The Perseverance is equipped with a 200 gallon potable water tank. This supplies water to the galley sink, ice maker, lavatories and showers. (Heads flush with seawater, when they work.) This will get you through a few days living aboard, depending on the number of persons and how much potable water you have to pour into the head to flush it.
Checking the water level
It's best to refill the potable water tank before you run it dry. You can check the level by looking at the sight glass that is 'conveniently' located in the engine room behind the sea chest.
Routinely, it’s a good idea to check potable water level a couple times a week. Let’s say Wednesday and Saturday.
Shine a flashlight through the sight glass to see if there’s anything in it. If it’s empty or full it’s tricky to discern. Good luck.
If glass is full, you’re good to go for a while. If it’s partially full you are on the last third of the tank and should schedule a refill soon. If the glass is empty you have a few more dishwashings or maybe half a shower left…refill immediately.
Filling the Potable Water Tank
The potable water fill port is located on the port side aft steps.
2. The refill job will be easier if you first locate the opener key and hose adapter located way in the back of the second file drawer from the bottom in the pilot house.
3. Connect the hose to a clean water source and put the adapter on the other end of the hose. Turn on the water and run it a few minutes to rinse out any bugs and debris. (You can wash down the deck a little bit.) Be sure not to dip the hose or adapter into the lake because we’re gonna be drinking from that.
4. Use the key to open the fill port. Work the adapter into the hole until it hangs there by itself. It’s gonna take a while to put 200 gallons in so don’t wander off and forget about it or you might raise the lake level.
5. It’s full when water gushes out the fill port. Remove the hose from the port and use the key to tighten the cap securely.
6. Put away the adapter and key where you found them, or else. Disconnect the hose from the water source and store it in the forward locker.
7. If you filled the tank before it ran dry, you are all done. If the tank was empty and you lost water pressure you will need to prime the pumps.
Priming the Potable Water Pumps
Turn on Pump 1 at the DC power distribution panel. Turn off Pump 2.
Go to the galley sink and turn on the cold water. Run it until the pressure is strong then turn it off. Pump 1 will stop running if you have successfully primed it.
Repeat steps 1-3 with Pump 1 off and Pump 2 on.
Note: If both pumps are switched on at the panel, Pump 1 will prime and give you adequate pressure but Pump 2 will continue to run when faucet is off because it is trying in vain to prime itself. Poor Pump 2! Meanwhile Pump 1 is having to carry all the water for everyone. It’s just not fair! Please give them the individual attention they crave.
Potable water pumps are located above the port fuel tank in the engine room. Fortunately you don’t need to find them for this procedure because you’d have to move a couple of tool crates to get at them.
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