macerator pump

[zigzagguzzi]

Does my 05 Interstate have one or does the power switch inside the rear door just operate a normal pump to pump out the waste? zz

[BaywoodBill]

What size is your drain hose? A 4" hose: no macerator. A little hose, macerator. Doubt you have a pump just to pump out the tank. But how would I know?:thinking:

[zigzagguzzi]

It is a 4 inch hose and has an electric pump---crazy. Using one of the clear attachments the stuff appears to be macerated but then why the big hose. Wait a minute--there is a way to dump manually according to the owners manual--so maybe the hose is large in case of battery failure and a manual dump is needed. According to the book the is a screw to turn for manual operation only this is 2 or 3 feet under the van. I do not want to be under there when the screw is turned! My van is the rear bath model. PS looks like a phillips head screw and it may just remove a cover for access to a regular valve but why so far under the van? zz

[BaywoodBill]

Hi Zigzaguzzi,

I'm just treading water here waiting for someone who actually owns an Interstate to jump in.

Like you, I would be tempted to conclude that if you have a pump then you must have a macerator. Unless you have to pump uphill?

[zigzagguzzi]

There have been a few times I needed to use blocks under the rear wheels to dump but onlly when the sewer outlet was high up , like 6 inches. Since I installed the air lifts which raised the rear about 3 inches I no longer need to do this. Also I no longer have the problem with the generator exhaust almost hitting the curb when backing into a parking space, and the extra height makes it much easier to pull off the road to take pictures or whatever. zz

[avanti]

Does my 05 Interstate have one or does the power switch inside the rear door just operate a normal pump to pump out the waste? zz

That switch just controls an electric dump valve, not a pump of any kind. The stock Interstate drains via gravity. I am the author of the following web page in which I describe how I installed a macerator in my Interstate:

http://www.maya.com/local/lucas/macerator/macerator.html

BIG improvement.

-Pete