More Johnson pump woes, what the hell is going on?

[stuhaynes]

16 months ago I replaced our crappy Shurflo fresh water pump for a new Johnson 42 PSI 24 volt one, which comes with a 3 year warranty. After 12 months the pressure switch failed causing our 4 BAR calorifier pressure relief valve to blow repeatedly. I sent it back and the pump was replaced with a new one. Last week, the new pump stopped working (just over 3 months old) and we had to send that one back as well. Our marinas suppliers had returned the original pump with a new pressure switch (but not fitted it) so we were given loan of this old pump, to which I fitted the new switch, Now, just a few days later, this pump won't work unless I bash it!

What on earth is going on? The original pump was returned to the marina. Surely it should have been returned to the manufacturer. The marina's supplier clearly hadn't tested the pump. If they had they would have realised that its motor had been damaged by being forced to work at better than 60 PSI due to the faulty switch.

Is it possible to buy a pump that 'does what it says on the tin'? Or are we stuck in a spiral of cheap Chinese (or similar pinch penny) ****?

Not happy.

 

[vyv_cox]

Is it possible to buy a pump that 'does what it says on the tin'? Or are we stuck in a spiral of cheap Chinese (or similar pinch penny) ****?

I'm surprised you found the Shurflo to be 'crappy'. My domestic water pump was one of theirs, it lasted almost 25 years but became very noisy, presumably due to bearing wear. My original fridge circulation pump was also a Shurflo, installed second-hand and ran semi-continously for six months of the year for about five years. I replaced it with the small Par Max 1 because I thought I would save power, but actually I found the consumption of both pumps to be far less than the fridge draws, so of no consequence. Both Par Max 1 and the 1.9 that replaced the domestic pump seem to be coping well.

 

[stuhaynes]

I'm surprised you found the Shurflo to be 'crappy'. My domestic water pump was one of theirs, it lasted almost 25 years but became very noisy, presumably due to bearing wear. My original fridge circulation pump was also a Shurflo, installed second-hand and ran semi-continously for six months of the year for about five years. I replaced it with the small Par Max 1 because I thought I would save power, but actually I found the consumption of both pumps to be far less than the fridge draws, so of no consequence. Both Par Max 1 and the 1.9 that replaced the domestic pump seem to be coping well.

I think part of our problem is that our pump is used every day, rather than just weekends and holidays etc. We've gone through 4 pressure switches this year. We're 24 volts so I can't imagine the problem being due to the amperage through the switch.

Maybe it's simply a case of Johnson penny pinching on the switches and relying on weekend use by the majority of boaters. I'm really not sure. The warranty on the pump is 3 years and we've had no problem with free replacements. It's more a case of the pump having to be sent back and the inconvenience of not having pumped water for a week or more at a time.

Getting 25 years out of a pump must be magic. Perhaps a case of old manufacturing methods and quality far better than we experience now.

I'm looking at the possibility of an external 'inline' switch but even this is not as straightforward as it sounds as there does not appear to be much info in the specs available. I've been warned off the Whale inline switch. Anyone use one?

 

[Stu Jackson]

We've had a Shurflo that's been working for 25 years. I bought another as a backup, which will probably mean that the OEM will continue to work... If I hadn't...

You might want to consider an accumulator to reduce pump run time.

We're weekenders, too, not liveaboards, but do use the boat for weeks at a time. Haven't had any problems with the Shurflo.

42 psi sounds pretty high, although I haven't looked into the pressure ratings, only the gpms.

The West Marine reviews of the Extreme series pumps are not too good:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...2&subdeptNum=50638&classNum=50639#showReviews

Same for the standard units.

Seems their pressure switches are pretty wonky.

Guess they just don't make 'em like they used to.

Drats.

 

[ccscott49]

Get a proper adjustable pressure switch from ASAP supplies, the industrial jobbie the wee micro switches fitted to all of the regular pumps are ****. You will notice the difference, the old johnson pumps were made in sweden, the two I have (1 spare) are also made in sweden, no problems, but check, because a lot of the new pumps by everybody are made in china, I had four in one year!! Got the johnson from sweden, no prolems in a year so far with continous liveaboard use. One pump runs everything, with an 11 litre accumalator also running at 3 bar, which is the reccommended pressure for this pump.

 

[stuhaynes]

Get a proper adjustable pressure switch from ASAP supplies, the industrial jobbie the wee micro switches fitted to all of the regular pumps are ****. You will notice the difference, the old johnson pumps were made in sweden, the two I have (1 spare) are also made in sweden, no problems, but check, because a lot of the new pumps by everybody are made in china, I had four in one year!! Got the johnson from sweden, no prolems in a year so far with continous liveaboard use. One pump runs everything, with an 11 litre accumalator also running at 3 bar, which is the reccommended pressure for this pump.

