How noisy should a water pump be?

[pgtips]

Ever since I've had my boat, I've always thought the water pump on the pressurised water system was quite noisy. There is an accumulator fitted, but the pump appears to run continuously whenever a tap is turned on, which I don't think is right.
The pump is far from quiet and whilst I wouldn't expect it to be silent it does seem to 'hammer' somewhat. How quiet should the system be??

 

[VicS]

Ever since I've had my boat, I've always thought the water pump on the pressurised water system was quite noisy. There is an accumulator fitted, but the pump appears to run continuously whenever a tap is turned on, which I don't think is right.
The pump is far from quiet and whilst I wouldn't expect it to be silent it does seem to 'hammer' somewhat. How quiet should the system be??

Noisy is a fair description of the one in the Westerly used to crew. We had a hand pump as well in the heads so used to use that to avoid waking sleeping crew. Sorry I dont remember the make of pump.

The accumulator will limit the pulsing on and off if a tap is only partly opened. It will still pulse but at longer intervals than it will without. The Westerly did not have an accumulator so the pump cycled on/off rapidly if a tap was partly turned on.

The pump is likely to run continuously if a tap is fully open unless the pump can pump more water than the tap can discharge.

 

[nigelmercier]

Agree with Vic (as usual). I've been planning for some time to replace the rigid pipe work around my pump with flexible, this is supposed to reduce the noise.

 

[vyv_cox]

I replaced my Shurflo some years ago, it was very noisy and had some other problems. The Jabsco that replaced it was far quieter, and still is. I suspect bearing wear in the Shurflo.

If the pump runs continuously when a tap is turned on your accumulator is not working. You could replace your pump and accumulator with one of the latest variable speed pumps that is designed to be quiet.

 

[TradewindSailor]

Before you blame the pump, make sure that it is mounted properly.

The pump should have rubber feet. Some have rubber grommets that can be next to useless if the mounting screws are over-tightened.

If it is mounted mid panel, the panel will vibrate. If the foundation forms an open tube it will also make much more noise.

I have a Surflow Aquaking. It switches on whenever the tap is turned on .... but although it can be heard, it is not obtrusive and it's on 24/7. There is no extra accumulator fitted.

 

[ghostlymoron]

It should only 'hum'. If it's louder, it's probably the bearings as Vyv suggests. The noise can be amplified by the panel it's mounted on. Some pumps can be serviced with new bearings but most can't. Check with the manufacturer if this can be done. Also check the accumulator, these need the air replenishing from time to time especially if they're the non-diaphragm type.

 

[pgtips]

Thanks for all the replies and I guess there's various things I need to look at. The pump certainly does more than 'hum', so something isn't right.

I did wonder about the mounting of the pump, but I think all this might be doing is magnifying the noise that shouldn't be there anyway!

I might have a look at a pump that doesn't require an accumulator.