Fresh Water Pump Question

shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,469
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
On my new to me boat there is "Running" fresh water. But the faucets only work when the pump is running. The pump doesn't shut off. So the panel switch is the default faucet on/off. So the pump is wired and it pumps water. But the pressure switch isn't working. Is there a solution other than replacing the whole pump? Is there ever a remote pressure switch? I don't mind replacing the pump but so far I have not figured how to access it. I'm not sure where it is. I hear it, but it sounds like it's coming from several different areas.
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,337
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Depending on the pump manufacturer, you can buy replacement pressure switches. Shurflo is the only one with which I am familiar having had the same problem but I suspect any company does the same.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,753
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Possible issues.
  1. The pressure switch has failed
  2. You have a leak and pressure never builds up enough for the switch to shut off.
  3. Your system does not have an accumulator. So when you turn on the faucet the pressure immediately drops and the switch triggers the pump to start pumping water. When you close the water valve the pump stops. An accumulator will maintain the pressure in the system for a while so that your pump does not have to work all the time to maintain pressure.
 
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Tally Ho

Tally Ho

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Jan 7, 2011
5,449
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I think JS gave you the right list of issues. It sounds like #1 or 2 since it sounds like the pump doesn't shut off even when the faucets are closed.

On my system, the pump runs when the water tank is out of water.....I assume you checked the water level in the tank...

Greg
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,711
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
To what Don and John said, the PO may have wired a simple water pump without a pressure switch into the system in a pennywise pound foolish situation.

This year I took out the accumulator tank and the old pump. The pump was noisy, the fittings started to leak and the accumulator tank took up space and added unnecessary fittings and potential leaks. Very happy with the Shuflo Aqua King II. It is much quieter and has good pressure.
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,164
CC 30 South Florida
Locate your water tank and the pump should be installed close to it. The thing is that irrespective of the problem the fix is a replacement pump but before you go out and purchase one make sure there are no leaks in the plumbing system. Whether the pump has no switch or a bad switch is irrelevant. Tinkering with an old pump is not worth the effort as you may replace the pressure switch after hunting one down just to perhaps have the pump fail again a short time latter from something else. Yes some folks do wire 12V pumps from Harbor Freight to operate them directly from the panel.
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,469
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I did a poor job of posing a question. What I really wanted to ask is, should I bother looking at the wiring that is accessible around the battery area for wires that control the pressure switch? Or is the pressure switch wired when the pump is wired?
It's a Slickcraft. I'll leave it at that.
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

.
Sep 25, 2008
7,337
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
dlochner said:
The pressure switch is most likely part of the pump.
Click to expand
shurflo water pump.jpg


Depends on the pump - most are attachments rather than integral as the above indicates.

Also, an accumulator tank serves to balance the flow and is not essential to proper pump activation/shut0ff
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,711
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Don S/V ILLusion said:
View attachment 139869

Depends on the pump - most are attachments rather than integral as the above indicates.

Also, an accumulator tank serves to balance the flow and is not essential to proper pump activation/shut0ff
Click to expand
I suppose it depends on your definition of integral. When I purchased the Shurflo the switch was installed in the housing at the factory, it was not something that I had to buy separately and install separately. If the switches require replacing, the whole housing needs to be replaced. Part of the reason for this is getting the switches adjusted to the correct pressure to cut off and start. Better to have the factory set it and leave it alone.
 
HMT2

HMT2

.
Mar 20, 2014
900
Hunter 31 828 Shoreacres, TX
I had a shurflo aqua king that started not shutting off, I did some serious boat yoga searching for leaks, nothing.. then I replaced the pump. All was good for a month, then the pump would stay on even with the water turned off, replaced that pump (hey it was under warranty) new pump worked fine... for about six weeks then started doing the same thing again. Then I RTFM and there was a pressure adjustment screw, (who knew) I turned it about a third of a turn the pump turned off and I've never had a problem with it again. In my defense it was nestled in the middle of four screws that held the pump together and was identical in appearance. So now I RTFM before I do anything.
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,711
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
RTFM.... A novel concept and a good rainy day activity. :)

Actually there are 2 pressure adjustment screws, the downstream valve prevents pressurized water from back flowing into the tank and the other starts the pump when a tap is open.
 
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shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,469
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
It runs all the time the breaker switch is on. It doesn't matter if the faucet is open or not.
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,711
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
shemandr said:
It runs all the time the breaker switch is on. It doesn't matter if the faucet is open or not.
Click to expand
If a leak in the water system is causing this, then you'll have a bilge full of fresh water and empty water tanks. Or if the pump does not have pressure switches to turn it on and off to meet demand, it will run all the time.

Find the pump and see what you have. It has one or the other.
 
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P

PGIJon

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Mar 3, 2012
856
Hunter 34 Punta Gorda
Not sure if you'll like my answer, but when mine did that, I simply replace the entire system, pumps and line while adding that Pressurized Accumulator Tank. Flipped the switch when it was all done and my pump stopped running! I replace it with a Pex pipe and fittings.

-Jon
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,818
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
I would think if pump is running and you do not see a lot of water showing up some place
than most likely not a leak.
I have not had any problems with pump on my boat but last year my RV water pump stopped working same system as on boat and took pump apart and it worked for 2 or 3 days and called
Surflo and they gave me replacement info for new pump and found it cheaper on amazon than RV store but I did have to adjust the Allen screw a few times to get it right and works fine and fit perfectly in old pump spot.k
I am retired and first Itry to fix first and than shop around for best price for new.
Nick
 
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