help with washdown pump

starcrafttom · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:39 am Post subject: help with washdown pump

I need some help with my wash down pump. I want to do two things and need to know if one of them will work. I would like to connect the wash down pump up to my fresh water system so i can rinse with fresh and not salt. I also want to connect to the sink so I have water there. The pump is a Shurflo marine blaster with a flow rate of 3.5 gpm. with a pressure setting of 45 psi. Is that to much for the sink fausts to handle? My other problem is where to put it. I was going to put it behind the water tank but the out let for the tank is on the bottom and facing the center of the boat. I cant even see it at this point let alone plumb new lines into it. Now sark says his is under the sink area. My concern with that is my compass head for the chart plotter is under there to, right on the back wall of the cabinet down near the door. if I put the pump, with all its magnets, up toward the captions seat then they are close to the fish finder brain under the helms seat. The auto pilot brain is back by the compass. I just do not know what bad effects the pumps motor will have on all these things. Any idea????

Papillon · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:55 am Post subject:

With a 20 gal Fresh water tank you have 5.71 minutes of supply on the wash down side of this setup. On the pressure side of this arrangement you won't need a scrub pad...you can blast the food particles off the dishes.

I would suggest you leave your blaster pump where it is and purchase a new lower volume pump for the sink. Also as to placement I would not worry to much about interference with your electronics as most of the time you will be at anchor or dock when you are using the sink and any interruption will be only momentary at the least. I would not place it right next to these units but a foot or so away should not be a problem.

You can always give the wash down area a top rinse with fresh water to flush out the blasters remains.

My 2.5Cents Worth...

starcrafttom · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:00 pm Post subject:

Well if I go for a raw watr pump I dont want to cut a hole in the boat. There has been a lot of talk about over the side pick ups but has any one tried just attaching the hose to the drain hole in the transom??? No drilling and alway in the water at a troll or sitting. maybe a valve to drain the boat or run the wash down?

Cutty Sark · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject:

Why not wire it up and set it next to, or tape it up where you will install it, and see how it affects your compass? You could probably put a T in the line after the pump and run it to both the sink and where ever you put the washdown outlet, but yeah it might be a bit much as far as pressure for sink use. Mine has quite a bit of pressure. Might be easier to just replace the faucet with one that has a pump specifically for it like this

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/143420/10001/298/27/11

And I'll try to find that hose for you this week.

Sark

thataway · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:24 pm Post subject:

We put the pump that Cutty Sark describes in the 22 fresh water system under the sink--aft where the hose from the tank runs across the aft floor.

I think that the blaster pump would be way too much for the galley. I suspose that you could fabricate a plug which would fit in the drain and still allow water to enter--but why take a chance. We had a Jabsco diaphragm pump (from salvage store) which is self priming for several feet, and we would just throw the pickup hose over the side and use it. The pressure was about 35 PSI and flow 3 gal a min--plenty for washdown.

Agree you don't want to use all of the fresh water up in a couple of minutes.

TyBoo · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:53 pm Post subject:

I have a 3.5gpm/45psi pump hooked to the galley and a 3.8/45 for the head/shower. The head side pump is also plumbed to the galley sink and I can run both of them at once into the sink through my 1/2" tubing spigot. No problem with too much flow or pressure at all. There is a problem with the girls using too much freshwater, though. I have close to 60 gallons when full (3 tanks), but they can sure run it out in a hurry.

Don't the the Blaster name fool you - they should call it a Shurflo Squirter. I think you will use up your freshwater before you get the fish blood washed up. Raw water for washdown might be your best choice. The pickup for the washdown on my 22 was a piece of 3/4" SS tubing down the outside of the transom and held to the motor bracket with I don't remember what. At the top end I clamped on a piece of 3/4" hose to run to the pump under the gunnel. The lower end of the tubing was cut at 45º facing forward with the tip of it even with the bottom of the hull. She scooped up water great when running or sitting. If you use the drain hole, I don't think you will get much suction when running fast. One thing to remember for the raw water suction - make sure the pump inlet is below the highest point of the suction line, and the lower the better.

If you want to tap into the freshwater, you can tee into the hose anywhere between the exisiting foot pump and the tank. Crimp the hose with ViseGrips before cutting it and you don't even have to drain the tank. I can't help you with the heading compass because I don't have that fancy stuff. Does your sink faucet have a valve or is just an open tube that shoots out water when you step on the pump? If it is a valve, you can use the pressure switch in the electric pump to turn it on when the valve is opened. If it is just an open tube (like mine was) then you either have to install a valve or use a switch to energize the pump.

C-WEED · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:22 am Post subject:

My freshwater only pump is mounted on the aft starboard bulkhead. With the outlet fitting and power switch in the starboard shelf forward bulkhead. Coiled hose is on the shelf. Great water pressure/flow. I would think a simple restrictor would work for the sink. I left the foot pump in place for female water conservation. The washdown with a sprinkler head gets used way too much as it is.

Cutty Sark · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:34 am Post subject:

My washdown is freshwater too, I had raw water on my last boat which worked well also, except when it would get some debris in the pickup. I have a blaster too, and it gets good pressure, but I still keep a little scrubber in the back to help loosen up the scales and blood. And I have never even gotten close to using an entire tank in one day of fishing. Maybe others catch more fish than me Wink

. I could see wanting to conserve when cruising but for a day fishing trip 20 gallons is plenty, and there really is no huge need to conserve. I guess it just depends on your uses.

SArk