Bilge Pump under sink ...Tomcat

squidslayer · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:02 am Post subject: Bilge Pump under sink ...Tomcat

I looked the manual to no avail and am trying to figure out how the bilge pump under the sink works..or what does it even drain or what is it for?????
Under the hatch under the sink....The pump ,with a float switch, sets in an inclosed box. Upon opening it has three hoses,pump and switch. It is set above the water line and any water that comes into it has to come in from some mystery hoses for a mystery source.

Any one know what it drains or why it is there?????

Thanks
DickE

Discovery · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:20 am Post subject:

It drains from:
1. the shower drain on the floor of the head.
2. the water heater drain out.
3. the water heater over flow pop-off.

Brent

matt_unique · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:15 am Post subject: Yep

Brent nailed it.

thataway · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:09 pm Post subject:

Just be sure that your shower drain is hooked up under the shower. Mine was not when I first got the boat. Also mine pump was not properly wired, so that had to be fixed. But you need that pump if you use the shower-(haven't used the water heater features).

Pour some water into the shower to see if it drains in there. You also have to occasionally clean any hair or other debris out.

matt_unique · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:12 pm Post subject: Same here

Same here....my shower sump still had solid plastic ends where the hoses connect. The ends of the knobs had to be sawed off and then of course reconnect the water hoses.

Discovery · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject:

The only problem we have had with the shower pump is , occasionally a build up of soap scum and other debris causes the pump to stick in the on position. The pump runs until you open the cabinet, unload it , open the hatch, remove the cover screws and manually stop the float. Then figure out what is causing the float to stick, all while naked, because you were taking a shower. It's only happened a couple of times, but it helps to have your spouse on board to deal with the problem, while you continue to shower. Not a great design, or pump location, but we love the on board shower.

Brent and Dixie

squidslayer · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:44 am Post subject:

That under sink bilge pump's float switch was bad and kept running even though there was no water in it and have never used the shower. Had to disconnect it and replace it...pain the A#% to get to.......
Not really a safety issue like I thought.

Thank you all for your help!

Cheers
DickE

Dreamer · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:08 pm Post subject:

We've had both the continuous run and the in-op pump problems. Still haven't replaced the pump. It restarts after a wait.

I leave the top to that sump box loose enough that it will run over and drain out into the main bilge. Pulling the fuse behind the helm turns of the continuously running pump. Refilling the sump and reinstalling the fuse usually solves the problem.

Grumpy · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:26 pm Post subject:

I think I would fit a manual switch beside the shower rather than run around 'starkers' looking for the right tools. Shocked

M