Water flow question

[Radiowave]

The water pressure at the galley faucet starts out strong and within 30 seconds gets weaker. However, the cockpit faucet pressure is much weaker than it was last season. I have a 40 PSI Jabsco pump with a SeaFlo .75L Accumulator tank. The pump is 11 years old. The accumulator is 3 years old. Any suggestions on what I should do to improve the water pressure?

 

[Thornton69]

Does the pump cycle off while the flow drops? If not, then it sounds like your pump is fading out. If it does cycle off, then there is a restriction in the line.
Have you added larger faucets?
A larger pump may require heavier wiring and protection to support it.

 

[bbwhitejr]

Check the air pressure in your accumulator.

Bennett

 

[capecodcruiser]

I would go back to the source and start trouble shooting from there. I.E disconnect the outlet of the pump, than the output side of accumulator etc and see where you are getting the cut in pressure.

 

[LMBoat]

Be sure your vent hoses are clear. Sometime overfilling the tank will fill the vent hose(s) (or wasps, etc). If they are full of water/blocked, a vacuum is created in the tank when you open a faucet (water flow slows) until it "burbs" then speeds up again. then repeats. Easy to check, just remove the filler cap and see if the problem goes away. If it does, leave the cap off and put a shop vac hose over the vent fitting on the outside of the hull and suck the water out of the vent lines. you will be able to see/hear the vacuum at the fill fitting.

 

[northern]

Does anyone know what the air pressure in the accumulator should be set at?

 

[bbwhitejr]

Does anyone know what the air pressure in the accumulator should be set at?

There is a rule of 2-3 psi less than your pump pressure I believe. Same rule as for your home well if you have one. I believe mine was preset at 45psi and works great.

Bennett

 

[Blueone]

I would say your accumulator is fine since you have pressure at the start. That’s probably the accumulator giving you pressure. Like suggested look closer at the pump disconnect the discharge and see what you get for pressure from start to running for a while

 

[Blueone]

If you need to change the pump this is what I upgraded too it was a direct replacement except for to mounting screws
It is night and day with flow and pressure compared to the original. It is a couple years old now so may have changed ...but shoot for PSI and GPM