The pressure water on our 84 H31 keeps loosing its prime. I found an in-line check valve that should be preventing this. Could it be bad? Would the addition of a pressure tank be the solution? Thanks, Bob S/V Lady Di II
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My guess is, the diaphragm in the pump has failed
16 years is a long time for a diaphragm to last. Have you noticed that pump occasional cycles for a couple of seconds for no reason (the pump breaker has to be on all the time for that to happen, btwt)? That's usually the first clue...'cuz as the system loses pressure from the failed diaphragm, it cuts on long enough to restore it. Diaphragm kits are available from WM etc, and only cost about $12. Just make sure you have the make/model/year of the pump handy when you order the kit, 'cuz they aren't "one size fits all," even among the same mfrs. However, allowing the water level in the tank to drop too low--below the top of the discharge outlet--will also cause the same problem...so I'd make sure that's not your problem before you do anything else.
16 years is a long time for a diaphragm to last. Have you noticed that pump occasional cycles for a couple of seconds for no reason (the pump breaker has to be on all the time for that to happen, btwt)? That's usually the first clue...'cuz as the system loses pressure from the failed diaphragm, it cuts on long enough to restore it. Diaphragm kits are available from WM etc, and only cost about $12. Just make sure you have the make/model/year of the pump handy when you order the kit, 'cuz they aren't "one size fits all," even among the same mfrs. However, allowing the water level in the tank to drop too low--below the top of the discharge outlet--will also cause the same problem...so I'd make sure that's not your problem before you do anything else.
Peggy knows best
Sounds like the same problem I had. Peggy told me the same thing. I figured it was a small leak in the system and installed an accumulator tank which did absolutely no good. Bought a new pump for $60 and the system works great. Biggest pain is that even though I bought the exact same pump from the same Manufacturer, they had changed the mounting base over the years and the screw holes would not line up. Why do they do this??? I tried putting on the old base, the mounting screw in the pump housing was 1/16" off. So I had to drill new holes in the liner where the pump was located. Of course, the space in the housing was about 2" too narrow to fit my drill in. Then I spent about a half hour trying to take apart the v-berth to get more access, and gave up on that. I finally broke the bit (harder than you think) to get just enough room to squeeze my drill in. All of this while bending over in a spine wrenching angle. Sound familiar?
Sounds like the same problem I had. Peggy told me the same thing. I figured it was a small leak in the system and installed an accumulator tank which did absolutely no good. Bought a new pump for $60 and the system works great. Biggest pain is that even though I bought the exact same pump from the same Manufacturer, they had changed the mounting base over the years and the screw holes would not line up. Why do they do this??? I tried putting on the old base, the mounting screw in the pump housing was 1/16" off. So I had to drill new holes in the liner where the pump was located. Of course, the space in the housing was about 2" too narrow to fit my drill in. Then I spent about a half hour trying to take apart the v-berth to get more access, and gave up on that. I finally broke the bit (harder than you think) to get just enough room to squeeze my drill in. All of this while bending over in a spine wrenching angle. Sound familiar?
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