Qest to PEX Freshwater Lines Repair/Replace-gctid824216

[Cool_Beans]

Just thought I would share Another one of my projects involving failed/failing Qest compression fittings and tying new PEX line into the existing plumbing.

I originally noticed that the freshwater pump would cycle every 30 minutes or so. I had figured the pump was leaking internally and bleeding pressure back through the diaphragm. Once I started showering on the boat, I decided it would be better to just run the hose to the city water input. I noticed a fizzing sound one night and after finding part of the bilge under the sink full of water I traced the sound to behind the access panel under the galley sink. As you can see in the pictures, the one compression nut has completely failed and looks like it has been weeping for a long time. The other compression nut is on it's way out. A survey of the rest of the fittings in the boat revealed a couple cracked nuts, but no leaks. With the good nuts I've saved, I'm going to repair the other couplers on the boat. Long term goal is to replace everything with new PEX. Only thing left for me to do to finish this part of it up is zip tying the new lines to the cable run. Pics below. Instead of using the PB to PEX coupler sold by Sharkbite, I found the female swivel adapter fits the threaded end of the "T" just fine so the new lines are complete with no splices.




Attached files

[Cool_Beans]

Attached files

[Pcpete]

Excellent work Beans! I'm planning on removing the hand pump toilets and installing fresh water electrics and hadn't gotten to the water supply issue yet. Problem solved!

[Jim_Gandee]

Great job CB! Thanks for taking the time to share!

Did you increase the ID size of the new lines by any chance?

.

[Cool_Beans]

Thanks! I'm trying to contribute in anyway possible

Jim, I installed 1/2" PEX line, if that's what you mean? The stock PB is 3/8" dia. inside. I guess I did, but not on purpose, hehe. I don't think you can buy less than 1/2" water supply line, at least that's what they had at Home Depot...

[yachtman]

That old gray stuff is the worst!!

[Jim_Gandee]

Cool, I was thinking that a larger diameter line would get more water to the shower, which in my boat is adequate but not what I'd like.

[Cool_Beans]

Hey, where did my pictures go?

Jim, the new lines are 1/2" which is greater then the original lines...but all the fittings are 3/8" so you have the same restrictions and I don't know if you would notice any improvement in flow. With dock water or the 3gpm freshwater pump I find I have a nice shower stream with the right shower head. It is a cheap box store shower head with an option for "high pressure" which I have it set too.

I think if you bump the volume of your down stream lines you need to up the volume your pump can supply. You might need a bigger pump? An extreme example: on a 44 foot trawler I looked at, I believe it had a 1/2hp well pump with a 15 gallon expansion tank on top. It had no problem supplying a nice stream of water inch:

[Jim_Gandee]

I'm not anchored out much so conservation isn't top priority. I'd go to a bigger pump if I had to, as well as larger lines to get a good shower! But this project's not at the top of the list right now. Next project is to recarpet the interior.

[Mr._Darcy]

I hadn't thought of using PEX piping. I was planning and dreading using CPVC to re-plumb the entire boat. I was have a difficult time trying to figure out adequate ventilation for the solvent and glue (which make me woozy and sick to my stomach). Thanks for the show and tell, and by the way, good job.

Greg

[Cool_Beans]

Jim, check your shower heads rated GPM output and compare it to your pump. Up to 1992 they were rated for 3.5 GPM, after 1992 2.5 GPM...and I think now you can get 2.0 GPM shower heads.

Can anyone see the 4 pictures in my first post? They were there for a day, now they are gone for me...I will repost them if I need to!

And thanks Greg!

[drewhaas]

They're still viewable on my feed. Nice work, too!

Jim- I'm with you. New carpet is next on my list as well. We thought about hardwood but as we live aboard we'd prefer carpet underfoot in the winter.

[Jeffw]

"Jim Gandee" post=824491 wrote:
I'm not anchored out much so conservation isn't top priority. I'd go to a bigger pump if I had to, as well as larger lines to get a good shower! But this project's not at the top of the list right now. Next project is to recarpet the interior.

Jim, I'm sure you've checked for and removed any flow restrictor, right?

[Jim_Gandee]

I've checked the size of the shower nozzle, blockage and contamination and restrictions. I was kinda wondering if larger diameter lines would help cure the hot/cold sensitivity issue with the shower faucet.

[Jeffw]

Probably not. Every RV and boat we've had (when on the 12v. pump) has the same issue to some degree.