1991 Doral Prestancia 255MC - pump under the stairs

[dmanmiller]

Just purchased a Doral Prestancia, had a marine survey everything was great. Put it in the water last week and started up the water system today. Under the bottom step there is a small pump in a clear Plexiglas box. On the top left corner of the box there is a ? inch nipple that water pours out of when the water is running (could be some sort of over flow valve). Is this normal? What is this pump for? I haven't heard the pump click on yet and the plexiglass box has lots of water in it. The main water pressure pump is in the engine compartment near the hot water heater. We haven't tried the shower drain could this pump be for the shower/bathroom sink? regardless should water be coming out of the nipple?

 

[TRK81]

Re: 1991 Doral Prestancia 255MC - pump under the stairs

I have the same box same location, was told its for shower drain. When full of water it pumps it overboard, but I don't know where. Also under step on mine is seawater valve that picks up seawater for marine head. I am attempting to tap or t in there and use this for marine airconditioner.

 

[BSAFlash]

Re: 1991 Doral Prestancia 255MC - pump under the stairs

G'Day dmanmiller,

The box is the shower sump complete with a pump and float switch.
There should be 3 to 4 inlet nipples on the top left that connect to a filter inside the box. These nipples are for the sinks and the shower.
In the bottom right corner near the pump is the outlet. All of the nipples should have a pipe connected or be blocked off.
The outlet will either go to your grey water tank if fitted or over the side via a through hull fitting midway along the starboard side of the hull. Check the area for pipes that haven't been connected and make sure all connections are water tight, any water that ends up in the well will become stagnant and stink your boat out!

 

[dmanmiller]

Re: 1991 Doral Prestancia 255MC - pump under the stairs

Thank you for all the replys. I have solved the problem. Seems there are two electrical connectors under the step one has constant power and one is switched from the cabin lights for a small 12 volt light under the stairs. We accidently hooked the switched connector to the pump and didn't connect the light. The only time the pump would work would be when the cabin lights were on. I have corrected the electrical issue and the pump now works correctly. I also confirmed it is the drain pump for the shower and bathroom faucet. I believe the 1/4" nipple on the plexiglass tank is an overflow incase the pump fails the shower/sink drain doesn't backup into the bathroom. Appreciate all your help, hopefully this will help someone in the future.

Thank you

 

[BSAFlash]

Re: 1991 Doral Prestancia 255MC - pump under the stairs

Thank you for all the replys. I believe the 1/4" nipple on the plexiglass tank is an overflow incase the pump fails the shower/sink drain doesn't backup into the bathroom. Appreciate all your help, hopefully this will help someone in the future.

Thank you

Interesting... Mine is a sealed unit (waterproof gasket around the top). It is much easier to clean the shower floor after a blockage than clean out the well under the stairs.
I have had 3 blockages recently (I no longer allow guests to wash up) the last of which resulted in the the well filling with water, it was an awful job to clean. After the first two blockages the seal under the plexiglass lid has come apart allowing the overflow to fill the well.