Shower Sump Installation

[theonecalledtom]

I've decided to add a shower sump so the missis can enjoy a hot shower in privacy (no more rigging shower curtains in the cockpit!!).

This is going to be plumbed into the bathroom sink through hull. I presume that I'll need a vented loop to prevent backflow?

For some reason I've had difficulty finding a diagram for installation...

[James S]

If you plan on using your sinks through hull then most probably you would need a vented loop. You may also need a check valve near the pump or close to the pick-up location (sump)...although given the hair and the like that gets in the drain it may be either not so effective or high maintenance.

Many folks prefer a diaphragm pump in the sump for the same reason (hair).

As for a diagram of the vented loop...I would recon that It would run like most others...well above your maximum water line when healed.
The nearer to the center of the boat, the shorter that height will be.

If you have a holding tank you may be able to drain the shower into it directly as long as you can give it a reasonable slope and a gas trap (P-trap).
If its not possible to drain via gravity into the holding tank you may be able to use the shower sump pump to the holding tank.

I'm no fan of vented loops...with out proper maintenance the vents may be prone to failure.

I have no vented loops on my boat.

[theonecalledtom]

Originally Posted by James S

I have no vented loops on my boat.

That's exactly the sort of statement that keeps me coming back to cruisersforum.

How does one avoid vented loops?

[Randal Johnson]

If you need to install a pump to empty the sump I would recommend a Whale Gulper. My boat came with a Jabsco and after disassembling it about twenty times to clean the soap scum off the small valves I installed a Whale Gulper 320, eliminated the prefilter, and have not had a problem whatsoever in nine months. My shower and sink drain into the sump and finally I have a system that works for months on end without problems.

[anjou]

Whale gulper 220 is a great shower pump

[Roaring Girl]

We have a gulper leading to its own swanneck and above water line sea-cocked hole. It wasn't easyto work out how to do it, due to very little space in the bilges, but we got there in the end. We have two good filters on it (Pip has very thick and long hair) and it's served us very well.

[James S]

Originally Posted by theonecalledtom

That's exactly the sort of statement that keeps me coming back to cruisersforum.

How does one avoid vented loops?

I enjoy deep bilges with my full keel.

Both heads are electric and gravity feed into a black water tank.
The galley sink and two head sinks and showers gravity feed into a gray water tank.

The supply water for the two toilets comes from a dedicated tank not connected to any other part of the water system...this tank is normaly filled with fresh water so I don't have the rotten egg smell when the head hasent been used....having a separate tank also means I have no concern with cross contamination of my other water.
If need be I can replenish the water in this tank with sea water....or what ever I want...I can also put additives in it as may be required.
This tank is also in the bilge.

My engine in also in the bilge. I have a place behind the companionway steps that allowed me to run a dry riser up about 3 ft above the water line (highest point in the exhaust system) before turning down and mixing with the raw water...this eliminates the need for the vented loop in the exhaust system and also has the added benefit of being damn near impossible to flood the engine by over cranking.

[theonecalledtom]

Well sadly I have three vented loops... but that's the number I had before installing the sump which is plumbed into the holding tank as suggested - seems to work pretty well and has a much lower rise to pump up - thanks!

[James S]

Well done Tom.
Not to fret...most boats have loads of vented loops...it is pretty much standard practice.

[jkleins]

Originally Posted by Randal Johnson

If you need to install a pump to empty the sump I would recommend a Whale Gulper.

Another satisfied Whale Gulper user here as well.

Jim

[GordMay]

A couple of relevant “Practical Sailor” magazine articles:

Custom Shower Sump and Pump
➥ http://www.practical-sailor.com/marine/sumpandpump.pdf

How to Install a Shower in an Older Boat
➥ http://www.practical-sailor.com/marine/shower.pdf

[IceMan]

I installed shower bilges in the boat for both fore and aft heads. I just ran both hoses to a "Y" and then the hose to my last through hull for an exit. I was going to use a couple of swing check valves at the 2 ends of the "Y" so one doesn't back bleed into the other. But I didn't want any moving parts so West Marine had a couple of plastic ones from forespar with no moving parts, these I installed. If these don't work out the way I like I may take the float switch from the shower bilges and join it to a small self priming macerator and route it the same way.
WD

[spostamento nobile]

Second that.

[edwmama]

I have a rule shower sump system with a 800 GPH
Rule pump and a float switch on a 8 1/2
By 8 inch open sump box with a 3/4 inch outflow

My float switch had failed. I have decided to
Replace the pump with an attwood automatic
1100 GPH pump to speed up the drainage
Well much to my surprise after the installTion
The more powerful pump is just as slow if not
Slower than the old rule 800

Then I realized that it's the outflow diameter OT
3/4 that is the rate limiting factor

I then attempted to replace the hose to a bigger
One inch flexible tube. I gave discovered that
This would not be possible since I found
A diaphragm whale gupper connected to the end of the
Outflow drain hose

The whale gulper doesn't appear to have a manual switch
Nor a float switch. It strickly serves, apparently,
To prevent backflow of the water into the sump
So as not to cycle the pump repeatedly
And drain my batteries

I must be missing something
I know the one way valves can get gummed up
Over time then won't work

WhT is then the purpose of the whale pump ?
Is there another method of preventing
Back flow?

I reLly would like to have a bigger diameter
Drain hose to prevent overflow of the water
From the sump box when I shower

But all the sump box systems all have 3/4 dia
Outflow

Would appreciate any thoughts
Thank you in advance

Edwin