free of solids build-up.
A macerator pump does have its place in special circumstances but not, IMO for everyday use. The are a clog waiting to happen.
I agree (to a point).
First, I can see no reason to use a macerator for normal dumping. The 3" hose works fine and is a lot cheaper to use and maintain.
I use my homemade macerator pump at home, to pump to my dump station (into my home septic tank), so that I don'thave to hook on and move the camper. It is a little slower, but I'm usually doing somethnig else, so that isn't a big deal. I, also, think that pumping it into a septic tank a little slower has it's benefits.
I don't use the special, fast disolving toilet paper, and I have never (yet) had a problem with clogs.
I sure like the macerator pump better than my old method; a five gallon pail and a funnel. YUM!!!!!!!!!
05 Ford F-350 Lariat CC 4X4 PSD DRW Line X Retrax
02 Montana Big Sky 3295 RK (2) Honda EU2000is
When my grown kids were inspecting our new fifth wheel, one asked why we bought a trailer that sleeps 4. My reply was that we couldn't find one that sleeps 2!
We mounted ours with an adapter to the existing outlet so that if we had to switch back it wouldn't be a big deal.
After 2 years of heavy use (we use our rig about 2 weeks/month) never had a problem. We just make sure that we flush the black tank well (somethign we did with just the slinky too) and then use hot water in a backflush from the grey (we fil the grey with hot soapy water from the washer) and end up with clear discharge out of the black before we stop.
The good is that it is very easy, simple hookup, we have 40' (2x20') of hose so dont' worry about long runs or running out of slinky.
The bad is that it does take longer.
BTW, one thing that I do is BEFORE opening the black to dump it is to run the pump just for a second to make sure that it isn't jammed or shorted (hasn't happenedyet) before we start the flow...that way if there is a problem it's not going to be ab awful mess to switch back to the slinky.
The only downsize to the way we mounted it is that it isn't space efficient. This is due to the ability to disconnect from the existing oiutlet and also that I wanted to be able to easily get a screwdriver to the back of the unit in case it jammed.
If you put one in make sure that you have the right gauge wire on a direct hookup to your 12V (and fused of course).
The macerator itself is a shurflo and I bought the other pieces from emptythetanks.com (I think that's the correct address).
2006 CC Allure 40' Quad Slides Tag Axle Cummins 400
2004 Honda Element EX/AWD Toad; Blue Ox Aventa II/USGear
MS S&P/EVDO
FMCA
I, on the other hand, am sick to death of waiting in line at ANY dump station, and access to the sewer lines at home was/is not economically feasible. Thus the reason for the purchase. I bought the Shur-Flo @ CW a couple years ago. I raise the right side of the MH so everything moves to the waste gate side of the tank. I am able to take my time, not waste anyone else's time in line, and the flush king takes care of and solids build up. Sure works for me.
See ya out there!!
Hooliville member #128
Gary & Lynne.
'04 Dolphin 5320 WH-22
370W. Solar.
22' Mighty Mover Trailer,
60W. Solar.
Sand Sprite 4. 2.3L EFI sand buggy
'04 Polaris Predator
'84 Jeep CJ.
Golden Lab "Annie" for both of us
RV Sani-Con system is great. I have a dump station at home that is level but I'm on the road 7 months a year. I have encountered one dump station that was upgrade so the macerator pump was well utilized. It came with my coach but I think I'd order it anyway since it does do what it was designed to do. I had a large sheet metal screw (thanks Monaco craftsman) lodge in my pump and stopped it dead. It was nice to be able to connect a garden hose to the discharge hose to push all the stuff back into the black tank. The pump was clean when I took the outlet hose off to remove the screw.
The Fireball wrote: We have a Sani-Con. Ordered it with the coach. Won't leave home without it. It will be more of a present for you than DW.
Funny, I never have seen a female do the dumping. How come the guys get to have all the fun?
Travel Safely.
My DW always does the dumping, and all other preparation for moving.
Packing when we leave, and unpacking when we arrive, all hookups.
She says, "You do all the driving, it is the least that I can do."
Having a younger, helpful, understanding wife, is a blessing....
Bob & Nadine 1984 Allegro 23 feet, always at home!
Living Life With a "Golden Age Passport"
and Thousand Trails VIP Membership, Priceless!.
Just picked up a new Floject macerator system on Ebay. Havn't had the chance to use it yet. I will try it at the CG Before trying to empty black tank at home.... I just don't want an audience. HOpefully this removes the need for a "Hose spreader"...
Happy Travels!!!
Smooth Roads!!!
2006 Damon Challenger 372F Triton V10
2007 Ford Edge
I use the Sani-con system quite often. I'm in need of a new slinky 3" hose as I guess I have a cheap one and it's leaking in several places. My Sani-con hose is longer than my current slinky so sometimes that determines which one I use.
I finally learned to use the back-wash system that is built into the coach. Wow, that works well!
MM.
Mr.Mark
2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42ft., 4 slides, 425 hp clean-air Cummins diesel
2007 Honda CR-V EXL, AWD, w/Nav and the M&G braking system
I installed a Sani-Con system last year on my '02 HR Ambassador after reading that Monaco was offering them as an option. At the time, Sani-Con had an FMCA special package price in teh FMCA magazine. Installation took only about 30 minutes and I loved it. I was glad to see my '07 Scepter came with one factory installed.
We have the RV Sani-Con system on our 2007 4528 Mountain Aire. I used the slinky thing for a while but after a friend demoed the macerator, I was sold. It is totally painless and sanitary. We camp a lot at friend's homes, so having a way to pump 100' into a sewer is fantastic. Also, with the 45 footer, a lot of dump stations at state parks are simply impossible to reach without a 20 foot hose, so the macerator works for us. Never had a problem, never worry about wearing gloves or getting messy.
It's well worth the expense for this accessory.
2007 Mountain Aire 4528
2006 CRV SE
Based in Memphis area
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and Missy 
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