Boating Basics - Vacuflush Duck Bill Valves - Sea Ray Sundancer
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 22 июн 2017
- One more in the never ending list of maintenance jobs on the boat is to change the Vacuflush toilet system duck bill valves. A stinky job, but easy enough if you have decent access to the toilet pump.
Here's my video on the toilet seal replacement: • Boating How To - Vacuf...
And another, much longer video from when I replaced the poop lines from the guest head on our last boat: • Boating How To - Vacuf...
Many more 'Boating Basics' in my playlist, here: • Boating Basics - Helpf...
Enjoy this video and would like to support the channel even more? Feel free to make a one time or ongoing contribution via PayPal here: www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_....
Filmed June, 2017.
Disclaimer: This video has been produced for informational purposes only and due to factors beyond my control, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. I assume no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. It is recommended that employing safe practices when working on boats or with any tools seen or depicted in this video. Due to factors beyond my control, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these procedures, products, tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not myself or the Boogaboo Crew.
*- - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *
Please remember to SUBSCRIBE to my Channel ( / boatingwithboogaboo ) for hundreds of my original boating videos and to follow our latest boating adventures. New videos every week!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Be sure to follow along with all our adventures aboard Boogaboo, our 1998 Sea Ray 330 Sundancer - our fifth Sea Ray! I invite you to take a look at my ever expanding 'Sea Ray 330 Sundancer' Playlist for this boat here: • Sea Ray 330 Sundancer
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Before we had our 330 Sundancer, we enjoyed seven seasons aboard 'Boogaboo IV', a 1997 Sea Ray 400 DB. You watch all my videos from that vessel on the 'Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge' Playlist here: • Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I have well over 200 original cruising videos from our travels along Ontario's 240 mile long Trent Severn Waterway (TSW). Follow along as we pass through dozens of picturesque lakes, rivers and canals, as well as 42 of the locks that make up the TSW in my 'Trent Severn Waterway Boat Cruising' Playlist here: • Trent Severn Waterway ...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Known as the best fresh water cruising grounds in the world, Georgian Bay is located in the heart of the Great Lakes and forms part of Lake Huron. Renowned for is rugged beauty, Georgian Bay has been attracting adventurous boaters for over a century, but it's rocky shoreline and challenging navigation routes are not for the faint hearted and must be approached with the greatest care and respect. I'm happy to share our own adventures through this inspiring area with my 'Georgian Bay Boating' Playlist here: • Georgian Bay Boating
++ And remember to 'CLICK, COMMENT, LIKE & SHARE!!'
* * :-) * *
How to videos, I have the same vacuflush VG2 pump, your videos are always very helpful, don't pay attention to the people that criticize, you are doing a great job, no taking the patience and effort to do the nasty job and taking the time to take the videos and make it public. Congratulations and enjoy your new boat.
It must be difficult to change the sea ray 400 for a smaller boat, but maybe it fits better your life style.
Love your how to videos.
Keep it up.
Thank you, Fernando. I try to forget about the critical comments, and ones like your continue to inspire me to share more with the #boating community.
I have one more from the bilge coming up soon - but this time my hands aren't going to get too dirty ;-)
Cheers, Paul.
Good video. I've always had the vacu-flush toilet in the back of my mind. So far so good. But Duck Bill Valves look like a straight forward, albeit messy, job. Nice video. My toilet seal in the bowl is passing a little water, but not too bad yet. I'll look for those links you mentioned and watch you changing it. Thanks!
Funny enough, it was my curiosity about how a boat's plumbing works that allowed me to find and subscribe to your channel a few years ago! It was the detailed hands on vacuflush line replacement video that made me say "This guy is worth a sub!". Yes, its a dirty and possibly smelly job, but we did invent soap for a reason.
+oOMonkeyMagicOo I always knew my crappy work would get me somewhere 😉
Just changed all 4, went surprisingly smooth, thanks to your video tutorial. Aqua Star reprimanded me on not ever changing them,
original owner of 2005 280 Sundancer, Keep up the videos. Thanks for the assistance.
I'm so glad that it helped you! I'm gonna guess that everything is going to go a lot smoother now 😉
Great job in that video production. I have a 41 foot tiara and yes, all these little things breaking down. I had no clue how this worked into explained so I am eternally grateful. LOL
Glad it was helpful! If you would like see more of the Vacuflush/marine head projects I complete on this boat, as well as our prior 400 Sedan Bridge, take a look at this playlist for even more poopy jobs ;-) ruclips.net/p/PLKhjT5kr2l2HFAop_WVZor37kcpy3gxhV
Congratulations on the new Searay Paul! Looks great. We have a 96 on our dock here in Kelowna. Happy cruising...
