Fresh Water Pressure, as in none.

[GJH]

Well, I have gone back through old threads on this subject via the Search function, and tried the prescribed tricks. Still no joy.

On our 56MY, I have a FW system comprised of a Galley Maid 32v pump and a Sears Shallow well 240v pump. The 240v pump worked terrifically, the GM, as it turns out was shot. So I went and changed out the GM on Friday to a newly rebuilt one from Raz, who happens to be down the street from where we are right now in Forth Lauderdale. Extremely patient and helpful guy by the way. He advised me to switch out the check valve, which I did. Also, add a check valve to the intake on the GM, which I did (replacing a ball valve the PO had put there).

Now neither pump will build any pressure at all. I have primed them both, primed the system from the tank to the pumps; everything is filled with water but it just won't move at all. Followed all direction for each pump to a tee. I even went back and put the old check valve back in at the tank in case the new one was bad, as the 240v pump had worked great with it in place. No difference.

By the way, after the attempted primes and restarts of each pump, there is still water all through the system; it is as if both pumps were impellerless, but each worked perfectly either in the shop or in place right before the change out.

When I switch back to shore water, got plenty of flow. So, I got water before and after the pumps. Oh, and we filled the tanks yesterday and it didn't change the situation.

Something tells me I did some very basic thing to goof this up. I'll check back with Yossi Raz tomorrow, but I'm not going to sleep well until I get this fixed. Not to mention I can't move the boat and I am already behind "schedule" to get back north.

Huge props and beverage allowance in advance to whoever helps get me flowing again.

George

 

[MikeP]

Sure sounds like priming OR a valve possibly left closed?

On our 53 I have several gate valves/inlets in the water system between the tank and pump to allow rapid winterizing. If any of those were placed in the "off" position, you can prime the pump but no water would flow to the pumps from the tank. Is it possible you turned something off and have simply forgotten it? (I do it all the time!)

 

[GJH]

Thanks Mike, with me, anything is possible.

But there isn't anything turned off, and yes, the check valve near the tank is pointed in the right direction (one of the first things I thought of, and I have tried both the old and a new check valve). With shore water on, there are no down stream leaks either.

George

 

[Canuck Dennis]

Sounds like you have an air leak before the pump suction, this will stop any chance of suction being developed, if not too difficult, pipe suction into 5 gall pail temporary basis to prove if leak in main suction. does not take much to stop the suction.
I speak from tons of experience !!!

 

[Gina Marie]

Hi GHF, just went through the same problem. Have a 45C with a 1/2HP shallow pump 120V from sears. Things I would look for:

1- Make sure new pump is powered correctly 120/240
2- Make sure that the water tank is full and I took the cap off the outside just in case there was a air pocket
3- Prime
4- Make sure there is no air leaks you may find in its place a water leak.
5- I have a pressure guage on my pump so once primed I new I was not getting any pressure.
6- I added a water bib with turn of/off on the supply side so when i was to get pressure I would tell right at the pump.

After I did this all on a 1 year old pump nothing woked.

Replaced Pump with same and WATER/Pressure all done.

 

[GJH]

Re: Fresh Water Pressure, as in none .

Mike and Dennis, I will PM you with the outcome. I am too mortified to reveal the answer publicly! However, I will have to start a new thread, because after all that effort and $$, the new GM pump does exactly the same thing the old one did: clicks on and off rapidly when pumping. The new check valves were supposed to stop this; the accumulator tank when no pressure in the system reads 26 pounds just like it should. The 240 volt pump works perfectly.

Thanks everyone; see new thread to follow

George

 

[Diver Down]

George,
I'm dealing with the same problem on both the GM and AC well pump. Please share your solution with me at michaelewing@cox.net. Thanks.

 

[labrador]

George, can't leave us all hanging! What was the outcome?
Skip

 

[yachtsmanbill]

A hairline crack on the pick up pipe (!) ? Filled the fuel tank with water? ws

 

[REBrueckner]

Everyone on this list has made dopey mistakes, omissions, etc...Those who have not have not been working on their boats but paying others to work!!!
I've posted several of my blunders...those help us all learn...

I can't tell if your problem is solved or not...Did you solve it???

 

[GJH]

OK OK, mea culpa. In exchange for future helping me with my chattering Galley Maid, here is what I did to fix the pressure system:

I took out a cork I had left in one of the upstream hose barbs and forgotten.

I can hear the LOLs building as a write this!

George

 

[Boatsb]

Was it at least from a good wine?

 

[labrador]

ROLOL!!!!!! Hey George, it happens to all of us sooner or later. Hope your trip up north goes smoothly.
Skip