500/520 DB official thread

Tim Fila said:
They have so many different models. Which one?
Tim
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We removed our ice maker in the rear cockpit and use the area for storage. We don’t prefer the ice/water from the water tank although I dont think it is bad to drink. Wife disagrees.
So we fill 6 ice trays and keep the ice tray full in the Galley.
After a couple of seasons we are happy with this process.

The only drag is bringing 1 gallon water jugs to the boat. But we just refill them at home with our RO system.
 
We live on the boat so no storage for bottled water and we go through a lot of ice
The water passes through a pre filter then water softener then another 5 micron filter prior to the ice maker. It’s been good for years
 
Havana Shamrock said:
We live on the boat so no storage for bottled water and we go through a lot of ice
The water passes through a pre filter then water softener then another 5 micron filter prior to the ice maker. It’s been good for years
Click to expand...

Does the water softener really help with the water spots in the sink and shower?

I have three cartridge style water/carbon filters and still taste the plastic tank a little. Not sure how to remove that plastic taste.
 
cod said:
Pretty much a direct replacement. Only modification will be the water inlet which could easily be a coupling/reducer for the water inlet. I added a water filter in the engine room and also put a “T” in the new waterline 6” before the ice maker. I did this so I can purge the water line if I haven’t used it for a period of time.

View attachment 102443 View attachment 102444
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I really like that "purge" feature you installed.
My U-Line was making solid white chunks of ice that were good for nothing but throwing into a cooler.
I gave it away to a boat neighbor and installed a Isotherm Clear Ice Maker; it has really changed our boating experience having really good cocktail ice.
Installation was pretty straight forward and it fit where the Uline was with a couple of trims. The added part is there needs to be a water return line to the water tank as the ice is released by circulating water around the ice molds.
But 40 pounds per day -

IMG_3484.JPG
 
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ttmott said:
I really like that "purge" feature you installed.
My U-Line was making solid white chunks of ice that were good for nothing but throwing into a cooler.
I gave it away to a boat neighbor and installed a Isotherm Clear Ice Maker; it has really changed our boating experience having really good cocktail ice.
Installation was pretty straight forward and it fit where the Uline was with a couple of trims. The added part is there needs to be a water return line to the water tank as the ice is released by circulating water around the ice molds.
But -

View attachment 102475
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Tom
What do you do for water filteration?
 
rlynch03 said:
Tom
What do you do for water filteration?
Click to expand...
For the water pump the standard pleated filter style that was original to the boat.
For filling the tank from the dock a portable filter that connects to the hose. It is a carbon / pleated 5 micron unit.
The watermaker needs no filter other than those for the raw water and RO membranes.
I chlorinate at the beginning of every season and we run a LOT of water through the tank.
I've never had any issues or odor with the water.
 
ttmott said:
For the water pump the standard pleated filter style that was original to the boat.
For filling the tank from the dock a portable filter that connects to the hose. It is a carbon / pleated 5 micron unit.
The watermaker needs no filter other than those for the raw water and RO membranes.
I chlorinate at the beginning of every season and we run a LOT of water through the tank.
I've never had any issues or odor with the water.
Click to expand...

No plastic taste? Maybe I need to replace my filters more often.

I have a cartridge filter at the hose, one at the boat city water inlet and a third at the pump. Still I taste a bit of plastic.
 
rlynch03 said:
Does the water softener really help with the water spots in the sink and shower?

I have three cartridge style water/carbon filters and still taste the plastic tank a little. Not sure how to remove that plastic taste.
Click to expand...

the water softener definitely helps all the water on the boat I even wash the boat using it keeps the spots off the blue hull. The girls onboard say the shower water is definitely better. My dock neighbor is a water chemist and swears by these and no need to buy the fancy $3,000 wet spot brand he tested both and they have the same results it’s just a media cartridge that you recharge using $.099 table salt.
 
I will say the boats I know and have been on that have onboard water makers make better ice than anyone.
 
