Retro fit a macerator wc and black waste

[Bustup15]

Anyone done this to replace a standard Thetford cassette?
Is it possible?
Is it worth it?

 

[ceejayt]

Price list is on the link. I have the guy I dealt with direct email address. very helpful. Will pm you with it. System was around $300 plus shipping

 

[ceejayt]

Sending PM

 

[Lenny HB]

I can’t see why you would want to heat it. Whenever you lift the lid on ant septic tank, biodigester, or similar they are always very warm.

One reason is decaying black waste will generate some heat but also those tanks are below ground so will probably be at a constant 10 deg anyway.

 

[Lenny HB]

Don't forget to fit a vent as it could be fun if the tank exploded. SOG do a black tank vent, another problem for you getting it up to the roof, she won't be happy if you vent at ground level.

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[Bustup15]

Don't forget to fit a vent as it could be fun if the tank exploded. SOG do a black tank vent, another problem for you getting it up to the roof, she won't be happy if you vent at ground level.

All in hand. Could go one better than those dribbling grey waste if the black tank gets a puncture though

 

[Bustup15]

Bit the bullet last night and decided to go for it.

Ordered bits and pieces to make a mounting frame, straight and angle aluminium and threaded bolts, plus a motorised waste valve.

Just need to speak to CAK tanks about the feasibility of mounting an inspection hatch in the bottom before ordering the tank. Are there any other decent suppliers of tanks and fixings?

Decided to mount the tank underneath after much measuring and pondering - now on 4th design although I prefer to do that than start and find I've missed something important!

I found a 127l tank that will sit neatly between the main alko chassis legs so centre of van. Make an angle frame top and bottom along full width 1120mm with 4 support flat beams front to back 553mm and depth 228mm.
Line up with storage area above and drill through, mount flat spreader bars inside storage area that will extend across the alko chassis and nyloc nut from above.

Redirect grey water drain into black tank gravity fed and exit drain from the rear wall in 40mm not the underside due to clearance height concerns. CAK weren't keen on the idea as the tank would never fully drain but its macerated sludge not solids and as the drain is in the back of tank it would be simple to park on a slope or on levellers to give some additional gravity push and it will be flushed with 100l of grey!

The toilet waste and grey waste entry points I want to fit after delivery as they will come in through one of the voids in the chassis (hence wanting the hatch, plus allowing for any potential blockage or cleaning). They will be about 75mm from top of tank but as its a larger tank than anticipated I don't think thats an issue?

Anyone know what the supply feed to a Thetford cassette will be rated at?

Hardest job may be to fit a breather pipe to high level but may have a route behind the fridge/freezer/oven tower as there is already the oven pipe through the roof. Bit confused as to sizes of breather as all the roof vents seem to be for large diameter extract pipe?

 

[ceejayt]

All I can say is good luck, hope it works out for you. Not a job I could ever contemplate with my chocolate fireguard skill levels

 

[Bustup15]

All I can say is good luck, hope it works out for you. Not a job I could ever contemplate with my chocolate fireguard skill levels

Well if it doesn't work out there is one guarantee - the shit will definitely hit the fan

 

[Lenny HB]

Redirect grey water drain into black tank gravity fed and exit drain from the rear wall in 40mm not the underside due to clearance height concerns. CAK weren't keen on the idea as the tank would never fully drain but its macerated sludge not solids and as the drain is in the back of tank it would be simple to park on a slope or on levellers to give some additional gravity push and it will be flushed with 100l of grey!

Fit Full Air or EP jacks then you can tilt it at the press of a button, when I tilt mine on the Air it's surprising how must more water comes out of the waste.

Anyone know what the supply feed to a Thetford cassette will be rated at?

Not a lot, mine only has what looks like 1mm sq cable to the solenoid, I would fit much heavier cables as the last thing you want is the pump grinding to a halt full of poo due to volt drop. Even the small pumps take up to 12 amps. I would size your cable to achieve a max of 2% volt drop at max current.

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[Bustup15]

Not a lot, mine only has what looks like 1mm sq cable to the solenoid, I would fit much heavier cables as the last thing you want is the pump grinding to a halt full of poo due to volt drop. Even the small pumps take up to 12 amps. I would size your cable to achieve a max of 2% volt drop at max current

Wow - Dometic takes 20A!

I make that 8.5 or 10mm cable - does that sound right?

If so might pull a feed from the EBL to wc hatch position and install an additional connection for a spare pump as well on the same feed in case I need to pump uphill. They would never be on at the same time!

 

[Lenny HB]

Does sound a bit big but if you want to keep the volt drop right down, I think I would risk 6mm as the 20 amp will be the max normal running will only be a few amps.

 

[Bustup15]

Hmm. - see attached.

20A but 12 gauge? Thats only 4.0mm isn't it?

 

[Lenny HB]

20A but 12 gauge? Thats only 4.0mm isn't it?

About 3.3, manufacturers always appear to under size wires. I recently changed my submersible pump for a Shurflow pump, the wiring was heavier than Shurflow spec but the voltage at the pump when running is down to 10.6v. As the pump is only used for very short periods and works fine so I have left, part of the problem is a long cable run as the pump switch is at the top of a wall cupboard in the loo compartment.

