Macerator woes!

[Mottie]

I wonder if @just pumps or anyone else can offer some advice. On our way out last night, I had a wee in the downstairs loo and flushed it. When we came back the house was in darkness, the main breaker in the consumer unit had tripped. By a process of elimination I narrowed it to the downstairs ring and further elimination by switching all plugs and spurs off, determined that it was the macerator. Something has obviously shorted out in there. It’s a Sani Slim. Is it a common fault? 7 years ago it was the capacitor that was replaced but that was a different problem (just humming) and it wasn’t shorting out then. Any ideas? Is it repairable or time for a new one and if so, can you recommend another slimline make (just the wc and hand basin as Sanislims are now £650+.

 

[just pumps]

Have you tried switching the power back on and seeing if the motor runs, if it doesn`t then add 2 litres or so of water to the pan. Does the motor run now, did it short out straight away or at the end of the cycle (all water discharged).

 

[Mottie]

Have you tried switching the power back on and seeing if the motor runs, if it doesn`t then add 2 litres or so of water to the pan. Does the motor run now, did it short out straight away or at the end of the cycle (all water discharged).

The instant I switch the power back on, the breaker for that half of the consumer unit pops. I don’t know if it popped straight away as the wc is near the front door and I flushed and went straight out. the water level in the pan is about an inch higher than it usually is so l'm assuming it cleared most of the flush.

If the oval diaphragm that operates the microswitch is leaking, could that be the cause of my problem?

 

[foxhole]

The instant I switch the power back on, the breaker for that half of the consumer unit pops. I don’t know if it popped straight away as the wc is near the front door and I flushed and went straight out. the water level in the pan is about an inch higher than it usually is so l'm assuming it cleared most of the flush.

You need to isolate the sani before turning on the power.

 

[Mottie]

You need to isolate the sani before turning on the power.

Sorry, I didn’t make myself quite clear. What I meant was that with the fuse pulled from the spur that powers the Saniflo (so the Saniflo is isolated) everything is working okay. Nothing tripping. The instant I put the fuse back in, it trips the main breaker for one half of the consumer unit.

 

[just pumps]

If the oval diaphragm that operates the microswitch is leaking, could that be the cause of my problem?

Yes it could be that in which case you will also need to remove the inners from the pressure chamber to release any water inside OR it could be the motor bearings/ motor windings are broken in which case it is time to replace the unit.

 

[Mottie]

Ah well, a strip out is on the cards then. I’ve locked the loo door to stop anyone accidentally going in there and I’ll get round to it when I have the time.

 

[just pumps]

OR the cable cland (top of the pressure chamber) has come loose letting water in that way.

 

[Mottie]

OR the cable cland (top of the pressure chamber) has come loose letting water in that way.

Took it out and stripped it down today. Yuk - considering it’s hardly ever used for number twos! Don’t think it was poo though? Anyway, Gloves, face mask and face shield on and I gave it a thorough clean out with my pressure washer.

Removed the diaphragm and water came out. Blew that out with some compressed air, fitted a plug to the cable, touched the microswitch and it worked fine. Had a good examination of the diaphragm and the cable gland and I saw no signs of perishing. Pretty sure no water could have got in past the diaphragm as that was sound, the oval 'O' ring was sound and the gland/rubber that covers the plunger that operates the micro-switch was sound too. I fitted a new jubilee clip to the cable gland.

Put it all back together, plugged it in and filled it with water from a hose and it started, pumped, started, pumped etc. All good.

I’ve blocked the basin inlet and I’ve filled it with water and I’m going to leave it full overnight to see if any water makes it’s way back into the electrics. @just pumps Can you think of anything else?

 

[just pumps]

Well, there is an O-ring on a joint under the red horseshoe clip but to be honest don`t I recall them failing and I really wouldn`t advise taking it apart.
Don`t suppose you noticed if the cable gland was loose in the slighest way before you removed it did you? Condition wise it looks about average considering the length of the pipe between pan and pump.
If you pierced your skin, even in the slightest, then I advise you to get a jab at the doctors to be safe and Yes it was Poo as you call it

 

[Deleted member 317777]

Took it out and stripped it down today. Yuk - considering it’s hardly ever used for number twos! Don’t think it was poo though? Anyway, Gloves, face mask and face shield on and I gave it a thorough clean out with my pressure washer.

View attachment 392160View attachment 392161View attachment 392162

Removed the diaphragm and water came out. Blew that out with some compressed air, fitted a plug to the cable, touched the microswitch and it worked fine. Had a good examination of the diaphragm and the cable gland and I saw no signs of perishing. Pretty sure no water could have got in past the diaphragm as that was sound, the oval 'O' ring was sound and the gland/rubber that covers the plunger that operates the micro-switch was sound too. I fitted a new jubilee clip to the cable gland.

View attachment 392164

Put it all back together, plugged it in and filled it with water from a hose and it started, pumped, started, pumped etc. All good.


View attachment 392163

I’ve blocked the basin inlet and I’ve filled it with water and I’m going to leave it full overnight to see if any water makes it’s way back into the electrics. @just pumps Can you think of anything else?

Fair play, but I’d have jusy swapped it for

https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/flo-force-max-macerator-pump-679-1252355

Seem to out last sani-flo

 

[Mottie]

Fair play, but I’d have jusy swapped it for

https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/flo-force-max-macerator-pump-679-1252355

Seem to put last sani-flo

That’s certainly worth thinking about.

 

[Deleted member 317777]

That’s certainly worth thinking about.

I’ve got one and it’s spot on.

I’m not sure on the depth, probably best to double check.

 

[Mottie]

Update:
After leaving it full of water overnight (which I presume is a lot higher than the level when it’s pumped out and at rest), I connected it up to the power and it pumped out. I’ll have to assume no water is getting into the electrics. Tried it again for several pumping cycles to be sure and it was all good:

Watch IMG_1481 | Streamable

Watch "IMG_1481" on Streamable.

streamable.com

I then refitted it back into place, a bit fiddly but I don’t like it on show plus it cuts down the noise.

Finished boxing up and it’s as good as new!

If it goes again, I’ll change it for the one recommended by Nwgs2.

 

[Deleted member 317777]

Update:
After leaving it full of water overnight (which I presume is a lot higher than the level when it’s pumped out and at rest), I connected it up to the power and it pumped out. I’ll have to assume no water is getting into the electrics. Tried it again for several pumping cycles to be sure and it was all good:

Watch IMG_1481 | Streamable

Watch "IMG_1481" on Streamable.

streamable.com

I then refitted it back into place, a bit fiddly but I don’t like it on show plus it cuts down the noise.

View attachment 392285

Finished boxing up and it’s as good as new!

View attachment 392286

If it goes again, I’ll change it for the one recommended by Nwgs2.

I never thought about boxing mine in like that!!

That’s better than below the pan