POP goes the water pump!

[Scottzzzy]

Ok, here is another lesson I must learn. I was at the dock with my wife and kids and they wanted to shower. I often get to hear about how the water pressure is so low from all of them so I thought I would try to hook up to the water inlet on the dock.

Turned on the water and all was great...no complaints...then I realized the water pump breaker was still on in the panel! Now I have no water pressure at all on board. I can see the voltmeter move as I cut the pump breaker on, but no pump or water.

Did I blow out my water pump with the shore pressure?

If so, I have a 2.8GPM pump now and can I bump that up to 3.0 or even 3.5 without trouble if I am going to the effort to replace?


All this on top of the shower sump going bad setting of my emergency bilge alarm while they are enjoying their showers too. I am hoping it is the switch and not the pump.

My nerves were frazzled! Did I mention I Love Boating? :grin:

 

[JC3]

Scott, When you leave fresh water pump on it draws water from the Freshwater tank. You have probably emptied your fresh water tank, thus no water or water pressure. Your pumps can be run dry and not be hurt. I had 2(two) 3.3 45psi shurflo pumps that were original. One went bad 2 years ago and West marine in Key Largo only had a smart sensor 4.0 shurflo. Put it in and only use pump #1 and it works great. The only diff i see is that it uses fresh water quicker and on the hook
we have to watch our use a little more. Good Luck, JC

 

[Scottzzzy]

Well I filled the water tank and ran the pump with the faucets open to purge air but no luck. I don't even hear the usual groan of the pump......I hate to think the dock pressure pushing through the pump wrecked it.

What else can I try?

 

[skolbe]

It shouldn't have ruined the pump. Maybe the pump was on it's way out. Odd coincidence? Or you have a clog in the lines.

 

[MonacoMike]

That should not hurt it as has been said. You are getting the proper voltage at the pump? If yes the motor just gave up. MM

 

[SCORPIO]

Is the screen at the pump clean? Mine was coated in a gross slime this spring and wouldn't let water thru, after cleaning, back to normal.

 

[tbirdvet]

The pump only comes on when it sees the pressure in the lines fall. Either you still have some pressure on the outlet side of the pump or the pressure switch in the pump is bad. Since you have purged the line of air i would guess a plugged outlet line or bad switch. This is a shot but perhaps when you used shore water the pressure pushed something (or dislodged something) into the line. I found removing the pump and bench testing is the best process. The other thing you could do before removing the pump is disconnect the outlet line at the pump and see if it comes on. If not I would remove the pump.

 

[Scottzzzy]

I will try to make a run over to the boat and check some of these options. I know where it is mounted and just need to wrench my gigantic body into that tiny space and listen when the breaker is on.

I will check the filter on top of the tank as well. Is the filter something you can clean or does it need a replacement because it is a sealed unit? This as you can tell a first time for me.

Thanks guys!

 

[Alex F]

Well I filled the water tank and ran the pump with the faucets open to purge air but no luck. I don't even hear the usual groan of the pump......I hate to think the dock pressure pushing through the pump wrecked it.

What else can I try?

Have you check a fuse?

I would find the pump, providing there's no issue with 12vdc power, disconnect the hoses (input from the tank and ouput from the pump) and see if the water comes in and then comes out of the pump. Using this method I was able to find a wierd problem where I didn't have enough water going in to the pump from the tank. I blue the water in to the tank and it cleared whatever was blocking the flow.