Self-Flushing Toilet

[otherclive]

When we took the van out for its maiden voyage I thought that the Thetford seemed to get through flush water rather quickly. So did check to see if there were any leaks but found nothing. Then yesterday I was on the drive and heard a noise which turned out to be the flush pump running, even though the caravan power supplies were all switched off. But thats another investigation. So it looks as if the electric flush may have switched itself on at random times. I checked the press panel on top of the flush tank and the pump came on, but didn't immediately turn off without being pressed again. So it looks as if I have a sticky switch. Any tips on how to access and replace the switch? The toilet model; is Thetford 260.

 

[Gabsgrandad]

Don't know the answer Otherclive -- but have you had a look on here or even Thetfords own website
.https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=thetford+cassette+toilet

 

[Woodentop]

When we took the van out for its maiden voyage I thought that the Thetford seemed to get through flush water rather quickly. So did check to see if there were any leaks but found nothing. Then yesterday I was on the drive and heard a noise which turned out to be the flush pump running, even though the caravan power supplies were all switched off. But thats another investigation. So it looks as if the electric flush may have switched itself on at random times. I checked the press panel on top of the flush tank and the pump came on, but didn't immediately turn off without being pressed again. So it looks as if I have a sticky switch. Any tips on how to access and replace the switch? The toilet model; is Thetford 260.

Using a penknife gently peel off the escutcheon on the control panel. This will reveal a white plastic assembly which you can remove by easing a single catch at one end. Take the PCB out of the white plastic housing and you will see the switch - a small plastic button in the top of a square metal housing. Try pressing the button to see if it makes the pump work and stop when you release it. If it does then it could be the button catching on the plastic; if it doesn't then it could be a faulty switch (although unlikely.) You will be better off buying a complete new PCB than trying to replace the switch but be warned, they ain't cheap!

 

[otherclive]

Thanks for the feedback. From looking at other forums the C250 isn't rated too highly, and most problems seem to be lack of flush water, whilst mine is the opposite. So I will remove the upper PCB tomorrow then also look at the electrics within the cassette compartment as these seem to be prone to problems caused by corrosion. Not a major step forward for mankind, at least with the manual pump as long as it had its bits still reasonably intact it would push water into the bowl.

 

[otherclive]

Well to round off this topic I removed the top membrane cover on the internal flush tank. Took out the pcb and removed the wired connectors. Brushed some electrical contact cleaner over both surfaces and replaced the connectors. Then I sprayed some silicon lubricant into the small push button switch and pressed it on and off for a number of times. Replaced everything and during a week in Dartmoor it has behaved itself.

 

[camel]

I have seen this problem before on other web sites with reference to a SFT, could the initial cause of the problem be having blown air heating on over a period of time in the caravan and the micros etc just dry out and need a little bit of TLC,

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Other Clive. Not sure if this will help but I have just had the same problem with our toilet flushing on its own, mine was the micro switch as well.I did replace my board though as it had been in trouble before ,infact I am on the third board in 7 years. If Like our van you may find that when you are sorted the toilet will flush with everything else switched off . I think this maybe incase you get took short on a journey and you can use you own loo with out having to mess switching everything on .
Sir Roger

 

[Damian]

Quote " could the initial cause of the problem be having blown air heating on over a period of time in the caravan and the micros etc just dry out and need a little bit of TLC,"

No, microswitches should be dry, as should the area they are working in.
Thetford have made a very basic bad design in having them anywhere near water !!