- The manifold has an input and output side.
- Input comes from each of the tanks
- Output goes to the Hot Water system, head, galley, forward
cabin, and spare.
- The water in the system isn't pressurized, but is sucked by individual
pumps at each point of use.
- The head and fwd cabin sink use 12v diaphragm pumps
- The galley uses foot pumps
- Because the system sucks the water it is important that all the
water hoses are as low and level as possible.
- It is more difficult to prime because more air has to be sucked
out of the hoses
- A leak in one of the hoses will allow air to suck in and cause a
noticeable loss of performance in the system before water will
leak out
- This minimizes the chance of a leak causing all the water to be
pumped out of the tanks.
- A hose bib in the Head can provide 8GPM or up to 30psi of hot or
cold water.
- The 12v pumps are turned on at the point of use with timer switches.
- A diverter valve controls selection of hot or cold water at the head
and fwd. cabin sinks
- The Galley has a separate foot pump for hot and cold water.
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The Recirculating Shower uses about a half gallon of water for a
shower of any length. The temperature is controlled by a
thermostatic valve, and the heat is extracted from the hot water storage
tank. After soaping the used water is discarded.
To take a shower:
- Check that the heat and water breakers on the panel are switched on,
and the shower diverter valve is set to "shower"
- Fill the shower sump with fresh water
- Pull the hose off the shower head, turn the shower switch on,
and adjust the temperature while the water is circulating.
- Enjoy your shower either from the hose or shower head
- Soap up and rinse off, then direct the soapy water from the hose
into the sink to drain the water.
- Use fresh water for a final rinse and drain that water into the sink
- Finally open up the system drain valve to drain the water from the recirculating
system
- Wipe down the shower area, sponge out the sump, and clean the lint
filter.
- When the shower is dry, no shower water remains in the "sump",
any pipes, or the heat exchanger
- A diverter valve allows water to be pumped directly overboard
without going through the sink, heat exchanger, or thermostatic valve.
- The thru hull fitting is under the sink and slightly above
waterline when the boat is level.
- Maintenance
- From time to time, and before storage, hot chlorinated
water should be circulated through the system and rinsed with
clean water.
- When there is a noticeable reduction in flow, (about annually)
the pump diaphragm or thermostatic valve may need to be be
disassembled for cleaning.
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