This lot is a real pain. Had a look at ASAP Supplies but didn't see an adjustable pressure switch. Also had a look at Stu Jackson's post (and the link), Shurflo is getting some real stick there! Back to your post. It's the typical Chinese cr*p that I want to avoid. All I want is a properly constructed switch that will give me years of trouble free use. Is it too much to ask?

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

I think part of our problem is that our pump is used every day, rather than just weekends and holidays etc. We've gone through 4 pressure switches this year. We're 24 volts so I can't imagine the problem being due to the amperage through the switch.

Maybe it's simply a case of Johnson penny pinching on the switches and relying on weekend use by the majority of boaters. I'm really not sure. The warranty on the pump is 3 years and we've had no problem with free replacements. It's more a case of the pump having to be sent back and the inconvenience of not having pumped water for a week or more at a time.

Getting 25 years out of a pump must be magic. Perhaps a case of old manufacturing methods and quality far better than we experience now.

I'm looking at the possibility of an external 'inline' switch but even this is not as straightforward as it sounds as there does not appear to be much info in the specs available. I've been warned off the Whale inline switch. Anyone use one?

Is your pump supply through a relay?
C_W

 

[Paul1962]

I Have used Jabsco pumps with excellent results over the years - Cleghorn Waring would be my preferred supplier.
Not cheap but it actually does "do what it says on the tin" - reliably

 

[Strathglass]

I went for an in line separate adjustable pressure switch when the original built in one failed.

It has now lasted a couple of years.

I think it is a whale switch.

 

[nedmin]

I,ve used Flojet for the last 20 odd years with no probs, and quiet too.

 

[stuhaynes]

Is your pump supply through a relay?
C_W

No, it's straight through a 10 amp fuse. What difference would a relay make?

I Have used Jabsco pumps with excellent results over the years - Cleghorn Waring would be my preferred supplier.
Not cheap but it actually does "do what it says on the tin" - reliably

I looked at Jabsco, but I've still got more than a years guarantee left on the Johnson. I'm happy enough with the pump if only I can sort out the switching.

I went for an in line separate adjustable pressure switch when the original built in one failed.

It has now lasted a couple of years.

I think it is a whale switch.

When I looked at the Whale switch I couldn't find specs about the pressure range. The Johnson is 42PSI which is more than the more general 30PSI. In fairness I've not emailed Whale yet to see if their switch is adjustable in the 25PSI to 42PSI range. Must do that.

I,ve used Flojet for the last 20 odd years with no probs, and quiet too.

From replies I've received to this post so far, it appears that the older pumps are much more reliable. They probably didn't use the Chinese garbage that's so common today.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

I suspect Stu that you get reliability problems to varying degrees with a lot of kit. Yachting equipment wont be built for liveaboard use because liveaboards are only a small part of the market and the average yottie using his boat for maybe 30 full days out of 365 wants cheap.

 

[stuhaynes]

I suspect Stu that you get reliability problems to varying degrees with a lot of kit. Yachting equipment wont be built for liveaboard use because liveaboards are only a small part of the market and the average yottie using his boat for maybe 30 full days out of 365 wants cheap.

I appreciate what you're saying, but there are thousands of people that spend all their time on boats. I'm looking for a price compromise myself but feel very bitter about our reduction of standards to meet a price. We export our jobs to China and the like and then rely (in the US case for sure, and many more countries too, I'm sure) on the Far East investing the money, that we've exported to them, back into our own countries. World domination through through the back door, a combination of our own greed for profits and national stupidity.

I still need to find a switch that will work. Our last pressure switch died after 7 DAYS! The previous one lasted 4 WEEKS! On that basis the average Yottie would have to replace their pump, or switch, once, or maybe twice a season. Is that considered acceptable? I don't think so... Whoops... rant over (for now)

As someone said on this forum.. "I'll get me coat"

 

[Whale Pumps]

Hi Stuart,

My names Sheila and I work at Whale Pumps. I've just had a look through the issues you're having and have spoken to my colleague in the technical support team. It would be great if you could give us a call at your convenience and we could talk through your system and try and get something sorted for you.

The problem could be the pump is maybe too big for your system and therefore cycling which would be burning out the micro-switch each time however we'd need to talk to you about different aspects of your system to verify this.

If you want to give us a call on 028 9127 0531 between 8am and 5pm and ask for Simon McFarland he'll be able to help you - if he's not about, ask for myself (Sheila Roberts) and we'll help you as best we can! If you can't call, email us on info@whalepumps.com, mark it for my attention and I'll make sure we answer you as soon as possible.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Sheila