broadbeans

following on from the last comment- does this mean that the fittings of water pump filters are standard? Would I be better off getting an alternative filter/strainer than the shurflo as it seems less well respected?

Hi Alan Thanks for the info. What's the difference between them? Am I right in thinking the design of filters has changed? I have no idea how old ours is/was Cheers Jean

Hello all! Well I finally sorted the pump out. It was crud in the filter! However, this leads me to another question: When we got the boat, we were told that the water tank needed sanding down and re-painting which we did. The filter was barely getting water through because of the backlog of what I can only asume was rust. Unfortunately we couldn't unscrew to get to the filter, so we ended up putting a screwdriver through the wire mesh and pulling it out. The filter (round clear thing) is in tact but was impossible to open due to many years unattended I expect. The water is now pumping like a dream, but not being filtered. We do though, have a water filter under the kitchen tap. I have been looking around on t'internet to find a replacement, but I can't find anything which looks the same. Has Shurflo changed the design? Also, is it absolutely necessarily to replace this? We've probably had around five full tanks of water go through the system, so would I be safe to assume that when had been lurking in the pipes has gone through the system and now come out? Hope you guys can help me in this quandary!

Thanks for the info and step by step instructions - I may give it a go tonight!!!

Hello again I'm totally confused whether people have been advising me or Alan. What I think I have been suggested to do is check between the pump and the pipes for crud in the filter. There is a spherical thing attached to the pump- is that the filter? Also i have read about bicyle pumps and acumlutors- do i need to check the pressure? and exactly how do you do this? There is a black unscrewable thing on top do I attach the pump nozzle to that? I have the old fashion pump which has the pressure gauge on it. Now when I looked at the acuumular - or the pump to that fact - there was no noticable thing on it to say what the pressure should be... Thanks for the advica and apologies I am a girl. Plumbing is far too complicated, cat litter and tights is way more my thing. Jean

Hello people! This is the first time I have posted a question on the site, despite using it as a useful source of knowledge from you many wise sages. You chaps have helped a lot - whoever suggested cat litter in tights to clean bilges deserves extra special praise. I may have looked foolish but it was worth it. I have been looking at various postings about water pumps as I'm not sure if mine is working properly. It is our first boat so we have learnt a lot as we have been going along - and if it hasn't been noticbly broke we haven't fixed it! We have a shurflo pump. When you first turn on a tap the pressure is fine, however, after about ten seconds the pump comes on and we gradually lose pressure until it resorts to a dribble at which point we turn the tap off while we wait for the pump to stop. For hot water we boil the kettle as we still haven't figured the boiler out. We also shower nearby as 1) they are available and reasonably nice and 2) we would get the water pressure or heat for that matter. At one point the pump would come on when a tap wasn't on - we think we cured this after fixing a crack the shower - after we did that the pump did come on less, however, now and then it will come on, though I am yet to locate any further leaks. These days it feels like it is taking a lot longer to gain pressure. I don't know if it makes any difference but we do have an accumulator, but I'm not sure what it does or how I can use it to our advantage. We have filled up recently and have plenty of water. Essentially what I want to know is what should I expect from a pump - should it provide a constant pressure, or is it normal for it to be a little pathetic? Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated! Jean

Thanks all! That's been very helpful. We had been told that the Great Western was a non-starter but perhaps we'll investigate further. We sought out Mr Green who really was a massive help and has moved our search on leaps and bounds. We spent acouple of hours with him and came out inspired and more determined than ever to make this work. Thanks again, hopefully we'll see you on the water sometime soon Dan&Jean

Hi We're in a similar situation, living in taunton and trying to find a nearby mooring. it's proving a bit of a mare. We're concentating efforts around Bridgwater at the mo but be really interested to know if you have any joy down in devon. Keep us posted on your progress and we'll do the same. Good Luck!! Dan&Jean

Hi all. We're hoping to move onto the water and are currently looking for a mooring. Does anyone know anything about the feasability of living aboard on the Taunton/Bridgwater Canal? We know it's land-locked but we're a lttle restricted by work and my 6 year old daughter lives in Taunton with her mum, so don't wanna be too far. Bristol Docks apparently have 10 yr wait for residential moorings - (and we can't even join the waiting list until we've bought a boat. How does that make any sense!?) The research we've done leads us to think that there might well be a lot of people bending the rules a little and living on leisure moorings. Now we don't wanna go getting anyone into trouble but is this the way to do it? Or would you all frown on this sort of thing. We don't want to dodge any fees or taxes, we just want somewhwere to liveaboard! We're also getting the impression that BW are the enemy. Yes/No? Certainly they've been bugger all help to us and have not seen fit to reply to any of our e-mails. Lot's o' love Dan & Jean

Hello all We're planning to make the move from land to water asap. Just as soon as we find a mooring. See you on the water in a decade or so then....! Dan & Jean Broadbean

'Ello We're in a similar situation. we live in the south west and are trying to make the move from land to water. We're having no luck finding a mooring so far. The official line seems to be "No you can't bloody live here on a boat!" But clearly there are plenty of people doing it. I don't know how. It's a mystery. Please tell us your secrets boatpeople Love, The Broadbeansx