Lavac heads as bilge pump?

[bumblefish]

I installed a Lavac unit last year and would like to fit a Y connector to allow me to use the Henderson/Whale pump as a bilge pump from within the saloon. I thought I should fit a connector to allow me to direct the suction to either the heads or the bilge. Is this easy to do?

 

[VicS]

All you need is a "Y" valve, a length of hose to reach into the bilge, a strainer to fit on the end and 4 hose clips.

make sure you get a really good valve though or it will be the weak link in your toilet installation.

 

[VicS]

A cheap one: http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/102807

A more expensive one:
http://www.marinesuperstore.com/posit/shop/index.php?selectedpartno=06114

 

[awol]

Mine is T'd off the inlet pipe with a simple gate valve.

Sea cock open/gate valve closed = normal operation
Sea cock closed/gate valve open = bilge pump

 

[bumblefish]

So would you be pumping through the bowl? Might be a very simple solution.

 

[pvb]

[ QUOTE ]
Mine is T'd off the inlet pipe with a simple gate valve.

Sea cock open/gate valve closed = normal operation
Sea cock closed/gate valve open = bilge pump

[/ QUOTE ]But the inlet pipe is small diameter - this will seriously reduce the throughflow. Not a great idea for an emergency bilge pump! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Not a great idea for an emergency bilge pump

[/ QUOTE ] And the air bleed in the inlet pipe will fuurther reduce the pumping performance.
If you dont like the Y valves then use a T piece in the outlet pipe, between pump and bowl with a gate valve between it and the bowl and another in the pipe from the bilge. Normally have the former open and the latter closed but the other way if wanting to use the pump as a bilge pump.

 

[Duncantaz]

My Lavac heads came with a seperate length of hose with a flange that fits into the bowl that then enables you to use the pump as a bilge pump and also to place the end of the hose wherever you wish.

It works very well as a back-up bilge pump.

Good luck.
D.

 

[Vara]

Just to dot is and cross ts.

Y diverter should be installed at point indicated.

Pic from Lavac site

Using one of the valves indicated by Vic.

Have installed that set up on two boats and it works well.

I wouldn't mess about with bowl plugs.

 

[doug748]

These used to be advertised in the yachting press, I have not seen them for years. I keep thinking about what I would need to improvise one; a messy solution but in an emergency who cares.

 

[awol]

Unfortunately I have actually used my Lavac as an emergency bilge pump. Someone had left the heads sink drain open as we bowled along merrily on starboard tack with the lee rail under. When we found water over the floorboards, we also found that the main bilge pump refused to suck for the first (and last, I hope) time ever - outlet valve jammed by matchstick, hair and yuck.

I can assure the doubters that the diverted inlet Lavac worked, at least as well as the main pump. It is possible that the smaller head that the pump has to lift through more than compensates for the smaller pipe size.

 

[pvb]

I didn't say it wouldn't work, I said it would have a seriously reduced throughflow. The pump has a capacity of around 60 litres/min, not easy to suck that through a small pipe.

 

[wagenaar]

I actually had two two-way valves in my system of the Lavac. The first before the pump, connecting to either the bowl or to the sewage-tank. The second after the pump to pump either to the outside or to the sewage-tank. This allowed me to empty the bowl directly to the outside or to the tank, as well as to empty the tank directly to the outside without going through the bowl. This worked OK. My conclusion therefore is that having just one two-way valve before the pump, one connecting to the bowl and the other to the bilge, should work. Make sure though that the inlet does not get clogged up due to rubbish in the bilge.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Make sure though that the inlet does not get clogged up due to rubbish in the bilge

[/ QUOTE ] In the very first reply to the original question I said, "a strainer to fit on the end" /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[jleaworthy]

Endorse suggestion that the Y valve must be a good one ie one held together by through-bolts (machine screws) and nuts. I fiited a cheap one held together by self tapping screws into the plastic body. Had no end of trouble with leaks and finally ditched it.