House water pump size advice, please

[Blain]

Having read a thread on this forum by a fellow boater struggling with his house water pump, I am thinking of buying a backup pump. Local chandlery has the Jabsco Par-max 3GPM 40psi version. Would that be satisfactory for a 53’

Currently have a Johnson aqua jet pump but that sucker is loud as the pressure approaches cut-off target. I can feel it in the forward head. Otherwise no complaints. So possibly plan on a different type for the backup.

Blain

 

[Bob Bradley]

I use the Par Max 5gpm 60psi version on my 45C. Performs fine supplying the shower, fresh water head, head sink, galley sink, ice maker, wet bar fountain, and cockpit washdown. We avoid running anything else when someone is in the shower. I fish 3 day trips offshore so I always have a spare onboard already set up with terminal ends on the wires so I can swap it out quickly. That said, they have been dependable.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I run a 32v and a 120v pump in parallel. The 120v has a 60-40psi switch and the 32v has a 30-50. When no AC is present, the 32v unit picks up.

 

[Sadey]

I can’t tell exactly which Jabsco pump I have from the pictures but the specs are 4GPM/60PSI. There’s a pressure tank in the system also. Based on the lack of screams when the toilet is flushed while the wife is in the shower I’d say it works well. The pressure between our Mach 5(120V) and the Jabsco is negligible so we’re very satisfied with both.

 

[carolinacoast]

110v Shallow well for #2 is primary. 32v GM is #1 and go to that when no 110v power.

 

[Blain]

Thanks a lot for the replies. It seems I would need at least a 4GPM 12V pump… I see there is a 40 vs 60psi option. I assume the plumbing would tolerate 60psi?
Also, I would love to add a 110/120v pump. It could also easily run on the inverter if needed at anchor. I have seen the 1/2 hp 120v pumps and they are pretty large.. possibly 1/4 or 1/8 hp would fit nicely.

Blain

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I run a stainless steel shallow well pump like this

PEARL STAINLESS STEEL JET ELECTRIC WATER PUMP - JSP 05A16S - 0.5HP, 110V, 1PH

The PEARL JSP 05A16S is a durable and efficient stainless steel jet water pump, ideal for domestic water supply, garden irrigation, and light-duty water transfer. Powered by a 0.5 HP motor, this self-priming pump delivers steady pressure and reliable flow, even in systems with air pockets. Its...

powerplusretailers.com

 

[Sadey]

I believe the pressure regulators are set to somewhere around 70 psi on the boat so the plumbing can handle it. I would definitely go with the higher psi given the choice. Especially if someone has long or thick hair. Our DC water pump is 24V and runs off the house bank. Of course the AC runs off of shore/gen/inverter. This gives the redundancy of always having water pressure and relieves the inverter of an unnecessary draw.

 

[Pascal]

My DC back up is a ParMax HD6. 6 gps, 60 psi. Plenty of flow, no issue using multiple faucets at the same time. A bit loud. I wouldn’t use anything under 5GPM

Primary is a Groundfos Scala 2. Very quite but 240v so can’t use it on inverter.

 

[Blain]

Thank you for the responses. I am definitely going for a 120v unit and set things up in parallel. In the meantime I are experimenting today with adding a dampener to my current Johnson aqua jet pump.

Quick question, Are the 120v pumps inherently less noisy and more robust? I have never had an AC pump before on previous boats, so I am curious to how they behave.

Blain

 

[carolinacoast]

Add a low pressure cutoff switch to avoid losing a pump/impeller from running dry when the tanks are empty.

 

[Sadey]

I have a HH Mach 5 that runs on AC. Unless the engine room door is open you can’t hear it run at all. The Jabsco DC pump I have is a different story. The only convenient location was on the hull side of the engine room bulk head. Even mounted on 3/4 reinforced rubber tubing it’s still can be heard in the master and mid stateroom. Not terrible but you know it’s running when it is.

 

[Eddieclemons]

I have stated before that my HH DC pump was one of the top five upgrades I have done to my boat. I was unhappy with my Dual Jabsco set up that was noisy and a poor performer. We were expecting a home like shower while another outlet was on. My pump was under the stairs with a stateroom on either side so I wanted something almost silent. I did experience a warranty issue after about a year that had a delayed repair due to availability. The Pressure is fully adjustable, and I have it on low.

 

[Sadey]

I like the blue hose Eddie. I called Head Hunter when I was adding the DC water pump, Andre talked me out of their DC pump. That’s how I ended up with the Jabsco. Now I kind of regret not going ahead with it based on your experience.

 

[Pascal]

The Mach 5 is probably the gold standard when it comes to fresh water pump although at $2000 it s like it s made of gold.

The problem with them is that it is supposed to use a 1” intake hose. May get away with 3/4 but not with the 5/8 Hatteras used

The other issue is that they are very sensitive to air leaks which can be difficult to trace

That’s said, they are whisper quite.

My Scala 2 is very quiet and less than half the price. Before that I used floret shallow well pump. Worked well but a louder

 

[Blain]

I am going out today to try & find a 120v & a 12V Jabsco pump. Reading the old Hatteras documentation regarding shore water, it looks like the pressure-reducing valve is set at 40psi & the original (now removed) 32V pump stayed around 30-40/50 psi. So I am a bit conflicted aboit buying a 40 vs 60psi DC pump.

The new pump will hopefully act as backup but also hopefully address the noise issue. Although, It seems that the Jabsco pump is likely to be loud but possibly a good 12V backup.

My current DC Johnson pump is installed vertically on the hull sidewall of the SB engine room. The pump is a bit noisy when filling the system but develops a very high pitched ta-ta-ta vibrating jarring noise that propagates mainly backward toward the inlet side (it rattles the heck out of the tied-down filter housing) & but also somewhat forward toward the outlet side, as it reaches 40psi before it cuts off. My Jabsco accumulator has only a 2-gallon capacity.. so the pump will cycle more than usual.

I attached a homemade dampener on the inlet side, used a longer 3/4” hose between the filter & pump, laid the pump horizontally with no change detected. My next step is to build a better dampener to install on the outlet side and possibly built a sound proof enclosure around the pump.. and see if anything changes. Possibly install a 5-gallon accumulator.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Your thick wall copper water lines with flared fittings that Hatteras used will probably handle 100psi. You don't have to worry about over pressurizing that stuff.

 

[Blain]

Thank you very much everyone.

 

[Sadey]

I have the butyl plumbing and it handles the 60psi and what ever the HH is no problem as well.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have the butyl plumbing and it handles the 60psi and what ever the HH is no problem as well.

That was part of Genmar's cost cutting. They also removed the trim on cabinet doors and drawers in favor of a painted edge, and made the door to the flybridge out of plywood instead of solid teak. Still a great boat, just too bad the new management didn't see the value in some of the things AMF Hatteras was doing.