Water pump

[jorgefife]

I once had a posting about a water pump; mine worked and then made a rising pitch noise, and did it again and again. I also had to hold the switch at a certain angle otherwise it would not work at all.
At the time I knew little about this stuff, but I have progressed to the point I can do things, if shown; I bought a contact spray, and sprayed all the switches on on and off positions, and now it works without me holding the switch.
But it still makes that noise.
The water works well, both fawcet and galley, and while the water is running, the pump hums continuously, only when fawcets are off and the pump is on does it make the crecendo noise, and agin
I have checked water leaks in head and galley, but found none: will look better at head sink
My question ( I also sprayed the wires at the pump with same sparay, I guess will not hurt) is: is there something I can do to the pump?
More out of curiosity than anything else, could be something small I can fix. Do I open up the pump, and look where?
My model is a Shurflo, 250-3000 and it is 7 amps
I looked up dozens on internet, but which one will be suitable?
If any of you good people had dealt with water pumps, please give me some advice
Thank you
Jorge

 

[Steve Dion]

Jorge:

I am not sure what you are referring to when you talk about the switch. Are you talking about the breaker switch?

As far as pumps, I can recommend the Jabsco VSD whcih can be purchased from Camping World or other RV outlets. The VSD is an excellent choice and does not need an expansion tank. The bottom line is you do NOT need to go to a Marine store to purchase these pumps.

But you may find that the Shurflow or Jabsco pumps will all provide adequate preformance.

I am still guessing that you may have an airleak in the system, but you will know that for sure when you get a new pump.

Another option is to send your old pump back to the factory. They can either rebuild them or let you know if they are worth the repair. A new pump can run from about $80 - 200+.

 

[jorgefife]

Yes I am referring to the breaker switch, on the control panel: I used to have to hold it firmly and at an angle, so the pump worked
Now, with the contact spray, no longer have to hold it, the pump works
I will check again for a leak; could the leak be at the pump itself, or do I look for a leak at the fawcets?

 

[Steve Dion]

Your leak can be at any connection or even in the middle of the hose (where you cannot see). You can always pressure test the line put putting a pressure gauge on the lines.

 

[jorgefife]

The hoses seem to be old, maybe replacing them would be a good idea
To put a pressure gauge on the line, do you disconnect one end and attach the gauge to it?
Excuse the ignorance, but tell me more...
Jorge

 

[kloudie1]

Jorge, it sounds a lot like you have a pressure switch on the pump that is not working.. There is a switch in the pump head that stops the motor when the pressure in the pipes reaches a certain level. The motor should shut off as soon as you turn off a faucet. If there is a leak, it will run a little then shut down a little .. and keep doing that.. The switch is on the end of the pump. There is a little piston that pushes on the switch to turn it off.. If the switch is bad or the piston port is plugged, it will do what you are describing. It sounds like you have a bad water pump breaker on the panel also.
The (bad out of focus) pictures are of teh inside of the switch plate, the outside of switch housing and the pump head where the switch goes..

For a new pump, a pump that is rated for 3.5 or 4 GPM (gallons per minute) will be fine..

 

[J Hunter]

Jorge, To confirm if you have a leak or if your pressure switch is bad, dead head the pump into a short piece of hose and see if it turns off. Take a 6 or 8 foot piece of hose that will clamp onto the pump discharge and after removing the existing hose, clamp the scrap hose on the pump and put the end in a 5 gal. bucket. With the end in your hand turn on the pump and quickly make a double kink in the hose (you can easily stop the full pressure your shurflo puts out by just squeezing a double fold in the hose with one hand) If the pump makes the whiny sound for just a second and shuts off, the pressure switch is working and you probably have leak. If it just whines, you've got a bad pressure switch and I think yours is integral to the pump, requiring replacement of the whole pump/pressure switch assy if you can't see how to fix it or rebuild it by looking at it. The old pump would make a good wash down pump.