Fresh water pump prime.

[Doug Washburn]

i have developed the habit this year of draining my fresh water tank and lines each weekend to inhibit the growth of mold in the system. however, i have discovered that my water pump is not as self-priming as they would have you believe. priming it is, of course, a pain. any suggestions?

 

[Steve Dion]

Why drain, just treat it!

Doug: I guess I do not understand why you would be doing this anyway. There is NO way you are going to have a system that is dry enough to prevent growth in the system.Follow the instruction in the Head Mistress forum for sanitizing your system. Even if you do this a couple of times a year you would be better off then trying to evacuate the system each time you get done using it.I must assume that there is something wrong with your pump if it will not pull hard enough to prime itself. Our system runs out of water on a regular basis and we just fill the tank and away it goes.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Draining the tank does no good...

'Cuz the "critters" you're trying to discourage actually prefer a DAMP dark environment--which is what you're creating for them. Recommission the system at least annually according to the directions in the "Fresh Water Maintenance" article in the HM forum Reference Library (right hand side of the forum homepage) and that should be all you need to do to have good water.As for your pump priming problems, I'd guess the diaphragm is beginning to show signs of age...which is another reason to keep the tank full, not empty. Repriming puts added stress on it.

 

[Larry Watkins]

Pump priming

Doug; As the pump runs, go to each outlet, galley, head, transom shower, and open the faucet to let the air out and the pump should "catch". You'll hear it change pitch. If it still doesn't start sucking water, you may have a leak in the suction side allowing air in. Check all connections, especially the tank switching manifold itself.