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Old 12-13-2005, 01:56 PM   #1
rockerga
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Default Macerator pump or sewage hose???

I was just wondering if the macerator pump and standard garden hose was the way to go versus all the other standard sewage hoses, fittings and such? It appears to be a great fix for a number of things. Is there a fitting for dumping while at a campground with a standard size garden hose?

The storage issue due to the vastly difference size of the hoses and the ease of cleaning each type seem to be the two worst parts of this "issue," but I am new to all this and so I am asking the veterans here their opinions.

I pick up my 2720SL on Saturday (YEAHHH) and this is about the last question I have for this wonderful board. (Until Saturday afternoon!!!) I would prefer to start-out correctly so I would not want to purchase 30' of hose and fittings if I would have preferred the macerator option.

Thanks in advance to you all.
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Old 12-13-2005, 02:08 PM   #2
Bill & Lisa
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I believe the macerator pump is part of the Thetford toilet vice a seperate device but could be wrong. One part I know I can answer is that there is not a connection of the garden hose size for dumping waste. The connections on the TM are the same as on a regular TT - 1 outlet connection near the rear on the street side of the TM. Individual valves control wether you are dumping the toilet ("black water") or the Grey Water tank. Hope that helps.
Bill
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Old 12-13-2005, 02:16 PM   #3
ripp1202
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Love this hose and fittings http://www.prestofit.com/SubPages/UltimateSewerKit.html
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Old 12-13-2005, 02:30 PM   #4
Bill
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Rock -

Some people swear by a macerator pump, but not many. Let me be clear - there is nothing wrong with a macerator pump. Nothing is hurt or compromised by using one. But as near as I can tell, its only advantage over a conventional gravity-drain accordian hose is that it can pump uphill if the sewer inlet is above your trailer's outlet.

In the normal situation - the sewer inlet is below the trailer outlet - you find the following. Whether you have a pump or not, you still have to deal with a wet hose (yech!) If you have a pump, you deal with a length of garden hose; without a pump, it is a length of 3" accordian hose. Either way, you have to dig the hose out of its storage spot, uncoil it, connect it, do the draining, rinse the hose when you are done, and stow that wet slimy snake. No one will pretend that either one is fun. Disposable latex gloves help a lot.

Of course, if you drain through a garden hose, you must be VERY SURE that you don't mistake it for the fresh water hose (think about setting up in the dark on a rainy night). You must store it in a location separate from the fresh water hose, just as you do a 3" accordian hose, so the dribblings don't contaminate the clean hose or anything else. And in addition, you must drag out the pump, connect the hoses to it, and make the electrical connections to it. I'm having trouble seeing this as "easier", but as in many things like this, YMMV (your mileage may vary).

Returning to the beginning - IF you have to drain uphill - or IF the sewer inlet is a long distance away from your trailer - then a pump might be the best solution. You won't encounter this situation much on the road, but it might occur if you get home from a trip and have to dump into a sewer inlet in the front yard. I have considered buying a macerator pump and hose, and leaving it in the garage.

By the way, there is no need to deal with a long length of 3" sewer hose on a regular basis (I think you mentioned 30 feet!). I bought a 25' length of 3" hose, cut it into two pieces (8' and 16') and put fittings on both ends of each one. In almost every case, the 8' hose does the job. About once a year, I have to use the long hose to get more reach. And even less often I have to use both, connecting one to the other. But mostly the long one stays dry and untouched in the bottom of the storage compartment. Cleanup of an 8' foot hose is pretty easy.

Others will disagree with me about the macerator pump. I think immediately of Bob Rederick, one of our most inventive members. What say, Bob?

Bill
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Old 12-13-2005, 02:50 PM   #5
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Rockerga & Bill,

Bill is right on. I have the macerator pump and was going nuts about my problem until I got it. My problem is that I don't have any place to dump that is reasonably close to home or reasonably priced. I also don't have a cleanout drain anywhere in my yard that I can use. Another issue is that we get home late from a dry camping trip (who wants to leave early???) and don't relish going out of the way to a yonder dump station. It is amazing how few are in the Mesa, Az area.... The Macerator pump solved these problems and I am very happy with it. I dump into a bathroom toilet. I have a novel way to power it up and promised to post photos, but didn't get around to it yet.

That being said, I use the 3" hose for all on-the-road dumping. I don't ever take the pump on the road. It stays in storage at home and is used as needed.
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Old 12-13-2005, 04:33 PM   #6
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I use a sewer cap with a garden hose outlet to drain the gray water through a garden hose to another adapter at the sewer. I removed the recirculating toilet and replaced it with a Porta Potti 565. The toilet holding tank holds 5 or 6 gallons and can be dumped in any dump station, clean out, or toilet. This has worked well for me, as I don't need to carry a 3 in. dump hose.

Bruce
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Old 12-14-2005, 12:49 PM   #7
rockerga
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OK, looks like always I get a great cross-sectional answer. Thanks so much all. I seem to be in the same potential predicament as Bob (Rederick). I will do campgrounds to start 100% but then when I get my comfort level up I am sure I will do my fair share of bondocking, I believe you call it. I have no waste disposal means at my house either besides in my home. I will buy the standard "corrugated" 3" hose with fittings to start I found that they market to have minimal corrugations inside for easier clean-up, and then down the road buy a macerator. BTW: The way around the standard water hoses versus the fresh water is that I have purchased a high quality "Econoflo" flat hose (Drinking water approved) for my fresh water and all my "other hoses" will be standard type so it doesn't matter day or night, you can tell the difference. (Believe me I thought of that disgusting possibility) It was expensive but the MINIMAL storage size rolled-up and the lack of weight sold me BIG TIME! It fits in the palm of your hand and the 3/4" X 50' weighs only 1.0 pound. AstroBruce: Please send me any pics you have of the setup you are talking about; I am interested to see it.
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Old 12-14-2005, 04:22 PM   #8
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rockerga,

After the 2 inches of ice melt, I'll open the TM and take some photos. Take a look at these items.

Sewer Cap

Porta Potti

Bruce
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Old 12-15-2005, 06:42 AM   #9
rockerga
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AstroBruce
rockerga,

After the 2 inches of ice melt, I'll open the TM and take some photos. Take a look at these items.

Sewer Cap

Porta Potti

Bruce
OUCH, well now here in the NE Atlanta area we have lots of ice from an overnight ice storm! Lost power for an hour! No need for pics now the links you sent were all I needed; hope you lose the two inches of ice anyway!!!

Thanks for your help TO ALL!

P.S. I hope this winter storm goes away, not the ideal time to take delivery on your new TM in this weather!
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Old 01-07-2006, 03:17 PM   #10
tucsoncarol
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Default Econoflo hose

You just sort of mentioned it in passing, but I'd never heard of Econoflo hoses before so I checked them out on www.econoflo.com, and they ROCK. Thanks for the heads-up, Rockerga.
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