Macerator Pump for RV | Simplified Black Tank Dumping | RV Life 101

Now that we are back at our homebase. We decided to get a macerator pump for our RV. This allows us to dump our tank, run it through the macerator (which blends it all up), and pump it through a normal garden hose to our 300 gallon septic tank.
I was going to post the amazon link, but the product is no longer available.

[@wonderingtimesllc7203]

You did well friend. I have often wanted to assemble one myself and your movie clip reinspired me. Congrats pal. "Thanks Nice job"

[@timothyblazer1749]

Just installed the FloJet macerator pump on an RV in a driveway, and I'm never going back. :-) it is a fantastic investment. Just remind the ladies that they can't put their hygiene items into the toilet and you're all set. If you don't have.a freshwater flush built into your RV black tank, it's also a god send, as you can back flush with fresh using the unit. I used a much longer hose than recommended, and it worked just fine. Wired the unit into the battery and everything worked. Just remember to flush the hose when done with fresh, LOW PRESSURE. :-) I got the FloJet because I also got a 3 year warranty on it. Macerator pumps can fail without warning.

[@07sf39]

How do you flush the hose? By filling up the tanks with fresh water?

[@timothyblazer1749]

@@07sf39 yep. My tank has a flush connector so I flush with fresh for at least 10 minutes.

[@windfall35]

One comment I've seen on another channel sees the owner initially hook up to the grey water to 'test' the connections then move to the black water and finish with the grey water. Second, these macerator pumps can be damned handy in terms of filling up a tote tank in the bed of your truck (they're supposed to pump 'uphill' about 3 feet vertical) and then not have to manhandle the tote tank around the site- simply drive it to the dump station and let gravity from the truck bed do the work of draining it...Third, the macerator can be very handy if you need to dump a tank at your home or other non-commercial site- hose to the septic tank or line...

[@G_RAThbun]

Thanks bud with everything is going on right now in the world we're thinking of going up into the mountains and staying there for quite some time and we're going to want to dump our block tank into a 25 gallon turd carrier. But we'll have to pump that uphill to get it into the back of the pickup. So that pump will work great in that situation unfortunately like you said you can't get that one but they're all going to work about the same. Thanks again I have a few RV tips on my site also. Have a great day stay well stay safe

[@SteeringSouth]

Appreciate the great comment!

[@chuckbowen5024]

Thanks. Good video. I am thinking of getting one of those caged chemical totes to use as a holding tank. We are in ND and it would have to be inside a building in the winter as -30 is quite common. I would just vent it out the back wall of my shop. 250 gallons should be adequate for winter.

[@TheIanlebov]

Looks like that one is working well for you. I bought the flojet one in 2017. One of the bayonets cracked a year or two later. I emailed the manufacturer and customer service sent me a replacement body free of charge :) Recently my mom was staying in my camping trailer for the first 4 months of the pandemic so I was dumping with the pump every week. I had to take it apart 3 times to dislodge make-up wipes :( The motor was getting a little slow on the last dump of her stay but it did the job. I tried dumping it getting ready for a recent camping trip a couple weeks ago and the pump was blowing fuses every few seconds. When i contacted customer service, they said to replace the impeller and that should be done every year. I did that and the motor was still having trouble. I just bought a replacement motor for $188, hoping that gets me another 3 years of happy dumping. If it doesn't, I'm going to try the kit that converts at 120v garbage disposal. I love DIY hacks.

[@TheIanlebov]

The replacement motor did the trick. Dumps like new :)

[@1982MCI]

@@TheIanlebovhaven’t heard of the hack using a garbage disposal as a macerator , but it should work well and give a bit more torque and power. I imagine your motor was just tired from eating make up wipes and things your mother in law treated you with, lol 😂, sorry bout that! I know it’s been a few years since you posted this, but do you remember anything about where the kit was from to turn the garbage disposal into a macerator? Has your new replacement pump still holding up ok or has the MIL been back for a visit again since you installed the replacement pump?? I recently bought a macerator pump but have not had the chance to use it yet but it looks like it makes a crappy job a bit easier as long as things are set up properly. Take care my friend!! Be safe out there!

