[C320-list] Head Fresh Water Plumb

[Warren Updike]

Jeff, even though we haven't used the raw water input to the head for years
(I, too, removed the hose from the thru-hull and stopped off the barb,) and
taped the switch to the "dry" position, we still get some dark run from the
edge of the bowl. I left the white hose on the pump input and, from time to
time, put a funnel in it and pour in a diluted mixture of water and bleach,
then pump it through.  That cures that, for a while. 

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"


-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Hare [mailto:Catalina at thehares.com] 
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2012 7:07 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Head Fresh Water Plumb

For the record, I like Jon's setup.  Fresh water plumbing T from the sink
works well when you sail with people who understand marine heads. 

For my family and our non-sailing day guests it just didn't work for a
variety of reasons.  In my family just the pump itself is considered too
much work.  :)  They wanted fast easy solutions that didn't require any
thought and could be done when half asleep in the dark.

So, on our boat, I simplified the whole process by using a jug of water.
Our directions to guests?    Pour  &  Pump.   That's it.  (oh, if you empty
the jug, fill it up).  Nobody's screwed that up yet.  When we're on a longer
cruise, we fill the jug with the soapy dishwater from doing dishes when
that's available.  This keeps the pump working smoothly and recycles the
gray water also.  

But to accomplish that simplicity, we removed the flip-lever on the back of
the pump that switches between dry and fill.  It's now in the "Dry" position
always.  Guests don't get directions about flipping switches, pumping to
fill, then to drain, etc..  There's also no intake hose leading into the
pump anymore so no thru-hull to remember to open/close and no more need for
the head intake vented loop (which freed up some more space in the medicine
cabinet)..   The intake hose fitting on the back of the pump now just makes
a short loop over to the fitting on the back of the bowl with white hose for
a cleaner look.   I did replace dual barb cap on the thru-hull to a single
hose barb fitting.  That was just 4 screws and 5 minutes of work.  That also
eliminated another plumbing run under the sink.

So, on our 2001 boat we still have the original head, pump and seals and it
still works smooth as silk.  I think an often overlooked feature of using a
jug of some kind is that you know how much water you're actually using and
helps gauge how long you really need between pump-outs.  Under a rough sail,
the jug is especially easy to deal with and a lot faster to use.  It just
sits in the sink and has never been a problem.


All in all, we like this simple approach for the 1 to 2 week cruises and
weekend entertaining we do.  With 4 of us on board, we still don't over fill
the holding tank or run out of fresh water.  

But, different solutions work for different folks!

Cheers!
-J

PS:  As a side note,  there really must not be any continuous plumbing
connections between the head systems and any potable water system.  Even if
there are valves and back-flow preventers, bacteria will travel back up the
hoses during stagnant times, through valves and into the fresh water system
in time.  So you simply must have a dedicated totally-isolated tank if
you're plumbing directly to a tank unless e-coli is your friend out on the
ocean.

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2012 4:48 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Head Fresh Water Plumb

Don, I guess by now you gather that just using FW from the sink is the
simplest approach. That is what we have been doing for years. It's not a
hassle.  
>From what I've heard and read, it is a definite no-no to plumb fresh 
>water
to your head, even if you use a check valve.  If using the head sink/shower
doesn't appeal to you, look into a separate flex tank dedicated to the head.
As for plumbing city water into your boat, I believe the necessary approach
is to use a pressure reducing valve at the inlet with a line led to a
manifold with three valves: one in from city, one to boat use (bypassing
pump,) and one to fill tanks. Or, even one valve for each tank.  The reason
for the reducer being that boat FW systems are rated for 30-40 lbs pressure
and you can never know what pressure the city lines have.  The manifold
insures a positive selection of source.  Simple bronze manifolds are readily
available at low cost. Use a std unit with hose barbs or proper pex
adapters. (I think city water supplies run pressures of 60 lbs and more as
they have to supply water to multiple stories.)

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"


-----Original Message-----
From: Donald Lawson [mailto:dnclaws at aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2012 6:34 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Head Fresh Water Plumb

I am going to plumb my head for fresh water at the slip. I also want the
option of using saltwater when cruising. I assume I will have to tie into
the fresh water line under the sink. I expect I will also have to turn on
the water pump for use. Is this what is done or am I missing something?  I
think the Whale fittings are the same as some PEX fittings I have seen at
Lowes but haven't looked closely yet. Anybody else done this and what did
you use?
Don #1005