+Mark Burley Thanks Mark! It's a work in progress - lots of upgrades and overdue maintenance items that's been keeping me busy these past few weeks, but finally ready to hit the waves and do some cruising this weekend!
Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦
Hey! Hope you're well. Amazing you posted this video today. I was down at my dock today and guess what? I have a leak in my vacu-flush system on my Sea Ray 340 Amberjack. (we spoke before - I'm from Rhode Island). Great video - just sent it to my brother/mechanic and he's going to look at the system tomorrow. But yea, I had a big pool of water around the flush system - nothing in the head, but around that pump. Hope its just a connection.
+Alan Rothfuss Ya, it sounds like one of the hoses is loose.
Very good video. Looks much more convenient to access in comparison to the 400 SB. Good job Paul
+Stefan Knorsch Yes it is, but I'd still like to have the bigger engine room space. Working on this Sundancer is making my body hurt in new places 😉
You Sir are good to go! Thank you for your informative and entertaining vids.
Happy to help out!
Love the intro! Another quality video👍🏻👏🏻
+Adventure Darren Thanks Darren 🤓
Can I use this video for my techs? I'm making a channel just for my company techs. I would love to use it?
Thanks for the great video! Great information! I have two vacuflush toilets on my boat, one needs bellows the other needs duck valves. There are zero companies in my area that do mobile service on marine heads, so hello poo poo!
It's not as bad as many think. Just wash your hands and wipe down the tools after and you're good 'to go' ;-) Check out my full Playlist of #Vacuflush repairs and upgrades on my channel. Lots of poopy content there :-)
is this same duckbill values is used in big passenger cruise ships??
We have a 1996 400 Sedan Bridge, so our head systems are similar. Over the years I've replaced just about every component on our Vacu-flush systems except for the duckbill valves because when we lived in Key West I had them all replaced by the local Sealand expert, Head Honcho. When the pump on any of our toilets run at all without being flushed, I know a problem is developing. First I check to see if water is in the bowl. If not, it could be a bit of paper hanging up and preventing a good seal. It could also be a little buildup of calcium around the seal. This is kept at bay by cleaning the inside of the bowl outlet with a brush when the toilet gets cleaned. I've had a bellows fail once. That was easy to determine because the pump would not quit at all, and the odor was tremendous. A check into the bilge revealed waste everywhere. That was the worst. Yesterday I replaced four duckbill valves on the master head system. I wanted to say that it may help to loosen the hose clamps on the hoses, but not take them off. Our hoses are fairly close, so it's hard to pull the hose back the nearly two inches to remove, so with the clamps loose, I could turn the fittings on each side of the duckbill housings to remove them, and then pull each out from the hose last. If you put one side of the housing into the pump housing, and stick the other side into the hose, there is less than an inch you need to pull the hose back to insert into each part, of course, being careful to not turn the fittings until the threads are seated. Three of the four valves were bad, but still the pump was only running a few seconds, but almost every 15 minutes. I thought that would solve the problem but then the pump would not quit at all. Yes, the valves were installed in the right direction, so I checked the pressure switch. Just barely touching it got it to stop. but the pump would not stay stopped. I'm wondering if the valve change affected the vacuum in the tank to make perhaps a bad switch get worse? I did notice that the cover for that side was already off, but I've had the boat since 2003 and never had to replace the switches. I ordered a new switch anyway ($194 on Amazon) because trying to adjust it at all failed. Since the area is hard to reach, I'm going to cut the wires at a point that it's easy to splice, unscrew the switch with the cut-off wires attached, and then trade the wires from the old switch onto the new one, screw it in, and then connect the wires again. This prevents me from trying to attach the screws for the wires when I can't see that area well. (I've replaced that bunk with some parts cabinets about ten years ago. It makes access a bit harder but not impossible.) BTW, I took one of my old vent filters on the holding tank apart by cutting in on one end and glueing on a fitting so I can replace my own charcoal once a year. I use aquarium charcoal. We lived on our boat for nearly four years and I've had to fix a lot of things myself. I wrote a blog during this experience, and you might want to use the search engine on it to see how I was able to solve some maintenance issues. swingsetonthehook.blogspot.com
Thanks,
Michael
Thanks for your insights Michael, but if you go through my VacuFlush/Toilet playlist, you'll see that I've done all of the above and more. I also completely replaced the entire poop tank on both this boat (1997 400 Sedan Bridge), as well as our current 330 Sundancer. Why, you ask? To achieve more capacity.