[@TheIanlebov]

@@1982MCI sorry, I don't remember where I saw the garbage disposal hack. The new pump has been holding up, but I haven't used it for a couple years. I got a sewer clean out in my yard, right next to the trailer now. No need for a macerator pump anymore :)

[@raymondschneider5217]

Just saw your review; overall pretty good. I think, I'd empty the black tank FIRST, then, do the gray tank(s) (to help clean the disposal hose); seems that would make it more sanitary (OK, haven't done that, myself!) The maserater system is a pretty good way, overall. Corrections to my thoughts? Y'all Be Safe!

[@SteeringSouth]

Thanks for the comment! I have two separate grey tanks. The first I dumped is the galley tank that is only for the kitchen sink. The rear shower grey tank hooks up to the same outlet as the black tank. I did use that grey water to clear out the house. 😁

[@07sf39]

@@SteeringSouth so would you recommend a pump for each? One for black and one for gray?

[@russell1265]

Cheez Head from Phoenix Az 👍🏻

[@russell1265]

You can also the stand for the hose that might help

[@inmyimage1081]

Does it have an automatic shutdown or do you have to monitor it the whole time and shut it off manually? How big is the inlet hole before the blades? Looked really small. Oh, and you should put the product name in the title for the KZbin algorithm.

[@stormbytes]

Nice simple setup. I just don't get how the line gets 'refilled' during your demo.

[@charleshille4876]

Yeah I it's actually very simple if you have a septic at the house where you're staying you just report the cap the lid to it if it's concrete and if it's plastic they got caps on the top and you can hook it straight to your septic

[@SteeringSouth]

We totally would have done that, but could not find a sewer clean out on my in laws property (city plumbing). I’m sure they have one though.

[@Tuttle723]

I want to use this setup to pump out to my portable tank in my truck bed when we are at sites without sewer and the sump station is a mile or more away. Have you tried this? Are there special concerns that you are aware of?

[@mrsmfnlammert1737]

We're camping for the summer, while my husband is working out of state. The campground we're at, we love everything about. The only thing is that there's not anymore full hook up sites so the camp owner comes every 4-5 days to pump our black, grey and galley tanks with grinder pump thing. Is it ok to consistently do this for 5 or months? Does it clean everything out? He also refills black tank and flushes it as well.

[@1982MCI]

That’s a fantastic service he’s providing to campers staying at his facility!

[@carmenbermudez267]

You should show the hook up process would help

[@960wattoffgridrv]

Remember not to drink out of "that hose"

[@lodwill4007]

Can you rig up a coffee grinder. End. And did you turn off and on. While doing black tank.??

[@MyAnimalShorts]

Oh my God bro do I know exactly what you’re talking about with lifting the hose and setting it down we are stationary in a 38 foot fifth wheel because of the higher rent prices I bought a 2007 keystone Everest 340 B and it is a tank but Our dump entrance is 50 foot across the yard which has me connecting multiple hoses and then once I release the tank I have to go lift up the hose set it down lift it up set it down lift it up set it down etc. etc. so I know exactly what you’re talking about curious where you got the 300 gallon tank please elaborate if you can!!??

[@SteeringSouth]

Hey! Yes, my tank is from PolyJohn. If you search PolyJohn 300gallon tank you’ll definitely find it. Looks like it’s about $650 right now. If I remember the shipping was a bit spendy too because of its size. Has to ship on a freight truck. Good luck!

[@valenteperez9198]

Is this like a vacuum pump???

[@rhaughton]

What are the 300 gallon tanks called and can I get a 100 gallon tank for the truck bed?

[@pamhorn2]

Where did you purchase the septic tank?

[@linkscape1957]

I would just run some water in he camper for a bit to flush the nasty out.

[@kerrfamilylaw7487]

I bought one of these but have no idea how to connect the electric part. I’ve never wired anything. It looked like you had your jump starter cables on the wires but you didn’t show how you turned the pump on and off. Other people say you should have a fuse and a switch. Did you put those on? I just can’t find any instructions on the internet - every one assumes people know how to “hook it up to your 12 volt battery”. How?

