How I unplugged it WITHOUT removing hoses or getting face full of…never mind.
The very first time we took our (new to us) Camano 31 for a day cruise, one of the guest used the head. We gave only minimal instructions. Big mistake!
The toilet flushed and the bowl had only clear water afterward. Later, back at the dock, I heard the vacuum pump running. Normally it runs for 20-20 seconds after flushing to restore the vacuum in the system. I shut off the breaker and went home.
I researched online how the system works and decided that the inlet to the vacuum tank was plugged.
Back onboard I made sure the water pressure was off (the vacuflush uses domestic water for flushing) and used a small shop vac to clear the the water from the toilet. Then I opened the flush valve and pushed the vacuum hose in as far as it would go, sucking out a gallon of reasonably clean water. That didn’t solve the problem.
I reasoned that sucking a wad of toile paper backwards through a duck-bll valve would probably not be successful. I put the hose on the other end of the vacuum and pushed it down the hole as far as it would go, I switched the vacuum on and off a few times, moving the hose around a bit. There was a change in sound, indication success.
I switched on the head breaker and the pump ran normally, stopping a short time later, indicating the vacuum tank was clear. I flushed the head, and all worked as it should.
That wasn’t the end of the story. A few days later I tried to empty the holding tank with the macerator pump. The pump ran for a few seconds then slowed down and made a strangled sound. I reasoned that the wad of TP that pugged the vacuum tank was now plugging the outlet of the holding tank. I put some Digest-It Holding Tank Treatment I found onboard in the holding tank through the deck fill and went home.
The next day I tried the macerator again. No luck. Remembering what worked on the toilet end, I had an idea.
I found the wires that provide power to the macerator, one red and one black. They were connected with insulated butt connectors. I cut either side of the crimp connectors and replaced them with quck release spade connectors. Then I hooked up the wires BACKWARDS thus causing the macerator to work in reverse.
I turned the breaker on and pressed the macerator button, The motor labored for a few seconds than ran free! Success! I reconnected the motor in the correct polarity and tested the system. All clear.
No hoses were remove and I didn’t even get my hands dirty (I did wear long surgical gloves when clearing the toilet).
So next time? I won’t bother with the vacuum cleaner. I will use a regular home toilet plunger. Just shut off the vacuflush, water pressure, and step on the pedal while plunging.
We added a bin for toilet paper. I’ll make a sign about using which I hope guests will respect.
