Fleetwood Bounder Macerator Issues

  • 09/09/2023 8:02 AM
    Message # 13252167

    Purchased 2019 Bounder 35K in March 2023. Had macerator replaced shortly after purchase. Still having issues. Macerator will function correctly for 2 to 3 days. Then for some reason will come to point where when flushing the vacuflush the macerator will not shut off. After letting it run for as long as 3  to 4 minutes, I shut it off. The next couple times I turn it on it has no vacuum and does not flush correctly. Then, after couple of flushes without it working right, it will suddenly decide to again work.

    Anyone out there ever encountered this or have any suggestions?

  • 09/10/2023 7:39 AM
    Reply # 13252391 on 13252167
    Pete Baker (Administrator)
    gary bonnell wrote:

    Purchased 2019 Bounder 35K in March 2023. Had macerator replaced shortly after purchase. Still having issues. Macerator will function correctly for 2 to 3 days. Then for some reason will come to point where when flushing the vacuflush the macerator will not shut off. After letting it run for as long as 3  to 4 minutes, I shut it off. The next couple times I turn it on it has no vacuum and does not flush correctly. Then, after couple of flushes without it working right, it will suddenly decide to again work.

    Anyone out there ever encountered this or have any suggestions?

    First you do not have a macerated system if you have a vacuflush.  You also have to add additional water before flushing solid waste.    And when the RV is in service, you don’t turn the master vacuum switch off. 
    per manufacturer, the vacuum pump runs about 60 seconds on average.   


    I also (personally) advocate the happy Camper powered treatment dissolved in a gallon of not boiling water  


  • 09/10/2023 3:29 PM
    Reply # 13252504 on 13252167

    In addition to the information provided by Gary, I suggest you Google an exploded view of your vacuum flush pump. When the pump runs excessively, it can be something as easy as flushing the duck bills (you’ll learn these terms in the parts diagram) with extra flushing. I just replaced my bellows and all four duck bills. Now it works perfectly. 

    You can also adjust the vacuum valve, which determines how much vacuum to build and run-time. These are very easy to rebuild. 

  • 09/10/2023 9:05 PM
    Reply # 13252570 on 13252167

    Regarding the comment from Mr Baker, everything I can find says it does have a macerator that is used to “grind” the waste from the 2 toilets before routing to the shared black tank.

    we always make sure there is water in the toilet before flushing. Also, if flushing solid waste, we allow the water to run for about 4 or 5 seconds after pressing the flush level just to provide some additional liquid.
    The only time we turn off the power switch is if the macerator has run for 4 to 5 minutes without shutting off.

  • 09/11/2023 8:47 AM
    Reply # 13252716 on 13252167
    Bill & Laura Johnson (Administrator)

    Gary,

    I suggest you call Fleetwood Customer Support 800 322.8216 and explain the situation to them.

    They can provide the electrical and plumbing schematics for your coach when you give them your VIN#.

    It will also assure you which systems are installed in your coach. There is often misunderstanding  as to the mascerator toilets vs the vacuflush system. They provide similar results but are vastly different in the way they do it. 

  • 09/12/2023 5:39 PM
    Reply # 13253590 on 13252167
    Pete Baker (Administrator)

    Gary, when we first got our RV we operated under the same beliefs.  
    However, a Vacuflush does not maserate.   That’s why the tubing is directing traffic through 2” lines. It creates a vacuum, sucks out the contents in the bowl and deposits the result in your black tank.  If your Vacuflush goes, you look for air leaks, duckbill valves, and pump seals.

    a maserating toilet grinds at the toilet and send the result’s through a garden hose size connection from the toilet to the black tank.  If a macerating toilet goes bad, you replace the toilet.

    my recent experience was replacing the pump seals on Vacuflush.  Hope you are  back on the road soon.

    Parts cost to fix your toilet is between $40 and $90.  Labor at General RV is one hour.  If you don’t won’t the dirty job fixing, $300+/- should set you right.

    Last modified: 09/12/2023 5:43 PM | Pete Baker (Administrator)

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