[C320-list] The ubiquitous shower sump problem

[Irving Grunes]

Check the filter that is in line with the shower pump.
It is a simple screen but it also traps stuff at the inlet to the filter .
That may solve the head shower problem.
I think it is self priming
Irv Grunes
Former #851

On Mon, Apr 20, 2015 at 7:29 AM, <clburti at gmail.com> wrote:

> David,
>
> The earlier versions did not have the Y-valve, but in none of them did the
> shower pump into the bilge, just the reefer. Later Catalina added the
> Y-valve and allowed the reefer to be pumped as well.
>
>
> If your pump is functioning, you have a blockage.
>
>
> No guesses as to the broken pump. was it hooked up to anything electrical
> or plumbing?
>
>
> CB,
>
> Commitment, #867
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from Windows Mail
>
>
>
>
>
> From: David MacKinnon
> Sent: ‎Sunday‎, ‎April‎ ‎19‎, ‎2015 ‎11‎:‎43‎ ‎PM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> Much has been said about issues with shower sumps and, I believe, I have
> read them all but I still not able to find out exactly why our shower sump
> is not draining (at least without pulling everything apart, which is what I
> am about to do).
>
> For clarification our hull is an early model (#162) but it does not have a
> Y valve under the head sink to change between the ice box and the shower
> sump as has been mentioned in may previous posts.  It does have, what looks
> like, a “relatively” new replacement pump under the head sink which then
> pumps to what looks like an (old) one way valve before the hose goes
> upwards to an anti-syphon valve (located in the rear cabin closet) and then
> back down to the sea cock, which is next to sea cock for the sink.  We
> operate the shower sump by switching on the water pump toggle switch on the
> main panel and then the shower switch in the head & everything seems to
> operate fine except the sump does not appear to drain any water. The fact
> that the drain goes to an underwater sea cock, instead of an overboard sea
> cock, makes me wonder whether the replacement pump may not be strong enough
> to overcome the combined effects of the design setup & am considering
> installing a more powerful Gulper pump instead.
>
> From everything that I have read on the forum, the lack of a Y valve and
> the fact that the shower sump goes out through a sea cock, and not into the
> bilge, seems unusual. Can someone tell me whether this was an option on
> some boats?  If so, where did the ice box drain to as I cannot find a
> location for any overflow or any way to pump it overboard.  When we
> recently renewed our sole I did find, however, an old broken pump in the
> cavity under the inspection panel forward of the engine bay so I am
> wondering whether this was part of that.  The PO had had the inspection
> panel covered over with the sole!
>
> So I am trying to solve a couple of problems: why is the pump not pumping
> out the shower sump and where is the icebox draining to.  If I can
> understand the setup better, I may be able to resolve the problems before I
> start to pull everything apart.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Cheers,
>
> David
>
> David MacKinnon
> Figment
> Hull#162
> Brisbane, Australia