Using water pump with dock water...Y/N???

[steve940]

On my 56MY I have two water pumps, 32V and 110V...

When connected to and using dock-side water, is there a benefit (in terms of water pressure) to keeping the 110 pump on? Can this damage the pump?

Thanks in advance for the advice...

Steve

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

No need to run a pump when hooked to dock water. There is a pressure valve that (should) limit the amount of pressure allowed in.
If you use the "search" section you can pull up past threads on this subject. Some never use dockwater while some (like me) do.

 

[Bill Allen]

Since thers a pressure reducing valve on my water line my pressure is actually a tad higher on the pump. Leaving the pump on when hooked up to the dock water is not any real benefit. My water tanks are normally rather low until I am ready to go somewhere, then I fill and flush. I also feel why put the time on the pump if it's not required. I supose if you have the pump on and the tank goes empty you wouldn't know it was running dry unless you heard it. Bill

 

[REBrueckner]

Bill correctly points out that you build up unnecessary time on your pump when it's used dockside, significant for those who live aboard or spend most time dockside...Downside risk is that your boat can sink (It's not uncommon!!!) if a leak develops and dockside pressure gushes in....so shutting off dockside water when you are not aboard is IMPORTANT....

What happens if the dockside water pressure reducing valve fails??? Anybody know? I never connect dockside water....just fill my tank as noted above with FRESH water before departing dockside....

 

[Fanfare]

My pressure reducing valve failed about 20 years ago. I rarely used the outside water, but this day I plugged the hose in with its unusual female-to-female fitting, and meandered down for a leisurely shower. It took probably 10 minutes for the valve to completely fail, and I suspect it went gradually with the pressure increasing over three or four miinutes. I was fully soaped in the aft shower when I heard shouts from the salon. Faucets were blowing loose! I started rinsing and had just reached for my towel when the hot water faucet in the aft head separated at the hose clamps between the copper tubing and the adapter for the newly replaced sink faucet. Scalding water bounced off from under the sink and burned me. The head filled with steam! Sure got my attention! I raced out nattily attired in my bath towel and cut off the shore water. I think the water pressure went from our normal 30-40 lbs to over 120 lbs in a short time. Our piping had never been tested at this pressure, so it was no surprise that some would fail. We probably had three connections come loose, and the volume of water at that pressure from each was dramatic.

I have never connected this up since. Just lucky I was on board at the time. Hope I didn't scare anyone on the dock with my betowled sprint for the shut off.

 

[MikeP]

The oem Hatt copper plumbing will withstand any pressure that dockside water can provide. Unfortunately, probably none of us actually re-make new copper connections for replacement components. Therein lies the rub!

 

[Pascal]

there is no reason for keeping any pump on while on dock water, i guess it depends on where the check valve is but the pump will keep the pressure up on its side of the check valve while dock water will supply the system after the check valve. it really depends on your setup.

if you don't want to bother with valves, at least flick the breaker off.

i'm in the "no dock water" camp... even though chances your bilge pumps will keep up with a leak, using the onboard tank insures that it gets refreshed regularly and will get a constant supply of chlorine thru dock water.

the 32v pumps indeed wear out but if you have a 110v pump (shallow well style), it's not a factor. these dont use impellers or diaph. adn dont' really wear out.