Both projects were done out of water, as I had to remove the exhaust to get the old tanks out and new ones in. Also upgraded to new design vent filters, as well as electronic level gauges. Again, all videos from all of those projects on my channel.
And yes, there's even a video explaining why we downsized from the Sedan and back to an express style - our fifth (!!) Sea Ray in a row!
Hope to see your comments on some of those videos.
Thanks again for your insights. Happy Boating, Paul. 💩
What do you do about all the blackwater that spills all over the bilge?
Great informative video Ever heard of a vacuum relief valve leaking smells out of the system into the bilge?
I haven't heard of it directly, but I could see how that is possible. What many folks don't realize is that after 15-20 years, the poop smell actually permeates right through the lines and even the holding tank. Check my channel for the videos I posted from when I changed all of the above on our current #boat, as well as our previous one. A BIG job, but worth the effort. . .
There is a 4th valve under the threaded connector pipe...they make a thing called a strap wrench for things like that.
Great video many thanks - I seem to have an issue with the vacu-generator on my 2003 Sundancer 280 as it isn't even trying to pump. Could this be something else rather than duckbill valves? I've checked all the fuses.
Could it get damaged from turning the key in the head whilst the discharge seacock was closed?
Duck bill valves wouldn't affect the operation of the pump. I'd check the pump itself. Might be burned out . . ?
I spent a good portion of the last 2 days pulling a holding tank connected to a Vacuflush system out of Mainstay...watching your video makes me think I will pull the entire system and go back to the old manual pump Raritan Ph ll setup.
+tprdfh51 If you haven't seen my series on #Vacuflush head system repairs and upgrades, you should see all the fun I've had 😉 Here's the link to the playlist (Marine Head / Vacuflush DIY Repairs: ruclips.net/p/PLKhjT5kr2l2HFAop_WVZor37kcpy3gxhV).
And, I've got one more video on the head system coming up very soon 😳
Cheers and happy flushing!
I pulled the entire system...going back to the Raritan Ph II. :-)
I think my Bayliner has trying to be like your searay everytime you post a fixing video on that new boat my boat seems to have the issue I just replace my duckbill valves weeks ago next on the list is my stove so hopefully our boats aren't communicating with each other when your stove ends up being fine although how to video would be nice great video Happy boating look forward to the next
+Adam Ford Sounds like I better stop posting #boat repair videos 😉
Would a good vacuum clean-out prior to starting the job help remove most if those solids?
I don't see why it wouldn't hurt. Had to do that on an earlier video, after someone flushed a baby wipe down and it got stuck in the plumbing 🙄
Thanks for another great video. My 400 EC is in need of this repair, and I'm not looking forward to doing it.My next step is to find them!
You all prolly dont care at all but does any of you know of a way to get back into an Instagram account??
I was stupid forgot the account password. I would love any help you can offer me
@Memphis Torin Instablaster :)
@Brendan Caden I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm.
Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Brendan Caden it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy!
Thank you so much you saved my account !
@Memphis Torin no problem :)
Do boats have exhaust fans for the head like a bathroom in a house?
Yes. Ours is tied in with the galley exhaust fan.
love your videos
Thanks Chris!
Hello..love your videos, but I have a question about this video. When you were done, and turned the system on, I noticed the pump kept running, is that normal for it to continue to with that sound. I am only asking because one night while in the marina, the security guard came to the boat to tell me that my pump shouldnt run all night like that, that there was a problem with it sealing, but it sounded just like yours did. and i dont seem to have any problem with the toilet flushing. Any response would be welcomed...thanks
oh. 2000 Sea Ray 290 Amberjack with VacuFlush system..
thanks again
+Jae Jones Hi Jean,
Yes, that pumping action is normal and to be expected. Our previous #SeaRay, a 400 Sedan Bridge (lots and lots of videos from that beauty on my channel) was equipped with two Vacuflush toilets. If you check my 'Vacuflush /DIY' playlist (Marine Head / Vacuflush DIY Repairs: ruclips.net/p/PLKhjT5kr2l2HFAop_WVZor37kcpy3gxhV), you'll discover that I have probably too much experience with the entire poop system. I've found that roughly 60 - yes, sixty - pumping cycles are about average for each flush. That's what's needed to build up the required vacuum to get the poop through the lines and into the holding tank.
I'd suggest that your security guard freind had limited experience in this department and was more than likely responding to a complaint from an equally undereducated boater in the marina. No offense meant towards either of those parties, but next time, you'll be better equipped to explain the issue more fully to security guard before sending them on his/her way 😉
Next time you flush, count the cycles and you'll probably find it's in that 60-65 cycles range...
