Fresh Water pressure pump won't switch off

[Chris_Robb]

Fresh Water pressure pump won\'t switch off

I have a Whale pressure pump fitted (on a Westerly Oceanlord), which will not shut down when up to pressure.

I replaced the pressure switch (Whale sent the part FOC by return of post - great service!) but it is not that.

The pressure system also has a foot pump by the galley which is in the pressure side of the system. This allows you to pump from the galley manually enabling water both hot and cold from any tap in the boat. When the system has pressurised there is a serious hissing noise from this pump.

Is there a non return valve anywhere in these system? there must be something to keep the pressure in the system.

Where is the excess pressure going as the pump does not blow the relief valve on the calorifier?

Any ideas?

 

[boatbuilder]

Re: Fresh Water pressure pump won\'t switch off

Possible hole in the diaphram of the foot pump or accumulator?

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Fresh Water pressure pump won\'t switch off

Accumulator is a simple expansion chamber - so that should not be a problem. Yes I am suspicious of the foot pump and will remove it next weekend once I have a connecting piece of pipe to keep the system water tight.

There is absolutley no water into the bilges.

I was curious to understand where the non return valve is situated. I have presumes it was in the electric pump. But then the foot pump is situated before that in the circuit from the tank, so perhaps it has a non return valve which is buggered.

 

[philip_stevens]

Re: Fresh Water pressure pump won\'t switch off

There should be a non-return valve in the system between the outlet from the footpump, and the T in the pipe to the tap - probably the cold tap.

If things did work before, then it could be the non-return valve is allowing water to pass in the wrong direction - going into the footpump and back to the water tank.

The non-return valves are only 13mm whereas the pipes and pushfit's are 15mm.

See Westerly Owners forum for more information.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Re: Fresh Water pressure pump won\'t switch off

The foot pump inlet and outlet will each have one way valves of some type - otherwise it woudn't pump. If the pump is hissing when the pressure side is up, it's likely that it's allowing water to leak back past both valves into the suction side of the system. Hence no bilge water.

To see if this is the cause of your continual pumping, block the outlet pipe from the foot pump somewhere (you'll probably have to disconnect something, method of blocking depends on pipe type . . .) and see if that allows the electric pump to build up pressure. If it does, foot pump valves are definitely not closing. Investigate foot pump, take piece of string out of pipe . . .

If that line doesn't work, block the outlet from the electric pump to check that it's pressure switch is OK and it's not sucking in some air thru a leak.

Otherwise, search for water in the bilges again!

It might be a strand of weed of course - depends how long since you last cleaned the tank . . . even calcium salt deposits on the valves . . . get the hydochloric acid out.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Fresh Water pressure pump won\'t switch off

Jim - thanks for that. Don't think weed can grow in my tanks - I regularly use bleach in the water.

Anyway, I will try what you suggest, - I suppose, if there is no bolge water, that the pressure is being lost back into the water tanks.

Thanks

 

[cliff]

Re: Fresh Water pressure pump won\'t switch off

It could just be that your pump (the whale) is not building up enough pressure for the trip switch to switch off. This could be due to a valve in the pump leaking or being jammed partly open allowing the pressure side to bleed back.
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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity

 

[beneteau_305_553]

Re: Fresh Water pressure pump won\'t switch off

There is a small diapragm under the pressure switch and a vent connection built into the top of the pump. Strip it all out and make sure no debris anywhere.

I had the same on mine and is now clear. I have added a jabsco filter on the supply line to the pump to prevent it happening again.

The noise from the foot pump is likely to be the seals in the footpump leaking.

Could be you have some debris in the water. My problem was plastic shreds.

 

[pyrojames]

Re: Fresh Water pressure pump won\'t switch off

I am not sure that I quite follow this. Is you foot pump between the tank and the electric pump or the electric pump and the galley? If it is betwee the tank and the electric pump, and hissing when the pump is running, might you have a n air leak into the piump? I have occaissional problems with airlocks in my system that result in the pump running continuously.