Well, The Fridge Works

Yesterday was a big day.  We re-commissioned our fresh water system and started our refrigerator and freezer for the first time. (More on that later)  Why is that big you ask?

Well, boat plumbing is notoriously problematic.  We have 125 gallons of fresh water capacity on board but had no idea how much was actually in the tanks because our tank level monitor is out for repair.  We also had no idea what condition the tanks or the water in them would be in.

Brian filled both tanks and then flipped the water pump switch on the 12 volt electrical panel.  The pump came to life and started pumping...and pumping...and...pumping.  We heard the bilge pump go on and upon inspection noted that the water level in the bilge was rising.  Not good.  He also noted that there was water coming out of one of the two forward port side vents.  Water pump switch off, time to consult the manual and schematic of the water system that came supplied with the boat.

The vent that was leaking water is the water heater vent.  Okay, lets look at the water heater - and there it was.  Brian had forgotten to close the water heater’s pressure relief valve and water was spraying all over under the settee where the water heater is located and running into the bilge.

Fingers crossed we try again and it works.  No water going into the bilge and nothing coming out of the exterior vents.  Success.

And, most importantly we have water at all the sinks and showers.  The quality of the water is not bad.  It has a detectable slight chlorine and anti-freeze odor from winterization but that will go away over time and use.

The other achievements were the rigging of our dinghy davits and turning on our fridge and freezer.  Both of which are 12 volt units.  We filled the refrigerator with a case of bottled water and a twelve pack of Diet Coke and following the “more is better” rule, turned both on full blast before leaving for the night.

This morning, upon arrival aboard Sweet Escape Brian found that, you guessed it, the fridge works better than we expected and froze the Diet Coke, causing two of the cans to explode.  This caused a full bowl of Arm and Hammer baking soda which had been placed in the unit by the previous owner to overturn, it’s contents flung all over.  Mixed with the soda, the baking soda tuned into an icy brown sludge which coated much of the interior of the fridge.

Oh well, at least it works.