Shower Sump

[Windblown]

I am getting ready to replace the components in my shower. The old set-up had the water just draining from the pan into the main bilge, which I really don't like. I have found three different shower sump units, made by Attwood, Mayfair, and Rule. I found several bad reviews re the Rule model. Does anyone have any experience using any of these?

[GordMay]

I recommend a shower sump box, and a diaphragm pump with strum box (not a submersible centrifugal pump, like the 3 mentioned).

[Bash]

I've had both the Attwood and the Rule, and neither stands up to the demands of a liveaboard who showers on the boat. A far better system, although significantly more expensive, is the Whale greywater tank with the Gulper 220 pump. It will stand up to daily use without needing anything near the attention that the above-mentioned sump systems need. Plus, you'll have the option to be graywater legal if you're in a zero discharge anchorage.

Marine : Whale Pumps 12V Henderson Plumbing Bilge Diaphragm Submersible Pressure Water Systems Marine Caravan RV Shower Drain Portable Sanitation Purging Groundwater Solutions Voltage Electric

[bstreep]

We have to replace our Rule about every 18 months - and we are weekenders. I'll have to look into something else next time.

[redcobra]

I've had the Attwood for a while with no problem, but it's the older one. they have two new ones that look a bit different.

[Martinini]

My boat initially drained into the bilge and I didn't have enough room for one of the sump units to be installed. I attached a hose to the drain and ran it through the bilge and engine compartment to a convienant spot and mounted a small Flojet run dry pump. I ran the discharge to a plastic thru hull above the water line. The pump West Marine wanted $159 for I purchased on Ebay for $42 plus a few $ shipping. Wired a pull switch in the shower to turn pump on and off during shower. The pump has a diaphram that can be purchased several places and so is repairable.

[S&S]

Whale. Rule stinks.

[James S]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I recommend a shower sump box, and a diaphragm pump with strum box (not a submersible centrifugal pump, like the 3 mentioned).

Impeller pumps are not at their best when hair is present...Gords got it right.

[Martinini]

$11.99 inline fine mesh strainer from West Marine solves the hair problem. Place it in front of pump intake.

[Blue Stocking]

My boat, with deep narrow bilges, has limited area to install sump tanks. I built mine using exterior type, electrical, PVC boxes. They come in many sizes, can have fittings placed any place that works, and seal watertight with O-rings and st steel screws.
As they say "check your local codes'

[S&S]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

My boat, with deep narrow bilges, has limited area to install sump tanks. I built mine using exterior type, electrical, PVC boxes. They come in many sizes, can have fittings placed any place that works, and seal watertight with O-rings and st steel screws.
As they say "check your local codes'

[Zydeco]

Well, this is not what I wanted to hear. We just installed a Rule sump a couple months ago. We have a Jabsco mesh strainer to keep the hair out of the pump. Hair in the centrifical Rule pump will make it stop working quickly. So far so good on the Rule sump, and it is a great improvement over the old one (which was just a fiberglass box with a Rule submersible pump in it - not very different from the new Rule sump but the old one had other issues), but it sounds like we should not expect a long and happy life from the Rule sump.

Those of you who have had problems with the Rule sumps, what is it that gives out? The pump?

The Whale looks like a nice unit. I wish I had bought it instead.

[swagman]

Even with a mesh filter in front of the pump, impellor models do not equal the diaphram versions. The first wear when dry run. The latter do not.

Cheers
JOHN

[speciald@ocens.]

Put a fine mesh strainer in the drain hose ahead of an impeller pump with the switch in the shower. The bilge pump boxes with float switches are junk!

[Yotboss]

I guess I'm the only one here who's not had a problem with the shower boxes. We put a SS screen over the shower drain itself and clean it often. It's now going on five years and there is never any debris in the strainer in the box and both units work perfectly. Now that I've said that, they will break, of course....