 

[olley]

Don't know if anyone has mentioned this but you need to make sure that nothing but toilet paper is put down the toilet, if a wet wipe or similar goes down you will be stripping the pump down to clean it, I had to do this in Italy, the wife and daughter both denied all knowledge.
Another point with a shallow tank is possible poo build up under the toilet in the tank, it forms a pyramid. I have a stainless steel rod to poke down and clear it otherwise it will block the toilet, you maynot have this problem with a macerating toilet.
I rarely need to use my macerator which clips on to my 3" outlet because my tanks are above the chassis rail, so my outlet is about 2' from the ground, and that coupled with many more sites having ground level dumps nowadays.

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[ceejayt]

Should not have the pyramid problem with macerated toilet but strictly 2 ply toilet paper

 

[Bustup15]

Don't you love the Chinese quality control

Tested a new motorised valve prior to fitting.

Doesn't completely open but more importantly doesn't close completely either!

Took it apart before sending it back. Quite a simple arrangement with limit stops on a small pcb.
Decided to file some off to see if I could avoid sending it back, getting credit, etc.
Then some more, and more and more.

Got it to work eventually - see attached

The cut offs and the finished working example. Modified stops at 9 and 12 o clock and the originals at 3 and 6!

 

[Ditcha]

Don't you love the Chinese quality control

Tested a new motorised valve prior to fitting.

Doesn't completely open but more importantly doesn't close completely either!

Took it apart before sending it back. Quite a simple arrangement with limit stops on a small pcb.
Decided to file some off to see if I could avoid sending it back, getting credit, etc.
Then some more, and more and more.

Got it to work eventually - see attached

The cut offs and the finished working example. Modified stops at 9 and 12 o clock and the originals at 3 and 6!

View attachment 482583View attachment 482584

I found with the one i used on my waste had the same problem on the small circuit board reverse the plus and minus (red and black plug) and it worked fine opening and closing as should.

 

[Ditcha]

Plus if you have the correct valve size now I just bought a much smaller one as they all have the same motor, good to keep as a spare and cheaper. You can build the lobe up with arildite to hit the microswitch were you want.

 

[Bustup15]

I found with the one i used on my waste had the same problem on the small circuit board reverse the plus and minus (red and black plug) and it worked fine opening and closing as should.

Really?

Well there is another set of 'lugs' that I haven't butchered yet so will give that a go. Don't understand why that would make the difference though?

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[Ditcha]

Really?

Well there is another set of 'lugs' that I haven't butchered yet so will give that a go. Don't understand why that would make the difference though?

Yeah it's the way the micro switches are offset to each other reversing the direction it worked like you I was going to send it back but had a play about and sorted it, the second one was fine out the box.

 

[Bustup15]

Yeah it's the way the micro switches are offset to each other reversing the direction it worked like you I was going to send it back but had a play about and sorted it, the second one was fine out the box.

Will have a go tomorrow

 

[Bustup15]

Yeah it's the way the micro switches are offset to each other reversing the direction it worked like you I was going to send it back but had a play about and sorted it, the second one was fine out the box.

Reply from the manufacturer where I queried the issue.

Dear friends,
We have received your message. The solution we gave is: change your positive and negative wires.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, thank you.

 

[Ditcha]

Reply from the manufacturer where I queried the issue.

Dear friends,
We have received your message. The solution we gave is: change your positive and negative wires.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, thank you.

Must be a common problem, you would think they would check them though.

 

[Bustup15]

Must be a common problem, you would think they would check them though.

Checked the reviews and a number of buyers are complaining of the same issue.

Crazy that they haven't resolved it as they must get a high number returned via Amazon??

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[Ditcha]

Checked the reviews and a number of buyers are complaining of the same issue.

Crazy that they haven't resolved it as they must get a high number returned via Amazon??

Yeah you would I only paid £13.79 for both my 32mm ones all I needed was the motor to operate my existing internal valve so for the money I was willing to put up with a bit hassle.

They have very good torque for little motors through the gearbox.

 

[Bustup15]

Yeah you would I only paid £13.79 for both my 32mm ones all I needed was the motor to operate my existing internal valve so for the money I was willing to put up with a bit hassle.

They have very good torque for little motors through the gearbox.

You got a link for those?

 

[Ditcha]

Its was a while ago this is the thread amazon link first post.

Motorized waste valves

Thinking of adding this to the van, I know I am bored stiff and looking for another project but if any one is interested these are a excellent price on Amazon. DN40 Ball Valve DC 12V G1-1/2" Brass 2 Way Motorized Actuator Valve for Air Conditioner and Plumbing

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Ditcha]

Bustup15 some here on Amazon 32mm

Amazon product ASIN B07RXBLCWT

 

[Ditcha]

and here

Amazon product ASIN B07TVTCQNZ

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[Bustup15]

You got a link for those?

and here

Amazon product ASIN B07TVTCQNZ

Cheers,

Original now working correctly by swapping pos and neg and at that price a spare one ordered.