Another head question?

[Gina Marie]

I have a 45C with a vacuflush. When I turn on my breakers 12V for my heads, my air vacuum pump goes on and stops appox 30/45 seconds later. I also have a pull knob in the head when this is pulled in the out position I hear the vacuum pump running. After I flush I push the knob in. What is the purpose of the knob being pulled out. If I have a vacuum flush system why do I need the pull knob. Thanks Gina Marie/Tom

 

[Genesis]

Leave the pull knob on all the time when the boat is in use. It allows disabling the pump when you will not be using the head, but do not wish to open the breaker (e.g. overnight) - if you have a small vacuum leak, the pump will cycle which some people find annoying (of course the proper course of action is to find and fix the leak!)

 

[Capt K]

One thing I did that was helpful and a money/time saver was to install a fuse at the pull switch. I did this because one of my pumps became clogged and caused a vac leak at the same time. The pump bound up and blew the motor. These little motors are not cheap, although they could probably be rebuilt locally. The parts guy gave me the idea of the fuse at the switch. It will blow quicker than the breaker.

The only annoying part is that sometimes a clog at the bowl will trip it (not too often) but this is much more acceptable than the alternative.

K

 

[Pascal]

if that switch doesn't have any effect after the pump stopped and the system is ready, then it's a night switch which some boat have to prevent the pump from coming on if vacum leaks at night.

so far, I've found these vac pump to be very resistant and not have any problem even if they are left runing a long time of clogged. once my son use paper towel (yes.. as in Bounty) and the pump was fully clogged. i turned it off after a while and had to dissasemble it to clear it but no problem.

that fuse shouldn't blow easily, unless it's marginal and blows when solids pass thru the pump belows?

 

[Capt K]

The fuse has only blown once or twice in over 8 years. It was definitely a time that would have given me a bigger problem. Good insurance for a little work and cost.