Hoping the fresh water shower didn't sustain damage this winter

[Kevin M]

As I sit her and contemplate spring and my boat, I am wondering if draining the shower via the hose was enough. We experienced the coldest winter in many, many years. I was thinking I should have removed the whole hose connected at the tank......well, too late now. :-(

 

[Bruce]

I wonder if water would have been left between the pump and the sprayer. Hopefully not very much.

 

[davel501]

The official way to winterize it is to remove all of the water by running the pump dry. The thing is that is not enough as I found out. I had ice crack one of the plastic 90s so now I fill the hose with antifreeze after pumping out the tank. I take the head off the shower hose and turn the pump on and just let it run dry. Once dry I hold the hose up as high as I can and slowly pour antifreeze into it until it is full then put the handle back on. Come spring I hook the hose up to the tank and let it fill then run the pump with the shower head clicked open to flush out the antifreeze.

 

[Kevin M]

Damn, that's what I'm expecting to find this spring. I hope it's not too expensive to repair if needed.

 

[davel501]

Your local hardware store should have the fittings for less than $1 or you can go to west marine and pay $5 ea.

The worst part is laying in the coffin, reaching to change the fitting out. I'm not going to lie, it sucks and you will be sore for a few days.

 

[Kevin M]

Ha, ya I've been in the coffin before running wires. Not much fun but hey, it's a boat and it gives me pleasure!! Thanks for your input.

 

[Cory]

Crap. I'm thinking I filled that tank shortly before our last outing of the season. I don't remember draining it.

 

[jcyamaharider]

The official way to winterize it is to remove all of the water by running the pump dry. The thing is that is not enough as I found out. I had ice crack one of the plastic 90s so now I fill the hose with antifreeze after pumping out the tank. I take the head off the shower hose and turn the pump on and just let it run dry. Once dry I hold the hose up as high as I can and slowly pour antifreeze into it until it is full then put the handle back on. Come spring I hook the hose up to the tank and let it fill then run the pump with the shower head clicked open to flush out the antifreeze.

Won't running the pump dry fowl the impeller like a ballast pump?

 

[BoaterGuy]

I pumped antifreeze into the tank and and let the sprayer pump it through the system. I dont think the pump will run unless it has liquid in it.

 

[jcyamaharider]

That is a good safety feature. I know I have to watch my ballast pump close as to make sure it doesn't pump air for too long or I could burn up the impeller easily.

 

[davel501]

Won't running the pump dry fowl the impeller like a ballast pump?

No, the shower pumps are made to run dry although they make a terrible noise that makes you never want to do it. They are way lower volume than a ballast pump.