Shower sump solution and question

[Red Raven]

A new solution: After cussing all morning trying to remove the shower sump box lid screws to clean out the sump in our R27 after 3 weeks in Desolation Sound I went to Home Depot and bought some stainless "eye" screws. Couldn't find wing screws of the right size but the "eye" screws did the trick! Highly recommended, I can now clean the sump filter in 10 minutes!

On to the question. The water level in the sump box allows a fair amount of scum to build up even when used daily. Has anyone tried to flush the system regularly with any cleaning solution? I'm thinking of just pouring a 1/4 cup of white vinegar down the shower drain every week or two. I'm wondering if vinegar will hurt (or help!) the pump.

 

[knotflying]

Curt,

I usually run clean water down the drain and let the pump cycle after each use. So far no issues.

 

[Red Raven]

Thanks Mike! I hope you guys are still enjoying your time over here!

 

[R Baker]

My sump has packed up. I've pulled the pump and switch cleaned things up, confirmed they were working and reinstalled all - still working; but a week later the sump is not pumping. I've ordered a new pump, and plan to install a manual control, so when it runs it will be a result of the switch and I will hear it run. Are there other solutions out there ?

 

[HappyPlace]

We cannot have our pump on a manual control as our air conditioning condensation drains to this sump and needs to empty as it fills. I can actually hear the pump running throughout the evening, since it is under the vberth bed. The stainless eye screw idea is awesome! It's rather difficult to reach down in there under some hoses with a tool to remove the cover. Thanks for sharing this idea!!!

Al Sr.

 

[knotflying]

We cannot have our pump on a manual control as our air conditioning condensation drains to this sump and needs to empty as it fills. I can actually hear the pump running throughout the evening, since it is under the vberth bed. The stainless eye screw idea is awesome! It's rather difficult to reach down in there under some hoses with a tool to remove the cover. Thanks for sharing this idea!!!

Al Sr.

Your setup for the air conditioner is interesting. I wonder why the condensate does not go directly into the bilge. On one hand it seems good because it will clean out the sump regularly, but on the other hand it seems like in the event of a pump failure you could have a water backup issue to deal with.

 

[stwendl]

I would assume ac is only on while on board. Not like a bilge which needs to be ready all the time

Having said that I would also assume ac would drain overboard rather than rely on another her system

Don't have ac so these are just my opinions

 

[Pourhouse]

ln humid climates, air conditioning is needed to reduce moisture in a idle boat. This is to control mold and mildew. I prefer a portable unit that does not require monitoring the through hull strainer I put it in the head and exhaust it through the port hole window. The 12000 BTU unit does not cool well but it keeps the humidity low.

 

[R Baker]

Never a prefect solution. The AC will fill the sump over a 24 hr period if the AC is run continuously. Another solution might be to install a bilge pump switch - mom on, off, auto. This way I could at least confirm the pump works.
(Mom = momentarily on)