[C320-list] Problem solved !

[Jeff Hare]

Cool!

But Jack!  Moving the valves under the sink was SO ridiculously easy.  It
only SEEMS difficult and complicated.  And you'll kick yourself once you
see.

1) You have a line from your bow tank that passes right under the sink and
then goes straight to the pump compartment!  
2) You have a line that goes from your pump to... yup.. right back under the
sink.
3) Your aft tank has a short line that just goes to the pump compartment.
This is really the only line you have to feed a new one for, and there are
no complicated obstructions here.  In fact, I'll bet you have it poking out
under the sink on your first or second try.

Now, just unhook and remove the little plumbing assembly with the 2 valves
joined at one end.  
Next, take the line from the forward tank and hook it to the feed side of
the pump.    
Half way there!  The pump is now hooked directly to the front tank... Not
quite what we wanted yet...

So, you where you want the valve assembly to sit and cut the line going from
the bow tank to the pump and hook the tank side into one of the valves, and
the other side of  that line hooks to the Common side of the valves.

Finally.  Remove the short piece of blue line from the Aft tank and get a
new chunk long enough to reach under the sink (less than 10').  Feed it
under the sink and hook it to the other valve.. (EASY).   Done...

HOW You say?
There's a hole where the aft tank water line feeds under the muffler to get
to the pump compartment.  Remove the old line and just feed the new line at
an angle pointing towards the sink instead and aim and  twist it a bit back
and forth and it'll pop up right under the sink!  Then just hook one end to
the aft water tank and the other end to the other water tank valve under the
sink.

I used the following layout of valves.  That way I can just reach in and
feel.  The aft most valve turns on/off the aft tank, and the forward most
valve turns on/off the forward tank.

See this picture
http://tinyurl.com/tankvalves

This project was the biggest bang for the buck and time of any I recall
doing.  10' of blue whale PEX water line and I no extra Whale fittings
because I just moved the current arrangement.   
All it takes is a Phillips screw driver, a knife and 20 minutes.  You might
find you need to shift the position of the pump just a tad bit forward if
the bow tank line doesn't quite reach the pump inlet..

This also makes winterizing easy as you can shop-vac out the tank lines,
water heater and faucets from one spot...

Cheers!
-Jeff


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jack McDonough
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 11:15 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Problem solved !

I have solved (sort of) the problem of having to uproot both halves of the
quarterberth bedding to reach the fresh water tank valves.

The idea of relocating the valves elsewhere in the boat seemed like a
daunting task so, naturally, I just kept stalling -- and stringing together
a number of short words, many ending in "ing," every time I switched tanks.
The biggest problem was that the panel that covers the valves wasn't beneath
just one cushion --  it extended at least 6 inches under the aft-most
cushion, making it extremely difficult to move.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I had a brilliant idea. I simply cut the panel
in half. Now all I have to do is lift one cushion and raise the half-panel
beneath it to reach the pump and valves. Yes, it still isn't ideal but it's
a whole lot easier and the process now takes less than a minute with no
difficulty.

I'm reporting this brilliant feat only because it might help others who
aren't as quick thinking.  It took me only nine years to figure it out. 

Jack
#947