Fresh Water System

[BobFord]

I would appreciate feedback on a recurring problem.

My freshwater reticulation is powered by a Whale Universal Pressure Pump. 24volt and installed as per Whale's rec. layout.

Over the past few years I have had 3 pump failures. Each time water is passing thro. the seal in to the motor.

There is a washing machine on the system and my thoughts are , " can this appliance create excessive backpressure ?"

I target the washing machine because everything else , sink, hot water service etc. is very common.

[RainDog]

You could try putting a check valve before the washer/dryer and see if that fixed the problem. A more expensive way would be to hook up a pressure gauge and the test to see what is creating excessive pressure.

[Dsanduril]

I would suspect water hammer caused by rapid closing of the washing machine valve(s). This could lead to considerable short-term transient pressure spikes. Really depends on the size, capability, and location of your pressure accumulator whether this can absorb the pressure spikes, or if they are getting transmitted to the pump.

You can install a water hammer arrestor right at the washing machine to try and reduce any spikes.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

I would suspect water hammer caused by rapid closing of the washing machine valve(s). This could lead to considerable short-term transient pressure spikes. Really depends on the size, capability, and location of your pressure accumulator whether this can absorb the pressure spikes, or if they are getting transmitted to the pump.

You can install a water hammer arrestor right at the washing machine to try and reduce any spikes.

I'm going with this answer.

The washing machine solenoid shuts the water off pretty much instantly, unlike turning the water off manually. One instant the water pump Is happily pumping away and the next instant there's no place for the water to go.

[BobFord]

I much appreciate the comments , Sailors ! It seems logical that the washing machine is the cause of hydraulic pressure spikes.

[Whitebread117]

+1 on washing machine - not at all uncommon to get water hammer from them. Also (since this is not a small boat) do you have a dish washer? Dishwashers are notorious for creating water hammer.

Hammer arrestors near all solenoid actuated valves will buffer the spikes. Also a small pressure tank just downstream of the pump will both help buffer spikes and also keep the pump from cycling on/off so often, increasing the life expectancy of the pump.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Whitebread117

+1 on washing machine - not at all uncommon to get water hammer from them. Also (since this is not a small boat) do you have a dish washer? Dishwashers are notorious for creating water hammer.



Hammer arrestors near all solenoid actuated valves will buffer the spikes. Also a small pressure tank just downstream of the pump will both help buffer spikes and also keep the pump from cycling on/off so often, increasing the life expectancy of the pump.

You should have an expansion vessel in the system and this should be handling this.

Ps I'm not a fan of that whale pump


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by BobFord

I would appreciate feedback on a recurring problem.



My freshwater reticulation is powered by a Whale Universal Pressure Pump. 24volt and installed as per Whale's rec. layout.



Over the past few years I have had 3 pump failures. Each time water is passing thro. the seal in to the motor.



There is a washing machine on the system and my thoughts are , " can this appliance create excessive backpressure ?"



I target the washing machine because everything else , sink, hot water service etc. is very common.

Maybe not use the same pump brand?
If your using Whale all the time ,maybe a defective model.
You probably know this already.


Sent from my iPad SV Cloud Duster

[BobFord]

Update on the Whale pump problem. I had willing feedback from Whale in Ireland. My problem seemed to be a surprise to them !? Perhaps few boats have washing machines ? My boat has a woman on board , so a washing machine , dishwasher and iron are compulsory. Back to the story- Whale rec. a surge suppressor and a non return valve in the cold supply to dishwasher and ditto to w. machine. I have to agree , but am sorry that they didn't recognise the potential problem sooner ! On the bright side , Whale did replace the first 3 pumps. A separate circuit has a sim. pump fuelling 3 heads and this is the original , 3 years old .Gotta be the appliances? Thanks for input , Guys .