Calorifier - pressure valve

[gunnarsilins]

The pressure valve on my calorifier releases small quantities of water now and then, which I assume is perfectly normal. This water goes straight in to the bilge, in a very inconvinient spot, where it collects and stains.
But the vent hose from the watertank passes very close to the calorifier.
What if I cut the vent hose and put in a T-piece and connected the hose from the pressure relief valve here, so the excess water could drain back into the fresh water tank?
Good idea, or not?

 

[vyv_cox]

From a purely plumbing point of view I can see no reason why not. Returning a small amount of vented water to an open tank can not have an adverse effect. Can the outlet pipework be directed to a more convenient place? Mine goes to the bilge very close to the bilge pump.

From a hygiene point of view I'm not certain. Are there adverse effects if water is heated and cooled repeatedly? Is this a perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria? Not my subject.

 

[Footpad]

Ours runs into a two gallon bottle in the remote depths of the cockpit locker, we didn't know what it was and weren't really aware of it (or the need to empty it) until our dry bilges became wet.

Simple solution, when motoring (ie warming water) turn off pressure pump and leave hot tap open, the valve then has no function as pressure cannot build up. It works for us.

 

[paul]

I had the same problem and decided to extend the overflow pipe to the transom where the water exits via a one way valve. It's worked a treat for the last three years, costs almost nothing to do and gets around the hygene problem.

 

[charles_reed]

Speaking from a position of inexperience (I have an LPG geyser), but extremely pertinent advice from Cleghorn Waring, I'd suggest you need to reason further.

Ideally your pressure tank diaphragm should be set to accomodate the expanded water with the tank overflow only operating as a fail-safe (so I am told).
An alternative is to lead the overflow into a pressure vessel (usually set at 1.8-2.0 bar) and have a sealed system.
If your overflow is regularly leaking there is something out of adjustment in the water system.

I would be very loathe, for hygiene and engineering reasons to lead the return back into the fresh-water tank - just imagine, if it stains your bilges what's going to happen to your drinking water.

Suggest you speak to the experts

CLEGHORN WARING
e-mail mail@cleghorn.co.uk
tel (44) 1462 480380
fax (44) 1462 482422
contact Vernon Crowle.