Necessary to Add a Strainer?

[model 10]

I must be lucky or stupid. I would never have thought of having a strainer in the intake. I have a filter for a pump that is connected to the intake but the intake itself is open. I have never gotten a pine cone in the intake either.

[Ian Johnstone]

Hi,

Probably it is horses for course. If you live aboard and undergo extended voyaging the toilet will get lots of use (read lots of water pumped through) and therefore plenty of maintenance. I used to pull ours apart and clean/grease the rubbers and clacker every 6-8 weeks and never any issues and no strainer.

If you intend to only use the boat occasionally you may find all sorts of things getting there way into the dunny instead of getting out. Use a strainer.

To prevent or delay problems just add a 1/4 cup of old cooking oil every few weeks and a couple pumps to put it into the valves and all should be OK. Keep the clacker lubricated.

[exMaggieDrum]

Originally Posted by Ian Johnstone

Hi,

Probably it is horses for course. If you live aboard and undergo extended voyaging the toilet will get lots of use (read lots of water pumped through) and therefore plenty of maintenance. I used to pull ours apart and clean/grease the rubbers and clacker every 6-8 weeks and never any issues and no strainer.

If you intend to only use the boat occasionally you may find all sorts of things getting there way into the dunny instead of getting out. Use a strainer.

To prevent or delay problems just add a 1/4 cup of old cooking oil every few weeks and a couple pumps to put it into the valves and all should be OK. Keep the clacker lubricated.

Adding oil to the flush water is a common procedure for many. I used to do it too. However, the oil will float to the top of the holding tank fluids and seal the rest of the fluids off from the air in the tank, thereby killing the aerobic battery (or at least inhibiting its growth). It is the anaerobic bacteria that causes the rank stench of the mix, while the aerobic helps prevent or keep it down. Some pump manufacturers expressly state not to use oil this way. But I can't say from experience that it is harmful to the pump myself. It does help keep the rings from sticking I think.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Once you suck an octopus into your head and it gets stuck and dies in the bowl rinse plumbing with its tentacles sticking out into the bowl....oh ya....you would wish you installed that inline strainer.

Don't ask how I know....but it took lots of bleach flushing to dissolve away the body and get rid of the smell.

[exMaggieDrum]

One of the minor joys of cruising is flushing the toilet at night and have all the little sparkly little creatures fire off their light show as they swirl in to the toilet. Don't need a strainer for them.

[Cheechako]

No, you don't need one on the head.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

The fresh water strainers do not last in sea water. The good bronze strainers come with monel screens.

Do you know of a link that could show a smaller than 500 gpm bronze strainer?
Haven't been able to find one yet, Groco has only plastic body ones.
As well these units are large and wouldn't fit well in the head.
Forespar as well.




Sent from SV Cloud Duster

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

No, you don't need one on the head.

You've not had shells, seaweed clogs, or jellyfish in your head yet?


Sent from SV Cloud Duster

[Terra Nova]

It doesn't need to be smaller than 500.

[HopCar]

I use a Groco ARG750 strainer on my toilet intake. I think one of the smaller plastic ones would work as well. The first time something gets stuck in the rim of the bowl and rots, you'll wish you had installed a strainer.

[GordMay]

If space is tight, the smaller Groco ARG-500-S might be a good choice.

➥ Groco ARG-500-S 1/2" Raw Water Strainer

➥ http://www.groco.net/SVC-MAN-07/Sec5/PDF/ARG.pdf

[HopCar]

Gord, thanks for putting up a link to my website.

Another option for a small strainer would be the Groco ARG-755. It is the 500 drilled and tapped for 3/4" pipe thread. I don't stock them but I'd be glad to order one.

[exMaggieDrum]

Whether you need a strainer really depends on where you go. I'm a big believer. I have had a few bad experiences without them and have cleaned out the ones I put on more than a few times.

Nothing wrong with little plastic strainers. You can buy an extra basket if you think you'll corrode the SS ones that come with them. I never had much problem with them over a 6-8 year period at least - in salt water. YMMV of course. I don't have Monel on any of my strainers, even the big engine one. But they are nice and will last some time longer.

Here is one that I have now and there are others, including Grocos:

Pumpgard In-Line Strainers - Jabsco | Fisheries Supply

I have seen several cases where gaskets on bronze strainers have had problems and leaked. All of this comes under the heading of routine boat maintenance in a harsh environment.