DIY install of water filter for ice maker

LaRea

I love my boat’s cockpit icemaker, but I have always just used it as a freezer for bag ice.  This year, I decided to add an inline water filter to see if I can make drinking ice that tastes good.  It was a relatively easy project, so I thought I’d share.  

I used this filter and cartridge:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Single-Stage-Water-Filtration-System-GX1S01R/202073861 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Universal-Single-Stage-Replacement-Water-Filter-Cartridge-FXUVC/100471297

I also replaced the icemaker supply line with a braided stainless steel line so it will be easier to temporarily remove the icemaker when necessary.  The hose includes all necessary fittings.  

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-8-in-x-3-8-in-x-96-in-Stainless-Steel-Universal-Dishwasher-Supply-Line-7223-96-38-6E-EB/205854123

Here’s a picture looking forward from where the icemaker usually sits.  At the top you can see the opening for the trash can.  The filter is mounted to the fiberglass panel behind the helm seat.  I used 1/4-20 bolts with washers on both sides.  The other side is easy to reach by sliding the helm seat forward.  

The filter comes with the input fitting on the left, but it’s easy to rotate it and have the input on the right.

The filter output (on the left) feeds the icemaker and the sink faucet, so I built a custom manifold using soldered copper pipe.  The fittings that screw into the filter are 3/8" male threaded, with lots of teflon tape.  The two outputs are 1/2-inch male threaded fittings.  The connections to the blue tubing are Sharkbite 1/2-inch female threaded connectors.  Those Sharkbite fittings are expensive, but boy are they easy to use.  Worth it.  

The picture below shows how the braided line attaches to the ice maker (after removing the lower front panel).  The brass elbow fitting is included with the kit.  

LaRea

I can change the filter cartridge without removing the icemaker.  Just remove the trash can and reach in with the filter wrench.  Any drips or spills will be caught by the plastic liner that goes under that whole area.  

Liberty44140

Nice! Is that actually feeding both your ice maker and the cockpit sink? Makes me wonder if I should just do a whole boat filter in the engine room but I like the idea of one right before or at the faucet.

LaRea

Right, it feeds only the icemaker and sink.  I thought about doing a whole-boat filter in the ER, but I was worried (maybe for no good reason) about having un-chlorinated water sitting in the hoses all the time.  

[Edit:  when installing the filter cartridge into the sump, you have to make sure it seats correctly so  the sump can screw all the way into the filter body, with no threads visible.  I had to wiggle the sump around to get the cartridge seated correctly.  On my first attempt, water sprayed everywhere when I turned on the pump. ]

MojosBoat

Good idea. I should have done this when I had my ice maker out repairing it. 

LaRea

Here's a good reason to have the filter feed both the sink and the icemaker.  When you change the cartridge, they recommend running water through it for five minutes.  Without a sink connection, that would be difficult.  

Willhound

Very good point. Only other choice would be to run a hopper full of ice and then dump it. 

LaRea

Update after 16 months:  I'm very happy with this upgrade. 

The ice tastes just fine, and it's really convenient to have a steady supply of drinkable ice.  Coffee made from the tap tastes fine.  Drinking water from the tap tastes okay, maybe not quite as good as bottled water.  The flow from the faucet is starting to slow down, so I need to replace the filter, which you'd expect after 1.5 seasons.  

I had no issues with winterizing, and no leaks from the plumbing.