Water pump stops working mid shower

Whitelighter

Whitelighter

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 Apr 2005
Messages
13,977
Location
Looking out of the window
Visit site
Assuming the boat ran out of water, should the pump start again once the tank is refilled?
I assumed they all self prone but now the boat is full of water the pumps are silent and no water is flowing.

What would the process be to prime them?
 
Whitelighter said:
Assuming the boat ran out of water, should the pump start again once the tank is refilled?
I assumed they all self prone but now the boat is full of water the pumps are silent and no water is flowing.

What would the process be to prime them?
Click to expand...

If the pump is silent ie not running I would start by checking the power supply to it.
 
Most work as 'normally on' unless the local pressure switch turns them off, so they overrun if they run out of water. For the multi plunger diaphragm type, e.g. flojet, can run for ages without any harm and will start pumping as soon as water is available.

So assuming you can't hear the pump running sounds like an electrical issue, but if you can hear it whirr nearby then it does sound like it is not priming.

Multi diaphragm are meant to self prime, but if the valves become dry or draw muck such as limescale from the bottom of the tank this can stop them drawing to prime. I would see if there is a removable strainer or hose fitting, if so pour a small qty of water in to wet the seals, re-assemble the fittings removed and see if that sorts it.

If that won't work, strip the multi valve head, clean it and lightly grease the valves with vaseline or silicon grease.
 
Mine pump after running dry, and I need to open and shut a tap a few times to get the water running Jez, so sounds like power supply as Vic says. My Azi has a huuuuge fuse board. Really difficult to navigate. Your boat possibly the same?
 
If you ran dry and there is power to the pump an air lock will stop the self priming. take off the inlet hose and chuck some water down it. Could be electrical but if you did run dry it's a bit coincidental. In the heating and plumbing business coincidences are rare, similar systems just this one floats. Should be a pre filter as well.
 
Whitelighter said:
both pumps
Click to expand...
I don't think twin fresh water pumps was a standard setup in your boat, did you possibly add the second one yourself?

Regardless - and as an aside vs. the main subject, I'd strongly recommend to fit a "T" connection wherever your transom shower is, and use it as a direct dock feed.
This way, when docked, you'll always have clean water without even needing to turn on the onboard pump(s), and without passing through the tank. Best thing since sliced bread, and cheap too.
Why most builders, Ferretti included, don't do that, God only knows.
 
MapisM said:
I don't think twin fresh water pumps was a standard setup in your boat, did you possibly add the second one yourself?

Regardless - and as an aside vs. the main subject, I'd strongly recommend to fit a "T" connection wherever your transom shower is, and use it as a direct dock feed.
This way, when docked, you'll always have clean water without even needing to turn on the onboard pump(s), and without passing through the tank. Best thing since sliced bread, and cheap too.
Why most builders, Ferretti included, don't do that, God only knows.
Click to expand...
i deliberately didn't spec that Mapism. If you get a pipe joint failure you can sink your boat. I prefer to fill the tank every few days while berthed. Each to their own on this of course
 
MapisM said:
I don't think twin fresh water pumps was a standard setup in your boat, did you possibly add the second one yourself?

Regardless - and as an aside vs. the main subject, I'd strongly recommend to fit a "T" connection wherever your transom shower is, and use it as a direct dock feed.
This way, when docked, you'll always have clean water without even needing to turn on the onboard pump(s), and without passing through the tank. Best thing since sliced bread, and cheap too.
Why most builders, Ferretti included, don't do that, God only knows.
Click to expand...

What prob are trying to solve ?
I, am with JFm on this -unless there is regulator for the pressure @ visiting marinas you could blow a joint
Aside I like to run through ALL the pipes via the tank which has a anti bug tab in .
You can always find a reason ( washing ) to get the hose out and top up
Btw when it's really hot folks after hosing the boat tend to use the shore hose direct on them selves
At the end of good run

Legionella thrives at body temp 37 so it's best IMHO to where poss use the tank suitably dosed
A transom connecter
means you will be permanently connected to an infected system full of stagnant dead ends .
Dead ends are lines where these no flow on your jetty .

