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bobdeesr

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
RO Number
30912
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I recently purchased a 1985 30SRV Sedan Bridge, older but beautiful boat. Question: Why would the fresh water pump switch be located on the helm station only? When you use the sink in the galley or the head, why would you have to climb up on the bridge to turn the switch first? Ami I missing something or just a minor wiring project for the spring?
Also where is the switch for the sump pump in the head after a shower?
 
It is kind of frustrating at times when the water is off and you have to crawl out to turn it on. On our 87 250 DA we could just reach up and turn it from inside the cabin on since it was in easy reach. On the 300 DA we have climb out of the cabin since the freshwater switch is on the starboard side of the panel(11 feet wide!). I thought about moving it or adding another switch in the galley or head, but I'd still want a master on the dash.

Your sump pump switch on the dash probably has two positions. One for manual and one for automatic. Our 250 DA had was set up that way. The 300 DA has a switch in the head to turn the sump pump on when you take a shower. I can't remember if it matters what the dash switch is set to? It seems like the dash switch had to be on too?
 
Why not just leave it on? Mine is located inside at the electrical panel, but the only time it's off is when I'm low o water.
 
I hope I did not imply that I climb up on the bridge every time I would like pressurized water. I, like you, leave the switch on. It just seems to me that it was poor engineering to have the water system (water lines, pump, etc)always on under pressure, even when not needed. Mt last boat (far lesser quality than a Sea Ray)had switch in front of the galley sink. No big deal, I'll leave the switch on.
 
We usually leave it on during the day and switch it off at night. Sometimes we'll leave it on at night and we'll hear it come on once or twice during the night. The old 250 DA NEVER came on unless a faucett was open. I haven't figured out where the water is leaking on the 300 DA, but I will! We usually don't notice it until it's late on Friday night and we haven't turned the water on yet. It's a long hike!
 
Yup, poor design, but I leave mine on all the time and have done this on all my boats. Not a problem yet.
 
Jim, I had the same problem with the pump running when no faucet was open. I replaced both faucets and still had the problem. It turned out to be the city water deck connection had a slight leak. I had noticed water drip on the deck when the hose was connected and we were on city water, but I didn't think much about it. I finally noticed it leaking while on the pressure water system and it hit me. It was back flowing water out that connection. I put a new one on (about $30 from Boatfix and 4 screws) and problem solved.
 
Makes as much sense as the Generstor switches being in the cabin on Saint Max. I'm sure there is a reason, but damned if I can figure it out.
 
Run parallel switch to the galley, head, where ever it will be handy. I've done it on 3 boats, no big deal.
 
quote:
Originally posted by SCORPIO

Jim, I had the same problem with the pump running when no faucet was open. I replaced both faucets and still had the problem. It turned out to be the city water deck connection had a slight leak. I had noticed water drip on the deck when the hose was connected and we were on city water, but I didn't think much about it. I finally noticed it leaking while on the pressure water system and it hit me. It was back flowing water out that connection. I put a new one on (about $30 from Boatfix and 4 screws) and problem solved.

Click to expand...

Chris:

I actually capped that with a plastic screw on cap from Ace Hardware. I've never used the city water. It did slow the pump down, but I still have a small leak somewhere. I suspect it's at the hot water tank and I'll check that out next year. It will go many hours before cycling the pump. Maybe twice during the night. I did replace all the cartridges last season since those were original. That slowed it down quite a bit too.
 
Cartridges? what are you referring to? Check all faucets, they may need new seats. Also check under the sinks at the pex connections to the faucets. My city water connection was leaking behind the hose washer area inside the inlet/pressure regulator part. Also check the water heater safety valve and drain.
 
I did look at one 1980 30' SRV FB when I was shopping, and the guy (who was a medical bio-engineer) had COMPLETELY re-wire the boat with medical grade wiring and everything was in totally new positions - including the moving of everything of that sort that USED to be on the FB into the cabin for control. But he had the entire interior of the boat apart and was still working on things when he was forced to put her up for sale.

BTW in case anybody is looking for something as a semi-project that could be a GREAT boat if you have the know-how and money/time/energy he is still up for sale (I believe) in Vallejo and it has twin VolvoPenta DIESELS for $5,000!!!
 
Having the switch at the helm is actually good practice because all power switches are in one place where they can be confirmed off at a glance when leaving the boat. Over the years, I have had hot water tanks leak, lines suck air and the like. I always turn the water off when leaving the boat unoccupied.
 
Medical grade wireing in a boat? I'd rather have marine grade. What is "medical grade " wireing?
 
Medical grade wireing.....as I know it ......is shielded ( BX ) solid wire with an extra ground / neutral wire.

Why you would use medical grade in a boat ???......it was free ????
 
My last boat didn't have a city water connection. How does it work in conjunction with the on board system ? Does it just re fill the tank ? By passes the 12 V pump ? Pressurize the pump ? What ?
 
The city water hook up bypasses the water tank, basically giving you unlimited water so long as the hose is connected to the dock and turned on. It will provide the pressure and no pump is required. It won't refill the tank.
 
Most also have a regulator built in so the city pressure doesn't blow out the stuff on your boat. The regulator wears out after a while so I've heard. I don't know what the symptoms are however! It is nice when you run the water and you don't hear the pump running early in the morning or late at night when others are sleeping.
 
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