Water Tanks not filling up

[Hat4Shay]

I have a 1981 61' MY model that got extended to 70' cpmy.

I went back on the water tank recently and I run out of water ever couple days. I'm not a big water user, so I bought a flowmeter and tracked the amount of water going into the system.

It overflowed at 58.9 gallons. This explains why I run out so fast, but I'm supposed to have 350 gallon total capacity divided between two tanks.

Any help on how to get them filled up would be really appreciated!!!

Or.... just thought of this, maybe it drops to a certain point on the tank and won't hold pressure? (makes no sense, but it's a possibilty).

 

[Captain Ralph]

I assume your running out of water because the pumps goes dry.
I'm assuming also that you are full when the tank fill overflows.

Is there a tank monitor or level gauge(s?)?

First SWAG, broke/leaking pick up tube in the tank.

 

[Play'N Hooky Too]

If the pickup tube is copper, it probably has a hole or is broken off entirely due to corrosion.

 

[Hat4Shay]

Guages don't seem to work... =( That's on my list, but I never thought about the copper pick up. ugh. That would be a really logical explaination.

How would I find and fix that?

Shay

If the pickup tube is copper, it probably has a hole or is broken off entirely due to corrosion.

 

[Hat4Shay]

Well, I'm assumed I ran out of water because the water stops coming out of the faucet. lol

My guages don't seem to work, so I've got that on my list to address, but the water flowmeter seemed like a good, quick and dirty way to see how much I was really putting in, which would help in finding the issue.

The broken pick up tube totally explains it. But not sure how to find/fix and... how much of an issue is it if there is a piece left in there? Will it affect my water?

Shay

I assume your running out of water because the pumps goes dry.
I'm assuming also that you are full when the tank fill overflows.

Is there a tank monitor or level gauge(s?)?

First SWAG, broke/leaking pick up tube in the tank.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Find the service plate on the water tank top.
Here the vent, feed and maybe the tank level sender should be close.

Pending on what the factory felt like on the day your tank was built; The pick up should be serviceable from the outside without removing the whole plate.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

First remove the gauge and stick the tank. Then you'll know if there is water in there or not. Report back.

 

[osprey]

On my boat, the freshwater pump was loosing it's prime due to a very very small leak in the engine room. once the water in the tank got lower the pump was not able to lift the water enough to reprime the pump. I finally found the slight drip, then added a check valve at the pump to prevent any further loss of prime.

Good luck

 

[firbanks]

Try to lay eyes on the whole pump suction line from the tank to the pump. Mine has a filter. A mostly clogged filter would present the same symptoms. So would suction side check valve that isn’t opening all the way when pump is running. Then when level goes down a little (call it 50-60 gallons) there isn’t enough water height to overcome the obstruction (filter or check valve) and suitably supply the pump. Google NPSH.

 

[scottinsydney]

Try operation with the water fill cap removed. You may have a blocked water tank air vent and are building up a vacuum inside the tank. When you hit 60 galloins, the pump can pump no more.

 

[Hat4Shay]

Ok. I'm going to check all of these things and report back!

FYI, I put in a new 4.8 gallon accumulator tank... but pump comes on the moment I turn on water, so I don't think it's doing much.

But, wouldn't that offset any tiny leaks?

thanks!!!
Shay

 

[SKYCHENEY]

What is the pressure in the bladder of the pressure tank? With pump pressure at zero, check the tank. It should be set at the same as the cut-in pressure of your pump.

 

[Hat4Shay]

pressure is 40psi, but no water in it... not sure why. I haven't had a chance to figure it out. I've been a little distracted this week, sorry. The Windlass Saga if finally coming to an end, got the bimini top on, got the old name almost off, replaced my 7 step stair with an 8 step, but had to get the doohickey on the back replaced because it didn't fit my boat, and all kinds of things

I'm going to focus on tank next week. I'll report back.

What is the pressure in the bladder of the pressure tank? With pump pressure at zero, check the tank. It should be set at the same as the cut-in pressure of your pump.

 

[Sadey]

Most accumulator tanks, have a static pressure of 35 psi give or take. So if you’ve relieved all of the water pressure and you’re using an air pressure gauge at the top of your accumulator and reading 40 psi, that’s what it should be.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Most accumulator tanks, have a static pressure of 35 psi give or take. So if you’ve relieved all of the water pressure and you’re using an air pressure gauge at the top of your accumulator and reading 40 psi, that’s what it should be.

The static pressure of the tank must be the same as the cut-in pressure of the pump to prevent short cycling.