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Water system design question

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woodyoureally
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/08/2016 : 07:00:40

I am upgrading my water system to pressure with this pump http://amazon.com/Seaflo-Pressure-Diaphragm-Caravan-Marine/dp/B00DLKT4OO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1460123499&sr=8-3&keywords=rv. I would like to feel comfortable using the holding tank water for drinking and cooking but not waste the filter for cleaning. To that end I am going to install a Woder refrigerator filter (http://amazon.com/dp/B00L07RWJE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=27GC2IW1UH6W7&coliid=I1DQ2128W0TM93) with T-valves. inline.

My question is; Does it matter what side of the filter the pump is on? See diagram below.

82 Catalina swing keel. Standard rig. Honda 9.9 XL OB

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2016 : 07:12:55

The answer might lie with the question of whether the filter might create enough back-pressure to turn the pump off. You might want to ask the pump maker for a recommendation. Otherwise I think I'd want the filter as far down-stream as practical.

Dave Bristle
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage before going over to the Dark Side (2007-2025); now departed from Mystic, CT, and boatless for the first time since 1970.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 04/08/2016 07:15:59

slim
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2016 : 09:23:49

I don't see the purpose of a filter if you are going to run the filtered and unfiltered water thru the same line to your facit? See when you turn your filter line off and run unfiltered water you will be filing your lines with unfiltered water so if you use any of that water you will have defeated the purpose of your filter.

Slim

1978 - C25 - standard rig - Fixed keel #1040

slim
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2016 : 12:27:03

The answer may be to run 2 lines from your pump - one thru the filter and on to the HW side of the fawcett and the other direct to the cold water side. This would eliminate a valve to rout water in one or the other direction and give you what you are looking for in your water system. Pure filtered water on the HW side of your fawcett and raw unfiltered water on the cold water side.

Slim

1978 - C25 - standard rig - Fixed keel #1040

Edited by - slim on 04/08/2016 12:44:32

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2016 : 04:45:01

In our RV the pump is before the filter. I installed a pressure system in my boat but did not use a filter. Once a year I clean the tank the same as I do in the RV. We use the RV tank water for everything, however, on the boat I carry bottled water for drinking and coffee. The water at our marina is awful tasting so I use the bottled water for anything we drink. I think if you are concerned about safe filtered potable water in the system I would only have one line system.

1988 WK/SR w/inboard diesel Joe Pool Lake
Hobie 18 Lake Worth

Life is not a dress rehearsal. You will not get another chance.

glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2016 : 04:51:42

quote:
I would like to feel comfortable using the holding tank water for drinking and cooking

That might be the catch...I don't know how much experience you have had with your boat but to consider the freshwater tank water as potable demands some attention. I relate our use but I think you'll find it similar to that of many here on the forum. We use bottled water for drinking, brushing our teeth and cooking and FW tank water for most other water needs. Each spring we shock our system with a 5% bleach mixture and let it sit overnight. After rinsing we then fill it with city (chlorinated) water. Even then after a month or so the water will begin to smell a bit off, particularly in the hotter part of the summer. To limit that, we try to empty and refill our tank at least once during the season and before an extended (a few days) cruise. I would think warmer areas would require even more attention.

Not trying to discourage you from installing a pressurized system, just thought you should consider the potability question. It's very easy to store bottled water onboard for as little as is needed. Check the archives for others take on this as well.

Gerry Livingston, Malletts Bay, VT
"Great Escape" 1989 C-25 SR/WK #5972

sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

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814 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2016 : 08:00:32

Regarding the difficulty with storing potable water:

The chlorine in bleach can evaporate within a day when it is used to treat water. With the chlorine gone, only water and a little sodium remain, so the disinfectant properties are lost. You could try adding bleach to your water supply daily, or adding a stronger concentration before leaving your boat for an extended period.

Here's a recipe from the CDC for making potable water with bleach: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/emergency/09_202278-B_Make_Water_Safe_Flyer_508.pdf

Seth
"Outlier" 1987 Catalina 25 SR/SK/Traditional Interior #5541
"Zoo" 1977 Morgan Out Island 30
"Nomad" 1980 Prindle 16
"Lost" 1988 Catalina Capri 14.2 (sold - yay!)
"Marine Tex 1" Unknown Origin POS 8' Fiberglass Dinghy
https://whichsailboat.com/2014/07/27/catalina-25-review/

Edited by - sethp001 on 04/09/2016 08:01:21

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2016 : 17:02:02

To answer one question, the filter should be before the pump. If a filter gets clogged and the pressure is on the inlet side, the filter can rupture with no external indication and pass unfiltered water.

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5500 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2016 : 19:30:56

This month's Practical Sailor goes into great depth about making your water good tasting and safe enough to drink. It's not just about having to add chlorine - there's way more than that and in my humble opinion a case of grocery store spring water is a much safer bet.
There's much to be said however for pressurized water for washing dishes and your person especially when you're sweaty or salt spray encrusted. Nice to turn on the tap and have a steady flow.
Were it I, I'd clean out the tank and tubing with an algaecide available from many swimming pool supply stores and a shock. It's key to observe that the entire system - from the marina water supply - to he filling tube - to the tank - and through the faucet supply hose must be squeaky clean.
Last year I cleaned out my entire plumbing system to near perfection only to find that the marina supply was full of gunk! Luckily I caught it before using that water to fill the tank.
In my case, therefore, the effort to keep the gunk out of my water tank would be a never-ending battle.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - Voyager on 04/10/2016 19:36:09

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1813 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2016 : 18:14:15

"therefore, the effort to keep the gunk out of my water tank would be a never-ending battle." . . . . . unless you fill the tanks with spring water bought in bulk (5 gal containers) from Costco/BJ's

Peter Bigelow
PO - C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2016 : 19:40:00

Not even then. The tank has a vent...

Dave Bristle
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage before going over to the Dark Side (2007-2025); now departed from Mystic, CT, and boatless for the first time since 1970.

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1337 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2016 : 11:15:21

Perhaps another way is to install an on demand pump without pressurizing the system.

A switch next to a single faucet in the galley will start/stop the pump located at or below the water supply tank. Simple, easy and forestalls potential leaks.

If power fails the standard, manual hand pump will supply water to the basin in the head.

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

Edited by - zeil on 04/30/2016 19:03:24