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Headhunter Mach 5 Replacement Info
I thought folks might want to know this. I was aware there was some sort of replacement program through Headhunter for failed Mach 5 pumps, but I had heard may versions. This is my experience in November of 2012.
My ’03 Liberty had its original Mach 5. It quit developing full pressure, which impacted its ability to properly flush the toilet. I called Liberty and (****) suggested i might get a better price going through Headhunter. I called and spoke with their tech, and he confirmed the pump was failing. The new Mach 5 costs $1125. However, he informed me of their program of half price brand new pumps for existing Mach 5 owners. Awesome! The only catch was the wanted the serial number label off my original pump (so the failed pump cannot qualify for more than one replacement). My new pump arrived a couple of days later for $500 and change. The replacement pump will qualify for cheap replacement when/if it fails!
It’s nice to deal with a company that stands behind a 9 year old product.
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14 Replies
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While I can appreciate their generosity, my previous coaches had Groco pumps, the first coach original pump was still operating after 17 years of use when we sold the coach, and the second pump was 14 years old when it failed. I would rather know Headhunter has a more reliable pump.
If it appears I am sour grapes put this in perspective. How many cycles has the pump actually run, considering the limited use our motorhomes actually get? If this pump was used in our homes for example I bet its life wouldn’t be a year.
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1/2 price for new, great deal John…
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I do not think so!
all it means is that you have paid the other 50% upfront and Headhunter bets on you not calling for a replacement!
Headhunter may be a good pump but there are alternatives. Jon mentioned Groco and there is another brand, i.e. Grundfos, a company which has been building pumps for a veeerry long time. The Grundfos pump with almost exact specifications as the Headhunter can be purchased for about $550
I have gone through the same experience with Headhunter. When the first pump failed due to a bad backflow preventer, they shipped the replacement for half price.
I still think what I have stated going into this post.
Cheers,
Ronald
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Certainly different peoples experiences and perceptions vary, and thankfully, there are alternatives for all. My experiance in big boats has shown HH to be, in my opinion, a fantastic, well-integrated, complete and reliable system. I have owned all the high-end systems. I also beleive the HH toilets require the pressure and flow generated by their pump. I would hesitate to rework the entire system on my Liberty… it just works.
While I wish these pumps would last longer, I think 9 years is pretty good for an intermittantly used system. In my book half price is better than full price, and I am unaware of any other vender offering such discounts on 9 year old gear… YMMV.
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I agree, John. Thanks for the info. I will file it mentally for future use.
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What are the symptons of a failing/failed Mach 5 pump?
Mine started off with working fine, but after flushing the toilet, sometimes it ends up in an endless cycle of running/shutting off then running again (each run is about 15 seconds). Then the pump errors/alarms and needs to be reset.
Recently, I am getting an issue where no matter what it goes into that cycle. Checked all I could on proper priming the pump, went throught the steps (which matched what I was doing) and it still cycles the pump. Am thinking the pump needs replacement, which is odd as it looks pretty new (newer then other components in the water bay).
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Sounds like a water inlet problem Charles, like maybe it’s sucking air and then losing the prime. I assume you have checked the hose, clamps, strainer, etc… Headhunter is real good to work with troubleshooting if you have to go that route.
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Ye, all the trouble shooting/checking/investigation I am doing (in the drizzling rain, I really should be in Florida with these problems!) I am thinking it’s the line between the tank and the pump. The setemant filter bowl (clear bowl with metal strainer type cylinder filter) has some small “cracks”. No leaking, but I think I will replace the filter houseing with a new one as well as check the shut-off valve and hose fittings to make sure there isnt a vacuum leak.
I’ll be down at Parliament next week, think I will check with them and get replacement filter (or will check with local RV dealer here, but that’s like going to Walmart to see if I can get an armani suit. The local RV dealer doesnt even carry standard parts for the plastic coaches they sell).
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I have had the mach5 also cycle when the accumulator tank was low on air pressure,it should be 41PSI with the pump turned off and without any water pressure in the pipes.
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I cant seem to find this “accumulator” tank… I saw pics of it in the water bay as well as heard of stories of it under the bathroom vanity. Can’t find a small holding/pressure tank anywhere? Could mine be one of the setup’s with out an accumulator tanks? Where else did liberty put them?
I am thinking the Mach5 is an updated setup and possible the accumulator tank was removed when the previous pump (probably the previous model headhunter pump) was removed? from my reading, seems like the Mach5 doesn’t really need this tank, but some still do run it to handle the low pressure water needs like ice/water in the fridge.
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The accumulator tank should be a blue one in your water bay on the rear bulkhead (to the left), but if it is not there start looking elsewhere, including behind the refrigerator.
It needs to have a 40 PSI pressure with the water pressure at zero.
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You may not have one Charles, mine’s a 2001 and didn’t come with the tank. Mine had the Headhunter Jetpaq pump, not supported anymore and you can’t find one. I upgraded to the Mach 5 and installed an accumulator tank under a sink in the bath. The Mach 5 will work with or without an accumulator, but they recommend using one. Prior to installing the accumulator, the pump would run at the slightest crack of a faucet.
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Checked under all sinks, still need to check behind fridge (should be able to access it through pantry closet back panel). But after inspecting the sedemint filter prior to the pump, I am seeing small stress/age fractures in the bowl where it has threads to screw onto the housing. Thinking those are causing a slight suction leak, causing the pump to cycle.
Trying to find a source for the same type of metal cylinder screen sedemint filter (about 6 or so inches tall), if I can’t find one today, will call Parliament and see if they can install one next week while I am in the area (as well as check out the rest of the pump system to see if I missed anything?).
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The jetpaq model pump, which was the oe on my 2000 Liberty, has a built in accumulator tank…the Mach 5 does not.
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