Macerator noise comparison Saniflo vs Grundflos: Desperate to do the right thing!

[inashed]

Sorry to pick up on your thread but I'm in a similar situation needing to replace an old (>10yrs) Sanitop 2 that is on the way out and very noisy. Have been looking at Uniflo 4, various Saniflo models, and the Grundfos Sololift2 WC-1. Latter is 70dB(A) which is far greater noise than the 46dB(A) for the Saniflo. That has to be several times louder.

What to do?

 

[Leigh Florence]

Hi i wrote the original post. My plumber installed a Saniflo shortly after and said it was quieter. I wish i had gone for the Saniflo really. It is really noisy to me but really hard to know. No one interested in doing comparison review of macerators! Wonder why!

 

[inashed]

Thanks for your reply. What was the Saniflo product/model you had installed please? Yes, I love how the manufacturer's describe them as quiet in operation and omit technical data on noise levels from their sales brochures. None of the promotional videos ever show operation of the equipment.

 

[rpm]

Thanks for your reply. What was the Saniflo product/model you had installed please? Yes, I love how the manufacturer's describe them as quiet in operation and omit technical data on noise levels from their sales brochures. None of the promotional videos ever show operation of the equipment.

Which model depends what you wish it to deal with, wc only, plus a basin, or a shower as well? There is not a great deal of difference sound wise.
db levels can be found online but as a rough guide the sound of an old fashion cistern refilling was louder and lasted longer.

 

[inashed]

It's WC only. Using an uncalibrated noise meter (app) the failing Sanitop 2 registers around 60dB(A). I like the Grundfos as it seems more durable and service is easier (I've had to strip down and unblock the Sanitop 2 too often), but 70dB(A) is not quiet. Can it really be that loud?

 

[Leigh Florence]

i bought and installed the Grundfos Sololift 2 CWC-3 Wall-Hung Macerator. Same db as yours i think. It's loud. My plumber installed a Saniflo elsewhere, i never heard it, he said quieter but may have been just saying that to wind me up!

 

[rpm]

It's WC only. Using an uncalibrated noise meter (app) the failing Sanitop 2 registers around 60dB(A). I like the Grundfos as it seems more durable and service is easier (I've had to strip down and unblock the Sanitop 2 too often), but 70dB(A) is not quiet. Can it really be that loud?

If you prefer the Grundfos for the reasons given then go for it.

 

[inashed]

It's not necessarily a strong preference. I heard from some users of the Uniflo 4 who said noise levels are lower, similar to Saniflo. Do you have experience with the Uniflo 4? My main concern is to keep the noise as low as possible. Thanks again.

 

[rpm]

Just Googled the Uniflo 4 and I`ve seen it under different manufactures names, components used are similar to the Saniflo but all I would say is that they tend to be built to a price then shipped in.

 

[inashed]

Yes, I'm concerned that a few dB(A) savings is not a worthwhile trade for more frequent maintenance. I've decided to go with the Grundfos unit and box it in if needed to contain the noise.

 

[inashed]

I now have a new Grundfos Sololift2 WC-1 still in box. It looks like Since this is a swap out it looks like I need an additional Grundfos accessory in the form of a flexible pipe. The waste pipe installed is 22mm and the Grundfos was exit elbow 32mm (internal). Could I get some suitable reducers and flexible pipe from a plumbing supplies/DIY store or do I need to get the official accessory from Grundfos? I would need some hard plastic or nylon reducers (22-32 mm) to use with hose clamps?

 

[rpm]

I now have a new Grundfos Sololift2 WC-1 still in box. It looks like Since this is a swap out it looks like I need an additional Grundfos accessory in the form of a flexible pipe. The waste pipe installed is 22mm and the Grundfos was exit elbow 32mm (internal). Could I get some suitable reducers and flexible pipe from a plumbing supplies/DIY store or do I need to get the official accessory from Grundfos? I would need some hard plastic or nylon reducers (22-32 mm) to use with hose clamps?

All required adaptors are in the box.

 

[inashed]

All required adaptors are in the box.

The current install (looking from front of the toilet) has the exit on the right and waste pipe (22mm ID) traversing to the left (about 35cm) where it passes through the wall on its way to the soil stack (via a 22mm tube).

I need to connect the 32mm (ID) pipe elbow from the Grundfos macerator to the 22mm (ID) port. The adapters in the box will not do this. Whilst there is a 32-22 adapter it is designed to clamp to a hard 22mm pipe. I need a flexible 32mm ID pipe and a 32-32 adapter to connect between the elbow and the hard 22mm exit pipe.

 

[rpm]

The current install (looking from front of the toilet) has the exit on the right and waste pipe (22mm ID) traversing to the left (about 35cm) where it passes through the wall on its way to the soil stack (via a 22mm tube).

I need to connect the 32mm (ID) pipe elbow from the Grundfos macerator to the 22mm (ID) port. The adapters in the box will not do this. Whilst there is a 32-22 adapter it is designed to clamp to a hard 22mm pipe. I need a flexible 32mm ID pipe and a 32-32 adapter to connect between the elbow and the hard 22mm exit pipe.

What is the 22mm tube passing through the wall, copper or solvent weld plastic?
If solvent weld plastic then everything you need is easily available.

 

[inashed]

22mm tube passing through the wall is plastic, solvent welded, jubilee clip onto flexible pipe. I found a solution which is to use 22mm copper at the elbow, secured with jubilee clip, and then another jubilee clip onto the copper/flexible pipe (leaving the exit through the wall untouched). So you were right that required adapters were in the box, just needed a short run of 22mm copper.

 

[inashed]

Grundfos unit now installed and working. Certainly quieter than the old failing Sanitop2. Noise levels are acceptable.

What is the correct way to dispose of the old unit?