Bounder: Bounders With the SeaLand VacuFlush Toilet

[SarahW]

Could we talk about our... toilets?? Recent Bounders are "blessed" with the SeaLand VacuFlush toilets, which has concerned me since I discovered that's what we have (and too late after we had bought the RV). For the past 2 1/2 years we have had no problem with the VacuFlush, but I admit that I have "toilet anxiety" with every LOUD flush.

Currently we are in a beautiful Colorado campground 1300 miles from home and wouldn't you know...the toilet pump is beginning to behave differently and has made my life miserable for the past week. You know what I mean... you become accustomed to how something sounds, and then for some reason it suddenly sounds different?? ACK.

Well, until this trip--a typical flush resulted in the pump operating for 30-45 seconds to restore vacuum to the system and give the "green light". Beginning last week, our pump runs anywhere from 1 minute to 2 1/2 minutes with each flush. It's like it is struggling to restore the vacuum, though there are no other symptoms. No loss of water from the bowl, no running of the pump between uses... nothing. The system struggles to restore the vacuum pressure, but once it does there is no loss of vacuum. Could this be a vacuum leak or is it more likely a valve problem? (We have never replaced those "duckbill" valve things.)

Compounding my anxiety is the unfortunate location of the pump, motor, etc. on the VacuFlush system. This has been mentioned before...that Fleetwood installed this stuff in the middle of the belly of the Bounders, with very poor access for maintenance. My hubby is a thin guy, and he can barely get to the small compartment to see the pump/bellows/motor stuff. I have no idea how to get to that stuff to actually work on it!

I am tired of "toilet anxiety" and this has spoiled our vacation for me. There appears to be no way to convert this VacuFlush to a normal gravity toilet. I hope this doesn't mean the end of my Bounder love affair.

[Brian W]

Sarah,

I have noticed mine takes different times for the pump to turn off after flushing and it seems to coincide with the tank level. Don't let the toilet turn your vacation to crap!😳


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[DebbieMH]

I feel for you Sarah. Our Excursion had a problems with the macerator and it took two/three trips to the dealer to finally get it fixed. That is a problem with only one toliet. I hope it continues to function for you.

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by Brian W

Sarah,

I have noticed mine takes different times for the pump to turn off after flushing and it seems to coincide with the tank level. Don't let the toilet turn your vacation to crap!😳


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Brian--I will be the first to admit that I am prone to dramatics and that the smallest thing can freak me out. Compounding my anxiety is that we have VERY spotty internet connectivity on an "extended 1x" Verizon network, so I can't google everything on the internet about the VacuFlush. OMG!!!

We are heading home tomorrow so I hope the toilet will function until we can get back to civilization!!

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by DebbieMH

I feel for you Sarah. Our Excursion had a problems with the macerator and it took two/three trips to the dealer to finally get it fixed. That is a problem with only one toliet. I hope it continues to function for you.

Thanks, Debbie! I don't know why I get so freaked out, but jeeze. I made my hubby drive 40 miles to Walmart to buy a porta-potty, "just in case".

As for having one toilet, I think many RVs with two toilets have them on the same system, so if one "craps out," they both do. (I could be wrong about that and I often am. )

[Brian W]

The manual recommends the duckbill be replaced every three years. A quick google suggests this system is quite reliable.


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[flaggship1]

Hi Sarah. I feel like you have mentioned being in Co before - so I guess altitude is not the problem? Air is thin up there - could it take time to build up pressure?

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by Brian W

The manual recommends the duckbill be replaced every three years. A quick google suggests this system is quite reliable.


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I have memorized the manual and every tidbit I can find on the internet... while I have a connection. I believe that maintenance would be very easy if not for the VERY poor installation location. UGH. (And all the info I find seems to have to do with marine installations, haha.)

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by flaggship1

Hi Sarah. I feel like you have mentioned being in Co before - so I guess altitude is not the problem? Air is thin up there - could it take time to build up pressure?

Hey Steve. Actually, that did occur to me as we are at about 8100 feet. (Normally we are below sea level in Houston. ) We'll see what happens as we descend.

[Bajanbounder]

I have always had similar concerns about this system. When my unit was new the two toilets recycled in about 20 - 25 seconds. Recently that time was up to approx 1 minute, but I have noticed they are back to 20 seconds. It was like they were tired for about a month and have now refreshed themselves.
My 2012 35K is just 2 years young and anyone with information about this system could add to the file. I would be interested in knowing location of pump/vacuum ??, type of equipment and whether there is a spare servicing kit available. I would like to keep a spare should anything go wrong. We all know very well that RV's usually break or need service right in the middle of a trip somewhere.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
In fact any suggested spare parts for our units (Not $2000 worth) that should be carried for those little brittle parts would be appreciated.
I can do most minor repairs myself, rather than paying a service person hefty dollars.

I'll start the list:
Windshield wiper washer hose...about 3-4 feet from Home Depot or Automotive store....Mine went brittle and split en-route.

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by Bajanbounder

I have always had similar concerns about this system. When my unit was new the two toilets recycled in about 20 - 25 seconds. Recently that time was up to approx 1 minute, but I have noticed they are back to 20 seconds. It was like they were tired for about a month and have now refreshed themselves.
My 2012 35K is just 2 years young and anyone with information about this system could add to the file. I would be interested in knowing location of pump/vacuum ??, type of equipment and whether there is a spare servicing kit available. I would like to keep a spare should anything go wrong. We all know very well that RV's usually break or need service right in the middle of a trip somewhere.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
In fact any suggested spare parts for our units (Not $2000 worth) that should be carried for those little brittle parts would be appreciated.
I can do most minor repairs myself, rather than paying a service person hefty dollars.

I'll start the list:
Windshield wiper washer hose...about 3-4 feet from Home Depot or Automotive store....Mine went brittle and split en-route.

Hey Dave. On our 33C, the pump, bellows, etc. are in the passenger-side bay second to the rear. There is a VERY small access panel in that bay. For the plumbing, there's a removable panel under the bed. I'm not sure if your setup is the same for the mechanicals, but I think the "Y" for plumbing to your rear bath is under the bed.

As for the parts list, maybe you should start a separate thread so it won't get lost here in the toilet discussion.

[phranc]

Spare parts kit for vacu flush.
Maintenance Kit - Sealand
perhaps this will help at some time

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by phranc

Spare parts kit for vacu flush.
Maintenance Kit - Sealand
perhaps this will help at some time

Thanks for that! I noticed that the manual for the VacuFlush has a recommended spare parts list, too.

Do you have a VacuFlush in your Bounder? If so, have you had any problems with it? I'd like to know what we can expect.

[Think]

Originally Posted by SarahW

Hey Steve. Actually, that did occur to me as we are at about 8100 feet. (Normally we are below sea level in Houston. ) We'll see what happens as we descend.

Sarah,

Be sure to let us know what happens when you have descended.