Havana Shamrock said:
the water softener definitely helps all the water on the boat I even wash the boat using it keeps the spots off the blue hull. The girls onboard say the shower water is definitely better. My dock neighbor is a water chemist and swears by these and no need to buy the fancy $3,000 wet spot brand he tested both and they have the same results it’s just a media cartridge that you recharge using $.099 table salt.
Click to expand...

Do you use the 8,000 grain or 16,000? Are you happy with the size you purchased?
I might give it a shot.

Thanks
 
8,000 I was told I should get around 5-6 tank fulls (600 or so gals) before I need to recharge it. It fits perfect in the “trunk” of the boat So far we’ve been very happy with the results.
 
rlynch03 said:
No plastic taste? Maybe I need to replace my filters more often.

I have a cartridge filter at the hose, one at the boat city water inlet and a third at the pump. Still I taste a bit of plastic.
Click to expand...
None. Our docks there are many liveaboards so significant water flows through the marina system and PVC piping on the docks. What does a glass of water off of the dock spigot taste like where you are?
I do a heavy chlorinate in the spring time which is three full cups of chlorine and the 120 gallon tank full of water then let it set for about 4 hours then open each water valve on the boat including hot water until I smell the chlorine in the water including running the washer/dryer. This is, by the way, why I like that icemaker bypass valve so that segment can get chlorinated. Then I run the tank dry fill it and drain and repeat. Oh the filter element comes out before the process then a new installed afterwards. The entire process takes me about two days....
 
ttmott said:
None. Our docks there are many liveaboards so significant water flows through the marina system and PVC piping on the docks. What does a glass of water off of the dock spigot taste like where you are?
I do a heavy chlorinate in the spring time which is three full cups of chlorine and the 120 gallon tank full of water then let it set for about 4 hours then open each water valve on the boat including hot water until I smell the chlorine in the water including running the washer/dryer. This is, by the way, why I like that icemaker bypass valve so that segment can get chlorinated. Then I run the tank dry fill it and drain and repeat. Oh the filter element comes out before the process then a new installed afterwards. The entire process takes me about two days....
Click to expand...

I do this, then use a softener and filter at the hose, and we run off the tank all year. Our dock spigot leaks terribly (the marina will get to it soon...) so I hate leaving that on. We go thru a lot of ice from the cockpit since most of my neighbors like the easy access to it for our bourbon.
 
ttmott said:
None. Our docks there are many liveaboards so significant water flows through the marina system and PVC piping on the docks. What does a glass of water off of the dock spigot taste like where you are?
I do a heavy chlorinate in the spring time which is three full cups of chlorine and the 120 gallon tank full of water then let it set for about 4 hours then open each water valve on the boat including hot water until I smell the chlorine in the water including running the washer/dryer. This is, by the way, why I like that icemaker bypass valve so that segment can get chlorinated. Then I run the tank dry fill it and drain and repeat. Oh the filter element comes out before the process then a new installed afterwards. The entire process takes me about two days....
Click to expand...

Im not sure if your looking to chlorinate the hot water tank but if not I installed a bypass at the tank with a crossover hose with a valve and a valve on the inlet and outlet.
 
cod said:
Im not sure if your looking to chlorinate the hot water tank but if not I installed a bypass at the tank with a crossover hose with a valve and a valve on the inlet and outlet.
Click to expand...
It gets the treatment also - It's the hot water heater that seems prone to get the bacteria that causes the rotten egg smell (sulfur dioxide) and the chlorination fixes that also.
 
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Agreed hot water gets more bacteria DO not leave your water supply hose full of water on the docks in the sun and heat it will be green in a day. I fill my tank then drain and remove the supply hoses till they’re needed again. It’s disgusting what comes out of the hose sitting out in Fla for a day
Another reason my water softener and pre filter are in the trunk away from the sun.
 
Havana Shamrock said:
the water softener definitely helps all the water on the boat I even wash the boat using it keeps the spots off the blue hull. The girls onboard say the shower water is definitely better. My dock neighbor is a water chemist and swears by these and no need to buy the fancy $3,000 wet spot brand he tested both and they have the same results it’s just a media cartridge that you recharge using $.099 table salt.
Click to expand...
Hey Joe - could you post what water softener you installed? I cant find your original post...
 
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