Any way to drain the macerator hose?

[divide0]

Hi all,

I am new to RVs. I just bought a used Winnebago ERA that has a macerator pump for waste. When emptying the tanks, the pump works fine and pumps the waste through the hose until the tank is empty.

However, at that time the water stops flowing, and I still have a bunch of grey water in the attached hose. Gravity will not drain the hose, and no amount of wiggling the hose will cause it to drain.

Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong?

[Winterbagoal]

Is the macerator for the gray tank only? I use a 3" cap with a 3/4" male end that fits a standard garden hose. I made up a 1" hose for the gray water tank with a 3/4" female fitting on one end and just pump the gray tank through it. It usually empties completely.
The cap is like this one.
https://www.amazon.ca/Valterra-Produ...563Z2JV50T4S8V

[divide0]

On my era, the macerator is permanently installed from the factory. Both black and gray go through it.

The problem is that without the pump pushing the water through, it becomes trapped. Like putting your finger on the end of a drinking straw.

[Winterbagoal]

I always get scorched for doing this, but maybe try asking the question in the Class B section of the forum. Winnebago only has about 6 types of B vans, and maybe someone over there might have a solution for you.

[Morich]

Is this a harden hose type drain? If it is the vacuum keeping it from draining, perhaps try a form of "vacuum breaker" to let air in to let the water out? Thinking of adding a Tee or splitter as used for more than one garden hose, only in this case use it as a way to open one part to let air in?
Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Best-H.../dp/B013PWS8ZI

[divide0]

Originally Posted by Morich

Is this a harden hose type drain? If it is the vacuum keeping it from draining, perhaps try a form of "vacuum breaker" to let air in to let the water out?

That is an interesting thought. The macerator is mounted in a metal box in the middle of the undercarriage, so might be hard to toggle a valve there.

Thanks for the idea, though.i might look into some real vacuum breakers, although I worry that the waste may foul them.

[Morich]

Yes, location does sound difficult. Any potential in adding the y, adding a short hose to a location that can be reached and then capping that hose? No ideas on your RV and it takes some looking but I'm often amazed at how much space there is left over in RV in places where we might run a hose to get to it but not be a bother most of the time. Since it only takes hose and an end sticking out, perhaps just strapped to the underside to come up behind the stool, etc. where you can reach for the occasional need. I find my cabinet drawers pull out far enough to let me reach in and over the drawer and there is certainly lots of empty space back there. One would want to make the hose go higher than the drain at some point to avoid the air gap hose filling with waste for the yuck factor when using!

[era4x4]

Hi,

I have an era with the same pump system. First is that they put the black water valve and the grey water valve in series. You must have both valves open to drain. I have a 25 foot line and it drains fine with gravity. To test park on a slope and run your hose downhill. it should drain. Lastly I installed a PVC ball valve on the end of the hose. I simply close it when I am done and no water escapes.

[CDAVEGO]

Not a direct answer but a thought to consider. I have a 2016 View. I don't use the macerator pump for gray tank drainage at all. I remove the male plug from the 1.5" drain line (under the coach near the gray tank valve), hold the 3" hose under it, & open the gray drain valve. It only takes a few minutes to drain completely with gravity, much quicker than the pump. I suspect the only reason for the macerator is to have only one drain hose attachment for black & gray, but at least on mine, that requires fluid to be pumped uphill vs a simple gravity drain. Food for thought.