Water strainer location for hot shower

[macattack]

Ref a 2005 PS197 MCX engine. I know there are some old/previous shower threads, but was wondering if there were any updates on preventing debris (mostly from the hot side of the engine) reaching the shower temperature control valve screens. It is definitely a pain to remove the back storage panel to reach/disconnect the hoses at the temp control/diluter valves to clean out the screens. The suggestions I have seen from the many threads:
1. Find a higher location on the block to tap the hot water source
- Or does the debris in the bottom of the engine block eventually wash out?
- Does the higher location on the block provide enough hot water?
- Any pics showing the higher location on the MCX engine?
2. Add water strainers prior to the temperature control valves; one for the cold and one for the hot side
- Or install a removable strainer after the hull intake and before the transmission cooler? It would seem one filter at this location would remove debris for both the cold and hot water side of the shower. Any reason MC didn’t do this? Is there a water volume/flow through issue? Should the strainer be mounted in line before or after the impellor or does it matter?

- Any suggestions on the type of strainer and where to buy? Appears the Sherwood Raw Water Strainer is a popular brand.
-- Discount Inboard Marine (http://skidim.com/products.asp?dept=1006):
--- 1” $41.95 plus 10% off for USA Water Ski members
-- Iboats (http://www.iboats.com/Sherwood_Raw_W...-view_id.20734)
- 1” $49.89
- 10% off end of year sale; promo code: ENDOFYEAR08

- Rivermarinesupply.com:
--Shurflo Raw Water Strainer: 1” $29.95

Thanks for any thoughts…mac

[jimmer2880]

Can't answer your shower question - I'm in the process of installing one that Santa brought for me

But - I will say that I have a sherwood strainer on my '95 (put it on the first year I owned the boat). We get a lot of grass at the end of the summers, so I love having the piece of mind. It does catch quite a bit of debris.

However, it's not going to strain down to what the screens are on the shower.

I'm thinking of putting a strainer on my lines also.

However, for winterizing purposes, I'm putting some quick-connects on all of my lines. This will allow me to drop a hose over the side of the boat and back-flush the lines if they get clogged.

I like your idea of not connecting into the bottom of the block for the hot line. I may have to "T" off of the line I pull for the heater at the intake.

[macattack]

OK, where's all the expertise on this one; especially ref #2...would like to add a water strainer after the raw water pick up in the hull, but not sure how it would affect the water volume through the impellor and into the engine?? tks, mac

1. Find a higher location on the block to tap the hot water source
- Or does the debris in the bottom of the engine block eventually wash out?
- Does the higher location on the block provide enough hot water?
- Any pics showing the higher location on the MCX engine?
2. Add water strainers prior to the temperature control valves; one for the cold and one for the hot side
- Or install a removable strainer after the hull intake and before the transmission cooler? It would seem one filter at this location would remove debris for both the cold and hot water side of the shower. Any reason MC didn’t do this? Is there a water volume/flow through issue? Should the strainer be mounted in line before or after the impellor or does it matter?

[jimmer2880]

I already posted, that I have a raw water strainer before my raw water pump. No problems. Probably thousands of inboards have them.

I asked someone who has their heater source from the top of the block (intake). He said it works great, and keeps the debris out of his shower screen.

I just plumbed mine up this way, but probably won't try it until March/April.

hope this helps

[BriEOD]

Sorry, no heater or shower...yet.

[macattack]

Jimmer2880: My bust on your first response; I misread that one! Didn't realize where your Sherwood strainer was installed; thanks for the clarification!

Does anyone have any pics of where they tapped into a higher heat source on a MCX engine? I do not have the heater option.

Jim@BAWS: Do the newer MCs have water strainers? How about the boats that come with the shower option? If they do, would appreciate the strainer installation location.

tks, mac

[jimmer2880]

Originally Posted by macattack

Jimmer2880: My bust on your first response; I misread that one! Didn't realize where your Sherwood strainer was installed; thanks for the clarification!
.....

No problem. I do it all the time

[bkblaida]

Added a intake strainer about 3 years ago. Right at the raw water intake and before the tranny cooler. Purchased from skidim. Works great, gives piece of mind in weedy / dirty water. Water flow is not restricted. This is standard equipment on all Cruiser type inboards. Do not know why it is not standard equip. on tow boats. Just do not forget to drain when you winterize. Sorry I cannot help on the shower.

[Jesus_Freak]

Originally Posted by macattack

Jimmer2880: My bust on your first response; I misread that one! Didn't realize where your Sherwood strainer was installed; thanks for the clarification!

Does anyone have any pics of where they tapped into a higher heat source on a MCX engine? I do not have the heater option.

Jim@BAWS: Do the newer MCs have water strainers? How about the boats that come with the shower option? If they do, would appreciate the strainer installation location.

tks, mac

I dont think a RW strainer is going to work for your shower (kill two birds with one stone approach). As Jimmer2880 has pointed out, the particle passage requirement of your RW intake is different from that of your shower. It would take a monstrous filter (high surface area to allow plenty of RW flow) to clean the RW to a shower screen level of clean. If I have missed your point, please ignore.

[jimmer2880]

I don't think that it would 100% resolve his problem, but it couldn't hurt. I see what kind of stuff ends up in my RW strainer and am glad it doesn't get into the engine.