Foot Pumps

[wgh52]

I plan on adding a fresh water foot pump in the galley and head. My original thought was to connect foot pump in line to the pressure water system supply to the faucet. After reading the install manual for the whale foot pump they state that the pump is not to be used in a pressure system.

I'm wondering now do I need a separate water tank supply connection or can I tee off the supply to the water pump.

Can someone that already have foot pumps installed describe how the pumps are feed from the water tank. Many thanks.

Bill

[472426_L]

Just had to replace ours and discovered the same problem after the previous owner's install. An initial T-off the supply before the pump appeared to work but the pump created a pressure drop leading to leaks so I had to add inline shut-off taps (John Guest) at both ends. OK now.

[carstenb]

I haven't done it yet, but will add a footpump on my boat. You probably need to insert a "T" in the line between the tank and electric pump. Make sure you also put a check valve in so your electric pump doesn't suck air in through the foot pump and end up cavitating.

I suspect the reason they don't want you to mount the footpump after the electric pump is that the footpump is not tight. It will leak when under pressure, causing the electric pump to start and soon you'll have empty tanks.

[wgh52]

Good point on the check valves. In my case I have two tanks so by inserting a tee just before the tank, it will be after the values that select the tank to draw from. Which foot pump are you planning on installing?

[carstenb]

I haven't picked one out yet. It will be next year

[Seaworthy Lass]

We have Whale Gusher Galley MK3 footpumps for both salt and fresh water in the galley and have been very happy with them.

[MysticGringo]

I have a whale foot pump installed after a water filter, and before my pressure pump. Each time the pressure pump runs, the foot pump puts out a little squirt. And I can't use foot pump while pressure pump is running, it won't spring back up because of the suction on the pressure pump.

Otherwise, no worries at all.

[daddle]

If installed on the pressure water it will freely flow (Whale type). Mine freely flows when the watermaker has filled the tanks.

Yes, I sometimes have the dribble when the pressure pump stops. Feeding from near the tank (vs. near the pressure pump inlet) might cure this as well as the difficulty of pumping while the pressure pump is operating.