Water Pump

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:56 pm

I going to be replacing my pump from my tank to my domestic faucets. The pump I have now is somewhere around 4.5 gpm. The water pulsates when turned on, very annoying...

Do any of you have an accumulator/bladder tank set up and if so, can you describe the set-up and recommend a decent model and number for me?

Thanks.

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:04 pm

Take a look at the VSR (Variable Speed Ratio) water pumps on the market. I bought one to replace the old pump/accumulator set up that was knocking and bumping in the night (turns out I also had a hot water tank leak, but that's a whole nother kettle of fish). The VSRs speed up or slow down depending on the rate of flow at the faucet or faucets. No tanks, no bladder, none of that old fashioned crazy stuff. I've had mine in use for 6 years and have had no problems.

TADTOOMUCH · Post by **TADTOOMUCH** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:34 pm

Just measure the amount of gallons per minute coming out of your faucets when you are on the water supply from shore. Should be around 5 or 6 gpm. Size your new pump to deliver about the same amount or a little more. You can figure the GPM by turning on a fauct and timing how long it takes to fill a known volume container and then do the math.

If you don't get any surge when on shore pressure now, then the surge you are getting when on your onboard pump is probably because the pump can't deliver enough pressure or volume or the pump has a bad diaphragm or impeller. Another problem could be the inlet side of the pump is letting air get in the line due to a bad hose or leaking connection on the suction side. Read the spec plate on the pump to see if it is sized too low.

Make sure you buy a marine rated pump and not one for an RV. They are different in their spark suppression abilities.

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:01 pm

I also think you would be better off with a varible rate pump

If you want to install an accumulator this is how it should be done

If you really want the accumulator Groco PST-1 is the one I would get.

davescarrs · Post by **davescarrs** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:34 pm

Jabsco variable speed will work perfect, forget the rest of the bladder and all that stuff

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:01 am

I installed an accumulator shortly after getting the boat. It really helped a lot

We added a variable pump during he refit.

Water now is the same as at home, even the shower and the onboard washdown hose really has some stuff.

RWS

JuiceClark · Post by **JuiceClark** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:20 am

I put a stainless accumulator in when I re-plumbed her. That fixes the pulses no matter how cheap the pump. I like cheap pumps because I live for the moment!

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:27 pm

Thanks guys for the replies. I am very familiar with how the system works and have replaced these pumps in the past. I just wanted a feel for what you all are using on your boats.

I am picking up a variable speed pump today and installing tomorrow.

Thanks for your input!

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:25 pm

I am running a 3.5 gpm sure low still working but noisey I have come down to the boat sevral time to find it runnig dry how it still works I don't know . goiing to replace it to be safe .I can't complane . I am going to stay with 3.5 gpm as it flows plenty and if I went up I coud use more water without knowing it

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:48 am

prowlersfish wrote:I am running a 3.5 gpm sure low still working but noisey I have come down to the boat sevral time to find it runnig dry how it still works I don't know . goiing to replace it to be safe .I can't complane . I am going to stay with 3.5 gpm as it flows plenty and if I went up I coud use more water without knowing it

Paul, It sounds like you have a leak in the water system. You say you find the pump running when returning. If the pump wasnâ€™t running when you left, the pump drained the holding tank while you were away. The water had to go somewhere.

When the water pump is on, but not running and everything shut off, the pump should not cycle. You should be able to turn the pump off and the system should remain pressurized for an extended period of time. If the pump cycles or the system doesnâ€™t remain pressurized you have a leak. If it isnâ€™t fixed you can still come down and find the pump running. Not exactly what you want to find your new pump doing. You could also turn the pump off when you leave. That would surely keep you from returning and find the pump running dry.

jimbo36 · Post by **jimbo36** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:56 am

I had the same issue with the pump running when I returned to the boat and no water in the holding tank. Turned out I had a faulty dockside water inlet fitting. I never leave my shore water on while away (for obvious reasons) and disconnect the hose. The check valve allowed my pump to empty my tank through the inlet. JIm.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:26 pm

I put in a VSR (Variable Speed Ratio) Sureflo pump today no pulse works great
I went with a 4 gpm pump to replace the 3.5 gpm pump

gjrylands , I know I have a leak . I would take over a month to empty the tank with the pump on . If the tank very low and I leave the pump on I come back and the pump is runing dry . Why do I leave the pump on ? I forget .

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:30 pm

I leave the 120 volt AC breakers on for the two fridges and the battery charger.

I kill the two 12 volt main breakers when leaving the boat.

The bilge pumps 12 volt circuit is on.

that's all, folks!

RWS

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:35 am

Paul, I too, put the same model pump on the boat Saturday- works great, no pulsation...

Just like household.

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:03 pm

prowlersfish wrote:
gjrylands , I know I have a leak . I would take over a month to empty the tank with the pump on . If the tank very low and I leave the pump on I come back and the pump is runing dry . Why do I leave the pump on ? I forget .

OOPS!
I understand. Some repairs are just not worth the effort required to fix them especially if they aren't causing any problems that we can't live with.