1997 Sundancer 270 fresh water pump???

[saxonj]

I just bought this 270 Sundancer and the boat is in nearly perfect condition. Question: Where is the fresh water pump located at on the boat? and is there a shut off valve somewhere? Question 2: Does it make difference if I put fresh water in while on a lift, or sitting level in the water? When I put water in on the lift it shoots out of the overflow automatically......? Question 3: When I have the water pump switch on and can hear it activate will I have to do anything else to get the fresh water flowing out of the sink/shower and galley sink?

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Kevin Smith]

Fresh Water Pump

On my 250/270 Weekender the pump is located on the port side (left) by the batteries, but yours may be somewhat different. These pumps are normally a demand pump that only turn on when a faucet is open or dripping. They normally have an in-line fuse very close to them and a switch on the dash board that turns on the circuit. There could also be a breaker in your master panel that needs to be on for this to work. Some boats have a mini circuit breaker very close to the dash switch. Because this pump should be a demand pump, just open the faucet and water should flow. If you have a hot water heater like mine, you may need to run the hot water longer to be sure the hot water tank is full and has no air trapped in the tank.

On filling the tank-it can be filled anywhere, but to fill it completely the boat should be sitting fairly level. When filling the tank you normally do not see water out of the overflow. It usually just backs up and burps from the filler. You should slow the rate of fill down the more is burps in order to the tank completely full.

Kevin Smith
Richmond VA
1991 250/270 Weekender, 7.4 330HP, Bravo II

PS I have never seen a shut off valve for one and make sure you flush out the antifreeze and and old water. Then disinfect the system before adding new water. Also remember to use the disinfectant tablets in the holding tank per the direction on the box when filling the tank.

 

[saxonj]

I think it is an inline fuse. After checking the water tank is completely full and the pump looks new. Thank you for your help on this!! Saved me some time and $$.

 

[Kevin Smith]

Fresh Water Pump-Other Information

If you can hear the pump running than it is likely not the fuse.

But if the pump is not running and if the fuse looks good, consider changing it anyway in case the element has separated from one end of the fuse. Also check the wiring connnections to the pump to make sure they are clean and making good contact. Of course you can also get a 12 volt tester to see if you have power on both sides of the fuse and at the pump. That will tell you if the fuse is bad or wiring.

If it turns out to not be the fuse or wire connections at the pump, you can also test the pump by running some wires directly from the battery for a few seconds. If the pump works this way, there is likely a loose connection somewhere in the other wiring that leads to the pump pump. You can also bench test the pump the same way by removing it from the boat.

Assuming everything else is good, but the pump only works off the boat, it could be the pressure demand portion of the pump is bad. It may be cheaper to fix this or less trouble to replace the entire pump. Any good boat shop will have a test rig for checking the pressure demand portion of the pump.

Kevin Smith

 

[nauticaldog]

There is also a filter right next to the pump- if I remember correctly, you grab both sides, push inward and twist, there is a filter screen inside. If you hear the pump running but it never primes that's probably the culprit.

 

[MLauman]

On my 1997 270DA the water pump is located on starboard side of the main bulkhead (back wall of aft cabin) in the engine compartment.

When I fill mine up it usually overflows thru the vent.

 

[boatrboy]

Where is the fresh water pump located at on the boat? and is there a shut off valve somewhere? Question 2: Does it make difference if I put fresh water in while on a lift, or sitting level in the water? When I put water in on the lift it shoots out of the overflow automatically......? Question 3: When I have the water pump switch on and can hear it activate will I have to do anything else to get the fresh water flowing out of the sink/shower and galley sink?

Mine is a 1999 but I sure it is simular.

2) From what I can remember, when I fill my tank I need to aim the water towards the large dia opening in the fill, as I think there is a small vent hose in the same opening which causes the overflow you describe. I fill slowly with no problems.

3) The filter is a good place to look, but sometimes I find priming takes some time also. I usally fill the tank as this brings the water level higher than the pump on my boat, and while it is a self-priming pump, this seems to help. At times I let the pump run for 15 minutes before it will prime. Once its primed, its always fine after that. BTW, as described earlier, open the faucet furthest from the pump first to bleed the air, then work back.

Hope this helps so keep us posted.

Mark