2001 Grady White 282 Sailfish - Macerator, Tank level monitor & Toilet pump assembly Install

Clearly you didn't spend any time learning how to search correctly. That Groco macerator is discussed often. Not really a big deal to fix. Hacking an alternative is a little problematic but been done before (several times).
 
Hookup1 said:
Clearly you didn't spend any time learning how to search correctly. That Groco macerator is discussed often. Not really a big deal to fix. Hacking an alternative is a little problematic but been done before (several times).
Click to expand...
Every boat and installation is different. Our repair wasn't simple. When we swapped out the macerator it didn't work. We had to troubleshoot. We documented the experience to help others, check out the video and see if we missed anything. ;)
 
Last edited:
I always encourage new members to learn to search on GG when they first join. There is a tremendous amount of experience captured in GG forum posts. Look there and you can save yourself a lot of time and aggravation.

Great Grady returned 7 pages of post related to Groco Macerator.

Search results for query: Groco macerator

www.greatgrady.com www.greatgrady.com

Every boat model is slightly different from other models within that generation of GW boats. GW used that Groco macerator setup in my 1997 268 Islander, the Sailfish series and many others.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Sailors Locker
Good luck, personally I couldn't waste the time to film/edit all the things I've fixed, re-engineered or replaced in my lifetime. I appreciate those that do, but only watch what I need to.
 
Hookup1 said:
Clearly you didn't spend any time learning how to search correctly. That Groco macerator is discussed often. Not really a big deal to fix. Hacking an alternative is a little problematic but been done before (several times).
Click to expand...
I have tried to search for things I want to tackle myself and when I search here, get no or few results. Maybe Im doing my searches incorrectly, What do you suggest?
 
Cliff1886 said:
I have tried to search for things I want to tackle myself and when I search here, get no or few results. Maybe Im doing my searches incorrectly, What do you suggest?
Click to expand...
Search can be tricky until you get used to it. Go into search and click advanced - in advanced just fill Key words section IE in your case Groco. and search I know from experience bc I recently had to replace mine :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cliff1886
Sailors Locker said:
Every boat and installation is different. Our repair wasn't simple. When we swapped out the macerator it didn't work. We had to troubleshoot. We documented the experience to help others, check out the video and see if we missed anything. ;)
Click to expand...
You got the job done, so that's what counts.
What did you miss?
GLOVES AND A BUCKET!
As soon as I saw the corroded connectors on the old wiring harness, they were suspect. Did you check the power to the old switch with the switch removed, checking wiring only? When you got the dim light on the new switch, had the old power and ground, and the red, green, blue connectors been thoroughly cleaned? When you pulled the new wiring harness, were they still dim? Did you check the old switch again with the new wiring harness?
The inch and a half bolts would have been fine in that application, with a ss washer and a nyloc nut. With a cut-off bolt, and an acorn nut, a tight turn can be backing the bolt out, instead of the nut on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sailors Locker
Cliff1886 said:
I have tried to search for things I want to tackle myself and when I search here, get no or few results. Maybe Im doing my searches incorrectly, What do you suggest?
Click to expand...
Good searches always comes down to the keywords. “Groco macerator” is a precision search that can be refined from there. I would read thru some of the posts in the 7 pages and maybe add a one or two search terms to the original search. I know I have posted a dozen plus times on this topic. Advanced search even allows you to search and add the person who posted it. Sometimes it’s spelling too. GROCO and GROCCO have both been used in the posts.
 
Last edited:
glacierbaze said:
You got the job done, so that's what counts.
What did you miss?
GLOVES AND A BUCKET!
As soon as I saw the corroded connectors on the old wiring harness, they were suspect. Did you check the power to the old switch with the switch removed, checking wiring only? When you got the dim light on the new switch, had the old power and ground, and the red, green, blue connectors been thoroughly cleaned? When you pulled the new wiring harness, were they still dim? Did you check the old switch again with the new wiring harness?
The inch and a half bolts would have been fine in that application, with a ss washer and a nyloc nut. With a cut-off bolt, and an acorn nut, a tight turn can be backing the bolt out, instead of the nut on.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the feedback. We did check the wiring after installing the pump before ordering the new panel. It had power and worked when we initially tested it, then it started working intermittently until it stopped working altogether. We did not clean the old wiring. What do you use to clean old wires?

Since we installed the new wiring, the pump has been working perfectly. We didn’t think to test the old panel, figured since it was 25 years old it was probably time to replace it anyway.
 
“ What do you use to clean old wires?”

Can’t really clean wires, but you can clean the connectors on the ends. Use a small brass toothbrush sized brush, a soft wire wheel, or a chemical cleaner like jewelry cleaner.
Even better, if there is corrosion showing in the wiring, is to cut the ends back to clean copper, and install new connectors.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sailors Locker
Great video. Thanks for taking the time. Replacing the existing Groco stuff is the simplest way for a DIY.

IDK if I missed it but there is usually a switch and breaker for the macerator on the dash panel or DC panel. Or there is a fuse.

There are many posts here on Great Grady regarding macerators and specifically Groco "in tank" macerators.
Also several that show ways of reconfiguring the systems to use external Jabsco pumps and valves. It can be done for less money than Groco and also, IMHO, results in a better solution than an "in-tank" pump.

The broken floats are a common problem and often the loose float can jam the pump blade when you get to the last of the pumpout.
There is post regading using SCAD tank sensors that don't use in-tank floats.

Lastly, There is RV flushable toilet paper!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sailors Locker
A&J Outdoors said:
Great video, I don't know about others, but I learn best seeing video, not just pictures. My 282 has a none working macerator too. For now we plan to just use the marina pump out. Not sure it's worth $1500 to fix.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much. Completely understand about the cost. We were shocked at the price for the Groco especially since other macerators are much less. Unfortunately we don't have a pump out at our marina so we needed to fix it and we weren't comfortable doing a workaround.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.