Running water tank empty

[Bottom Line]

I did this once last year and then again over the weekend. I let the water tank run empty. I fill it up and water pump cycles on and wont shut off. I open all of the faucets...very little water pressure. I turn the pump off....connect the hose in the "trunk", turn on the hose...and then turn on all of the faucets and letit run for a little bit....and the air is purged from the system. After disconnecting the hose, I turn the water pump back on...and all is well again.

Is there a better way to get rid of and air lock in the water system? Looking for other ideas.....

 

[Dancin Dave]

Dont run it empty.

 

[tobnpr]

Sounds like it's having trouble priming, probably a worn impeller since priming it with city water pressure solves the problem.

 

[ImpulseIII]

Done that myself....hence, a new pump!!!!! Stupid tax at work!!

 

[NoWakey]

Jeff,

We had allot of trouble burping air out of our 240 water system. I replaced the original with one of ShurFlo's Extreme water pumps. These pumps have a load sensing variable speed motor controller and are a great improvement over the old pressure switch operated units. Go with either the 4.0, or 5.6 GPM unit and I will guarantee you that your water system will burp the air out. A little spendy, but worth it.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Four Suns]

If you are on your original water pumps, you may want to get a rebuild kit for the head. The rubber diaphragm will wear out over time and, as someone else said, may not have enough juice left in it to prime the water system. My original 03 pumps (2) only lasted a few years. However, we probably pump 6000+ gallons of water through the system every season (the water is always FRESH!).

 

[Bottom Line]

If you are on your original water pumps, you may want to get a rebuild kit for the head. The rubber diaphragm will wear out over time and, as someone else said, may not have enough juice left in it to prime the water system. My original 03 pumps (2) only lasted a few years. However, we probably pump 6000+ gallons of water through the system every season (the water is always FRESH!).

Gary...where is the best place to get a rebuild kit?

Also...if I replace the pump, is it important to stay with one that is the same GPM? My parts manual says mine is 2.8GPM.

 

[Alex F]

It looks like another new thing I'm learning here. If I understand correctly, running the fresh water tank dry is doing some damage to the water pump? If this is the case I see that refilling before the tank is empty is not an issue. But, what is the trick during winterizing and srping recommissioning process? I always run the tank dry before I punt some antifreeze for winterizing and the rund it dry to get most antifreeze out in the spring, followed by sanitizing procedure.

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[Four Suns]

Here's the link to the rebuild kits:

http://www.shurflo.com/pages/Marine/marine_categories/repair/repair.html#

I got my new pumps at Eastern Marine or Trailer Parts Superstore or something like that... You probably won't be able to get the exact rating on a new pump. I think my replacements were a little more GPM than the ones they replaced. The problem you'll have, however, if you get too big of a pump on a small system is a large fluctuation in water flow so don't oversize it. I've not tried some of the new variable speed models shurflo has but I know they use them on the newer boats and people seem to like them. You may want to consider one of those.

The shurflo pumps are all rated to run dry. However, the second time my pumps when out was because I had a dripping water faucet on the bridge and the water was left on so the pumps ran dry for days... and they fried... so "run dry" probably means a few minutes... not days.

 

[boatmailster]

I did this once last year and then again over the weekend. I let the water tank run empty. I fill it up and water pump cycles on and wont shut off. I open all of the faucets...very little water pressure. I turn the pump off....connect the hose in the "trunk", turn on the hose...and then turn on all of the faucets and letit run for a little bit....and the air is purged from the system. After disconnecting the hose, I turn the water pump back on...and all is well again.

Is there a better way to get rid of and air lock in the water system? Looking for other ideas.....

Before you try to rebuilt pump, clean a screen in strainer next to pump. May solve your problem.