Happy #boating & flushing ☺️
Paul.
It will eventually turn off if system is working properly. 10-30 seconds between flushes depending on system to build vacuum again.
i have a question for you. i have a vacuflush in my wellcraft and it worked just fine but i think that it only got the partial flush and now wont work. i also took it in to get a kicker motor put on and it worked fine then too. now the motor wont kick on for some reason. any ideas on what it might be? i checked the fuses but i don't see any. do these systems use a inline fuse as opposed to going to a main box?
Without looking at it, I'd guess an electrical issue. You're gonna have to get out your owner's manual to see where another fuse or breaker might be located on the #boat. . .
Did you get it fixed? I was going to say there's a pressure switch that sometimes goes bad and it looks easy to replace at least on my system.
i need to replace the duck bills in the aft head of my Cruisers 455, and it is located in a tiny area with no access hatches near it.....cant believe they put it where they did considering how much room is in an area not far away that has a huge access way????
Think that's bad, you should've seen where BOTH of the pumps were located on our 400 Sedan Bridge 😩 I think I still have the scars 😜
Thanks for your videos !!! how to find out what model of bellow and duckbill valves I have ? I have a sea ray 2004 340 and my pump looks exactly like yours. Thanks
Your marina/supplier would be able to help identify the style you have to supply any parts you may need.
@@BoatingWithBoogaboo ok thanks
any idea of big cruise vacuflush ?
Cruise ships, navy, airplanes and the royal navy use a system designed by a company called e-vac. I work on vacuum systems that run entire grocery stores in New York City where you can't install gravity plumbing. The system in this video looks like a nightmare.
is this same duckbill values in big passenger cruise ships??
I don't know, as I've never been on a large cruise ship, nor have I worked on one...
Is the duckbill valve universal for all vacuflush systems? I have a 2000 SR 420 AC and want to make sure I order the correct one. Thanks for your awesome video, made me feel confident enough to go at it.
From my experiences, there are two different sizes. The ones on this system are the smaller of the two. I only discovered that when ordering them, only to find the bigger sized ones show up. Just measure the hose to get an idea of the correct size for your big aft cabin.
BTW, if you dig deeper into my 'How I Did It' playlist, you'll find me doing a complete replacement of the holding tank on this boat, as well as a four part series of me doing the same aboard our prior Boogaboo, a 1997 400 Sedan Bridge. Both projects were fun, to say the least!!
Cheers, Paul.
i have a 330 also, and im afraid i have this same problem, gonna tackle it this week. are the duckbills 1 "1/2 or 2"? look like 1 1/2"
They are a standard size, so if you order a set, it should fit on your system with no problem. That said, I beleive the poop lines are 1-1/2". Good luck with your project!
Hey, I have a vacu flush question for you. I want to get rid of the hose for my toilet system because I think it's permeated and letting off a foul smell. I'm thinking of using PVC pipe to replace all the hose. What do you think of this idea?
Great idea - if you can get it to work. Not sure if you watched my other videos on our never ending poop system upgrades, but we replaced 90% of all the lines on our last #boat & that ship has two heads! A lot of work using flexible hose, I could only imagine what it would be like using rigid pipe! And this is coming from a 30 year veteran of the general contracting business 💩
Check my DIY Playlist to see the videos I'm referring to. And I'd love to learn how you make out. What kinda vessel are you working on?
Cheers, Paul.
BoatsBeachesAndBars So I have a 1982 42 foot Californian LRC. I am doing a complete aft cabin rebuild due to a fuel leak from the previous owner. So I thought why not replace all the septic lines that get permeated with PVC. Some of the turns may be a challenge but I think it's possible. My head in the aft cabin is almost 20 feet away from the holding tank. That's expensive for hose. So I want to try PVC. I can send pics too. Everything is exposed from the rebuild.
If you have a lot of the guys of the #boat exposed, that will make the job a lot easier, for sure!
How do you know what size duck bill valves? I have a 1989 Sea Ray 380 aft Cabin
They'll most likely be either 1-1/2" or 2" on your boat. Ours are (on this boat + our current Sundancer) the 1-1/2" size.
hi if my waist tank is full .will that provent the toilet flushing ?
Nope. The poopy water will simply splash over the side of your #boat through the vent hose. Of course, that'll also ruin your $100++ vent filter and make everything really, really smelly. Solution?? GET REGULAR PUMP OUTS :-)
Quick question, It seems that it takes a lot of pumps before the pump stops. Could you have a bad bellows also that has to be changed ? I always heard it should get prime within 20-30 pumps max. I've also had to change both my duck bills and bellow out and now primes very quick. Just asking i know all systems are not alike.
