Too much presure on Raritan PHII manual head

AlexEngelsman

AlexEngelsman

.
Oct 22, 2010
4
Oday 272 Monroe Harbor, Chicago
Following Peggie's advise, I installed a raritan PHII over 2 years ago. It has been working great and I am very happy with it. Recently however, the pump seems to build up too much presure when the switch is set to "dry". It takes a lot of force to punch the pump handle down after which it pops back up by itself without pulling up on the handle as it empties the bowl.
I've taken the pump apart and checked the seating of all balls and springs.
It seems to me the problem is "air valve assembly" (part 1203W). Does anyone know if this valve needs routine replacement? I found the part and the cost is $20-$30 which does not break the bank.
I guess I am looking for confirmation that I am on the right track.
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
That model should not be giving you problems so soon,have you check the vent to make sure the tank is not building up pressure.
I would wait to hear from Peggy.
Nick
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
23,047
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
AlexEngelsman said:
I guess I am looking for confirmation that I am on the right track.
Click to expand
Nick's right. Whenever you find backpressure it is almost always the vent and/or a full holding tank. First. Then there are other things to deal with. I've had a brand new PHII in for a number of years, working just fine. When Peggie came on a sail with me in April, she said I simply needed to rebuild it: lube the pump, new joker and flapper valves. The it will last another # of years befoerew I have to do it all again.

KISS. Check the tank and vent FIRST.

Just like Peggie's book says you should do.

You DO have the book, right?

If not, buy it right here on this website.
 
Peggie Hall HeadMistress

Peggie Hall HeadMistress

.
Dec 2, 1997
8,946
- - LIttle Rock
All of y'all are just proving that a) a little knowledge can be dangerous, and b) it's a lot harder to come up with the right answer if you ignore some of the facts....and all three of you ignored the most important one: He said he only has back pressure in the dry mode. A blocked tank vent would create back pressure in BOTH modes.

I agree: it's the air valve.(1203W)...it is a replaceable part and it fits your symptoms exactly. BUT--it shouldn't fail in just two years, but it can get clogged. So before you spend $20-30 for a new one, try removing it and cleaning it. If that doesn't cure your problem, call Raritan tech support and raise the "defective part" question...they might just send you one.

Yes, Stu...I did tell you that your PH II only needs a rebuild kit, but ONLY because it's overdue for one (a PHII should get one every 5-6 years)...on that day nothing was "wrong" with it but some measureable loss of efficiency. But that doesn't mean that the air valve (or a few other parts I can think of) couldn't fail the very next day or the day after you put a rebuild kit in it 'cuz they do wear out and it's not in the kit. And while I have your attention, the day I spent sailing with you on SF Bay was the most fun I've had in a loooong time. Can't think of a better way to unwind from a boat show...thanks again! And thanks too for the plug for my NEW book (see link in my signature)!
 
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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

Peggie Hall HeadMistress

.
Dec 2, 1997
8,946
- - LIttle Rock
Btw Alex... when you put it back to check whether cleaning it solved the problem, just thread it into it's hole...it'll prob'ly leak. If all is well, remove it, wrap some Teflon tape around the threads to seal it, and thread it back in to stay this time.

Stu, the day I stop learning will be the day I've died.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
[QUOTE="Peggie Hall HeadMistress, ,,, the day I stop learning will be the day I've died.[/QUOTE]

And THAT will teach you a lesson about whatever you did the several minutes previous.
 
AlexEngelsman

AlexEngelsman

.
Oct 22, 2010
4
Oday 272 Monroe Harbor, Chicago
Thank you Peggie!
I took apart the air vent cleaned as good as I could with water & cloth but the problem persists.
I will follow your suggestion and contact Raritan to see if they are willing to do anything.
I'll let you know how tghis all "flushes down" :)
 
G

gettinthere

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Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
On the bright side, he could have had what I had...

On the wet intake side, it was getting worse and worse. I knew a clog was building on the intake so I finally took the dry/wet knob off and unsceewed the cap. Saw what looked like a leaf sticking up from around the black ball. Couldnt get it to lift with a screwdriver, too slippery. Grabbed it with needle nosed pliers and pulled...and pulled...and pulled a 2' snake out! Glad I waited a few days before the repair so it had time to die, otherwise I might have died when it came wiggling out at me.
I hate snakes.
 
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