Tough to pump

[PaulRuth2009]

I recently upgraded our dry cabin in Alaska with a Fynspray pump, WS60, all brass. Within three weeks it became very hard to pump, and we sent it back for a replacement. The same thing happened to the replacement.
Has anyone else encountered this problem? If so, how did you fix it?
We have ours mounted centered in a regular double kitchen sink, stainless steel. The barrel is secured to the wall under the sink using a stript of galvanized plumber's tape. This has pulled some zinc out of the brass, but I don't know if that has extended through to the inside to of the barrel or not.
I don't want to order a service kit if I don't need to, but really would like to get this working.
Thank you.

 

[kloudie1]

Paul, can you tell if it is the gland sticking or the plunger piston seal? Looks like the gland nut could gradually become tight or dry and cause it to be hard to pump. try loosening the gland nut a couple of flats to see if you can get it to leak a little then tighten until it just stops leaking under pressure.. A really thin coat of SuperLube (it is food grade) on the OD of the plunger might go a long way toward easing this up.

 

[woodster]

We have ours mounted centered in a regular double kitchen sink, stainless steel. The barrel is secured to the wall under the sink using a stript of galvanized plumber's tape. This has pulled some zinc out of the brass, but I don't know if that has extended through to the inside to of the barrel or not.
I don't want to order a service kit if I don't need to, but really would like to get this working.
Thank you.

those are very good pumps.......if you used galvanized metal any where on the brass you may have damaged the brass tube that the plunger travels up and down in ...on my old one i can unscrew the barrel and look inside and inspect it for damage you should be able to do the same with yours try that and see if it is corroded in the inside of the barrel if so you will have to replace the barrel....word of caution dissimilar metals will corrode very quickly ...and that sounds like what you have done......

regards

woody

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Within three weeks it became very hard to pump, and we sent it back for a replacement.
The barrel is secured to the wall under the sink using a stript of galvanized plumber's tape.

I'm presuming you're using plumber's strapping to secure the pump barrel under the sink. I would suspect this is your problem as you can exert a lot of force using wood screws with plumber's strap. I also note the Fynspray instructions for the repair of this pump say not to use any tools on the barrel. Sounds like its not designed to absorb any forces.

I'm curious as to why you're strapping the barrel under the sink in addition to using the mounting holes on the pump.

As for galvanic problems, the strapping is anodic to the brass barrel so it would actually protect the brass but in any case, three weeks is too early to see any problems with galvanic corrosion ................... unless your boat were actually underwater, is it ?

 

[PaulRuth2009]

I'm presuming you're using plumber's strapping to secure the pump barrel under the sink. I would suspect this is your problem as you can exert a lot of force using wood screws with plumber's strap. I also note the Fynspray instructions for the repair of this pump say not to use any tools on the barrel. Sounds like its not designed to absorb any forces.

I'm curious as to why you're strapping the barrel under the sink in addition to using the mounting holes on the pump.

As for galvanic problems, the strapping is anodic to the brass barrel so it would actually protect the brass but in any case, three weeks is too early to see any problems with galvanic corrosion ................... unless your boat were actually underwater, is it ?

<chuckle> A lot of people in the interior of Alaska use marine products such as galley pumps in their cabins to make life without running water easier. We're not under water yet, unless you count snow.
The pump is not mounted through a countertop, but directly to a stainless-steel sink, which is not thick enough to keep it from wiggling during use. Hence the extra bracing farther down. I don't think the bracing is too tight, but will definitely check to make sure.
I talked with our local plumbing guy, and he said yes, the galvanized strap could strip the zinc out of the brass, but yes again, three weeks to a month is awefully early to see any ill effects.
The pump is behaving itself again...for now, but I'll keep everything in mind should any further problems arise.
Thanks for writing back.

 

[PaulRuth2009]

Paul, can you tell if it is the gland sticking or the plunger piston seal? Looks like the gland nut could gradually become tight or dry and cause it to be hard to pump. try loosening the gland nut a couple of flats to see if you can get it to leak a little then tighten until it just stops leaking under pressure.. A really thin coat of SuperLube (it is food grade) on the OD of the plunger might go a long way toward easing this up.

Ah, I will double-check those, and see about picking up some SuperLube. The pump is now behaving itself, but I'll definitely hang onto all advice for future use.
Thank you all.