Shower & Bilge Pump Operation

[ChappyOnIce]

I apologize if this is a complete newbie question, but I bought a 1999
311 and have some questions about how the bilge system works. I have
a main bilge pump switch at the panel, and also a shower drain switch
(doesn't appear to click to stay on/off) mounted near the sink in the
head. Under the sink there is a seacock lever with which you can
select shower drain or bilge.

How do all these things work in concert? My gut tells me that you put
the DC panel switch for the bilge to ON and if the seacock is in the
"shower drain" postion it will take water from there. When I put the
DC panel bilge switch to on, the pump automatically starts running.
So what's the switch in head for? Two switches and one seacock
doesn't seem that complicated...

Is the shower pump a separate pump? It does appear that there might
be a separate pump under the head sink, but then why have the seacock
selector?

Thanks for any help.

Todd

[Matthew M. Reidy]

Todd,

On my 1992 First 310, there is one bilge pump switch on the 12V panel but
two separate pumps. When I turn on the switch on the panel, only the main
bilge pump in the center of the boat runs.

The little black switch in the head near the sink is what turns on the pump
dedicated to the shower bilge. I believe the "accessory" switch on my 12V
panel controls the power to that pump. The switch is designed so that the
pump is only on while the switch is being pushed in.

I think the seacock under the sink is just for the sink drain and has
nothing to do with the floor-level bilge. I don't see how it would since
it's probably higher than the floor.

It sounds to me like the switch in your head is broken if the pump runs
without the switch being pushed. It's also a bit odd that the shower pump is
wired to the same panel circuit as the main bilge - there will be many times
that you want to run the pump in the head without running the main bilge at
the same time.

You can see pictures of what I describe on my boat at my web site.

-Matt

"Coconut" 1992 Beneteau First 310
http://coconut.ereidy.com/

[Mark Stillwell]

On Dragonfly a B331, the DC panel has two columns of switches. From the top of the right column is"Bilge Pump", ""Freshwater Pump", "Shower Pump." The "Bilge" if for the bilge only which is under the table and also on a float switch. The "Shower Pump" drains the shower and the refrig. The lever under the head sink where you select shower or refrig. The refrig switch is on the port side just above the refrig.

Hope this helps.

Mark & Suzanne
"Dragonfly" B331
http://home.att.net/~dragonflyb331/

----- Original Message -----
From: "ChappyOnIce" <chapp...@hotmail.com>
To: "Beneteau Owners" <Benetea...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 10:28 PM
Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Shower & Bilge Pump Operation

[ChappyOnIce]

Thanks guys, it sounds like you both have separate switches on the
panel for the shower pump. I don't have one that clearly identifies
itself as such. I'll have to test a few more out. I didn't want to
switch on the water system pump because I don't have any water in the
tank. The bilge switch just automatically starts the bilge pump
running (not the shower from what I can tell). I also have a switch
labeled "Confort" which I tried and that didn't work either...not sure
what it even does :-).

I don't plan on using the shower, but was looking to clean it and the
previous owner had the floor filthy. I thought the easiest way will
be to fill the fresh water tank, and after scrubbing the floor with a
brush and some soft scrub or whatever, use the sink/shower head to
rinse. But if I can't figure out how to use that drain....

My guess now is that there is a switch on the panel that would
activate the shower pump so that when I push the switch along the sink
it will start the drain pump. I just have to find that switch.

Todd

[Max Lynn]

Okay, here's another possible variation for you to try.  The 40.7 has a "Confort" switch, which enables the pump for the shower drain.  When the switch is on, the person showering can press another little switch in the head which actually turns the pump on as long as it is depressed.  That is a circuit unto itself, and there is a separate strainer which needs regular cleaning for that drain. 

 

The bilge pump is shared (via a manual tee valve behind the starboard salon seats) with the refrig drain.  So when you turn the switch on at the breaker panel, the bilge pump comes on, and you may select either bilge or refrig drain.  It also has a strainer which may or may not need regular service.

 

Max Lynn

 

----- Original Message -----

From: ChappyOnIce

[ChappyOnIce]

Thanks Max. I'm pretty sure I tried my "Confort" switch last night
and it didn't work, but I'll try again this afternoon. The most
confusing thing is that this all appears to be different than what my
owner's manual has it it's schematics. The manual has an ice box on
port, I have a fridge on starboard. I have no idea yet where that
drains. I'm just trying to get my arms around all this. I should
probably call the folks at BeneUSA and see if they have any clue. The
boat is a 1999 and it was built in France for the US and shipped via
container. The boat is nice, but the documentation is very poor.

> Todd- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[ChappyOnIce]

OK, figured it out today. The shower pump, which is separate from the
bilge pump, is wired to the fresh water system pump. I guess the
thought must've been that there wouldn't be a need to put on the
shower drain pump unless the fresh water pump was on also because
otherwise water would never get to the faucet/shower head.

Still have no clue with the "Confort" switch does...

Todd

[Denny Wertheimer]

the confort switch is the breaker for the black push button on the shower discharge.
for both showers on the 42CC and the 36CC

[pegasu...@aol.com]

On my boat  the switch marked "comfort" is the switch on the panel to activate the shower drain pump.  With the comfort switch on,Then when you press the showwer swith in the head it will drain the shower.
Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: ChappyOnIce <chapp...@hotmail.com>
To: Beneteau Owners <Benetea...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Sat, 7 Jul 2007 10:31 am
Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Re: Shower & Bilge Pump Operation

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