Adding powered pump to foot pumped plumbing

[hd002e]

On my boat there are foot pumps for the galley and head. For the sake of convenience when washing at the dock or taking a shower while at sea, I want to add a powered pump with a foot switch so that I dont have to keep pimping with my foot. If I install a diaphragm pump inline on the same house can the foot pimp still work (ie force water through the diaphragm pump?)

I dont want to go to a full on pressurized water system.

[ggray]

Can't answer that question, but on our previous catamaran with simple systems--outboard motor, separate water systems (tank and foot pump) in each hull and in the main cabin--I added a Wolter propane water heater and pressure pump solely for h/c showers in each head. Kept separate the foot pumps in the head and in the galley.

[tkeithlu]

If you want to keep both pumps, consider putting them in parallel. Neither will pump backwards through the respective duck bill valves. Alternatively, remove the foot pumps and put a switch to the diaphram pump at your feet in the galley and head.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by ggray

Can't answer that question, but on our previous catamaran with simple systems--outboard motor, separate water systems (tank and foot pump) in each hull and in the main cabin--I added a Wolter propane water heater and pressure pump solely for h/c showers in each head. Kept separate the foot pumps in the head and in the galley.

This is exactly what we have on Insatiable II... but only one, being a mono!
Has worked for us for 19 years now.

Jim