Your Glacier Bay refrigeration system includes your choice of pumps for cooling the Condenser. Most mono-hull sailboats will want to use the Johnson centrifugal pump. Multi-hulls and other vessels which cannot ensure that the pump can be mounted in a self-priming configuration as required by the Johnson pump will want to specify the Glacier Bay/Shurflo self-priming pump.

Glacier Bay/Shurflo Positive Displacement Pump (Self-priming)
The Glacier Bay/Shurflo pump is a three-chamber diaphragm type. This pump is fully self-priming which means it can be mounted above the water line and without concern of air traps forming in the intake line. Nevertheless, as with other water pumps, it is primarily designed to push rather than pull. For this reason it is always a good policy to mount the pump near the through-hull.

Johnson Centrifugal Pump (Non self-priming)
The centrifugal pump cannot pump air and therefore, does not have the ability to "prime" itself. It is important the pump be installed in such a way as to ensure that the pump had is always flooded. Contrary to popular belief, it is not enough to simply install the pump below the water line. The information provided in our Technical Page shows a proper centrifugal pump installation.

General Information

1. The recommended through-hull size for both pumps is 3/4"
2. Pumps should be mounted horizontally or with the head facing downwards - never with the head up.
3. Protect pumps from exterior water exposure.
4. Choose your sea strainer carefully. If you are using a centrifugal pump, make sure that the strainer is of a type which not trap air and create an air-lock. Positive displacement pumps are sensitive to particulate matter. Avoid using sea strainers with too coarse a filter mesh.

Pumps Q&A
Q - It sounds like the Glacier Bay/Shurflo is best. Why would I want to consider the Johnson centrifugal pump?
A - Actually, we consider the Johnson pump to be the "standard". It is both smaller and quieter than the Glacier Bay/Shurflo and pumps water at a higher flow rate. If you can mount the pump so that you know it will prime under all conditions, it's the best way to go.

Q - Is the self priming pump the same Shurflo water pump I can buy locally?
A - No. The Glacier Bay/Shurflo pump uses the same pump head but has a special long-life, continuous-duty motor. The motor on the Shurflo pump you would buy locally is not designed for continuous duty and will burn out quickly if used in this application.

Q - How long do the pumps last?
A - The Glacier Bay/Shurflo is rated at 3,000 hrs and the Johnson at 5,000 hrs.

Q - Why doesn't Glacier Bay use the engine mounted pump like most other refrigeration system manufacturers?
A - While it certainly is a common practice, we have found that the temperature rise in the water can cause some engines to overheat in tropical climates. Apparently the engine manufacturers have found the same, as they void the warranty (at least theoretically) if they know that you have shared the engine water pump with the refrigeration system.

Q- Do I need to have a separate through-hull?
A - For the Glacier Bay/Shurflo pump the answer is no. For the Johnson pump the answer is maybe. For more information refer to the Technical Library