journey on
New member
OK, this missive is aimed at the C-Dory 25 and Tomkat owners, though I'm not sure about the latter. All those that have showers on their boat. As you know, the shower drains into a sump, whereby it's pumped overboard with a Rule bilge pump (and float switch.) A standard application, stock parts.
The problem I had is that the pump would run and wouldn't pump. This was an intermittent condition and occurred when I finally used the shower (after 6 years,) and with Rachel and the grandkids aboard. The sump overflowed and there was water all over the cabin floor. At Roche Harbour. Judy was not happy. I was p____ed, since I had checked that sump pump this winter, and it worked.
I checked with the Rule customer support, and they told me to replace the unit, without explaining what was the problem. Let's hear it for customer support. Oh, by the way, they said to install a check valve (aka duckbill valve?) For that suggestion read the next paragraph.
Looking at the installation, C-Dory (at least in 2005,) installed the sump with a loop in the outlet, presumably to prevent water being forced in by angry seas. Reviewing the Rule pump installation manual, they specifically said to avoid this type of installation. They also said don't use a check valve, as it may become clogged. If you wanted to prevent siphoning back in, put in a vented loop. This I did, removing the solid loop that C-Dory used. I used a ¾” vented loop, by the way. The shower sump pump now works like a charm.
My next thought was that the cabin bilge pump is installed with the same type of loop. Not wanting to find out at the wrong time the the cabin bilge pump has the same problem, I'm going to install a vented loop and cut out the coil C-Dory installed.
As to why I finally used the shower after 6 years? Well, there are Canadian marinas that charge $4 CDN for a shower. And $4 CDN is worth more than $4 US.
Boris
The problem I had is that the pump would run and wouldn't pump. This was an intermittent condition and occurred when I finally used the shower (after 6 years,) and with Rachel and the grandkids aboard. The sump overflowed and there was water all over the cabin floor. At Roche Harbour. Judy was not happy. I was p____ed, since I had checked that sump pump this winter, and it worked.
I checked with the Rule customer support, and they told me to replace the unit, without explaining what was the problem. Let's hear it for customer support. Oh, by the way, they said to install a check valve (aka duckbill valve?) For that suggestion read the next paragraph.
Looking at the installation, C-Dory (at least in 2005,) installed the sump with a loop in the outlet, presumably to prevent water being forced in by angry seas. Reviewing the Rule pump installation manual, they specifically said to avoid this type of installation. They also said don't use a check valve, as it may become clogged. If you wanted to prevent siphoning back in, put in a vented loop. This I did, removing the solid loop that C-Dory used. I used a ¾” vented loop, by the way. The shower sump pump now works like a charm.
My next thought was that the cabin bilge pump is installed with the same type of loop. Not wanting to find out at the wrong time the the cabin bilge pump has the same problem, I'm going to install a vented loop and cut out the coil C-Dory installed.
As to why I finally used the shower after 6 years? Well, there are Canadian marinas that charge $4 CDN for a shower. And $4 CDN is worth more than $4 US.
Boris