Top tip wash your boat 1st to clean the hose then fill the tank use a proprietary disinfectant
Avoid a permanent marina connection --- on a sunny day
 
jfm said:
i deliberately didn't spec that Mapism. If you get a pipe joint failure you can sink your boat. I prefer to fill the tank every few days while berthed. Each to their own on this of course
Click to expand...
Yeah, even if I said "God knows...", I'm well aware that builders who don't do that justify the choice based on your argument - though you'll forgive me for thinking that it has more to see (from the builders viewpoint) with avoiding potential product liabilities on that, because they assume that boaters could:
1) leave the boat docked unattended for ages with the shore water supply open, but electricity disconnected (hence no battery charger);
2) run out ot battery after bilge pump(s) are running to empty the water leaked inside;
3) have no remote alarm warning them (or their crew) of water coming onboard.
In a nutshell, builders expect that boaters could do what I'm sure you (and probably most asylum members) would never do... :D

Just curious though, when you say you didn't spec that, do you mean that it was standard on theSq78 and you de-specced it?
Can't remember to have seen it on the few FLs I checked out during my search (Sq55/58).
And neither on other Brit boats, or also mainstream IT builders, for that matter.
The only exception I can think of being Cranchi - in fact, it's no coincidence that I've always had that in my boats, since I saw it on theirs.
Imho, it's a VERY nice to have feature, when you liveaboard for months (also off-season), as I do.
But yup, each to their own, obviously! :encouragement:
 
Portofino said:
What prob are trying to solve ?
Click to expand...
LOL, obviously we can add Itama to the list of builders who do NOT fit a straight dock connection, I reckon. :p
Have you got a tank at home which you keep filled, and do you throw tabs in it before actually using the water?

Ref. pressure regulator, yep, of course there is one right behind the dock connection, whenever existing.
That's what I fitted in my old tub (which was also built without a dock connection), and what also BartW fitted when he did the same in BA.
Coming to think of it, I can't think of anyone else who followed my suggestion (which we already discussed in the past)... But heyho! :cool:
 
House water is cold under ground and sanitised and has a type 2 air gap -ballcock at the tank

Marina pontoon
Warm -hot - 37 degrees body temp -- yuk
Every permanent connected via transom plug and hose left on jetty are all physically linked .
In theory a shitty toilet fitting in your neighbours transom connected boat , microorganisms could spread to you --- as there is no air gap
All of you ( perm connect ) are linked

Houses have an air gap - so no worries if Typhoid Mary lives next door
Any ways google Legionella and think about marina hoses
 
Portofino said:
House water is cold under ground and sanitised and has a type 2 air gap -ballcock at the tank


Houses have an air gap - so no worries if Typhoid Mary lives next door
Click to expand...

eh?? they don't.
Most modern installs are mains pressure. You are thinking of the cold storage tank for your sanitary installation. Your kitchen tap cold feed definitley has 'no air gap'.

However, although my last boat had a 'T' it also had a big notice warning not to leave it unattended. I too would prefer to fill the tank, as a leak on the boat will bring down a bit more than the house ceiling....
 
Last edited:
lambohill said:
eh?? they don't.
Click to expand...
Thanks for confirming that.
You saved me the time of trying to explain PF that after his explanations I'm struggling even more to understand the differences between a home and a boat... :D

Anyway. All of us have got to die of something, if for me it will be legionella, so be it.
But if I should bet, I fear it's more likely that my liver will explode because of wine, well before I'll get sick because of fresh water.... :rolleyes:
 
Ok guys only part of the house has an air Gap
But all of it is cool below gnd
Where as marina pontoon is water is nearest
Body temp and the plumbing full of stagnant " dead ends " festering in the sun
 
Portofino said:
Ok guys only part of the house has an air Gap
But all of it is cool below gnd
Where as marina pontoon is water is nearest
Body temp and the plumbing full of stagnant " dead ends " festering in the sun
Click to expand...

Fair enough! Let's get away from the plumbing stuff!

I've been unexpectedly once again in la napoule Mr Porto! And it is lovely ��
Here until tomorrow pm. Really nice.
 
MapisM said:
Thanks for confirming that.
You saved me the time of trying to explain PF that after his explanations I'm struggling even more to understand the differences between a home and a boat... :D

Anyway. All of us have got to die of something, if for me it will be legionella, so be it.
But if I should bet, I fear it's more likely that my liver will explode because of wine, well before I'll get sick because of fresh water.... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Yep, I reckon legionnaires least of our worries!
Water v wine, we are going biblical here ! And the water was always on the good guys side....

Anyway I hope to not offend PF as I'm ia napoule and its. V nice spot����
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top