Fresh Water Pump Problem

[Stephen K]

I used my fresh water pump today and when finished, tuned off the switch at the panel. Went to use it an hour later and the pump did not come on / pressurize. I checked the back of the DC panel and the wiring was snug...did not check the voltage at the pump itself.

The pump is original to the boat (18 years old)...do these just quit that suddenly or do they usually give indications before pooping out? This one just seemed to die. Anything else I should check on before replacing?

 

[Roger Long]

Is this a pump that starts automatically when you turn on a faucet? If so it may have a pressure switch that can be replaced. If your pressure switch lasted 18 years, it's about 15 more than I ever got out of a pressure switch.

When you post about a problem like this, it's well worth the time to crawl around and get the type of pump, maybe a model number, or take a picture to post if the label plate is unreadable. Someone may be able to give you more specific information.

Go back and look at the pump. Look for a little box that threads onto the pump somewhere and has wires coming out of it that go to the pump.

 

[Stephen K]

I don't have the model number, but its your basic Jabsco that "pressurizes up" when turned on at the DC panel. It will then cycle on / off when you open / close a faucet. Flow rate is probably 2-3 gallons per minute.

 

[jibes138]

My sureflo died last year after 23 years. I took apart the switch wire housing and found the connectors corroded. They were the old spade type push on connectors. I cleaned them up a bit, put it back together and voila it started working again. About a month later it died, so rather than continue to monkey around with removing, installing and disassemlbly, I bought a new one. The new one is a lot quieter so I need to pay attention to make sure it turns off, if you run out of water the pump will continue to run so make sure it turns off after you use the water. If you got 18 years out of it for a hundred bucks you get a new one. 100 divided by 18 = $5.56 per year. About the cost of a sandwich at a Subway shop once per year. After you install the new one take the old one apart and if it is just corrosion, clean it up and keep it for a spare.

 

[searomer]

I used my fresh water pump today and when finished, tuned off the switch at the panel. Went to use it an hour later and the pump did not come on / pressurize. I checked the back of the DC panel and the wiring was snug...did not check the voltage at the pump itself.

The pump is original to the boat (18 years old)...do these just quit that suddenly or do they usually give indications before pooping out? This one just seemed to die. Anything else I should check on before replacing?

If you see a voltage drop (with a meter) when trying to pump it is a siezed pump which you might be able to unfreeze or replace - after 18 years. If you see no voltage drop, the problem is "upstream" (switch or connection elsewhere from the battery to the pump).

billl@rmcfam.org

 

[Stephen K]

fresh water pump update

I had voltage at the pump, so the pump was dead. Replaced it wiith a new one and all is fine...you would know the pump was in a really hard spot to get at, but then it is a boat !

I must say that the new pump is much quieter.:dance: Thanks for your input.