Freshwater Pump

[Capt Chad]

The wife called me into the boat the other night and said the galley sink wouldn't work. I went into the ER and hit the prime switch on the Galleymaid pump. I opened a few faucets and let it run. No problems. I did find a small leak on one hose coming off the pump. No problem, tightened a hose clamp and it was resolved. I went back to the boat 4 days later and had to repeat the process. When I go into the ER and check the pressure gauge it reads 20psi or so before I push the primer switch. I cant find any leaks and the tank is full. You guys have any idea what's going on?

[SEVEN]

Check the screens on the faucets to make sure they are not clogged. Run them without the screens and see if that resolves the issue.

[Capt Chad]

Seven, thanks I will check that tonight. But I am doubtful that's going to be it. I didn't have flow from any of the 4. I didn't try the showers. The pump (12v) has always made the DC lights flicker on the boat when it runs. Is that normal? I have seen it on many smaller boats with shurflo pumps and group 27 batteries but didn't know with 4 8d's and the galleymaid pump.

[SEVEN]

You should not have lights that dim when the pump kicks on. I wanted to start at the easiest point first. Do you have a direct hose hook up on the outside of the boat? If so you can try turning off the pump and running direct. If you get good flow then it's in the motor. Let me know.

[Capt Chad]

I do Seven, I'll check it out and let you know. Thanks for the help.

[PeterK]

Galley maid pumps do draw some serious amps. My head pumps (24 volt) dim my lights even with new batteries and a new charger. Had one of my pumps rebuilt while I waited at Raz a while back. Drew 9.8 amps at 24 volts. They had a record of the last time the pump had been serviced in 1998 and amp draw was the same. Well built pumps...

[Boatsb]

Maybe you need a bigger line for the head pumps. That's a lot of amperage but if a good sized bank and chargers is wired right shouldn't dim the lights much if at all.

[Reefgeorge]

Don't know about your pump but a Headhunter can be very fussy once it runs dry trying to complete purge the air. I have to open every faucet on the boat and repeat before I'm good to go.

What happens if you open a valve or relief right at the pump, does it flow? Does the pump run? Does the pump only run if you let the pressure drop?

George

[Capt Chad]

Seven, e erything flows fine with the dockside water hooked up. The pump will sometimes run fine and not draw down the lights. Then it will begin to cycle and draw the lights down while the pressure bounces up and down. I had my hand on the pump when it started to cycle. It never built any heat. Electrical connections are clean and tight. Pump? Pressure switch?

[ageless]

After priming the system did you monitor the gauge to see if the system was bleeding down?