Water Pump Kicking on Too Frequently

[nknowland]

we replaced the fresh water pump (shurflow) about 2 months ago. and installed a new water tank a month ago.

Just today, the water pump has started to kick in every 30 seconds or so. we see no water seepage, the strainer is clear, no dripping at the faucets, the water heater is bone dry.

Any ideas? could it be a faulty water pump?

[capngeo]

Check the check-valve?

[skipmac]

If you don't see leaks, no extra water appearing in the bilges, then the system is probably loosing pressure somehow. So look for a check valve that holds pressure in the lines and prevents leakage back into the pump and tank. This may be integrated in the pump itself.

If that isn't it, look at the pressure switch in the pump.

[nknowland]

thanks for these suggestions. we don't have a check valve on the intake line to the pump (it's all internal). it's a small 2.8 gal/min diaphram pump.

Will check the pressure switch on the pump.

could there be any connection with the new water tank installation?

[boatman61]

What they said... in my case its invariably been a small leak that can be so infinitesimal the water in the bilge, if any, could be discounted as condensation

[foamcore]

Sounds like the pump has an internal leak

[skipmac]

Test the system to see if it is losing pressure. Turn it on, let the pump run til the pressure switch cuts it off, then turn power off to the pump. Wait a few minutes then turn on the water to see if it is still pressurized. If not, you are losing pressure, either by water leaking out of a faucet or fitting somewhere or by leaking back through the pump back to the tank.

This problem is on the high pressure side of the sytem, the water tank is on the low pressure side so would not be a direct cause. If the installation of the new tank involved disconnecting hoses, pumps, lines etc then the new tank could be a indirect cause of the problem.

[zeehag]

when the pump for fresh water keeps cycling, there is a leak somewhere in the system. check ALL your hose clamps and double hem if not already done. check all hoses for integrity. if you have a cat(feline) and kat is sitting next to a certain area always, look there first, then go from there--i had a spraying leak under head sink and kat found that-- hissed. he heard it, showed me where that noise came from then i was able to fix it.
i donot leave my fresh water pump on constantly. i turn it on when i need to use it--saves pump and tankage in event of a leak.

[PamlicoTraveler]

This may not be a leak of water...It can be a leak of air into the system at one of the fittings.

[Mark Johnson]

Plastic "qt sized" accumulator tanks, common on most small boats, are TOO small! (USELESS)

You need a common household 2 gal model, like sold at Lowes. These have a car tire type valve to preinflate the interior bladder with a small bicycle pump. (With no water pressure on the hoses, pump off, and all taps open), pump the bladder to about 35 pounds. (Repeat the above process every 6 months, or when the pump cycles more than usual).

With a tank set up like above, you get several quarts of water between cycles, it is less annoying, and the pump last much longer.

Mark

[SvenG]

Originally Posted by nknowland

and installed a new water tank a month ago.

If the installation caused debris in the water one of those may have lodged in the check valve.



-Sven

[drgamble]

One other place to check is your water heater, if you have one. I had the pressure relief valve go out on mine a couple of weeks ago. I have a variable speed pressure pump and noticed that it kept cycling every few minutes. After checking all the faucets and lines I found the leak coming from the pressure relief valve on the Raritan water heater.

[SvenG]

Originally Posted by drgamble

After checking all the faucets and lines I found the leak coming from the pressure relief valve on the Raritan water heater.

I have that same problem, on a Raritan. Until I found it I thought I had gunk in the checkvalve.

How did you solve your leak ?



-Sven

[SkiprJohn]

If you already have an accumulator tank such as Mark pictured it may have lost pressure. Get out your tire gauge and check the pressure according to the manufacture's specifics and pump a little air in there with a bike pump. Usually 20 to 25 psi with small system. Pump air in it after you've turned off your pump and let the pressure off the system by running a bit of water.
kind regards,

[drgamble]

Originally Posted by SvenG

I have that same problem, on a Raritan. Until I found it I thought I had gunk in the checkvalve.

How did you solve your leak ?



-Sven

I'll be at the boat this weekend and the plan is to replace the relief valve (it's a standard $15 releif valve from the hardware store). It has become my understanding that they should be replaced with age. Another common cause for their failure is sediment/debris that will naturally occur in the water heater tank. I used a standard wrench and couldn't get it to budge but this time I'll be armed with some PB Blaster and a plumber's wrench. Sorry for any thread drift... but after doing my own research the problem seams fairly common and will result in your pump running erratically.