[@SteeringSouth]

Kerr FamilyLaw great question! Yes, the proper way would be to us an in-line fuse on the positive wire. But I was just using the jump starter to power it. The jump starter has a switch on the side that turns it on and off. That is how I was controlling it.

[@Bonanazafamily]

I understand what you are saying but you did not tell us where the other end of the jumper cables hook up. I don't think you can use your car battery.... @@SteeringSouth

[@SteeringSouth]

So sorry for the late response. That jumper I have has a battery inside. So it puts out the power, just has to be recharged from time to time.

[@matteobusani]

Ciao, perche' hai una "septic tank"? Non hai un normale impianto fognario dove poter scaricare?

[@korbynhurley5247]

what battery jumper are you using

[@SteeringSouth]

It’s just a Duracell brand car jumper. Nothing fancy.

[@braydoncooper621]

Thanks for the vid. How much do you pay for them to pump it? And what process would I take to find someone to do this? Thanks.

[@SteeringSouth]

It costs us about $50 to pump the holding tank. You can call around to local septic companies. If the company pumps out normal septic tanks usually found on rural home properties, chances are they will pump this tank as well.

[@braydoncooper621]

@@SteeringSouth thanks will do

[@bobr.592]

Why not share which brand you tried?

[@dalemiller8059]

Hello, I am not sure if you check this, but I just tried to install one and need help ASAP. I did exactly as you and the instructions said. I opened my blackwater, went to turn it on and it isn't pumping! I noticed the fuse at the switch was bad, so I replaced that, it still doesnt work... Now I am in a real $$hitty situation I don't know how to fix!

[@SteeringSouth]

That sucks! Or not lol. Are you getting 12 volts from your supply?

[@dalemiller8059]

@@SteeringSouth yes!

[@SteeringSouth]

@@dalemiller8059 not sure what the deal is, maybe you got a bad pump. Sorry to hear that. I know you are in a really bad situation now.

[@ridgeviewhomestead3900]

How many people are using the RV toilet and how often do you have the 300-gallon septic pumped? I'm curious how long it takes to fill up compared to how many users. Thanks!

[@kimpham7592]

3 to 4 months

[@chezmiere]

Where did you buy septic tank

[@SteeringSouth]

Search for Poly John 300 gallon holding tank. I think I bought it directly from the manufacturer. But could be wrong. Just saw it online for $579.

[@cboisj]

Is it still working?

[@SteeringSouth]

Haven’t used it yet this spring. But will be soon. Worked last fall still!

[@MHALI-qv9yc]

Sorry to say but did anyone tell you look like the villain from the superman film

[@SteeringSouth]

Haha! Ok I’m curious now. Which villain? Lex Luthor? And which movie? I don’t think I’ve ever been told that.

[@MHALI-qv9yc]

@@SteeringSouth General Zod from Man of Steel

[@teramartindale432]

Do you guys put toilet paper down your RV toilets how does the do with it

[@SteeringSouth]

Yep we use toilet paper. It chops it all up. I would suggest the use of “septic safe” toilet paper. Which most brands carry that type.

[@ChrisTheMobileMechanic]

Why not just pump into your toilet in the home and save money having to have someone come clear it. Of course this is only true if you are connected to city sewage.

[@SteeringSouth]

Turbo_Dad_88 We would. But it is quite a long run from where we are to the toilet inside. Also it is my in-laws home, and I feel better not needing to run a hose through their house. 😁. We found a great local guy to pump the 300gallon tank for $50. So not too expensive this way.

[@jimsjacob]

My experience is…. Be careful twisting on the bayonet. I applied too much torque and snapped one of the securing “hooks” right off…. Ordering the replacement for that assembly was stupidly expensive so I have to think they “know” they got you over a barrel. Which of course they do…. Just letting people know to avoid this occurrence.

[@talleysartstudio]

Sewage is a girls topic? That's messed up.. Ends video

[@SteeringSouth]

Sorry, but you must have mis-understood me. I said “gross” topic, not girls. Must be my Wisconsin accent!