An RV macerator pump makes the black tank dumping easier for you, especially when camping in a remote location and no disposal site is available nearby. Contrary to the tank’s gravity-based emptying, the macerator uses electric power to pump and grind the solid waste into fine pieces.
How to Use RV Macerator Pump 120 Volt? You can use the RV macerator pump 120 volt by connecting the macerator with the black tank drain using appropriate size coupling. Next, attach the hosepipe of sufficient length with the pump to the disposal site. Next, connect the 110-120VAC power supply from the inverter using an external power outlet or extension cord. Open its drain valve and turn ON the macerator. The next step is to turn it OFF after emptying the tank. Finally, remove the pump and sewer hose and wash it for future use.
We will discuss the easy-to-use procedure of emptying the black tank with the help of a macerator. It will help you do this distasteful task in no time instead of a stinky slinky sewer hose without a macerator.
Why do you need an RV macerator pump?
RV macerator pumps are becoming popular in the RVing community for their compact size and facilitation in draining the waste tank. Like a grinder, it breaks down the contents of the black and gray tanks into a slurry that disposes quickly and has better environmental effects.
Moreover, due to the pumping force, it helps to push the waste slurry to longer distances as compared to conventional gravity-based emptying of the tank. Its handling and storage are easy during a camping journey due to its compact size and smaller diameter sewer pipe compared to 3-4 inches wide hosepipe.
Moreover, you don’t need to keep the hose pipe in a specific position to maintain the slope towards the drain as the pump pushes it using electric power. It gives a neater way to dispose of the waste tank without any stinky odor or spillages during the procedure.
Easy Steps to use a 120V RV macerator pump
Using an RV macerator, either permanently installed or portable, is a simple procedure. It’s a simple plug-and-play kind of arrangement with points for hosepipe and fitting with tank drain already available.
However, as a precautionary measure and personal hygiene, use gloves to cover your hands. Here is a sequence of steps to follow to empty the black and grey tank of your RV within minutes.
Connect the pump with the black tank
The first step is connecting the macerator with the black or grey tank you want to drain. Next, remove the cover from the tank drain assembly.
Most of the pumps have bayonet connectors or other kinds of couplings attached. Directly connect the pump with the drain point and rotate it to lock both. To prevent damage to the tank fitting, some people also use separate coupling permanently mounted on the tank, and you have to plug in the macerator.
Use it with care as extra stress put by the connector can produce cracks on the drain. Once broken, it will cause leakage during every emptying procedure.
Attach the hosepipe
The macerator pump has a fitting on its side near its coupling with the waste tank to connect the sewer hose pipe.
The size of the coupler can vary from 1-1.5 inches, depending on the size and motor ratings. Suitable quality pumps have metallic fittings made of GI or CI for a stable connection. Connect any rubber pipe or garden hose pipe of the matching diameter with the pump assembly.
It is relatively easy to handle compared to large size 3″ -4″ used without the macerator. After attaching the pipe, use a hose clamp to secure it in its place as, during pump operation, high-pressure water flow can cause the line to go away, resulting in a messy situation.
Arrange the power supply
You will need to arrange for a 110-120VAC power supply to turn ON the pump. Hardwire the pump with an 8-10 meter long wire and attach a plug compatible with power outlets outside your RV to save time.
Rating of the wire, circuit breaker, and fuse protecting the circuit depends on the size of the pump and attached motor. Typical ratings are 300-600 watts that require a 5-10 amp circuit breaker.
Turn off the other power-intensive applications like a hairdryer, air conditioner, or dishwasher to prevent overloading the power circuit using this pump.
Operate the pump
It is the step involving the actual operation of the pump. Before turning ON the pump, make sure to open the drain valve of the black or grey tank. Running the pump without opening the drain can result in its heating or burning.
Next, insert the sewer hose to the appropriate disposal point, including a dumping station, toilet, sewerage line, or any other suitable place not prohibited by the government.
