Shower Pump?

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

I am going to make my own transom shower over the winter. I have everything set, however, I would like some advice on the pump. I found a 4 GPH 12 volt DC marine transfer pump at a local store. I think it would work but feel that a demand pump would be better as it will kick in as the pressure drops instead of just continuously running when the switch is on. If anyone has built a shower could please pass on which type of pump you used and how well it works.

Thanks

mneal · Outlaw Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 120 City: St. Petersburg

I have a Shurflow on demand for the transom shower, you want a demand pump for a shower.

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

mneal

Thanks for the info. I just picked up a new Shurflo 2.8 GPH demand pump at an RV shop that is closing out. Did you build your own and if so any pics or tips.

Thanks
Laughing

mneal · Outlaw Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 120 City: St. Petersburg

I hate to tell you this but the RV Shurflow pumps are not ignition protected. Sad

. If you ever have a fuel leak it could really bad.

I did build my own setup, bought a Scanvik (sp?)?0 housing and shower head. I used a 11 gallon fat sac for the tank and placed it in a rear compartment. Actually bought a poly tank but never mounted it because I wanted the ability to remove tank easily for maintenance etc. (easier plug changes and so forth).

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

mneal

What exactly does it mean to be ignition protected? How is the pump different? I have a direct drive and will be mounting it in the rear trunk. Is the big concern with gas fumes in the bilge area and the pump giving off a spark when it turns on? Thanks for the heads up. I only paid $70 for the pump so not a huge loss.

Thanks

mneal · Outlaw Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 120 City: St. Petersburg

Ignition protection means the sparking components (brushes and armature of any electrical motor) are sealed off from the environment. The only time it ever matters is if there are gasoline fumes in the bilge but the results could be a explosion. What makes it more of a risk is gasoline fumes are heaver then air and settle in confined space. That is why boat manufactures have blowers you run prior to starting boat. If it was me I would sell you pump on eBay or return it and get a marine pump. You could contact Shurflow to see what they say in regards to the differences, maybe your pump can be converted.

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

mneal

Thanks for the response. I bought the pump at a close out with no return but I will sell on ebay or find a person who needs one. I will pick up the marine version. As for your shower set up did you design your own or find some plans somewhere? If possible could you pass on a discription of how you built it.

Cyclonecj · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 338 City: Atlanta

I have a factory installed shower, but it's built from the same parts you'd go buy to do it yourself. It's really no big deal. Some plumbing on the engine around the heater hose connections, mount the pump and the shower head. Mine has a dash switch that turns the pump on, and a hot/cold dealie. No tank, it uses lake water from the heater connections on the block. I can take pics of my installation if you like.

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

Cyclonecj

That would be awesome. Would be great to see the connections, pump location and the hot/cold dealie. Thanks again

mneal · Outlaw Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 120 City: St. Petersburg

I wired the pump to a unused accessory switch on the dash. The pump has pressure switch so all you need to do is wired it thru switch. For the tank I am using a soft ballast tank meant for ballast, fits perfectly in the compartment and allows m to easily remove it for extra storage or maintenance. I bought the nozzle on line and is similar to this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BOAT-TRANSOM-SHOWER-WASHDOWN-Boat-SPRAYER_W0QQitemZ320180680469QQihZ011QQcategoryZ26455QQcmdZViewItem

I do not have any hot or mixed as I boat mostly in salt water and wanted a fresh water tank. What are your intentions fresh water or mixed (hot)?

I can post pics tomorrow if you want.
I

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

I am planning a mix hot and cold system. I have seen one where they tap off the cold intake and also the block for the hot water. The hot and cold meet at a metal "Y" with adjusters to allow just the correct amount of hot and cold to get the right temp. Then to the demand pump and out to the sprayer. The system I saw did not have a tank. Any pics would be great. Thanks again.

Cyclonecj · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 338 City: Atlanta

Here's a couple of pics of my shower. There is a T in the cold water intake to the thermostat, and a blue line running off that. There's a T in my heater lines with a red hose coming off that. If you don't have a heater, those block connections are simply plugged. The red and blue lines go to a panel with a hot and cold knob, and a grey line comes off that to the pump. The outlet of the pump goes to a shower nozzle. Hope that helps, good luck on your projects!