Macerator Pump - RV-Dreams Community Forum

ken and cindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Macerator Pump

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

I keep a portable macerator pump on board with a dedicated collapsible hose just in case I am caught in the middle of nowhere without a true RV dump station. With a macerator you can easily pump the black water through a 100 foot collapsible garden hose into a sewer clean-out or pump a limited amount into a septic tank/field system. Just be careful to not overload that septic tank with the super concentrated RV black. I use the nylon mesh collapsible garden hose and dyed it black to make sure it is not used for anything. So far, I have never needed to use my macerator setup but if I ever did, I at least have a solution.

ken and cindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think it would come in real handy for extended driveway camping, like when spending time with the grandbabies !

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

RVDUDE,

What size hose are you using. I have a problem finding a flat hose that is at least 3/4" (1" would be better). For a reasonable price. Where did you get yours?

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

I use a 5/8 "Handi-Hose" brand avail at CampingWorld and others.

A 3/4 or 1 might be "better" for routine use, it all depends on definition of "better". Since my setup is for emergency use only (or a quick flush/dump at home/friend's) the 5/8 size and portability are perfectly fine for this application. In other forums I have not seen anyone complain about 5/8 being a problem - the boasting more from a how far and how high can it pump. I typically see the extended stay at a stick-brick as a the common reason for having these units.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

That is why I have my macerator, too. Occasional blacktop boondock, and for pumping into the blue boy when boondocking in the "boonies". I have been told that the pumps will overheat if pumping through the 3/4".....I guess if you watch it, it should be OK.....

Tmcblane · RV-Dreams Family Member

They will pump the grey without hardly any problem thru a 3/4" but if pumping black it needs to be well diluted with the grey as you go or it will pop the fuse and get hot. A 1" would be a big help if you are doing it on a regular basis.

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

Here’s the near definitive test of this macerator pump, the FloJet model from CampingWorld.

Bottom line: though pricey, it is definitely a keeper and don‘t worry about using 1 inch hose!

I ran two tests, both at 30 gallons each, run back to back, at 70 degrees outside temp. I used clear water so the addition of some 3-alarm chili might increase the pump load slightly and might increase risk of clogging the 5/8 hose I used. This could be countered by pumping grey and black together thus further diluting the solids and using easily available 3/4 garden hose.

First test: Used 200 feet, yes 200 feet, of 5/8 standard garden hose for the output and it was dead level (no head pressure). This pump produced about 11 GPM with barely any rise in pump motor temperature (that is after running for about 3 mins.).

Second test: Same 200 feet of 5/8 garden hose this time elevated by 20 feet thus creating a 20 foot head pressure on the pump. This would be an exaggerated pump load for most any imaginable application of this pump. Output dropped to about 9 GPM (taking nearly 4 mins to empty 30 gals.) and the pump motor did rise in temperature, but far from too hot to hold onto. Note this test was run immediately after the first so the motor had a cumulative run time of some 7 mins on it.

My conclusion is that this pump will easily pump all dark water tank capacity over most any reasonably expected distance using basic 5/8 garden hose and do so at around 10 GPM without overheating. Using 3/4 garden hose could only improve performance and reduce black water clog risk. Easily pumping through 200 feet of hose in my test shows you can seek out an outside sewer clean-out in your yard if you are driveway camping/dumping and save the hassle of dragging the hose to an inside toilet. Certainly not a permanent every time dumping solution, this macerator pump seems ideal for driveway use, tank clean up use, emergency dumping or when you can‘t quite get your monster rig close enough to the dump station.

Your 3-alarm chili results may vary. Enough dark water talk for now...