Sears fresh water pump preasure problem

[svaron]

I have a 1990 54ED with Sears hydro glass shallow well jet pump for the fresh water system. I recently developed a problem where once the pump is running and gets to 30psi it takes several minutes to get to 50psi where it is supposed to shut off.

I am thinking it could be one of three problems:
1) the impeller is either dirty or needs to be replaced
2) the strainer near the water tank has some grit in it. The problem is that I can't seem to locate where that strainer is. According to the boats water schematic it should be next to the water tank which is under the forward stateroom. There are no access panels that I can find that leads me to that
3) the water expansion tank needs to be charged with preasure. I believe it should be charged to 20psi

Any insight that anyone could lend would be very appreciated

Sam

 

[Boatsb]

Since its fine at low pressure i would bet the impeller or a diaphragm / valve is the problem.

 

[svaron]

The problem with changing the impeller is that I can't find a way of shutting off the main water feed from the tank short of draining the water tank first.

 

[saltshaker]

The problem with changing the impeller is that I can't find a way of shutting off the main water feed from the tank short of draining the water tank first.

Unless the pump is below the level of the tank, you'll be fine. You could always add a piece of hose to the supply hose and raise it above the tank level to keep it from draining. There should be an inspection hatch above the tank fittings. The strainer usually is right there.

 

[SeaWhisper]

You might check the small poly tube from the pump head to the switch. Sometime this will clog and restrict the pressure switch....

 

[svaron]

So, the wind up was the filter just, after the water tank was clogged. It took a while to figure out where the hidden hatch was. Thanks to CD Piner at Hatteras, he was able to confirm where it would be. I pulled up some carpet in the forward stateroom and there was the small hatch. Unscrewed the filter bowl and the strainer was right there. After cleaning the pump got to 50 psi in 30 seconds.

All is good and thank you for your replies

Have a safe summer!!!!

 

[MikeP]

Glad you were able to sort it out.

Yeah, those darned carpets will mess you up! There are 11 access hatches/panels on our 53 that are covered with carpet. I took pictures of them all when the we were replacing the old carpet a few years back so I could find them again if needed.