My son owns a 2006 Fleetwood Discovery Class A motorhome. A while back he had me purchase a Jabsco macertor pump for him on Ebay. When asked "why?" he replied he was tired of having to find a place to empty his holding tanks, and was going to take care of it at home by accessing a sewer cleanout in his front yard utilizing the macerator pump. I'm generally a little slow on the uptake, and usually a year, or so behind on technology, but this seemed like a really good idea. However, I'm also a procrastinator. Finally, after a number of my Newell friends announced they were assembling their own portable pumps I decided to get on with it. You can buy these portable units online for about $280....here is a link to one such system:
http://www.maceratorpumps.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=28
http://www.maceratorpumps.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=28
Instead of buying a ready made system I decided, like others, to purchase the parts individually and build my own portable system. I acquired a slightly used Jabsco self priming macerator pump on Ebay for around $46. In the pictures below you will see the assembled unit. I already had the Theftord connection (the white fixture at the top of the assembly--most Newells, and older Airstreams utilize Theftord fittings as opposed to Valterra. The Thetford fittings are much beefier, and have a slightly bigger inside diameter). I had to buy a couple of rubber connecting gaskets, a PVC elbow and a length of 2" PVC pipe to make connecting nipples. Additionally I utilized a rubber connecting gasket made for connecting garbage disposals to the under sink drain pipe. Finally I bought a Contractor's grade 3/4" inside diameter 50' hose to connect the pump to the sewer cleanout (most hoses are only 5/8" inside diamter). All told I spent less than $85!!
Since I just finished acquiring the final pieces today I haven't had a chance to test it out. The next time I bring the coach home I will fill up the black water tank with clean water for the test dump...that way, if something fails I won't be standing in 2 inches of poop...LOL!
This the the pumping unit fully assembled. 
The white fitting at the top is the Thetford fitting I must use to connect to the sewer connections on my coach.
I was able to utilize a garbage disposal connector to afix the brass female hose connection (near the switch).
Contractor grade hose
The hose is used to connect the macerator pump to this threaded cleanout fitting shown below.
The ubiquitous sewer cleanout
The hose connected to the pump.
The hose connected to the threaded cleanout connector.
Wow. How many people build their own?
ReplyDeleteIt took me a while to figure out what these were, as my sister kept saying I should get an emaciated pump. I couldn't find that online, anywhere.
Jennifer
Not sure how many build their own....I just happen to know a lot of engineer type guys (I'm not one of them) and they are genetically inclined to do this kind of stuff. The benefit to me is that I see how it's done and can then do it myself....I'm a pretty good copycat...lol!
ReplyDeleteThe kind of system I linked to is a "one size fits" all. I built mine to specifically work on my coach. The "one size fits all" systems involve two hoses which need to be stored...a 3" sewer hose, and a garden type hose. I only need the garden hose with mine.
I have my own built permanant unit on our GMC coach. Had to put my spare on last week while out in Quartzsite as my Jabsco ate two of the rubber teeth and would not empty the tank. Was a simple swap as I have an electric 12 volt gate in front of it to shut it off. I also kept the 3 inch opening for the hose in case I need it sometime.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment on the "haze" out here in Montclair, Ca. The mountains with snow are very beautiful behind us.
Dan