Hi there. If you haven't yet had a chance, I'd like to invite you to check out a couple of specific videos on this subject that I've produced. Last year (2018), I completely replaced the poop holding tank on our #boat, as well as did an overhaul of the Vacuflush pumping system. Check that video out here: ruclips.net/video/sLLlqyPRZLI/видео.html. Subsequent to that, we experienced issues with the new bellows, so I swapped that out for another new one. At that time, I also got a brand new pump and installed it at that time as well. The difference in the pumping action, noise and perceived number of cycles was night and day! Check out this video where I discuss that (FF to the 2:00 mark if you want): ruclips.net/video/kNDim08G-JY/видео.html.
As I mentioned, the 'perceived' number of cycles dropped, but it's the same as before. The only difference is that with it so quiet, one can only make out the sound of one of the strokes of the pump. Apart from that, I have replaced every component, including 90% of the poop lines, on our system.
That all said, have a look at my full Playlist of Vacuflush systems work I've done on both our current boat, as well as our previous 400 Sedan Bridge, which was equipped with two heads & twice the fun in working on that system: ruclips.net/p/PLKhjT5kr2l2HFAop_WVZor37kcpy3gxhV.
Cheers, Paul.
I am curious, if the duck bill valves are worn out, will the pump keep pumping? Or not work at all?
The pump will keep going until it burns itself out. If duck bills are worn out, that'll be a good indication they need replacement. That, or the toilet seal.
Hi, if I have raw sewage leaking out of the housing the bellows is in, would that be due to a failed bellows or bad duck bill valves?
Sounds like the bellows has a crack in it. Had that happen to us on the last #boat and it was spewing poopy water out of the top of the pump area. If the duck bills weren't even installed, that would not result in a leak, as they are sealed within the lines. If they have failed, you would only loose the ability of the system to create vacuum.
@@BoatingWithBoogaboo that’s what I came to conclusion last night, after thoroughly watching your videos! Lol. Ordering a new bellows first thing, you are the master of vacuflush, they should really be paying you!!
I am new to vacuflush system....is the noise around the 8:33 normal operation? My system seems loud and thought something wrong but yours sounded loud too.
Yes and no. This #boat is our 2nd one with a Vacuflush system (our last boat had two toilets/systems on it) and they were all noisy like you hear in this video. Earlier this season, we experienced some issues with the system and as part of the repairs I replaced the actual pump motor and it made all the difference int he world! When I removed the old pump, I discovered that the shaft was worn. The new one is so quiet, one actually has to listen for it now.
Check out this video I produced awhile back where I talk more about it and shows some photos (ruclips.net/video/kNDim08G-JY/видео.html). The poop system discussion starts around the 2:00 mark of the video.
Hope that help! Cheers, Paul.
great thanks for the follow up. appears a vacuflush pump is in my near future
bummed you sold your, i just purchased a 98 330. ill be watching your videos !
There's literally hundreds of videos I've shared from this boat - with even more to come from this past season 🙂
What was the pump doing ?
Creating vacuum.
strap wrench is what you want for working on those plastic pipes and fittings
+William Sullivan Great idea! Thanks.
Been there done that!! But u have to do it :D
I've forgotten how many times I've replaced them valves :-/
Or should I say was the toilet backed up at the head
Okay.
Dont worry...Its only chewed up food.......Try douching the lines with muriatic acid to clean all the hoses out before taking out the old valve
+John Ahern After 28 years in the general contracting business, I've seen, smelled and interacted with it all. Doesn't bother me, so long as I can wipe my hands afterwards 😉
I had a problem with my toilet I did a d y i I think I should call him a few short e y d a y a I forgot but anyway I had a problem with my toilet can I choose my my noodle my head and what I did was up10tion how's the clothes hanger and I put the other end in the toilet and pull whatever was in there out and it was some fragrant heart doodle maybe a piece of paper or something like that but I was using clean's and everything and I did work usually something in that you have to pull out so that's what I did so I'm kind of proud of myself but at the end of the day you keep up the good work keep showing the world what you doing God bless you and your family have a lot of fun on those boats in joy
Ya.
Hopefully you aren't replacing the whole system again like you did on the old boat 😬
+Nic Derkez I'm thinking about changing the holding tank and some the lines. If so, that won't happen until the Pat is out of the water...
For Godsakes man, wear some gloves! Lol
😂
Wasting time so much