Clogged hose ideas

[SEVEN]

My center head pumps plenty of fresh water into the bowl but it will not suck it out. I remote Galley Maid pump and rebuilt it with new stators and re-installed. Same issue. I spoke to Raz and Jim told me I have a clog in the exit line that leads to the holding tank. My original thought was to replace the hose completely which is an all day job. I then thought to try a snake to try to clear. If that fails I was going to pour Muriatic acid into the hose. Has any one tried any of this ideas? If so can you let me know what worked. Or if you have any other thoughts. Thanks in advance.

 

[oscarvan]

My center head pumps plenty of fresh water into the bowl but it will not suck it out. I remote Galley Maid pump and rebuilt it with new stators and re-installed. Same issue. I spoke to Raz and Jim told me I have a clog in the exit line that leads to the holding tank. My original thought was to replace the hose completely which is an all day job. I then thought to try a snake to try to clear. If that fails I was going to pour Muriatic acid into the hose. Has any one tried any of this ideas? If so can you let me know what worked. Or if you have any other thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Have not had the pleasure on this boat. But you said thoughts welcome so I would wait until the last chance with the acid. Snake would be my first shot. Specifically an electrician's snake. Be mentally prepared for the fact that the hose has collapsed internally and no amount of blunt trauma or chemical warfare will save you from replacing it.

 

[SEVEN]

I’ll also try the electricians wire puller are well.

 

[jmooney]

I have tried Sew Clean recirculated through the hose with a pump. Worked for a awhile (2-3 months) , then it plugged, maybe from loosening the deposits , so badly that it held 80 psi air pressure. This was truly disappointing. Then a new hose fixed all . First time I changed a long hose , it took me 3 weeks, this included painting the bilge . I cut extra hatches and greatly enlarged others. Now it’s a day or two . Check the hose fitting on the discharge end of the pump. I have had them completely clogged with hard deposits. Oscar’s statement about an internally collapsed hose is is something to take to heart .

 

[Jammin']

Then a new hose fixed all. First time I changed a long hose, it took me 3 weeks, this included painting the bilge.

Ha, ha! You said a mouthful there. That's every project of mine.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Consider vinegar and a large shop-vac drawing back.
Don't pour any acid down there. It has to come out some way. Hopefully not on you or in your eyes unexpectedly.

 

[SEVEN]

It’s either going to be the plumbers snake or replace the hose completely. I’ll start using vinegar as a monthly solution.I plan on working on it Tuesday and Wednesday. I’ll keep everybody apprised as to my findings.

 

[kingsley_oasis]

I had same problem, replaced hoses still problem, turned out to be the 90' fittings on top of tank had hard deposit inside reducing diameter to 3/8". Replaced fittings and no issues for 6yrs. Had to use heat to get fitting loose.

 

[Captain Ralph]

I had same problem, replaced hoses still problem, turned out to be the 90' fittings on top of tank had hard deposit inside reducing diameter to 3/8". Replaced fittings and no issues for 6yrs. Had to use heat to get fitting loose.

I have witnessed this and is a great idea to check into this soon.

 

[Captain Ralph]

I remote Galley Maid pump and rebuilt it with new stators and re-installed. Same issue.

I have also witnessed good looking and new stators not pump correctly and clogged priming tubes.
Did this setup work before the pump work or the pump was suspect when the system stopped working?

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Rusty, did I understand you to say you remoted the pumps? If this is the case, it may be the lines before the pump(s). I would suspect the lines would much more easily clog if the solids aren’t ... errr... processed by the pumps’ waste ends. Is this a possibility? If so, you might consider replacing hoses, where possible, with PVC pipe. In the meantime, apply the vinegar, eat a high fiber diet and tell your wife to lay off the stool softeners.

 

[SEVEN]

Going to re-install on Wednesday. I’ll check that hose but it seemed to have water flowing out of it when I disconnected it. However I didn’t pay attention to how much. Once hooked up I plan to run a short hose from the discharge that goes into the holding tank into a bucket and test it for flow and pressure. Thanks for the idea on PVC.

