Water Pump

[Moonshiners]

We have a 20ft bilge keeler we float around the solent on.
We have a sea loo, cooker, water tank and sink (hand pump tap). Although we rarely use the sink and tap for anything as it's usually being used as a work surface, we still obviously want to retain useage of the sink and tap etc...

I was looking for some advise on sourcing a "cheap"/economical 12v water pump that I could attatch to the water tank valve with a Y-piece, then a non return valve and then some hose pipe, so that we could use the water in the tank to hose down the deck etc...

We rarely require water in the cabin, but on a swing mooring, would be quite handy to rig up some kind of hose to wash down decks etc...

Anyone have any advise on the practicalities and sourcing the parts would be appreciated...

It's all a bit DIY, but figured should be able to rig something up with a reasonable flow from a 12v electric pump.

Any advise?

(no need for the water/electrickery warning!)

 

[VicS]

How about the LVM Niagara and Amazon pumps. You should find those or similar other makes on most mail order chandlers websites.

But whats wrong with a bucket on a rope?

 

[Moonshiners]

Hi Dragon, Nothing wrong with bucket and rope (frequently used), except I want to CLEAN the boat i.e rinse off salt water and [--word removed--]...

Also as we already have the tank fitted, with external filler etc... didn't seem like to much hassle to fit a pump, if i can find a cheap one.

Just be nice to hose it down once in a while... Rather than the odd occasion we go to a marina.

 

[VicS]

For even more in the LVM range look HERE

With a similar size boat I don't carry enough fresh water, or would want to transport it to the boat, to use it to run a pump and hose for merely washing the decks, even if I could spare the electrical power to run the pump.

At least in the past 30 years I have not seen the need.

 

[FulmarJeddo]

Most Caravan accessory shops will hold 12v pumps, non return valves, Y connectors etc. Towsure http://www.towsure.com/ is quite a good source. They also have a shop in Southampton which should save on the postage if you sail on the Solent. There is also a good caravan shop in Lyndhurst (Leisure Fayre I think) if your at the Western end of the Solent. As already said though, a 12v pump will soon empty your water tank.

 

[Bodach na mara]

As Vic said, You will empty your fresh water tank rather quickly if you use water from it as suggested to wash the decks. Don't do it or you will reap domestic discord when the tank runs dry while you are filling the kettle for the morning cuppa. Also, do not think of trying to use any of the fresh-water pumps for sea water. I suspect that they will suffer from corrosion.

 

[Moonshiners]

Thanks guys, we have penty of water and electric, what i'm really after is an good "alternative" source for a 12v water pump. all the ones i've seen in chandlers and caravan shops are quite $$$. trying to think out of the box a bit for a good cheap source for something that will work... (in true PBO fashion!) Thanks for the advise though.

 

[misterg]

When I used to cart a winsurfer around in a VW camper, I used to use a short hose and a pump like this in a 5 gallon drum to rinse the salt water off before putting the board back in the van. It did the job, but wouldn't win any prizes. Is < £20 too much??

Andy

 

[Wunja]

You could look at this... Shurflo Pump

But you would need to wash very quickly, before your tank emptied.

 

[Bodach na mara]

OK then, I feel that your best solution may be a boat jumble , looking at the car-boot brigade for a second-hand pump like a Jabsco Water Puppy (rubber vane type.) Another possibility is a centrifugal drain pump from an old washing machine, but that will need a positive head feed. One of those would also need a suitable motor, which may be another problem. A car heater fan motor would probably not have the power but a window winder motor may. This type of pump will provide lots of flow but little pressure, so you would really need a sea-water feed. Another idea is an electric bilge pump. I picked up two of these from an electrical place (Jesse Bull in Hove) for a fiver each but that was a long time ago. Again, lots of flow, but I tested one (in my capacity of physics lecturer) and found that the head was limited to about 3.5 metres. The pick-up point had to be dipped in the sea, and at 2 metres delivery point (holding it on deck) it scooshed out water at about 6 gallons per minute.

I picked up a water puppy for nothing (with some other "useful" junk) some years ago, which I have been meaning to mount on a board for deck washing. I intended to use a hose dropped over the side for water supply however. All that has held me up was that it came without the end cover plate! (Ideas on what to make one of those from would be welcome.)

 

[Moonshiners]

Hey guys thanks for the other responses - MrG - That's kinda what i'm after but inline, but thanks for the leads i'm sure i can find an inline version of that one. £20 is fine. Alot of the "proper" ones are about £80+ which is alot for what i want it for.

I'm not looking for niagra falls here... That Whale pump looks like the right kinda thing. thanks again guys.

This looks okay.

http://www.asap-supplies.com/toc.php?fra...keywords=509874

 

[jamesjermain]

How about a waterpump from a discarded washing machine/dishwasher - that's PBO /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sorry - I see I've Lakesailored

 

[Moonshiners]

james Your a genious! That's exacylt the kind of thing I was trying to think of. I much prefer finding things, (especially old) that suit a purpose, rather than go and buy the new plastic version.