Fresh water pressure issues

Stu Jackson · Jun 11, 2016

Do you have only the one water tank?

If you have two tanks, even if BOTH are full, you need to run from only one at a time. It stops the issue you mentioned, and if the first tank goes empty, you have a backup and know you need to refill: all done without a tank sensor.

kloudie1 · Jun 11, 2016

sounds like an air leak in the suction piping/fittings/filter.. block valve at tank leaking air through its packing.. typically, air can leak in without water showing when it is shut down. you can sometimes find these tricky buggers by moving the suction line around a little while the pump is running. Listen for a difference in sound of the pump as it picks up water.. The filter gasket is often the culprit.

jssailem · Jun 12, 2016

Do you have a pickup tube in the water tank? If you have a crack in it at the half full tank level that could give you the symtems you describe.
Remember you are sucking water into the pump then pressurizing the lines to the taps with water. Your air leak is going to be between the pump inlet and the tanks half full level.

JamesG161 · Jun 12, 2016

kloudie1 said:
sounds like an air leak in the suction piping/fittings/filter.. block valve at tank leaking air through its packing.. typically, air can leak in without water showing when it is shut down.

If it is spitting AIR and WATER, then @kloudie1 is on target. The pump is pumping BOTH. We know where it water is, so where is the AIR leak on suction/tank side.

It is NOT the Tank or you would see the water leaking out.

But if it JUST intermittent, burping, it may not be an AIR leak but a flow restriction on the suction side.

These type pumps are self priming or they can lift water, if you have a sink valve open to prime it.

Put the sink valve open, dip the spigot in at cup of water, turn on pump.

1) AIR BUBBLES = AIR LEAK

2) NO BUBBLES= NO AIR LEAK.... RESTRICTED SUCTION INTAKE

If no bubbles...

1) Suction strainer plugged
2) Suction valve partially open ( it may appear open, but not really)
3) Water tank air inlet vent restricted (leave deck fill cap open to check venting)
4) Collapsed or bent pump suction line
5) Crap in tank restricting the flow line.

My guess in no bubbles, suction valve partially open.
Jim...

Stu Jackson · Jun 12, 2016

FriscoRon said:
But what puzzles me is everything works fine until tank gets to be almost 1/2 empty.

Me, too, Ron. Have you read the troubleshooting guide in the back of the manual?

JamesG161 · Jun 12, 2016

Stu Jackson said:
Me, too, Ron.

@Stu Jackson Betcha a Schooner of Beer, no air leak!

As the Tank level rises, it increases the pump suction pressure overcoming the pressure lost on partially closed valve.

Jim...

JamesG161 · Jun 12, 2016

FriscoRon said:
pump won't shut off when faucet valves are turned off.

This means there is NO AIR LEAK!!!

Sorry it took 2 cups of coffee to piece the symptoms together

If it was pumping air, then the air compresses and pressure switch would shut off pump.
Jim...

kappykaplan · Jun 12, 2016

When I had an air leak in the filter before the pump, it wouldn't shut off and there wasn't much pressure. No air bubbles on the supply side of the filter, but a lot on the other side. Also could see that the filter never completely filled with water. May have replaced a perfectly good pump because of that!

Davidasailor26 · Jun 12, 2016

JamesG161 said:
This means there is NO AIR LEAK!!!

Sorry it took 2 cups of coffee to piece the symptoms together

If it was pumping air, then the air compresses and pressure switch would shut off pump.
Jim...

I disagree. Air is many times more compressible than water, to the point where the pump will run very long, if it's even able to pressurize the air at all. Try leaving the pump switch on when the tank is empty and see how it never turns off because it's pulling air.

JamesG161 · Jun 12, 2016

Davidasailor26 said:
I disagree. Air is many times more compressible than water, to the point where the pump will run very long, if it's even able to pressurize the air at all.

Welllllll...
His is pumping water too,and when his tank is full the pump cuts off normally.

FriscoRon said:
It appears when tank gets to be between 3/4 and 1/2 full,

I guess the Air Leaks in, after the tanks level drops that range.

My Shurflo cuts off when I empty a tank... pumping air, then when switched to the full tank, starts to prime again. Then my compressed air/water BURPS until the compressed air bleeds off thru and open spigot.

I was guessing, of course, and trying to help @FriscoRon with some "possible" solutions. I am not looking to win or lose, but have fun helping all on the Forae.

My Brainstorms many times are just a slight drizzle.
Jim...

jssailem · Jun 12, 2016

Thanks Ron. The symptom sounded like one I experienced with a diesel fuel line. Turned out to be a pickup tube issue.
So
The level of the water in the tank should make no difference if your source line is at the tank bottom and is always below the level of water.
Is your pump at the same level as the bottom of the tank, Higher or lower?

jssailem · Jun 12, 2016

Thinking out loud. If the pump is higher than the bottom of the tank. Then how high? Is it level with the tank half full? Sounds like your air vent for the tank is clear. So I would go looking for any pipe fitting that is level with the water in the tank when it starts acting up. Look for an air leak there. What types of pipe and fittings. PEX?

Bob7307 · Jun 13, 2016

The fitting at the bottom of the tank that goes to the water system may be clogged restricting flow. Mine was clogged with plastic shavings from original construction.

dennismenace111 · Jun 13, 2016

Air, a gas, is compressible, Water, a liquid, is not. Thats physics 101.

Air is obviously entering the system on the SUCTION side...not the pressure side where the faucets are... those are not your problem... Somewhere on the suction side of the pump...possibly the pump itself has a leak. Somewhere between the pump and the tank. You probably will only find it by listening to the water flow and listening for the air leak. I personally would open the tank up... and check the pickup tube and clamps... then move down the system checking everything in line to the pump. Its alot like trying to find an elusive electrical short... time and perseverance..

JeffM · Jun 13, 2016

Obviously air is being pulled in ahead of the pump, so you're going to have to do some troubleshooting to find out where. Any fitting and the filter are possibilities. Since it's related to the water level in the tanks, I would suspect the leak to be at or above that level. The static head pressure from the tank would keep water at the tank water level, and when the level drops, air might be pulled in a fitting above that level.

I'd start by disconnecting the line at the tank and see if water comes a gushing. If not, things are plugged there. Get plenty of water there? Then see if the pump will draw from a bucket without air getting in. Keep the water source as low the tank level. From this point it's trial and error until you isolate the problem.

2 OLD PIRATES · Jun 13, 2016

I had the same problem and I found after close to suicide that I found that my stern shower was open. Just slightly. Give it a check. My pump did the same thing, never stopped until I shut the breaker off.

Cheers
2 Old Pirates

Fresh water pressure issues

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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