 

[SEVEN]

Just an update on the clog line issue. Thinking it was the pump I rebuilt it. That wasn’t the issue but now I have a newly rebuilt pump. Found the waste hose from the pump to the holding tank completely clogged. I tried to flush it out with Sewclean for 24 hours. Then I tried to snake it. Still no help. That’s when I decided to replace the hose completely. I found the hose was 1/2 clogged with hardened TP. If I can pass on any information that would help anybody not have to do this task. Flush the toilet at least once a week for 5 to 10 seconds. If you can’t do it once a week flush it for about 10 to 15 seconds to completely clear the lines. The center head is used strictly by my granddaughter, she had not been to the boat in over a month and a half due to schooling, and what happened is the TP dried inside the lines completely and would not absorb any water. I hope this helps.

 

[Pettigrewr]

When wet toilet paper stays in the hose for an extended amount of time and dries out, it turns into paper mache!
I spent all day yesterday clearing it out......what a crappy experience!. First mistake was using a snake down the toilet to try and clear the line. Guess what? Could not pull the snake back out. Why? It went thru a duck-bill valve which only allows one way traffic!. My lessons learned is #1 no snake in a Raritan Crown commode and #2 flush them toilets regularly (at least every other day) to keep both the water line and waste line clear and vinegar down the commode at least once a month!
My other two heads are Atlante Freedom Vortex with lectrasans. Can't wait to clean and change electrode plates! LOL! (well, probably curse out loud while wearing a clothespin on my nose!)

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Rusty, glad you found the issue. I had that problem in a different location. My master head worked well sometimes and other times not so. Finally pulled the toilet and found an LED light lens had fallen in the bowl. Thankfully, it didn't pass to the pump. Nor would not be suctioned back up. As a result, a wad of TP built-up in the 3" line before the pump. Add some rebar and that stuff would be great for foundations or maybe hydro-electric dams. Dams up well enough, right?

I believe your advice to super-flush is sound. I also believe that regular, maybe semi annual 24 hour, white vinegar treatments might help make the hoses just a bit less prone to catch TP, etc.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

In 15 years, I've only had to work on one of my 3 Raritan Atlantes. The motor would not run. I pulled the toilet and opened up the macerator chamber and immediately saw the problem. There was a nickel caught between the blades!! I don't know if it fell out of someone's pocket or if they ate it!

 

[Boatsb]

In 15 years, I've only had to work on one of my 3 Raritan Atlantes. The motor would not run. I pulled the toilet and opened up the macerator chamber and immediately saw the problem. There was a nickel caught between the blades!! I don't know if it fell out of someone's pocket or if they ate it!

A Nickel? Sounds like your guest had a cheap snack.

I sell a bunch of those heads. I'm going to share that story with the people at raritan if it's OK.

 

[SEVEN]

In 15 years, I've only had to work on one of my 3 Raritan Atlantes. The motor would not run. I pulled the toilet and opened up the macerator chamber and immediately saw the problem. There was a nickel caught between the blades!! I don't know if it fell out of someone's pocket or if they ate it!

Ate it. Now that’s funny Sky.

 

[Pascal]

The best preventing maintenance with hoses on fresh water heads is to flush for longer than necessary so stuff doesn’t sit in the holes. I know we re often limited by holding tank capacity but the more fresh water you flush the better. One of the often claimed benefits of Vacuflush is the low water usage but the results are heavy deposits in the hoses

Couple of weeks ago I had to replace a check valve on a 10 year old headhunter head. I was amazed to see that the pipes and the valve looked like new inside, no deposits all clean... then I realized that headhunters use a lot of water and pressure to flush. I have started using a lot more water when flush my Raritans.

 

[oscarvan]

Ate it. Now that’s funny Sky.

In college we played "quarters"........

For those not familiar two of us are on opposite sides of the table with a cup 1/4 or 1/3 or 1/2 or FULL of beer (depending on the hour) We take turns flat bouncing a quarter in each other's direction with the objective of landing it in the opponents cup, upon which he/she (oh yes) has to consume the contents and then fish out the quarter...... unless you go "bottoms up" a little too enthusiastically and then.....

I never saw it again.