Flojet macerator?

Deb55

Has anyone here used a Flojet Macerator Pump to pump the contents of your waste tanks into a home toilet? If so, I have questions! We have a 2018 T@B 400. Where we need to park in our driveway is tight up against a banking, which makes using the slinky hose and a bucket difficult. 

How well does it work? I would need to pump about 60-65 feet in distance, and maybe an elevation of 3 feet at the most.

Can it run off a regular car battery? Could I buy one just for that purpose and keep it on a trickle charger when not in use? The battery in my 2018 T@B 400 is not easily accessed.

This could be a game changer for quick weekend trips to local Harvest Host locations! It can be a challenge to find a dump station, and we like to use our facilities if at all possible. If I knew I could easily dump in the toilet at home, I'd never have to worry about it again!

Tampakayaker

I have a macerator pump, not sure of the brand, got it from Amazon.  I used a sump pump hose for the output from the pump and I pump it about 50 feet to my clean out.  Works great. I use a short hose from the T@B connection to the pump.

Deb55

@Tampakayaker how do you power it? 

jkjenn

@ChanW didn't you have the Flowjet? Or am I confusing you with someone else?

Towhee

@Deb55. We have a Valterra ss01 water powered pump.  Only used once on the gray tank.  Seemed to work OK.  Claim to be able to pump 100 ft up 3 ft of elevation.  Did not try since sewer about 10 ft from camper.  We bought from Amazon.

jschmier

We rarely overnight where there are services or a dump station, so I bought a Flojet a few months ago.  There are less expensive units, but this had the least negative reviews.  Works great so far.   I was always looking for a place to dump after a stay in a state forest or even a casino/Cracker Barrel parking lot.  Now, when we return, I back my 400 into my driveway, run a 25ft. discharge hose from the Flojet into the sewer cleanout in my garage, and it works.  Plus, I can take my time, there is no one waiting their turn behind me.  Works on 12v- I clip on to my car battery but could use the 12v plug next to the sink.  Could also put the discharge hose into the toilet but I got lucky having the cleanout in the garage.

Deb55

Thanks, @jschmier. Was it hard to do the wiring? From what I've read, it comes with wires and connections, and you have to do that part yourself. I don't know anything much about wiring--I've only done the most rudimentary lamp wiring. 

YanniLazarus

Pretty sure You can buy one with a cigarette lighter jack. i modified my macerator pump to just plug into a jack I added to my battery. I suggest you use a minimum 3/4 inch diameter hose. 1 inch would be better. Much easier on the pump. This should work for you- go for it. 

YanniLazarus

 Mine is a SewerFlo 12gpm, 12V macerator pump from Amazon. 

Tampakayaker

Deb55 said:

@Tampakayaker how do you power it? 

I wired it thru a switch, then bought a couple of spring clips and attached it to the T@B battery terminals.

Deb55

@Tampakayaker do you have a T@B 400? The battery in mine is under a plastic box that's screwed down under the bed area. I don't know of an easy way to get to the terminals, unless there's something that I don't understand about the battery in my camper (which could very well be true!). 

Horigan

@Deb55
There is a covered battery junction box next to the battery cover that you can access the positive and negative leads of the battery.  Here's an example picture.  There is a positive (red) and negative (white) terminal that you can connect a 12V device or switch to.

ChanW

Hi Jenn.

No I had the "sewer solution".

It used hose water flow to power its "macerator".

The only thing I liked about it was that it could make your sewage flow uphill slightly.

Otherwise it used a whole lot of water and took forever.

I only used it a couple of times, in our backyard, to see if it was really any use.

(I was really looking to justify how much I spent on it.)

I think the company has a huge PR department, writing up reviews that make it sound like an amazing thing. (Ok, that might be me being bitter)...

jkjenn said:

@ChanW didn't you have the Flowjet? Or am I confusing you with someone else?

Dutch061

With so many potential places to dump (there are a few Apps that can assist), to me it would just be more stuff to tote around. In addition, "Stinky Slinky" is so easy to use for my purposes, I can't imagine making it more difficult. I am the type of person who prefers to have "multi-use items" which is a throwback to backpacking.

However, each person has their own idea of the "best set up" and I respect their opinions.

Brad

YanniLazarus

I get it... this is really about being able to conveniently dump at home. For everyone, a simple dump connection like those found at a commercial camp ground, but at home next to your driveway, would be perfect. For some of us, including me, a home "stinky slinky" set up won't work by gravity BUT a macerator pump that will pump my black water uphill a foot or two will. I have a permanent 2"hookup for my pump and it makes my black water tank Management as easy as I could ever hope. I'm not a fan of dragging a hose inside to my toilet, but that is the simplest test use of a macerator pump to confirm it will work for you. 

Tampakayaker

Deb55 said:

@Tampakayaker do you have a T@B 400? The battery in mine is under a plastic box that's screwed down under the bed area. I don't know of an easy way to get to the terminals, unless there's something that I don't understand about the battery in my camper (which could very well be true!). 

No we have a 320 and the battery is in the tub up front