shower sumps specs and operation Q

[Deleted User YDKXO]

vas, I dont know whether you were referring to the pic I posted on the Grey Water thread?

This is a standard Ferretti system and has been fitted to both boats I've owned. I've never had any problem with this system other than one day the pump wouldn't cut in. A quick wipe of the level sensor with a rag sorted that. Once a year or more depending on how much we use the boat, I remove the strainers and rinse them out and clean the level sensor and thats it. I would not recommend putting a fixed cover on this; much better that the sump overflows into the bilges if the pump doesn't work than the grey water backs up into the sinks or showers. Also fixing the cover discourages you from checking it

 

[SBUK]

Vas,

Thanks for the reply, I certainly agree that the whale boxes appear to be the best out there and i note your comments re the improved float switch. Even though you have gone for the bigger box surely the gulper only needs to match that of the water flow - the gulper 220 pumps at 14 ltr/min - i'd have thought this quite adequate - unless of course you have several inputs filling the box at the same time!

I just think its a waste for me to put one of the whale boxes in the front of the boat when i only have a single input from the shower. I'll end up fitting an ice maker just to make use of the other inputs!!!

The current box i'm changing has one of the 'sensor' type float switches which i'll swap to the rear box in place of the rule 'flappy' float switch type - i much prefer the sensor types as they have a built in delay allowing the pump to empty the shower box more. In time i'll probably change the rear box to the same system as yours as i have 2 inputs there.

I suppose the only downside to the new Grey IC pump, is that if (when!) it fails, its a higher cost replacment against changing a gulper 220.

As suggested on another post, i'll probably put some stainless plug strainers in the shower to catch hair etc - they'll not be visible under the teak board anyhow and will hopefully prolong the life of the gulper!!

In any case i'm pleased to hear that you didn't hear any bad vibes re the 'new' boxless system, as this would have certianly turned me down the same route as you



Looking forward to your next pictures of the build thread Vas


Scott

 

[SolentPhill]

Scott,

the switch of the whale grey water tank is NOT I repeat NOT your typical float switch, it's an electronic thingy with no moving parts, so should be more fail safe....

no hair filter as in theory and I think it should work in practice, the diaphragm pump can suck hair.

I hate to throw the spanner in but mine has gone wrong and fortunately ASAP have replaced it free, it arrived this morning, but in fairness it was working really well and would recommend them over the old white square things.
also one of the days I put the tender against the side of the boat so I could clean it on its mooring I left it overnight and on Sunday morning I learnt a good lesson, don't leave the tender by the outlet. so I had to turn the tender upside down and there was hair in there, not a lot but mine went ages ago so its just the mrs on her sat night shower
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