1999 H410 Forward Shower Sump Replacement Issues

[SailorFrank]

I'm running into trouble as I've been replacing the original Atwood Sump in the forward shower sump. I found a Seaflow 750 GPH box would fit the limited space available and configured the hoses to make things work. I'm having trouble with he outflow overboard. The box pumps out but the pump struggles for some reason and never shuts off. I've flush the line with water and it seems to be ok?
The original Atwood box was disconnected due to a burned-out pump. I couldn't get a replacement hence the new box. But if the Atwood suffered the same issue (nonstop operation) it surely would explain why it burned up.
Any thoughts?

 

[sail sfbay]

Also check the suction line is clear by augering it with a hand held or drill auger.

 

[SailorFrank]

Can you clarify what you mean by ‘suction line’?

 

[sail sfbay]

Suction line ...... from the shower drain to the pump. Maybe blocked with hair?

 

[SailorFrank]

Thanks, but that's not it. The water flows fine into to the sump box. It's the ejection process when the pump cycles in where I'm having the problem.

 

[RoyS]

Centrifugal pumps have great difficulty overcoming any check valves in the expel line. IMHO these shower sump boxes do not work.

 

[JamesG161]

When done with lavatory/shower use...

Turn the DC panel breaker off.

Jim...

 

[Sailgunner]

I replaced mine several times. I finally made my own sump pump system. I used one of the standard sumps that would fit. Installed one of those sensor level units rather than a float. Then used a pump large enough to overcome the head to exit the boat.
The sytems works fine. Although, it only pumps for a few seconds then shuts off. It gets the job done.
Most of these sump systems are junk. For the main system I installed a whale system. I think these are the best available.

 

[artboas]

I replaced mine several times. I finally made my own sump pump system. I used one of the standard sumps that would fit. Installed one of those sensor level units rather than a float. Then used a pump large enough to overcome the head to exit the boat.
The sytems works fine. Although, it only pumps for a few seconds then shuts off. It gets the job done.
Most of these sump systems are junk. For the main system I installed a whale system. I think these are the best available.

Respectfully, just get the Whale IC system, and you’re done.
Basically, you’re trying to re-invent what they did a really good job of making into a commercial product.
Yes, a sump box is cheaper. But, it’s a constant maintenance headache over the years, and not worth the aggravation. The impeller pumps they use in sump boxes continually clog up, and it’s a disgusting job (second only to head fixing) that I just got tired of.
There are lots of folks on this forum who agree with my suggestion

 

[Windpilot]

Don't laugh, I had the same problem, I glued a dime to the float.
This might work for you, test by pushing down on the float when it has trouble stopping.
Also my 410's forward sump will cycle on off because of the backflow of water in the line, so we only use the main aft stall.
Usually we have the breaker off unless showering.

 

[Sailgunner]

Respectfully, just get the Whale IC system, and you’re done.
Basically, you’re trying to re-invent what they did a really good job of making into a commercial product.
Yes, a sump box is cheaper. But, it’s a constant maintenance headache over the years, and not worth the aggravation. The impeller pumps they use in sump boxes continually clog up, and it’s a disgusting job (second only to head fixing) that I just got tired of.
There are lots of folks on this forum who agree with my suggestion

How do you use this system when you have more than one input? Always thought this would be a good system but need a box to collect from multiple sources.

 

[SailorFrank]

I replaced mine several times. I finally made my own sump pump system. I used one of the standard sumps that would fit. Installed one of those sensor level units rather than a float. Then used a pump large enough to overcome the head to exit the boat.
The sytems works fine. Although, it only pumps for a few seconds then shuts off. It gets the job done.
Most of these sump systems are junk. For the main system I installed a whale system. I think these are the best available.

Thanks Sailgunner. What consists of a ‘large enough pump’ to overcome the approx. 3’ head lift? (is that the issue here?) I see that Whale make a great looking compact sump system that would fit the space available but it's not distributed in the US. I went down the path of retrofitting my original Attwood box with a new pump, float, etc. But I found I was having the same issue. Could it be something with the discharge line itself that I'm missing?

 

[Sailgunner]

Thanks Sailgunner. What consists of a ‘large enough pump’ to overcome the approx. 3’ head lift? (is that the issue here?) I see that Whale make a great looking compact sump system that would fit the space available but it's not distributed in the US. I went down the path of retrofitting my original Attwood box with a new pump, float, etc. But I found I was having the same issue. Could it be something with the discharge line itself that I'm missing?

Yes, just need to overcome the 3' head.

 

[artboas]

I respectfully suggest just purchasing the Whale IC system. It works flawlessly, and you’ll never have to deal with it again once installed.

 

[SailorFrank]

Thanks everyone! I’m hearing that the Whale IC is the way to go And I do like the idea of eliminating the sump box entirely. My only remains concern is how the Whale will function with the AC condensate drain which is also fed into this sump. This is more of a trickle than a flow of water.

 

[Sailgunner]

Thanks everyone! I’m hearing that the Whale IC is the way to go And I do like the idea of eliminating the sump box entirely. My only remains concern is how the Whale will function with the AC condensate drain which is also fed into this sump. This is more of a trickle than a flow of water.

Good question. Also can you tee the head drain and condensate in the same line?