Gemini 105Mc Owner’s Manual
8
Copyright © 2004 Performance Cruising Inc.
Fresh Water System
The Gemini has (2) two 30 gallon fresh water poly-
propylene tanks located under each of the aft cabin
bunks. There are (2) two 1 ½” fresh water fills on
the aft coaming for each tank. Each fill also has a
½” tank vent built into the cap. When filling the
tanks, the fill line is located just under the vent
line. Take care not to overfill the tanks. If the
tanks are overfilled, they will leak through the in-
spection port on top of the tanks. If when filling
the tanks you discover the water backing up in the
fill line, it’s likely there’s water in the vent line.
To clear the vent line, detach the vent tube from
the tank (loosen hose clamp and work hose off
barb), and blow air through the line to clear it.
When using these water fills, push a hose all the
way into the hole to avoid spraying water into the
vent at the top of the fill. A 1’ section of garden
hose with a stopcock on one end makes filling the
tanks an easy job. Insert the flexible end into the
fill and the connect the stopcock end to the water
hose.
Cold Water System: Coming from each tank is a
draw hose which meet at the tank selector “Y”
valve located in the port aft cabin. Continuing
from the “Y” valve, the water travels back under
the aft port bunk through to a strainer and then to
the Flojet pump. The pressure pump is primarily
used for showering and has a non-return valve in-
side the pump to maintain pressure in the system.
From the pump, the water travels to (2) two “T”
connectors. The first “T” connects to the cold wa-
ter line for the head. The second “T” connects to
the galley cold water line and the (6) six gallon
water heater.
The cold water line to the galley travels through a
tiptoe foot pump located on the floor beneath the
sink and then to the faucet. Caution: When using
the foot pump, make sure that the cold water knob
on the faucet is in the “open” position to avoid
undue pressure in the line which could damage the
pump and/or faucet.
The water tanks are constructed of ABS plastic, and
the hoses are designed as taste free. Theoretically
these materials do not impart a taste into the wa-
ter. Additives are available to help reduce the taste
of plastic in the water. After water is stored for
long periods, chlorine may be necessary to make
the water useable. For occasional use, bottled wa-
ter is good for drinking and the tank water will do
for washing.
Hot Water System: The (6) six gallon hot water
heater is heated from the engine cooling water or
from the 110 volt electric water heater. Hot water
travels out of the heater to a “T” connector which
splits the line to both the head and galley. The pres-
sure pump must be “on” to use hot water.
There is a red handled valve in the front end of the
engine compartment that is used to shut off the hot
water going to the water heater tank. When the
handle is pointing down, the engine is not heating
the water. When the handle is horizontal, the water
in the tank is being heated.
When on shore power, a switch on the main 110V
panel turns on a 110V electric element in the tank,
which heats the water.
Caution: Do not operate the hot water heater on
110v without water in the heater tank—otherwise
you will likely burn out the heating element. To fill
the heater tank, turn on a hot water faucet until
water comes out, indicating the tank is full. Just as
important is to make sure you do not run out of wa-
ter in your 30 gallon tanks resulting in an empty hot
water tank.
Pressure Water Pump
The water pressure pump is situated under the port
aft bunk. Gemini comes with a Flojet pressure pump
for fresh water. The main reason for pressure water
is to use the shower and hot water. The pressure
pump has a non-return valve that keeps the pressure
in the line. The pump has a pressure switch that
switches the pump on when the pressure drops to 15
psi and off when the pressure reaches 25 psi. If the
pump cycles on and off every few seconds, first
check for a leak in the system. It also could be that
for some reason the non-return valve in the pump is
not holding pressure. If so, disassemble the pump
and clean the debris out of the valves.
The pressure pump should be turned off when not
needed because even in a perfect system it will
come on and off periodically wasting battery power.
Galley Toe Tip Pump
There is a Whale foot pump in the floor beside the
galley. This pump does not have a diaphragm. In-
stead, the pump is like a bicycle type pump that can
take pressure. This pump is in the line direct from
the pressure pump to the cold faucet in the galley.
This pump can only be used when the pressure pump
is not in use. The purpose of this pump is to conserve
battery power and water and to be able to get water
from the tanks if the pressure pump does not work.
Turn 90º and press to lock in the down position.
Reverse the procedure to enable the pump.
Plumbing, Head, & Water Systems