Turn ON the pump, and you will see waste flowing through the hose pipe. Keep an eye on the transparent drain point of the tank to observe stoppage or any blockage of water.
In case of any problem, it is safe to turn OFF the pump and turn it ON again. If you hear a strange sound, check for a macerator blade for any solid object or metallic piece harmful to them.
Turn Off the RV macerator pump
Turn OFF the macerator when you observe no wastewater coming out of the waste tank drain.
To clearly see the wastewater exiting the tank, you can use a clear or transparent elbow between the pump and tank. You may need to turn it ON/OFF 2-3 times to dispose of the remaining water in the sewer hose.
Few of these pumps have points for connecting a freshwater source. However, it allows you to wash the tank after emptying it. Washing it with fresh water will remove any debris or slurry on the bottom that can reduce its storage capacity.
Cleaning of sewer hose and macerator
After completing the black tank cleaning procedure, the next step is to wash the pump and sewer hose for storage purposes.
Then, run the freshwater through the macerator and connected pipe to clean them of any waste particles and prevent any smell. Keep them for drying and then store them for future use.
Why would you use a 120VAC macerator instead of a 12VDC?
Despite the abundance and economical cost of a portable 12VDC macerator, some people prefer working on 120VAC. The few possible reasons are as follows.
The presence of the inverter with external outlets on every RV makes it possible to connect the pump directly without any additional wiring arrangement.
Moreover, DC pumps have small sizes and are not feasible for use with large RVs or motorhomes. They heat up quickly, resulting in shutdown by the protection switch. AC pumps have large, powerful motors completing the job quickly without any heating problems.
AC pumps have large heads and can push the waste over long distances and even uphill without damaging the impeller.
You can buy a 12VDC macerator in the price range of $100-$250 while 120VAC will cost you $700-$800, but still, RVers prefer it because of its heavy-duty nature and the time saving it provides.
Is it necessary to flush the RV black tank during emptying?
During emptying the black tank, initially, the wastewater comes out. In the end, solid waste settled at the bottom of the tank started coming. It can cause the macerator to choke, resulting in its overheating.
Therefore, you need to connect a clean water source with a drain. In case of a blockage or after cleaning procedure, turn OFF the pump and open the valve for freshwater. Wait for 20-30 seconds and start macerating again.
Repeat this procedure until you see clean water coming out of the RV tank drain. Backflushing the tank during its emptying operation is vital to enhance its useful life and prevent stinky odor due to the accumulation of terrible solid waste.
Can running a macerator result in a blown-out fuse?
If you connect the macerator with appropriately sized wires circuit breaker and fuse, you will face no such problem as a blown-out fuse or burnt wire.
However, in the case of underrated components, you should keep spare fuses to resolve the issue. Moreover, clogging of its blades can result in the overheating and overloading of the electric circuit.
This will lead to a damaged circuit breaker or a blown-out fuse. Keep checking the pump during operation and turn it OFF immediately in case of any such problem.
How often do you use a macerator to clean the black tank?
Keeping the waste in the holding tank for a prolonged time is a source of waste residue buildup inside it.
Moreover, it can also accumulate on the tank’s level sensor, causing it to show a false reading. Therefore, I practice cleaning the RV tank every 3-4 days even if it is not full. It also helps me to control the foul stinky smell due to the waste tank.
Therefore, it is good to regularly macerate the waste tank to prevent damage to the tank and waste of water for cleaning a cloggy and stinky one.
What is the order of macerating black and grey tanks?
Most RVers have confusion regarding the cleaning of black or grey tanks first. So the answer to this question is to macerate the black tank before the grey tank.
The reason behind the order is that the grey tank has water from the kitchen sink or dishwasher that is relatively cleaner and less stinky than the black tank.
Therefore, cleaning it afterward will wash the macerator and sewer hose of any waste particles from the black tank. Consequently, you can store it after use, saving time and clean water required for their washing.
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