Galley Maid Water Pumps

[MicroKap]

I have a Galley Maid 110 Volt and a 32 Volt water pump. Both pumps are plumbed together and have one pressure switch between them. When low on water, the pressure switch doesn't seem to turn off the pumps. They will continue to run the stators dry which I know is not very good for the life of a stator. (See post regarding Galley Maid and West Marine in the "Sandbar".)

Can anyone tell me what I can do to fix this? The gauge does read the correct psi for the water system. The system is winterized right now, but I can always get to it in the Spring.

 

[Beckytek]

I would bet your pressure gauge and the switch are not at the same location. Maybe the gauge is after a one way valve and holds pressure but if your switch is not at the same place then the motor continues to try and pump.
When the water gets low in my system the pump works as yours does, only my gauge shows little or no pressure.

 

[TedZ]

Hmmmmmmm. I guess the theory of that answer is that the pressure switch is set above the pressure that the pump can pump and the gauge doesn't let you know that because of plumbing issues. Could be but didn't it used to work?

Spray the switch with the cover off (and power) with WD40 or Tal or whatever and cycle it a few times. If it doesn't shut off and you have not played with the adjustment, toss it and get a new switch. Make sure you get one with a lever on the side. They will shut off if you run dry.

THIS IS WHAT A LOT OF FOLKS DO WRONG: The cut in pressure must be set 3 psi over the pneumatic tank pressure when you measure the tank pressure with no pump pressure on it. I.e. with a tire gauge. The cut out pressure should be a couple of psi below what the pump manufacturer says it will max out at. In that way you do not completely evacuate the water in the tank and you do not kill the pump!!

Ted