Inline strainer between Raw Water pump and Heat Exchanger?

[SailFastTri]

I've owned boats since the late 70's and never seen a factory installed inline strainer between the engine's water pump">raw water pump and heat exchanger.
However, I've seen many instances where a pump fails to prime and the shredded raw water impeller has required someone to disassemble hoses to go on a fishing expedition in the heat exchanger and hoses.
It would be so much easier if you could just open a strainer and shake out a basket, and those impeller pieces are cleared. Presumably all the larger particles from seawater are already strained before it reaches the pump.
Is there any reason NOT to add another strainer inline after the pump? I have in mind something like the picture.

[deblen]

I put a strainer between pump & heat exchanger about 10 yrs ago-right after I had to remove,clean & reassemble my VP 2003 unit.

Works perfectly.
I used a plastic Jabsco filter.

[Statistical]

After having to pull impeller bits out of heat exchanger I did exactly that. The irony is I have never had an impeller self destruct since installing it. So it largely has just functioned as a good luck charm but no adverse effects. I do clean it out periodically because some small stuff does make it through the main strainer.

[JoeRobertJr]

I am considering adding a strainer there, too. One detail I wonder about using these Jabsco pump strainers in this application is whether it would hold up on the output side of the impeller. My Jabsco Pumpguard model 36200-0000 has a label that says: "For use on suction side of pump only". That implies to me that the plastic cap is designed to handle the vacuum on the pump inlet side, but maybe not the pressure at the pump outlet.

[HopCar]

I think the strainer is a great idea but I’d use a Y strainer on the pressure side.
https://www.grainger.com/category/pl...rs/y-strainers

[JoeRobertJr]

Thanks, HopCar! The Y strainer looks like the right type for this application. And Grainger has them in bronze.

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

I've owned boats since the late 70's and never seen a factory installed inline strainer between the engine's raw water pump and heat exchanger.
However, I've seen many instances where a pump fails to prime and the shredded raw water impeller has required someone to disassemble hoses to go on a fishing expedition in the heat exchanger and hoses.
It would be so much easier if you could just open a strainer and shake out a basket, and those impeller pieces are cleared. Presumably all the larger particles from seawater are already strained before it reaches the pump.
Is there any reason NOT to add another strainer inline after the pump? I have in mind something like the picture.

The plastic strainer works well, I installed one some 10 years ago on my 40hp Isuzu.
Saved the day once.

[crayiii]

Originally Posted by HopCar

I think the strainer is a great idea but I’d use a Y strainer on the pressure side.
https://www.grainger.com/category/pl...rs/y-strainers

This is what we use on our generator

[Scrimshaw4]

I have both a RW strainer before the pump and a second inline strainer after the pump to catch impeller fragments. I also upgraded my impellors to neoprene run dry.

[NorthCoastJoe]

The only thing I can think of is how much heat can it take if its plastic. When the water is moving no problem. But what about after you shut down and the engine room is hot.

I have thought about doing it too, I like the idea.

[Madehn]

I have done it in my Perkins 6.354 main engine. I used an extra sea strainer that I had laying around. It is a twin to the one before the pump. While I was at it I put in a fitting before the first strainer that allows me to undo a plug above the water line level and run a wooden dowel down the the thru hull to knock out any crap that has grown or gotten wedged in that end. Both mods are working well so far.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by JoeRobertJr

I am considering adding a strainer there, too. One detail I wonder about using these Jabsco pump strainers in this application is whether it would hold up on the output side of the impeller. My Jabsco Pumpguard model 36200-0000 has a label that says: "For use on suction side of pump only". That implies to me that the plastic cap is designed to handle the vacuum on the pump inlet side, but maybe not the pressure at the pump outlet.

I'm curious, how much pressure do you think is in the hose from the pump onward?

[JoeRobertJr]

Enough to push the water through the heat exchanger, engine and mixing elbow. But the point really is that the mfr says don't use it on the pressure side. Maybe it would ok. If the cap fails, that is a lot of water pouring into the engine room while the engine is overheating. Might make for a decent sauna. Since there is a suitable alternative actually designed for pressure, the choice is easy for me.

[JoeRobertJr]

Follow-up: My y-strainer installation is complete.

[HopCar]

Originally Posted by JoeRobertJr

Follow-up: My y-strainer installation is complete.

Looks great! I think you did a smart thing.