Introduction
We RV aficionados are nature lovers, but ironically, we do not want to spoil nature when nature calls. Your RV’s toilet system is arguably what makes it a home rather than a moving van. Toilets have been stable in RVs for some time.
Fortunately, they have been upgraded with electrical pumps and disposal systems recently. Thetford Tecma products are a trailblazing brand focused on producing toilets that function as if you are at home.
However, like at home, when your toilet breaks down, it is devastating and has to be addressed immediately. This article will discuss the most common issues associated with Tecma toilets and how to resolve them yourself.
Tecma RV Toilet Troubleshooting
1. Toilet Flushing Performance
The flushing function of any toilet is the most critical. Therefore, any malfunction or reduction in performance will render the toilet useless. If you experience issues with the flushing system in your RV, there are three most likely sources of the problem.
The Water Tank is Full
If you find that water is freely entering the bowl but is having trouble emptying the water, there is likely to be a simple fix.
The toilet requires two critical systems for water flow. Firstly there needs to be a supply of clean water to enter the bowl that comes from your onboard water storage. Critically, the supply must then be flushed into your black water tank.
If fresh water is available but cannot exit the bowl, you can be reasonably confident that there is no space in the black water tank at capacity. To resolve this, empty the black water system and try to flush the toilet again.
If the water is being evacuated, complete five flushes to guarantee it is back to normal and clear any potential debris leftover from the overloaded tank.
Inlet Pump Blockage
If the toilet is struggling to flush adequately, it can signal that something is trapped in the water pump inlet. The most common symptom of this is a lack of water in the bowl, or it fills very slowly.
The inlet pump is supplied by the freshwater storage onboard. The connection is straightforward, utilizing a pipe fed through a pump and then directly into the toilet. The simplicity refines the possible sources of the problem.
The pump will most often be used for your kitchen taps and toilet system. Observe if there is an issue with the water pressure from your taps, particularly if its performance has deteriorated over time. If this is the case, there is a good chance of a pump issue.
To check, empty the fresh water tank and find the inlet water pump. Disconnect it from the tank, inspect the inlet and outlet holes, and observe if there is any foreign material causing an obstruction.
Many pumps will have a mesh filter to block contaminants that can be inspected. The presence of foreign material will simply block your pump, so you can clear it and reinstall it. However, if the pump is clear, then it is likely to have worn out and will require a replacement.
Macerator Issues
A macerator is a pump that typically uses spinning blades to pull fluid out of the toilet and break up solid waste particles. It performs an essential function in preventing blockages to the black water tank.
Like the water pump, this component can be susceptible to blockages, preventing the toilet from functioning appropriately. Symptoms include poor or nonexistent drainage combined with a whining sound from the malfunctioning macerator.
To resolve this issue, you will have to complete the unpleasant task of disconnecting the macerator and inspecting it for blockages. Most often, the stoppages result from foreign material rather than human waste.
But, again, if you cannot identify any apparent blockage, it is likely that the component has worn out and needs replacement.
Low Voltage
The Tecma toilet range takes advantage of electrical pumps to function optimally and, at times, better than your throne at home. However, this added dependence can cause some of its problems.
An issue with the onboard battery system that provides too low voltage may be the source of your issues. Both the inlet pump and the macerator require a stable electrical supply. If you notice that water in and outflows slow or become temperamental, you should consider checking their electrical supply.
Use a multimeter to measure the voltage measured when the pumps are on. For both 12V and 24V installation, the voltage should stay within 10% of that. If there is a significant loss, you should consult an electrical professional to rectify the voltage shortage.
2. Water Does Not Enter Bowl
No toilet can flush without adequate water supplied to it. If you are experiencing a lack of water entering the bowel, you have no doubt already checked that you have adequate fresh water stored onboard.
Assuming you have ample water, some other typical problems can cause this issue.
No Power to Pump
As mentioned previously, the Tecma toiled requires electrical pumps to function. To test if the pump has failed, you should turn off the electrical power to the entire RV.
When you turn it back on, you should listen for the pump to prime. It closely resembles a high-pitched spinning sound.
If there is no pump noise and no water is being pumped into the bowl, then you should check that the fuse to the pump hasn’t blown. Check the owner’s manual to find and replace the fuse with the same amp rating.
Alternatively, inspect the pump’s wiring and ensure that a high enough voltage reaches the pump when engaged. The nature of RV travel will cause a lot of internal vibration, which can shake wires loose.
Be sure to check and secure all the cables to guarantee they haven’t simply wriggled free.
Water Supply Kinked
The water supplied to the toilet must be free-flowing to work correctly. Assuming the pump works correctly, you should check the piping for any obstructions.
Most of the internal plumbing within RVs utilizes flexible piping to work around the tight spacing. Frustratingly, this can cause kinks in the system easily. Most often, this will be apparent after its initial installation.
Luckily it is a simple fix. The hose needs to be unkinked and repositioned, which should resolve it instantly.
Water Supply is Off
As with most utilities, there is a hard-off valve or switch. Often this is for emergencies such as leaks or electrical maintenance, but for RVs, they are used frequently to offload and load water.
Therefore, the water supply valve is used frequently and provides a greater risk of forgetting to open it later on. As obvious and cliched as it may be, even the most season RV owner has been caught out by this embarrassing mistake.
3. Bowl Drains Entirely After Flush
A less common fault is when water will not remain in the bowl after flushing the system. Again, it is an issue that tends to arise after installation and should be addressed instantly.
The issue results from the discharge hose being too low, creating a siphoning effect. Essentially, the hose instantly extracts water rather than allowing it to pool.
It is a simple positioning error by the installer, which can be rectified by adjusting the angle of the hose to loop upward before heading to the black water tank. Doing so will prevent water from being pulled, allowing the macerator to activate and cause the extraction process.
None of the Above
The abovementioned issues are the most typical problems Tecma toilet owners have reported. Tecma toilet owners have had trouble-free experiences with their systems. However, this does not mean that other faults can occur.
In this case, you should consult your local Tecma distributor or Thetford themselves. The products typically carry a two-year warranty for an instant replacement should there be any fundamental issues.
Conclusion
Thetford Tecma toilets are a deservedly revered brand renowned for their quality and longevity. After reviewing this article, you should be equipped to deal with all of the common problems associated with the products.
All the issues are easy and safe for any RV owner to tackle. Most often, they are issues regarding plumbing or electrical work which need adjustment rather than replacement.
Although every care has been taken to ensure they last as long as your RV, some typical faults have been associated with the toilets.
It should be observed that most of them are due to installation practices and components that are not actually the toilet themselves but the mechanism required to operate it
These issues should not put you off the Tecma brand and, hopefully, give you the confidence to tackle any of these issues yourself.
