Shower is set up to Drain into Bilge (YUCK)

[Rustic Charm]

Hi everyone. Well after reading this forum I have ordered me a whale gulper 220 from the UK, (not available in Australia), I intend on connecting it strait to the shower drain, without a sump and hook up a switch to manually turn it in. Those of you who have this set up, does it matter what sort of switch I use for it? I presume it is just an on/off switch? Ted

[Zoef]

Just make sure the switch is rated at least 6A.

[vtsailguy]

Originally Posted by jgbrown

On customer's boats we usually run the shower drain to what is essentially a Rubbermaid or Tupperware container I'm the bilge with a pump in it. Pump fails, it overflows to bilge and still functions. Boat filling up and regular pumps failed, shower pump helps out.
Container is mostly sealed at the top, never even gets half full with shower running full blast. Best of both worlds imo.

My tartan has something like this. It's a bit more permanent, a 2 gallon open topped container within the bilge. It also has its own pump. So, when the shower is used, the water is contained and pumps out. If the pump ever fails, it will overflow into the bilge and the bilge pumps will take care of it. Also, it indirectly adds another bilge pump.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by tedsherrin

Hi everyone. Well after reading this forum I have ordered me a whale gulper 220 from the UK, (not available in Australia), I intend on connecting it strait to the shower drain, without a sump and hook up a switch to manually turn it in. Those of you who have this set up, does it matter what sort of switch I use for it? I presume it is just an on/off switch? Ted

Yep, that's my favorite solution. It's nice to use one of the switches that the little rubber cover screws over making it water protected. But really , doesnt matter much if you locate it well. I always had a small strainer before the pump, but with the Gulper you might not need it.

[neptunesjester]

Originally Posted by tedsherrin

Hi everyone. Well after reading this forum I have ordered me a whale gulper 220 from the UK, (not available in Australia), I intend on connecting it strait to the shower drain, without a sump and hook up a switch to manually turn it in. Those of you who have this set up, does it matter what sort of switch I use for it? I presume it is just an on/off switch? Ted

That's how mine is setup. I located the switch just outside the shower. In 4 years I've never had the gulper clog up with two different long haired women living onboard with me. My previous pump wpuld need to be cleaned out about once a month.

[richnjohn]

If you use the Gulper with no sump, how do you keep the water in the drain hose that remains after the pump turns off from running back into the shower? Seems like a check valve in this situation would be perpetually clogged?

[neptunesjester]

My shower is slightly higher than the pump, so no drain back.

[Rustic Charm]

My understanding from 'Gulper' is that the Gulper sucks up all items left in the pipe to the pump and once it's reached the pump it then can't fall back. That's the reason I sought out a Gulper.

Those of you with Gulper's, is this correct?

[neptunesjester]

That's correct. It actually has both an inbound and outbound check valve. Mine sucked up a razor guard a few weeks back that jammed up the inbound check valve. Other than that piece of plastic, the pump was completely clean on the inside after years of use.

[Cheechako]

I used a regular diaphragm waterpump with small strainer. It was well above the shower in a closet. No issues with drain back.

[richnjohn]

Just installed gulper with no sump. Works great, turns itself on as soon as water hits the drain, turns off after clearing out the drain. I see (actually hear) why they call it gulper. It makes a rather loud gulping sound. Either it's the pump or a large toad is living in my shower drain.

[xeon_tsd]

My shower setup was done by the previous owner.. but I like it. Manual pump that goes to the sink. Uses the sink discharge line overboard. I have not used it a lot, but so far, so good.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by richnjohn

Just installed gulper with no sump. Works great, turns itself on as soon as water hits the drain, turns off after clearing out the drain. I see (actually hear) why they call it gulper. It makes a rather loud gulping sound. Either it's the pump or a large toad is living in my shower drain.

I've installed a 220 but the power is not connected to it yet. How did you get it to be automatic? I've installed a switch to turn on and off when water accumulates in the shower base.

[richnjohn]

There is a sensor in the drain.

http://www.whalepumps.com/marine/pro...lyID=Gulley-IC

[wingless]

Here is my shower / AC condensate drain sump pump box.

It is periodically cleaned and reassembled.

The only minor issue is the "check valve" was junk and replaced, it permitted a slow drain-back, causing annoying cycling.

Otherwise, this has been problem-free.