Shower Pump Problem

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abraxus

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Most of the time my shower waste pump works ok, but occasionally it makes all the right noises but doesn't pump anything out.

On those occasions, if I go outside, take a hose, and squirt some water up the outlet, then it gets going again, and once it does it's fine. However, each shower is a lottery, never knowing whether the pump will start pumping, or whether I have to nip out and fire the hose at it to get it going.

So, can anyone throw some suggestions at me as to what the problem might be and how I can go about fixing it. If it helps it's a Flojet diaphragm pump.

Many thanks.
 
I am sure you have thought of it - but does the system have an in line filter - it probably should before the pump and if so have you checked the wire carrier is really clean and not blocked with hair (which can be difficult to see through the plastic bowl).

Otherwise it is as suggested before or some other blockage somewhere in the pipe that the jet of water partially dislodges.

Hair is a pain and I find I need to clean my filters regularly.
 
From the symptoms described the pump is failing to prime, and gets going once some water is put into it by the hose. As others have said a shower pump needs a filter in the pipe from shower tray to pump, otherwise hair or other debris will get into it and hold one or more valves open, causing failure.
 
ip485 said:
I am sure you have thought of it - but does the system have an in line filter - it probably should before the pump and if so have you checked the wire carrier is really clean and not blocked with hair (which can be difficult to see through the plastic bowl).

Otherwise it is as suggested before or some other blockage somewhere in the pipe that the jet of water partially dislodges.

Hair is a pain and I find I need to clean my filters regularly.
Click to expand...

With my son's long hair I have to clear out the shower pump filter about every two weeks!

Richard
 
Thanks for the answers so far.

I did at first think of a blockage so had previously taken the pump apart and all seemed fine and clean. There's also a strainer/filter between the shower tray and pump and I took that apart and cleaned it too, so both pump and filter are clean, and no apparent block in pipes as it works fine once it gets going.

As noted, it is on occasion failing to prime, and its only by squirting water into the outlet side of the pump that gets it going again.
 
The shower sump on my last boat required a contortionist aboard to get to it. I would pour a bottle of Poundshop drain clearing chemical in once each year and leave it to soak for several hours, then a thorough rinse through. Never had to take the pump or float apart to physically clean it using this method.

It was necessary to remove the power supply fuse to stop the pump cutting in.
 
I had a similar problem which was caused by an airlock building up in the pipe. I used to slap my foot down on the drain in the shower floor as if using my foot as a sink plunger and that always 'blew' it through and it would be fine again for a while.
 
Diaphragm pumps should always prime, they can draw air up to a height of a couple of metres. Back flushing does nothing to a working diaphragm pump because the valves are closed. If back flushing results in water passing through the pump the implication is that there is debris in the valves, given that once this is done the pump work properly. Perhaps a better suction strainer is the answer?
 
David2452 said:
Fit a Whale gulper shower pump and this kind of thing is a distant memory, they will pump anything including a mixture of air and water, hair, debris etc.
Click to expand...

The Whale gulper is the worst pump I ever bought. It has a plastic worm wheel driven by a plain steel worm on the motor shaft. Guess what: The worm rusts, then it grinds away the plastic wheel. I would suggest the Jabsco equivalent.
I have this sort, which are as old as the 1998 boat and still going strong, though I did fit a replacement valve kit about 8 years ago. http://www.jabscoshop.com/marine/pu...12-self-priming-diaphragm-pump-12-volt-dc.htm Jabsco have a new, cheaper model. I have not seen inside one, but do not think that Jabsco would make the same mistake with materials as the Whale Gulper. http://www.jabscoshop.com/marine/pu...00-self-priming-diaphragm-pump-12-volt-dc.htm
 
vyv_cox said:
Diaphragm pumps should always prime, they can draw air up to a height of a couple of metres. Back flushing does nothing to a working diaphragm pump because the valves are closed. If back flushing results in water passing through the pump the implication is that there is debris in the valves, given that once this is done the pump work properly. Perhaps a better suction strainer is the answer?
Click to expand...
Bilge pumps often don't.
Sometimes the valves won't seal unless wet.
Rubber valves often get worse with age.
A tiny bit of crud will stop them pumping air.

Top tip, prime pump before showering!
 
lw395 said:
Bilge pumps often don't.
Sometimes the valves won't seal unless wet.
Rubber valves often get worse with age.
A tiny bit of crud will stop them pumping air.
Click to expand...

Your bilge pumps must be pretty poor then. One of mine is 30 years old on the original valves. The other is about 20 years old and kept dry beneath the saloon sole. Neither of them ever fails to prime, the first used regularly and the second tested occasionally.
 
Norman_E said:
The Whale gulper is the worst pump I ever bought. It has a plastic worm wheel driven by a plain steel worm on the motor shaft. Guess what: The worm rusts, then it grinds away the plastic wheel. I would suggest the Jabsco equivalent.
I have this sort, which are as old as the 1998 boat and still going strong, though I did fit a replacement valve kit about 8 years ago. http://www.jabscoshop.com/marine/pu...12-self-priming-diaphragm-pump-12-volt-dc.htm Jabsco have a new, cheaper model. I have not seen inside one, but do not think that Jabsco would make the same mistake with materials as the Whale Gulper. http://www.jabscoshop.com/marine/pu...00-self-priming-diaphragm-pump-12-volt-dc.htm
Click to expand...

Well, despite your opinion, every live aboard customer I have without exception (dozens) would have nothing else and use them on a daily basis all year round, all the service I have to do is an occasional service kit at £25 + time, live aboards are always my yardstick for reliability and service life of a product, as are multiple reports, I usually ignore single opinioons apart from as part of a larger sample, I have mentally added your lone dissent to the numerous positive opinions but it doesn't really dilute the results much.
 
David2452 said:
Well, despite your opinion, every live aboard customer I have without exception (dozens) would have nothing else and use them on a daily basis all year round, all the service I have to do is an occasional service kit at £25 + time, live aboards are always my yardstick for reliability and service life of a product, as are multiple reports, I usually ignore single opinioons apart from as part of a larger sample, I have mentally added your lone dissent to the numerous positive opinions but it doesn't really dilute the results much.
Click to expand...

Both pumps I mention above are Whale, one Gulper and the other something else. Excellent kit, extensively used.
 
David2452 said:
Fit a Whale gulper shower pump and this kind of thing is a distant memory, they will pump anything including a mixture of air and water, hair, debris etc.
Click to expand...

Another vote for the Whale Gulper. I have one, connected to the Gulley IC shower drain, and it automatically switches on and off whenever water is sensed. Excellent product.
 
vyv_cox said:
Your bilge pumps must be pretty poor then. One of mine is 30 years old on the original valves. The other is about 20 years old and kept dry beneath the saloon sole. Neither of them ever fails to prime, the first used regularly and the second tested occasionally.
Click to expand...

Not mine, seen plenty of other people's though.

Often if a pump won't prime, holding your hand over the outlet as another non return makes the difference.
Shower waste pump might suffer from detergent and soap affecting the rubber?
 
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