The Kristy Marie
New member
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2015
- Messages
- 4
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C
- Vessel Name
- Kristy Marie
I wanted to survey all R-29S owners of a potential serious problem with the bilge systems for the R-29S system. I have been an owner for almost 2 years and have enjoyed my Tug tremendously. However, I have found a major flaw in the bilge system and plumbing.
First issue:
I noticed an issue with the AFT bilge pump. It would not run. I simply removed the cartridge pump and inspected it. It ran very rough and had a noticeable wobble in the shaft. I bought a new pump (1250gph size vice the 1000 mph) and installed it. I then tested the system by putting about a gallon of fresh water in that area. The pump worked as advertised. However, due to the design of the plumbing and location of the pump, the water that could not be pumped through the tubing would just fall back down (about 3 feet of height)... the pump turned off automatically when the water level sensor noticed no water on the sensor. This water would then fall back down into the area immediately and trigger the water level sensor again immediately starting the pump all over again. It was an endless cycle that would run until the pump failed (which happened in this case). The same will happen to the FWD bilge pump due to this design. The factory must install one-way check valves at the pump so this will not happen. I have researched PBC one-way check valves and could only find a 3/4" valve but it had a 2psi spring actuator that is too hard for this pump to actuate and would slow down the bilging process. Still looking for a valve, flapper valve might work but would leak and just slow the process down a little. I was in the habit of checking the bilge pumps every time I went out, just to hear if they would turn on at the Helm switches.
Second Issue:
It all started when my lavatory would not fill with water. It would try to flush and macerate but the pump was not filling the bowl to flush. I found the sea water pump forward of the the thruster battery in the starboard aft floor hatch (where you can access the inverter/charger). The hose of the pressure side of the pump had developed a leak and that leak corroded the wires running into the solenoid of the pump. I rewired the pump and shrink wrapped the wiring and the pump worked fine. I also installed a new sea strainer on the inlet side because the original strainer was rusted out.
As I was fiddling back there and taking pictures, I noticed a clear 3/4" tubing that had an open end just sitting on the thruster battery. I traced it to the FWD bilge pump... This tubing is supposed to be connected to the thru hole located just under the shore power connectors. It was hard to find the thru hole because it was totally blocked by a huge wire bundle that traverses to the Helm and electronics section of the tug. I reconnected the hose and placed a hose clamp to the thru hole.
Third Issue:
The Bilge pump switches were not wired correctly. The AFT and FWD switches were swapped. Also, the light on the AFT panel switch would not illuminate when the pump was on or when the switch was pressed. After looking behind the panel, I noticed that the switch was missing a wire that all the switches had going to it (to light up that switch). I had to disconnect the row of wires and shift the connection to connect that one wire. Now it works.
To all Owners: Please inspect your plumbing of the Bilge System. I was running around for almost 2 years with a Bilge pump tube that was not connected to a thru hole and to make it worse, would have dumped water all in the Charger/Inverter system of the boat.
First issue:
I noticed an issue with the AFT bilge pump. It would not run. I simply removed the cartridge pump and inspected it. It ran very rough and had a noticeable wobble in the shaft. I bought a new pump (1250gph size vice the 1000 mph) and installed it. I then tested the system by putting about a gallon of fresh water in that area. The pump worked as advertised. However, due to the design of the plumbing and location of the pump, the water that could not be pumped through the tubing would just fall back down (about 3 feet of height)... the pump turned off automatically when the water level sensor noticed no water on the sensor. This water would then fall back down into the area immediately and trigger the water level sensor again immediately starting the pump all over again. It was an endless cycle that would run until the pump failed (which happened in this case). The same will happen to the FWD bilge pump due to this design. The factory must install one-way check valves at the pump so this will not happen. I have researched PBC one-way check valves and could only find a 3/4" valve but it had a 2psi spring actuator that is too hard for this pump to actuate and would slow down the bilging process. Still looking for a valve, flapper valve might work but would leak and just slow the process down a little. I was in the habit of checking the bilge pumps every time I went out, just to hear if they would turn on at the Helm switches.
Second Issue:
It all started when my lavatory would not fill with water. It would try to flush and macerate but the pump was not filling the bowl to flush. I found the sea water pump forward of the the thruster battery in the starboard aft floor hatch (where you can access the inverter/charger). The hose of the pressure side of the pump had developed a leak and that leak corroded the wires running into the solenoid of the pump. I rewired the pump and shrink wrapped the wiring and the pump worked fine. I also installed a new sea strainer on the inlet side because the original strainer was rusted out.
As I was fiddling back there and taking pictures, I noticed a clear 3/4" tubing that had an open end just sitting on the thruster battery. I traced it to the FWD bilge pump... This tubing is supposed to be connected to the thru hole located just under the shore power connectors. It was hard to find the thru hole because it was totally blocked by a huge wire bundle that traverses to the Helm and electronics section of the tug. I reconnected the hose and placed a hose clamp to the thru hole.
Third Issue:
The Bilge pump switches were not wired correctly. The AFT and FWD switches were swapped. Also, the light on the AFT panel switch would not illuminate when the pump was on or when the switch was pressed. After looking behind the panel, I noticed that the switch was missing a wire that all the switches had going to it (to light up that switch). I had to disconnect the row of wires and shift the connection to connect that one wire. Now it works.
To all Owners: Please inspect your plumbing of the Bilge System. I was running around for almost 2 years with a Bilge pump tube that was not connected to a thru hole and to make it worse, would have dumped water all in the Charger/Inverter system of the boat.