Page 1 of 1

3 Questions - Regrigeration & Water Fresh & Salt

PostPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:58 pm
by brendan.lyon
Refrigeration: When I bought topknot it had a eutetic 12v and gas fridge installed in the forepeak. It unfortunately didn't work on electricity and I am uncomfortable with gas inside (for obvious reasons). I have made do with an esky strapped in where the fridge used to be, but it takes up a lot of room. Has anyone had an icebox installed and if so, where and how much?

Fresh: I woudl like to ask where Mk III owners have installed water tanks, and what type. I have a plastimo 50 litre bladder currently under the berth next to the sink - but its not been installed, its loose with a timber plug in the filling port (!!) - obviously this is a very temporary solution - so any advice appreciated.

Salt: I was doing some maintenance on Topknot today and unscrewed the access port on the main cabin floor - finding about 2 inches of water in the void beneath. I have sponged the water out but is this something to worry about? Where would it have come from? I have had the floor of the cabin flood once from an improperly installed bilge line (no loop above water line) - so I guess this is the most likely?

Any advice appreciated. :D

Brendan.

Re: 3 Questions - Regrigeration & Water Fresh & Salt

PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:05 am
by Dolphin
G'Day Brendan,
I use an Engel 29 litre 240V/12V fridge when absolutely necessary. I also use the fridge at home for a fridge or freezer and you can use it in the car too. We only run the fridge when the diesel is running.

Fresh water, the access port in the floor of the main cabin is the filler for the fresh water tank. There is a small hand pump at the sink. My top hat does not have a breather in the tank and when you stop pumping the water gets sucked back tothe tank. The tank runs the full length of the flat part of the cabin, about 6 or 7 feet long and it is about 6" deep. I think it holds about 120 litres of fresh water. I also keep fresh water in soft drink bottles and a 15 litre plastic jerry can.

Salt water, When I got Felicite she had salt water in the fresh tank, I think that was due to water from diesel repairs that was left on the cabin sole? THe first cup of coffee was really bad! There should be a copper pipe in the bilge side of the tank. I put 1 table spoon of carb soda in the tank when I fill it to kill creepy crawlies in the water. You can't taste it. Its only used for washing.

Greg Felicite Mk III

Re: 3 Questions - Regrigeration & Water Fresh & Salt

PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:11 pm
by brendan.lyon
Greg - many thanks; you're a fount of knowledge!

I appreciate it. WIll clean the fixed tank out and remove the flexible one - much better!

Thanks again.

BRendan

Re: 3 Questions - Regrigeration & Water Fresh & Salt

PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:16 pm
by storm petrel
Hi Brendan,

I replaced the solid underfloor fresh water tank with a plastimo bladder and the water that comes to the sink now is clean and OK to drink. I also use a little bicarb when I refill the bladder. It was abit of work but the water always tasted bad from the old fibreglass tank.

Cheers,
Mark

Re: 3 Questions - Regrigeration & Water Fresh & Salt

PostPosted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:04 pm
by Phillip
Morning Brendan,

Could you do me a favour please.

Could you accuately measure how many litres of water you get into your tank when you refill it.

Part of the differences between the Marks is that the floor was lowered (in 2's & 3's) to give headroom under the cabin roof.

I have a mk 1, so have those details. :D

If any Mark 2 owner is about to completely refill their water tank, I would like that figure also.

Phillip
SEAKA

Re: 3 Questions - Regrigeration & Water Fresh & Salt

PostPosted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:35 pm
by brendan.lyon
Hi phillip - will do; have some work due so may be the weekend after next but will fill with a 25 litre jerry can instead of a hose to get you an accurate (ish) figure -

Thanks all - I am chuffed with my 'secret' water tank! :D

Re: 3 Questions - Regrigeration & Water Fresh & Salt

PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:04 pm
by brendan.lyon
Pre-assignment inertia and a mild cold limited me to variously moping and living in fear of a 10,000 word essay on Sat/Sun- so I didn't get out ot the boat to measure.

Will get out there next weekend I hope and post measurements up on this discussion.

Cheers.

Brendan.

Re: 3 Questions - Regrigeration & Water Fresh & Salt

PostPosted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:35 am
by Phillip
Ahhh Brendan,

Know exactly what you are talking about, I'm preping or a 3 hour on-line exam as well as assignments! :geek:

Both due Saterday week.

Phillip.