The water pressure pump on my H34 repeatedly comes on in short bursts when no water is being used. I assume it's trying to maintain pressure in the system. I've checked the bilge to see if water is accumulating from some obscure leak but found none. Any ideas???
water pressure pump cycling
- Thread starter Found at Sea
- Start date
Check all of the fittings where connections are made; particularly the hot water pipes/hoses and connectors. One of my hot water "pipes" became brittle and cracked near the fitting at the hot water tank. Hard to find; run hand along undersides to feel for wetness.
I had a similar problem with mine. In my case it turned out to be mineral deposits that had built up in the pump allowing water to "slowly" leak back through the pump one way valve and depressurize the system until the pump came back on. When I finally replaced the pump I found the deposits. All is working well now and I used vinagar to desolve the deposits.
Yup.. either a leak in the plumbing or a leaking valve in the pump. Check the plumbing first. all fittings and things like the "safety" valve on the water heater. I find that every few years, the temperature swings and the pump pulsation loosens a fitting somewhere, more often on the hot side. The shower connections in the cabinet in the head and the ones under the sink. If ya find no leak, then pull the pump out and disassemble and clean the pumping diaphragms and valves. Only the end cover needs to come off to clean the diaphragm and valves.
I actually takes a fair amount of water normally to drop the pressure down to the start setpoint, so if if was a leak you would be wondering why your tanks drain so fast. As mentioned it is more likely your pump is leaking and the water is flowing back into the tank.
Test by pressurizing the system, shutting the tank supply valves, and turning off the pump. If you still have pressure in the system a couple hours later you don't have a leak.
Replace/rebuild the pump and/or install a check valve to stop the flow back into the tank.
Test by pressurizing the system, shutting the tank supply valves, and turning off the pump. If you still have pressure in the system a couple hours later you don't have a leak.
Replace/rebuild the pump and/or install a check valve to stop the flow back into the tank.
Since you don't notice water in the bilge it is probably the pump leaking internally.
The good news is you can clean it yourself. Disconnect the plumbing, take the pump off the motor (so you don't need to disconnect the electrical) CAREFULLY remove the mushroom shaped valves and clean the valves and the plastic holder with a toothbrush. I have found that adding bleach to the holding tank causes a lot of the buildup so as a long term fix reduce the amount of bleach or don't fill the tank beyond what you can use till the next fill up or that cruise.
A toothpick is handy to push out the stem of the mushroom valve. Also there are usually three inlet valves around the outsideand one outlet one in the center.
The good news is you can clean it yourself. Disconnect the plumbing, take the pump off the motor (so you don't need to disconnect the electrical) CAREFULLY remove the mushroom shaped valves and clean the valves and the plastic holder with a toothbrush. I have found that adding bleach to the holding tank causes a lot of the buildup so as a long term fix reduce the amount of bleach or don't fill the tank beyond what you can use till the next fill up or that cruise.
A toothpick is handy to push out the stem of the mushroom valve. Also there are usually three inlet valves around the outsideand one outlet one in the center.
On my boat there is a fitting on the transom to allow attachment of a garden hose to pressurize the system with shoreside water. The fitting has a cap that started leaking a little which caused my pump to come on occaisionally. When the fitting leaks the water just runs down the transom...so no accumulation in the bilge. However, it does leave a little drip streak. If you have that fitting, check it out - could be the problem.
Transom Hose fitting
I do have that fitting and have never looked at it for leaks. Many thanks for the heads up!
I do have that fitting and have never looked at it for leaks. Many thanks for the heads up!
Found at Sea...
Another possible source of the pump cycling is the shower valves in the head. I had to replace my valve assembly to cure this problem.
Check also the tank selector valve. I wasn't using the aft tank and finally bypassed this valve assembly completely to feed the pump from the port tank only when I found the valve stem was leaking air. See next comment for the final gremlin.
Others have mentioned the pump valves themselves. I've had problems with leak-back on my old pump until I replaced it. Also, the pressure switch itself can cause the pump to cycle. Replaced it once with only a short term cure.
Ultimate cure was a new pump.
Another possible source of the pump cycling is the shower valves in the head. I had to replace my valve assembly to cure this problem.
Check also the tank selector valve. I wasn't using the aft tank and finally bypassed this valve assembly completely to feed the pump from the port tank only when I found the valve stem was leaking air. See next comment for the final gremlin.
Others have mentioned the pump valves themselves. I've had problems with leak-back on my old pump until I replaced it. Also, the pressure switch itself can cause the pump to cycle. Replaced it once with only a short term cure.
Ultimate cure was a new pump.