www.iFourWinns.com

Hello I have used my VISTA 278 this weekend and is all new to me, i used the manual head and after and when I pumped water in the head , lots of water is coming out from the head vent starboard side. Also i try to use the macerator I tought that maybe the holding tank is full (which is very strange because I used it only 3 times) any help please

I have a 278 built in 2006 with a Dometic Ecovac toilet and vacuum system. Yours might be the same, other options were available from the factory.
My system looks like this except the holding tank is under the mid cabin floor and the vacuum generator is in the engine compartment.



The vacuum generator has some moving parts, duck bill valves, bellows and a pressure switch. I find that flushing liquid soap or dishwashing liquid through the system keeps these parts flexible and is better than any magic solutions from the boat shop.

After flushing or turning the system on do you hear the vacuum generator run for 15 seconds or more to build up pressure? Do you have access to a dockside pump-out system or can you go offshore for discharge from the seacock? It would be good to have a clean start before checking out the system.

I have just read your message again, you have a manual head? Please ignore my comments if it's not a Ecovac.

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John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

The Ecovac toilet system owner's manual can be found here:
http://media.channelblade.com/EProWebsi ... manual.pdf

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John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

Have you had it pumped out??

I have not pumped out since there are no services available. The macerator seems working because there it sounds but i cannot tell if it pumped out. could it be there is air?

If you have access to the top of your holding tank but there's no easy way to see inside it, install a small inspection plate. This will give you a chance to see the exact level of any fluid inside. A small captive bung works too. Ideal for ongoing maintenance. If the holding tank is under the floor of the mid cabin you might need a plate to get through the wood floor and another in the tank top. A dipstick is more reliable than an electronic tank monitor any day.

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John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

If you can hear the macerator but it is not emptying, you might need to check for any valves in the system to see if they are closed to the macerator. Some locations (especially in the U.S.) they prohibit using a macerator until 3 miles offshore in the ocean. In my U.S. Great Lakes area they valves are required to be physically closed and locked so it can't be used and only a pumpout can be used.

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Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

i have checked and only 1 seacock there is . the noise of the pump is not very loud, could it be clogged? or maybe air?

You would know if it was being pumped!! You would smell it and see it in the water! It is too bad that there is no pump out service were you are.

unfortuantly i think the pump is not working. i hear it but does not pump out. does it is servicable? does in need cleaning?

Were are you from?

From Malta !

If this situation occurred on my boat, I would unhook the wiring to the macerator and disconnect the inlet and outlet hoses (if the boat was in the water, making sure that the hose to the seacock can not admit water).
I would then check that the hoses were not blocked as far as I could see or probe. Most macerators have sealed electric motors with the pump/grinding mechanism accessible via an end plate.
Can't hurt to have a look and check things out.
The next step is to put up a sign in the head, "Nothing but body wastes and approved marine/RV single ply toilet paper, NO Kleenex, paper towels or anything else". Marine toilets work great but unapproved matter will soon block the pipe system which is much narrower than a household drain. If the boat we are talking about has just changed hands there's no telling what has been fed in to the system.

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John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

Problem solved. The waste holding tank was full and was not pumping out due to discharge pump. I have dismantled the pump to check if it is clogged and found that the valve kit were mounted wrong. Did the correct and works fine. Emptied holding tank very quickly.

what do you mean by valve kit mounted wrong?

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2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH