Shore water problem

P

padfor

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exMember
Joined
Sep 15, 2002
RO Number
10176
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114
When I first use shore water, it begins with a trickle and then increases to a regular flow. Outside water pressure is fine. Using the pump on my on board water system also gives a good flow. I assume there is a valve that keeps the shore water system from filling the fresh water holding tank. Could there be a sticking valve that is slowing the shore water at the beginning. This is even worse in cold weather. Any ideas of the cure and the place to look for a valve? The boat is a 2000 Rinker 330 Fiesta Vee.

Thank you.
 
Some boats integrate a pressure regulator in the shore line connection. The regulated water entry on http://boatfix.com/catalog/585.pdf is an example. They really aren't serviceable beyond cleaning the filter screen that is stuffed in the inlet, or you may get lucky and can blow some crap out. Otherwise you will have to replace it.

Otherwise, it's probably upstream somewhere. For example, my Egg has a house type regulator under the fish box in the cockpit sole.
 
jrekemeyer (I think) is right on the money. Most of the incoming water connections have a spring-loaded pressure regulator built into them, to hold the incoming water pressure to a steady 40 PSI, as shore water pressure is sometimes as high as 70 or 80 PSI, depending on where you are. Sounds like your incoming shore water fitting needs to be replaced - or at the very least, cleaned out.
 
Yeah, and once you find that thing I'd bypass it. Use a separate regulator between the hose and your freshwater connection on the boat. Much easier to inspect and clean. Most often you will find a wire mesh filter on the input end (where the hose connects) blocked-up with stuff. Depending on your supply system (the marina and beyond), there may be enough rust/mineral deposits to clog the thing regularly -- thus the relocation and ease of cleaning. Also, flow may not be increasing as you suggest. It's just that the longer it's connected -- even with reduced flow -- the more the pressure can build in the various elements of your boat's plumbing system. So, when you turn on a tap it looks like good pressure. Try running the tap for awhile and see if it slows (part of the diagnosis). If it does, it's probably junk in the screen. If it doesn't (slow) it may mean that the regulator is going bad and hanging up when first pressurized, thus taking awhile to reach full open.

Robert
 
Many moons ago I saw a pic of a boater who built his own pressure regulator out of parts from home depot. It almost looked like an HVAC regulator to gauge the amount of freon going into your A/C unit. He always knew the pressure on both the shore side and the ship side. I think the whole thing cost him less than 25 USD.
 
See picture at bottom, right:

http://www.boatfix.com/catalog/584.pdf

BoatFix discounted price for it here (3rd item down):

http://www.boatfix.com/bypage2index.asp?page=584

As was noted, it's probably best to get the inline version rather than the flush mount. They aren't all that expensive and when it messes up (and it will, eventually) you can easily remove it, throw it away and replace it. If what you currently have is the flush mounted version (built-in), it can either be "gutted", so that the water flows directly through it with no restriction, or it can be bypassed.
 
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