We recently acquired a H31 and have read articles on this site dealing with draining the ice box. A few responses indicated a manual pump, positioned next to the galley pump, had been a satisfactory solution. I want to know more about where to find such a pump and a more detail as to how it is mounted.
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small bilge pump or ice bottles
Doug, I've seen a 2 gallon jug used with a small automatic bilge pump in it to pump into sink drain line or over the side with a thru hull just under toe rail. Farther aft you go with thru hull the better. Don't want it picking up water when healing. Are you the same Doug Washburn of Minuteman Maintenance fame? Warren Renninger former maint officer sends. I have a 1980 Hunter 27 and just use ice in bottles to keep from filling the bilge with ice water.
Doug, I've seen a 2 gallon jug used with a small automatic bilge pump in it to pump into sink drain line or over the side with a thru hull just under toe rail. Farther aft you go with thru hull the better. Don't want it picking up water when healing. Are you the same Doug Washburn of Minuteman Maintenance fame? Warren Renninger former maint officer sends. I have a 1980 Hunter 27 and just use ice in bottles to keep from filling the bilge with ice water.
Ice Box Drain ?
Our 84 H31 ice box drains into the bildge. Doesn't yours? If so, what is wrong with that? I know some people want a bone dry bildge and this extra ice water bothers them. I have thought of re-routing my drain out the galley sink drain, but I think the ice box drain is to low. Just a thought, Bob S/V Lady Di II
Our 84 H31 ice box drains into the bildge. Doesn't yours? If so, what is wrong with that? I know some people want a bone dry bildge and this extra ice water bothers them. I have thought of re-routing my drain out the galley sink drain, but I think the ice box drain is to low. Just a thought, Bob S/V Lady Di II
Ice Box Drains!
There has been soooooo much talk about ice box drains going into the bilge. One of the points is the odor if things get spilled in the icebox. Another point is that they want a dry bilge. If you use a foot pump on the end of the drain hose, you can pump it accumulation overboard. The problem with this is that you cannot find the end of the drain hose to connect it to a pump. If you install a refrigeration system in the ice box you eliminate most of the problem. If you do spill something you can just pour some bleach water mixture in the ice box and clean up and disinfect the liner and the ice box and the bilge at the same time. Believe me this is not a simple project on the H'31. Unless you can find the end of the hose. These foot pumps are the same ones that you may use as manual pump for the fresh water system. You could probably also use a small electric pump with an inlet and outlet hose.
There has been soooooo much talk about ice box drains going into the bilge. One of the points is the odor if things get spilled in the icebox. Another point is that they want a dry bilge. If you use a foot pump on the end of the drain hose, you can pump it accumulation overboard. The problem with this is that you cannot find the end of the drain hose to connect it to a pump. If you install a refrigeration system in the ice box you eliminate most of the problem. If you do spill something you can just pour some bleach water mixture in the ice box and clean up and disinfect the liner and the ice box and the bilge at the same time. Believe me this is not a simple project on the H'31. Unless you can find the end of the hose. These foot pumps are the same ones that you may use as manual pump for the fresh water system. You could probably also use a small electric pump with an inlet and outlet hose.
Never Drain Ice Box to Bildge
To underscore what Steve said, stuff from the ice box can drain into the bildge and cause odors. One of the big culprits can be an overturned milk carton, and you know what spoiled milk smells like. Once the stuff goes through the limber holes and gets inside the pan liner that smell will be around a long time. Until something can be rigged up with plumbing I'd suggest putting a stopper in the hole as a precaution to ensure there's no surprise.
To underscore what Steve said, stuff from the ice box can drain into the bildge and cause odors. One of the big culprits can be an overturned milk carton, and you know what spoiled milk smells like. Once the stuff goes through the limber holes and gets inside the pan liner that smell will be around a long time. Until something can be rigged up with plumbing I'd suggest putting a stopper in the hole as a precaution to ensure there's no surprise.
Shower sump would work
I have a 87H28.5 in which both the ice box and shower drain to the bilge. The best solution I know of is to simply install a shower sump in the bilge, which will take care of shipping the drain water overboard, and should leave the bilge itself dry. I haven't done this yet. It's on my "list", around page 30. Eric Lorgus s/v Explorer 87H285
I have a 87H28.5 in which both the ice box and shower drain to the bilge. The best solution I know of is to simply install a shower sump in the bilge, which will take care of shipping the drain water overboard, and should leave the bilge itself dry. I haven't done this yet. It's on my "list", around page 30. Eric Lorgus s/v Explorer 87H285
Fridge drain
I epoxied the drain in my ice box, mounted a small bilge pump (the bottom of the ice box next to the drain lends itself perfectly for mounting)ran a discharge hose to a 1/2" thru-hull mounted under the toe rail. Added a switch and voila. Couldn't be simpler. And only $20.00.
I epoxied the drain in my ice box, mounted a small bilge pump (the bottom of the ice box next to the drain lends itself perfectly for mounting)ran a discharge hose to a 1/2" thru-hull mounted under the toe rail. Added a switch and voila. Couldn't be simpler. And only $20.00.
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