Hi all,
On my 1986 C34 the hoses from the 2 fresh water tanks meet at a Y connector just before the water pump under the galley sink area. Both have a shutoff valve to allow tank selection. One valve didn't survive winter - any suggestions for a good replacement? A ball valve would be better than this old style.
Thanks!
csim : Look in the old Mainsheet tech Note articles and you'll find an article by Dave Ewing on his "Water Manifold" using ball valves in his 1986 C34.
A thought
CS,
A commonly available PVC ball valve with appropriate T fittings and hose barb adapters would do the trick. You could use brass but that would be overkill for the application and would certainly cost more. My 1994 boat has PVC ball valves. I'm not sure if it was OEM or if the PO updated it.
They look like this:
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.ball-valve-34-inch-pvc-threaded-schedule-40.1000425059.html (https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.ball-valve-34-inch-pvc-threaded-schedule-40.1000425059.html)
I replaced the original 1/2" gate valves with 1/2" ball valves (female threads) and nylon hose barbs from Home Depot. The valve has a brass body, a SST ball valve, and nylon seat. Only a few dollars and should last a very long time.
I am doing this project now and decided to go this way. Will install above lake water pump through cabinet side.
I am confused. The Y valve should determine which tank the pump draws from. What is your need for a "shut-off" valve?
Hi Noah,
In the absence of a true Y valve, many boats, mine included have two ball valves that feed into a T which in turn feeds the suction side of the pump. To switch from tank to tank, one valve is "shut off" and the other is opened.
Our 1986 boat has a manifold under the sink with two plastic gate valves. I replaced one gate valve with a metal hardware store valve because it was leaking. The leak was from one of the O rings, which I replaced with a trip to ACE Hardware, and the old repaired valve sits as backup in one of my spares containers.
Noah,
The shut off valves give you the choice of which tank you want to use otherwise the water from the aft tank just feeds the front one. I like to keep the aft tank full as long as possible on a cruise because on a mooring a partially full rear tank sloshes loudly when you're trying to sleep in the aft cabin.
I have a simple Y valve that serves the same function. Turn handle one direction and it draws from aft tank. Turn it the other direction and it draws from starboard tank. No cross feed or gravity syphon issues. I did install a shutoff between the Y valve and the pump, so that I could remove to pump for servicing, without draing one tank.
Noah,
Sounds like a good idea. Did the Y-valve come as a stock installation with your boat? Mine came with two gate valves. I do like the simplicity of a single valve.
PO installed.
Doing this project now. Went with the directional valve mounted through the cabinet front under the sink. Need to make some labels.
One advantage of having two shut off valves is that you can fill both tanks from the aft tank if both valves are open and you can also leave the aft tank full and then fill the stbd tank when it runs out.
kH- nice install!
Quote from: Mike and Joanne Stimmler on June 02, 2018, 03:08:54 PM
One advantage of having two shut off valves is that you can fill both tanks from the aft tank if both valves are open and you can also leave the aft tank full and then fill the stbd tank when it runs out.
I fill both tanks from aft. The deck fill cap is bigger. Go figger... I use the aft tank, starboard as reserve.
From a purely engineering perspective, having "dedicated" shut off valves for each tank for BOTH isolation (either/or) AND separation (
both off), is a usual design criteria for even house plumbing systems. The one thing about house plumbing systems that I detest (!!!) is no separate shutoff for showers and bathtubs. Criminal, I say!
Your boat, your choice. :D
Made some manifolds to get rid of all the plastic fittings for the water supply.
Kh- what is the location of the tank in your photos? I am a bit confused at what I am viewing.
Noah
That's looking through the bottom false drawer. The tank is the hot water tank. I used a point of use tank
4 gallon as we are rarely on a hook. This way I don't have to deal with the loop from the engine. It's something
The Admiral and I discussed. She is fine with boiling water if she needs to.
thanks everyone for your help! I ended up replacing both gate valves (and the extra hoses and clamps) with a simple 3-way PVC ball valve rated for pressurized systems. It was $20 online and is a much cleaner install that the previous setup, and much easier to use as well.