Has anybody considered installing a Macerator permanently?

[stevek]

I am talking about a permanent installation on a 350/450.
I am getting tired of messing the sewer hose, hooking and unhooking.
Has anybody installed one?
What are the plus or minus?

Amazon sells a kit.
Or what other options do I have? Thanks.

I have also seen home made jobs. They modify a garbage disposal. For example.
http://steampunkworkshop.com/diy-rv-macerator-pump/

[thestoloffs]

I am talking about a permanent installation on a 350/450.
I am getting tired of messing the sewer hose, hooking and unhooking.
Has anybody installed one?
What are the plus or minus?

When we were designing our 26' Mobility, we knew that Marilynn couldn't manage the 3" hose connections herself, so we had the factory install a Thetford box-mount macerator.

They ran a short "jumper" hose from the tank outlet to a 45 degree clear elbow mounted on the macerator intake. This way, if for any reason, the macerator went kaput, we could still use a 5' section of 3" hose (stored in the macerator compartment) and dump "normally".

Pros: Because of our rear-door wheelchair lift, we often have to face the opposite direction from the hookup. With a 21' hose that retracts to 7' length (and another 21' extension hose that we also carry in our hose compartment), we have 42' of hose length available and plenty of pumping capacity to reach that distance.

Since it's a smaller hose, Marilynn can manage the entire process herself. Now, that's my justification, in and of itself!

We also use the grey / black hose Y fitting to back-flush the grey water into the black water tank every time, and we only have to use the cleaning wand once a season to get our black tank completely clean.

Cons: It takes about 20-30 minutes to fully dump the tanks (5-7 mins. each for setup & disconnect, black tank, (2 times) back-flushed grey water from black tank, and final grey tank dump). However, if you're in a rush or in a line at a dump station, you can use the 3" hose and be done in 5-8 minutes total (setup, disconnect, and rinse the hose; black dump; and grey dump).

Hair and other items will eventually clog around the impeller, the same way that it can clog a shower or sink drain. When the macerator starts to run slow or make noise, you need to unbolt the pump and either take it apart yourself or have a repairman clean it.

[stevek]

Thanks for all the info.
I ended up ordering the one shown in my pic.
I may even modify it so it is portable, rather than permanent.

[jerseypete]

Hi Steve, I had a 12v mascerator system designed and installed by Bill at the factory in 2009.
Works great. I recently replaced the pump and installed a new one. No more hoses, just a garden hose. Pumps uphill, also into commodes.
If you are interested and can afford it, check with Bill about design and cost.

[stevek]

Thanks Pete.
I am still planning on installing my macerator and have been working on it.
But will not be done until the weather warms up.
In addition to the kit I bought, I also purchased the following.
At the discharge, will install the 90. I cut the end of the 90 off, for the 3" hose to slide on.
Then the 3" dia inch hose coupled to the pump with hose clamps.
The result will be a real "short" system. Will look real good and simple.