[C320-list] The ubiquitous shower sump problem

[David MacKinnon]

Hi,

Much has been said about issues with shower sumps and, I believe, I have read them all but I still not able to find out exactly why our shower sump is not draining (at least without pulling everything apart, which is what I am about to do).

For clarification our hull is an early model (#162) but it does not have a Y valve under the head sink to change between the ice box and the shower sump as has been mentioned in may previous posts. It does have, what looks like, a “relatively” new replacement pump under the head sink which then pumps to what looks like an (old) one way valve before the hose goes upwards to an anti-syphon valve (located in the rear cabin closet) and then back down to the sea cock, which is next to sea cock for the sink. We operate the shower sump by switching on the water pump toggle switch on the main panel and then the shower switch in the head & everything seems to operate fine except the sump does not appear to drain any water. The fact that the drain goes to an underwater sea cock, instead of an overboard sea cock, makes me wonder whether the replacement pump may not be strong enough to overcome the combined effects of the design setup & am considering installing a more powerful Gulper pump instead.

From everything that I have read on the forum, the lack of a Y valve and the fact that the shower sump goes out through a sea cock, and not into the bilge, seems unusual. Can someone tell me whether this was an option on some boats? If so, where did the ice box drain to as I cannot find a location for any overflow or any way to pump it overboard. When we recently renewed our sole I did find, however, an old broken pump in the cavity under the inspection panel forward of the engine bay so I am wondering whether this was part of that. The PO had had the inspection panel covered over with the sole!

So I am trying to solve a couple of problems: why is the pump not pumping out the shower sump and where is the icebox draining to. If I can understand the setup better, I may be able to resolve the problems before I start to pull everything apart. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

David

David MacKinnon
Figment
Hull#162
Brisbane, Australia

[clb...@gmail.com]

David,

The earlier versions did not have the Y-valve, but in none of them did the shower pump into the bilge, just the reefer. Later Catalina added the Y-valve and allowed the reefer to be pumped as well.


If your pump is functioning, you have a blockage.


No guesses as to the broken pump. was it hooked up to anything electrical or plumbing?


CB,

Commitment, #867






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[JJ Morrison]

I have boat #574 and there is no pump attached to the reefer, it drains into the bilge. There is a two way valve under the head sink and in position one it allows water to be drawn in for the head. In position two it allows the shower sump to to be evacuated out the thru-hull. It works. Check the connections to the bilge pump to make sure they are tight and secure, they are of the quick disconnect type. There is also a strainer to the side of the shower bilge which could be plugged with all manner of shower goop!! The body screws off for cleaning.CheersJohnM1999#574

[Irving Grunes]

Check the filter that is in line with the shower pump.
It is a simple screen but it also traps stuff at the inlet to the filter .
That may solve the head shower problem.
I think it is self priming
Irv Grunes
Former #851

[Tony Nye]

Hi
To show my ignorance what is a reefer.
Thanks

Tony Nye scallywag #450 Portsmouth Uk

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[Doug Treff]

Tony,

Shorthand for refrigerator.

---
Doug Treff
do...@treff.us

[Dick Walker]

also short version of a naval officers bridge coat and finally a form of a cigarette



Cheers

Dick Walker
740 Olive Ave.
Coronado ,CA 92118
619.435.8986

[Tony Nye]

Thanks Dick, got those two!!

Tony

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[thar...@innovations-plus.com]

Here I thought it was something he was smoke'n

Sent from my iPhone

[Graeme Clark]

I had the same problem and the cause was some small items that had been sucked into the diaphram pump preventing it from sealing even though it sounded like it was running normally. It's quite easy to disassemble and clean out.
Graeme Clark #366 England

Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!

[Chris Brearley]

Hi
I have hull number 374 and do not have the y valve.
The diaphram on the shower sump pump was torn and not draining due to
sucking air. I replaced it and my bilge pump,as it was an identical pump,
with a simular capacity jabsco diaphram pump.
Both work very well.
As already stated, refrigerator drains into the bilge.

Chris
WeaRItz@ #374

[Guy Smith]

I also had a sump pump problem and it was a dirty diaphragm.I cleaned it and installed a strainer in the line to minimize the problem in the future.
Word of Warning though... Inspect the strainer periodically and make sure it's clean!
~g
Guy SmithPleiades #452Worton Creek, MD