fresh water pump

teamivey · 11-02-2006, 10:16

We ran out of fresh water, and when we refilled the tank,(we forgot to turn pump off) we were beset with air in the lines. Mostly the hot water lines. I figured there was air in the hot water tank and so we added water to tank and ran water through the sinks to clear air, but the air pockes always seem to come back eventually. Also we overfilled the water tank when this happened. Now we can't figure out how to get all the air out. Any ideas?

**GordMay** · 11-02-2006, 11:09

It can take a very long time to pump air out through the the entire plumbing sysem to the sink faucet.
This is why it’s a good idea to install a drain valve immediately downstream of the pump. Put a “T” in the line, with a valve on the un-used leg. Open the valve and pump till water runs air-free & solid.
Otherwise, just keep pumping.

Talbot · 11-02-2006, 11:10

my system flushes the air quite satisfactorily. If you have one that doesnt then it is certain that there is a very high point in the system somewhere. Identify it and put an air bleed there.

Alan Wheeler · 11-02-2006, 11:25

You over filled the water tank??? Do you mean the hot water tank?? I wouldn't have thought that a problem anyway.

SG · 11-02-2006, 11:30

I assume that you have good pressure? I assume that the cold water is pumping fine? I assume that you don't have a problem with your pressure accumlator tank? I assume that you don't have leak in your plumbing lines?

Then, my guess is that you just need to allow the pump to do it's thing. I'd open the farthest valve/faucet in each branch of your system: first the cold, then the hot. You should just open the valves a bit. You want to allow the system to purge itself. After you have the farthest point, then I'l do the same with any intermiate locatons.

Do or did you get spurts or "burps" when you do this?

Is your pressure shut-off switch cycling?

Richhh · 11-02-2006, 12:22

Try 'bleeding' the hot water heater. Easy to do: just pull the lever on the 'safety valve' until all the air escapes.

StoutWench · 11-02-2006, 14:49

We have had the same problem. I have a filter on the pressure side of the pump. It has a air bleed on it. All we have to do is push the bleed valve for a few minutes and this takes care of the problem.

Roger

NoTies · 11-02-2006, 20:37

A trick I have used successfully in the past is to unscrew a shower rose, put my thumb over the outlet and turn on both faucets. If the hot water system is running at a lower pressure than the cold (common on a lot of systems) this forces water back through the pipework. I can't explain where the air goes, it just seems to work.

11-02-2006, 10:16	#1
teamivey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: portland oregon Boat: 1972 37' irwin center cockpit Posts: 26	fresh water pump We ran out of fresh water, and when we refilled the tank,(we forgot to turn pump off) we were beset with air in the lines. Mostly the hot water lines. I figured there was air in the hot water tank and so we added water to tank and ran water through the sinks to clear air, but the air pockes always seem to come back eventually. Also we overfilled the water tank when this happened. Now we can't figure out how to get all the air out. Any ideas?

11-02-2006, 11:09	#2
GordMay Administrator Site Administrator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 9,337 Images: 230	It can take a very long time to pump air out through the the entire plumbing sysem to the sink faucet. This is why it’s a good idea to install a drain valve immediately downstream of the pump. Put a “T” in the line, with a valve on the un-used leg. Open the valve and pump till water runs air-free & solid. Otherwise, just keep pumping. __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - "Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"

11-02-2006, 11:10	#3
Talbot Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stavanger, Norway Boat: Last boat was a Catalac 9m Hi-Jude Posts: 2,026 Images: 23	my system flushes the air quite satisfactorily. If you have one that doesnt then it is certain that there is a very high point in the system somewhere. Identify it and put an air bleed there. __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors - and miss." Robert A Heinlein

11-02-2006, 11:25	#4
Alan Wheeler Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Marlborough Sounds. New Zealand Boat: Hartley Tahitian 45ft. Leisure Lady Posts: 8,044 Images: 102	You over filled the water tank??? Do you mean the hot water tank?? I wouldn't have thought that a problem anyway. __________________ Wheels For God so loved the world..........He didn't send a committee.

11-02-2006, 11:30	#5
SG Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD (USA) Boat: J/160 #12 Posts: 52 Images: 6	The rules of plumbing aren't very complicated I assume that you have good pressure? I assume that the cold water is pumping fine? I assume that you don't have a problem with your pressure accumlator tank? I assume that you don't have leak in your plumbing lines? Then, my guess is that you just need to allow the pump to do it's thing. I'd open the farthest valve/faucet in each branch of your system: first the cold, then the hot. You should just open the valves a bit. You want to allow the system to purge itself. After you have the farthest point, then I'l do the same with any intermiate locatons. Do or did you get spurts or "burps" when you do this? Is your pressure shut-off switch cycling? __________________ [img] http://www.cruisersforum.com/attachments/gallery/1/5/9/3/DSCN0247-8x12_315367.jpg [/img]

11-02-2006, 12:22	#6
Richhh Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Boat: Tayana 37, M-20/I-20 Scow Posts: 249	Try 'bleeding' the hot water heater. Easy to do: just pull the lever on the 'safety valve' until all the air escapes.

11-02-2006, 14:49	#7
StoutWench Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Boat: Brewer 42 Posts: 29	Filter? We have had the same problem. I have a filter on the pressure side of the pump. It has a air bleed on it. All we have to do is push the bleed valve for a few minutes and this takes care of the problem. Roger __________________ StoutWench Brewer 42

11-02-2006, 20:37	#8
NoTies Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bayswater, Auckland NZ Boat: Whiting 29' extended "Nightcap" Posts: 606 Images: 2	A trick I have used successfully in the past is to unscrew a shower rose, put my thumb over the outlet and turn on both faucets. If the hot water system is running at a lower pressure than the cold (common on a lot of systems) this forces water back through the pipework. I can't explain where the air goes, it just seems to work. __________________ Pete Positively, socially deviant.

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