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Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 7:49 pm
by Captain Chill
Hello all,

Just gutted the engine room of my F26 and can start from scratch installing anything I want.

I want to be able to take a 10 minute continuous hot shower after the restoration. Is this possible? What size tank, pump and heater do I need if so?

Notes;
-I don't care if I have to fill the water tank back up after every shower.
-I don't want to turn the water off, lather up, then turn the water back on. I want it to be just like a home shower with a continuous good pressure spray.
-I do not need a heat exchanger for the engine to heat the water. Showers will be only for marina shore power use.
-I don't care if the water tank and heater sizes weigh my boat down and lower my performance/speed.

Thanks in advance!

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 8:34 pm
by larryeddington
I put a new WestMarine 11 gal in my f36 and should get a reasonable shower, but I definitely would use the engine as heat source for water as well as electricity. IMO. I have but have not used it as yet. On my dock I have a 6 gal heater and when you add in cold water mix and it trying to heat up I get a shower without running out of water, however I am not sure 20 minute is possible, and I am spoiled because at home I have a large gas demand water heater and I can stay in the for an hour or more if I wanted. :D

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:13 pm
by prowlersfish
12 gal heater works well for us . Setting the water heater to very hot helps extend the time .Make sure you get a ignition safe heater

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:42 pm
by Barrie
Looking for the same info Captain Chill
I'm sizing up a 12-15 gallon heater myself for the same "at home" shower.

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 12:36 pm
by Captain Chill
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like you guys say the 12 gal will be sufficient... and after measuring it's a great fit for my ER size.

Looks like I'm going to go with the Raritan 12 gal w/o the heat exchanger for $899.99. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/raritan-- ... 31_005_501

Now, onto water pumps. What gpm do I need to get that "at home" water pressure? Do I need a dedicated pump only to the shower to get that kind of pressure? Or will the one pump for the boat (2 sinks, freshwater toilet, and shower) be ok?

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 4:42 pm
by larryeddington
For you are trying to do bigger is better, IMO, you cannot have one too big.

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 6:59 am
by Paul
I have a dedicated pump for all of my fresh water applications and a second pump dedicated to the head/toilet. The second pump draws raw water from the lake, this way I'm not using up all of fresh water for flushing.

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 10:38 am
by P-Dogg
you cannot have one too big
^^^^^^^ This

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:21 pm
by Captain Chill
Thanks for the replies.

I guess the question is does the gpm affect the pressure of the water?

Example: Will I have a shower with stronger water pressure with a 5gpm pump as apposed to a 3gpm?

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:35 pm
by Captain Chill
Paul wrote:The second pump draws raw water from the lake, this way I'm not using up all of fresh water for flushing.
Nice setup. I'll be at the Marina most of my time so I'm going with a fresh water flush. I'm looking for something where I can plug my hose into my fill tank and leave the hose faucet on but the devise somehow stops water from going in when the water tank is full. So the hose continually fills the water tank when the tank is being emptied. I don't know the name of this devise. Any idea?

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:57 pm
by prowlersfish
Captain Chill wrote:Thanks for the replies.

I guess the question is does the gpm affect the pressure of the water?

Example: Will I have a shower with stronger water pressure with a 5gpm pump as apposed to a 3gpm?
As long as you not flowing near the max capacity of the pump there won't be a noticeable difference in pressure . Assuming both are rated at the same PSI . My boat is fine with a 3.5 gph pump . I have 3 sinks , shower and fresh water head . no issues with 2 being used at the same time

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 7:01 am
by Paul
Captain Chill wrote:I'm looking for something where I can plug my hose into my fill tank and leave the hose faucet on but the devise somehow stops water from going in when the water tank is full. So the hose continually fills the water tank when the tank is being emptied. I don't know the name of this devise. Any idea?
In this case, I would consider adding a potable water fitting to the boat with a tank bypass valve so that it feeds your water system directly without over pressurizing your tank.

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 12:01 pm
by prowlersfish
Paul wrote:
Captain Chill wrote:I'm looking for something where I can plug my hose into my fill tank and leave the hose faucet on but the devise somehow stops water from going in when the water tank is full. So the hose continually fills the water tank when the tank is being emptied. I don't know the name of this devise. Any idea?
In this case, I would consider adding a potable water fitting to the boat with a tank bypass valve so that it feeds your water system directly without over pressurizing your tank.

X2 on what Paul said

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 5:08 pm
by Captain Chill
Paul wrote:In this case, I would consider adding a potable water fitting to the boat with a tank bypass valve so that it feeds your water system directly without over pressurizing your tank.
Something like this? My hose would connect to the hose end. Then my water filter would connect to the other end. Which would then feed my freshwater tank. When the tank is full I turn the handle to stop the flow of water going into my filter. Sound correct?

Image

Re: Water tank, pump, and heater size

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 7:17 pm
by prowlersfish
What Paul And myself are referng to is hooking the dock water hose directly into the boats water line not the tank . The water pump will keep it from back feeding to the tank . You will need a regulator to do so like these

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/jabsco--i ... or--282228
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/shurflo-- ... --13812870