Gray tank does not drain through macerator

[vsheetz]

I've never tried mine without running it. Whenever it's used its pumping a distance or uphill.

[GKW]

Originally Posted by The Taj

I discovered I had same problem and neither tank would drain even with macerator on.



Tried everything including rapping on side of macerator. Finally decided to take the end cap off the nozzle that I’d left on when I stuck the nozzle into the ground connection

Did you have to stand back when removing the end cap and the pressure build up released? How did I know that?

[777 Driver]

As I understand it, there's a bypass tube that allows gray water to bypass the sani-con macerator pump when the pump is not running.


On my Anthem, the outlet from the macerator is plumbed to PVC that runs uphill from the floor of the wet bay to the small compartment where the flexible hose attaches via a banjo fitting.

In order for the gray water to run uphill from the bypass to the hose compartment and then out the hose, it either has to be under pressure (sani-con turned on) or siphon.

My guess (and it's only a guess) is that by briefly turning on the sani-con, a siphon is primed and the rest of the gray tank will drain by siphon.

It's only a guess, but, it's the best I've got.

Take care,
Stu

[Tom78418]

Yep, can’t argue with hydrodynamics, but I didn’t want anymore plumbing under the coach. Everyone I’ve talked to that did the mod where the connection is under the deck swears by it. I just managed to get the as-built to work, but no debate on my part. If you don’t mind the additional plumbing under the coach, and the as-built is not working for you under the deck is the best way to go.

[Rollin101]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

As I understand it, there's a bypass tube that allows gray water to bypass the sani-con macerator pump when the pump is not running.
Attachment 243063

On my Anthem, the outlet from the macerator is plumbed to PVC that runs uphill from the floor of the wet bay to the small compartment where the flexible hose attaches via a banjo fitting.

In order for the gray water to run uphill from the bypass to the hose compartment and then out the hose, it either has to be under pressure (sani-con turned on) or siphon.

My guess (and it's only a guess) is that by briefly turning on the sani-con, a siphon is primed and the rest of the gray tank will drain by siphon.

It's only a guess, but, it's the best I've got.

Take care,
Stu

There is no small tube on our macerator, it all goes through the macerator.

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by Rollin101

There is no small tube on our macerator, it all goes through the macerator.

Hmmm. Well, it looks like I guessed wrong. On a prior coach with a sani-con, there was, without any doubt, a gray water bypass tube.

My coach is in storage so I can't check until this coming week.

Sorry for the non-pertinent comment.

Take care,
Stu

[Rollin101]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

Hmmm. Well, it looks like I guessed wrong. On a prior coach with a sani-con, there was, without any doubt, a gray water bypass tube.

My coach is in storage so I can't check until this coming week.

Sorry for the non-pertinent comment.

Take care,
Stu

I just replaced my macerator and no bypass tube. Took the old one apart and there’s not much to them, just a sealed container with a pump.
PITA to replace.

[Matt D]

In this application, the bypass is for the Macerator itself. It will use the 3” drain through the deck and below the coach if pulled. If using the bypass, it is also reasonable to shut the Macerator output valve (if equipped 2017 and later).

Regarding extra plumbing below the coach, the Aquahot exhaust is directly in front of the wet bay and any road debris will likely damage that as well.

-Matt

[DeeGee]

Originally Posted by Magic-carpet

I wonder why they stopped doing it with the pipe below the wet bay? Were they worried about it getting ripped off from road hazards?

I have a 2018 and the pipe IS below the wet bay. No uphill climb here.

[Rollin101]

The way Entegra sets them up the macerator hose and probably the line coming into the small have a high probability of freezing. The way mine is now setup there is no chance of it freezing, everything from the macerator output valve on is completely drained and that valve is right next to the macerator.
As far as plumbing hanging down underneath mine is tight against the floor and there is very little chance of anything hitting it. Even it it did get hit a pvc union and a small section of pipe and you’re back in business. On a list of 100 things to worry about on a Mh that comes in at about 223 though.

[Podivin]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

Hmmm. Well, it looks like I guessed wrong. On a prior coach with a sani-con, there was, without any doubt, a gray water bypass tube.

My coach is in storage so I can't check until this coming week.

Sorry for the non-pertinent comment.

Take care,
Stu

Yep, mine has that same bypass tube. Maybe 4" of 3/8" or so tube, just long enough to go around the macerate from the 'in' hose to the 'out' hose. It's only big enough to let out a small stream, or a fast drip, of grey tank water.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by Rollin101

On a list of 100 things to worry about on a Mh that comes in at about 223 though.

Having seen several outside conversion, I would have to agree. I don't know why Entegra put the connection back inside after only one year with the 18 connections outside.

[Magic-carpet]

Originally Posted by brobox

Having seen several outside conversion, I would have to agree. I don't know why Entegra put the connection back inside after only one year with the 18 connections outside.

I agree, the connection and plumbing should be underneath. Makes you wonder why they do a lot of things the way they do.

[Tom78418]

I think there was an environmental concern as to why Entegra moved the plumbing back to the original design. Looking at the pictures, plumbing it under the deck doesn’t reduce clearance much more than the 3” sewer connection.

For now, we have managed to work with the existing design though it does take overnight to drain the evening’s dish washing and showers. Not sure exactly how long, but the tank is always empty when we get up in the morning now that we have refined the procedure.