Windscreen washer water supply

[DipperToo]

Hi.
I have an elderly Nimbus 370 and the windscreen washer has its own small pump, like a car, connected to a T between the tank and freshwater pump. This tends to leak air into the system due to the high suction power of the main water pump.
Am I correct in thinking that on many boats, and maybe other Nimbus models, that the windscreen washer is connected via a solenoid valve, and non return valve, to a T connector on the pressurised side of the fresh water pump? This would seem to make more sense.
Thanks.

 

[PCUK]

If you just install a non-return valve, that should sort your problem.

 

[DipperToo]

I have, but the various connectors and different pipe size reducers despite being tight have not 100% eliminated the huge vacuum drawing small amounts of air into the system from time to time - and as the water takeoff is from the top of the tank, the small windscreen washer pump finds it difficult to prime itself - hence thinking about an alternative approach which I believe is adopted by some manufacturers.

 

[Momac]

Am I correct in thinking that on many boats, and maybe other Nimbus models, that the windscreen washer is connected via a solenoid valve, and non return valve, to a T connector on the pressurised side of the fresh water pump?

This is the arrangement on some Sealines so I assume it may well have been used by others .

 

[rogerthebodger]

Hi.
I have an elderly Nimbus 370 and the windscreen washer has its own small pump, like a car, connected to a T between the tank and freshwater pump. This tends to leak air into the system due to the high suction power of the main water pump.
Am I correct in thinking that on many boats, and maybe other Nimbus models, that the windscreen washer is connected via a solenoid valve, and non return valve, to a T connector on the pressurised side of the fresh water pump? This would seem to make more sense.
Thanks.

That ow I fitted mine windscreen washer just a solenoid valve in the feed from the fresh water supple pump

 

[vas]

my 70s italian mobo is even simpler...
A good looking round tap knob under the lower helm undo it a turn and water starts coming out, undo a bit more and it gushes out of the copper pipes on top of the windscreen. Nice analogue system, obvs tapped straight to the pressurised system.
Don't seen any reason not to do it so and scrap the el motor. You do have to find a suitable non-leaking solenoid valve though

 

[PaulRainbow]

Hi.
I have an elderly Nimbus 370 and the windscreen washer has its own small pump, like a car, connected to a T between the tank and freshwater pump. This tends to leak air into the system due to the high suction power of the main water pump.
Am I correct in thinking that on many boats, and maybe other Nimbus models, that the windscreen washer is connected via a solenoid valve, and non return valve, to a T connector on the pressurised side of the fresh water pump? This would seem to make more sense.
Thanks.

Solenoid valve is common, no need for a non-return valve.

 

[[164147]]

On all the Nimbus' I've worked on they all have these small washer pumps with an inline NRV however none were inline with the main freshwater pump. Aside from the fact the plastic tubes harden with age and split or get blocked they usually work fine and it's very cheap (if not awkward) to replace the entire system.

 

[DipperToo]

On all the Nimbus' I've worked on they all have these small washer pumps with an inline NRV however none were inline with the main freshwater pump. Aside from the fact the plastic tubes harden with age and split or get blocked they usually work fine and it's very cheap (if not awkward) to replace the entire system.

Thanks - by 'inline' I refer to the tank takeoff which exits from the top of the tank and then the 1/2" pipe has a T connector with a reduced 5mm spigot going to the NRV and small washer pump. When the Par Max4 starts the vacuum is enormous and some air creeps in at the T piece. Also, the small washer pump which I even replaced finds it difficult to prime
It was while looking at the Nimbus Swedish website that I noticed they sell solenoid valves for the washers (including the 365 which is a later version of the 370) which led me to rethink my existing setup (2001 boat) by simply connecting this solenoid valve to the output side of the freshwater pump via a T connector. The Roca Screen Wash 12 Volt Solenoid (1/4" BSP / 120 PSI) seems to be advertised for marine use and is reasonable pricewise at £22-£25.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks - by 'inline' I refer to the tank takeoff which exits from the top of the tank and then the 1/2" pipe has a T connector with a reduced 5mm spigot going to the NRV and small washer pump. When the Par Max4 starts the vacuum is enormous and some air creeps in at the T piece. Also, the small washer pump which I even replaced finds it difficult to prime
It was while looking at the Nimbus Swedish website that I noticed they sell solenoid valves for the washers (including the 365 which is a later version of the 370) which led me to rethink my existing setup (2001 boat) by simply connecting this solenoid valve to the output side of the freshwater pump via a T connector. The Roca Screen Wash 12 Volt Solenoid (1/4" BSP / 120 PSI) seems to be advertised for marine use and is reasonable pricewise at £22-£25.

Exactly that, tee into the pressurised cold water and fit the solenoid, no need for a non-return valve. Bear in mind that the washer pipes will be subject to the cold water pressure. The ones i've seen run normal water pipes close to the screen, then step down to screen wash pipe.