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Old 09-06-2021, 13:59   #16
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

When I had to replace our circa 2005 Shurflo fresh water pump a few years back I had read about the variable speed pumps and they sounded ideal. We only have a 3-4GPM pump and no accumulator. Doing a bit more research I recall finding a lot of negative comments on the longevity so I just went with a standard Shuflo Aqua King II. It's been fine since. I stuck with Shurflo mainly to make the swap simple. Sorry, I don't have the references handy.



As far as what are the odds? As someone's tag line on here says, "Never let anything mechanical know you are in a hurry".
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Old 09-06-2021, 14:25   #17
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

I stumbled onto cycle stop valves not long ago. Essentially it uses a special valve to make a regular pressure switch well pump become a variable speed pump. It uses pressure to throttle the pump. It's expensive if you buy the set, but you can just get the valve. it would let you use a cheaper regular pump. You can get them to set the valve and pressure switch to the 20-40psi normal boat pressure. I've seen good reviews, but haven't seen anyone use one of these in the forums yet. Normally used for a well pump, very similar to regular boat pumps.

https://cyclestopvalves.com/
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Old 09-06-2021, 14:38   #18
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

When Catalina started making the successor to my C34 boat, the C355, they used Jabsco VSP. Nothing but repeated disasters. Sailorman and nmuir have noted their concerns.


I have a 1986 Shurflo regular pump still works fine, no accumulator.


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Old 09-06-2021, 16:29   #19
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

Variable speed pump on our fourth one, still under warranty, Not worth aggravation or money.
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Old 09-06-2021, 17:24   #20
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

Accumulator and variable speed pump. At least 6 years old. Likely add 5 or more to that. Flawless so far. Click image for larger version

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Old 09-06-2021, 18:08   #21
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

The old Jabsco SensorMax were great, be careful with them. I rebuilt mine until the plastic started disintegrating, they lasted 15 years of full time use (I was alternating between two but using one 75% of the time... they both failed at the same time, indicating it was just age, not wear)

So in my motorhome I have an AquaJet ARV and it’s just as good. I ordered two for the boat and all was great until one started lagging switching on... and it got worse. It was replaced under warranty but a year later the other one started doing it. I bought a Marco pump to replace it (Marco has great rep but pricy) but after a couple months of storage it worked normal again and still does a year later. I guess the threat of being replaced by a competing brand works

I would buy a Marco pump. These are gear pumps, very cool. Go2Marine has the best pricing like here: https://www.go2marine.com/Marco-UP3-...re-Pump-12-24V
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Old 09-06-2021, 18:27   #22
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

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Originally Posted by Dockhead View Post
Anyone have any experience with one of these?

Yes. I had one in my trailer for ten years.


Unfortunately, it would tend to cycle on and off as the variable speed mechanism tried to "chase" the amount of water usage. Start slow, speed up to full speed, shut off, repeat. Sometimes it would get it right and run a slow or medium speed to match water usage, but that was rare.


I think they struggle to find the right speed when there is any sort of elasticity/storage in the water system e.g. pipe/hose that is elastic or a bubble in the calorifier/water heater.


I would not buy another one
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Old 09-06-2021, 20:26   #23
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

I had a variable pump that quit after six months. The reason I did not replace it with another variable is it was too quiet. I want to know when it is running like when someone takes too long a shower or there is a leak. the variable was almost quiet.
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Old 09-06-2021, 21:45   #24
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

Quote:
Originally Posted by hlev00 View Post
When I had to replace our circa 2005 Shurflo fresh water pump a few years back I had read about the variable speed pumps and they sounded ideal. We only have a 3-4GPM pump and no accumulator. Doing a bit more research I recall finding a lot of negative comments on the longevity so I just went with a standard Shuflo Aqua King II. It's been fine since. I stuck with Shurflo mainly to make the swap simple. ".
+1.

I replaced our pump/accumulator tank with a Shurflo Aqua King II about 3 years ago. 1st pump had a factory fault and after calling Shurflo they just sent me a new pump on warranty along with a rebuild kit so the old one is now in spares. 2nd pump is on year 2 with no issues - but they like really clean water (ie. no grit to jam up the small rubber valves). Works well for 2 of us a live aboards.

I would not go back to an accumulator tank.
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Old 09-06-2021, 22:42   #25
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

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How do you get that sort of life from an accumulator?
We got about 3 years from a small jabso one
Replaced it with an 8 litre one from an irrigation shop and the bladder failed after 18mths.

Before that we had a variable speed pump but It didn't last any longer than the standard types.
There must be another factor in this.

We are still using our original accumulator tank - new with the boat in 2012.

A few years ago I decided as the pressure pump was unique on the boat (most other pumps on board, we have several of and could 'borrow' one from another location to get us by), that we should have a spare.
Went for the drop-in replacement variable speed Johnson, and took the original fixed speed out to sit in the box as a spare.

All good, and an improvement (not earth-shattering mind) on the fixed version.
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Old 10-06-2021, 01:30   #26
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

Basically the variable speed pump is just a normal DC driven, multi diaphragm, pump with some sort of electronic variable speed drive rather than just a pressure switch.

It appears from the various posts herein that the operating experience of folks who have tried the VS pumps is either very good or very bad which tends to indicate quality assurance problems with the manufacture. Unfortunately this appears to be a problem with a lot of the equipment manufactured for use in pleasure vessels. My first float switch on the bilge pump reliably switched the pump for about 15 years, after that I had to install a heavy duty relay to get them to last more than a year or so.

Consequently, whilst the variable speed concept has a lot of appeal it introduces more fairly complex electronics so I think I will stick to the extant fixed speed pump and continue with my DIY, industrial style, accumulator project.
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Old 10-06-2021, 11:01   #27
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

Thanks to everyone for the interesting perspectives. I guess this thread will be a good resource for others.


I noted the positive comments about variable speed pumps, and I sure like the idea of them. But there were enough bad comments about their reliability that I decided not to go that way. I'm really conservative about stuff like fresh water pumps -- this is the kind of gear which in my opinion needs to JUST WORK; it's not something I want to be messing around with while others are exploring a new country we just landed in. So I ordered another Johnson non-variable speed pump and another Jabsco accumulator tank. The accumulator tank lasted 20 years -- I'd say that's very good, and so I bought another one just like it.



Now I just need to figure out a pulse water meter.
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Old 10-06-2021, 11:35   #28
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

Just about four years now, on our Whale Watermaster automatic (variable speed) pump, and it's been a totally smooth experience (we're full-time live-aboards). Quiet running, and no hammering.

On our previous boat we had Shurflo's variable speed pump. It worked exceptionally well, but failed when the embedded pressure switch broke, and allowed water to flush right through. Changed the pressure switch out a couple of times, but eventually lost confidence in the pump.

We've got Shurflo's small accumulator tanks spread around the system, in both hulls, and Whale's pump works great with or without them.
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Old 10-06-2021, 12:39   #29
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

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There must be another factor in this.
Like what?
Buys gear, installs it, it died.

What causes bladders to split?
Have tried to find an answer, can't find much if anything online apart from symptoms of a split bladder, but not a cause.
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Old 18-06-2021, 06:43   #30
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Re: Variable Speed Fresh Water Pump

When my last pump went, I had a variable speed fitted. I retained the accumulator. They really do separate things.

The accumulator provides instant water on tap turn.

The variable speed accounts for how many taps are running.

If you only have one tap, there is no need for a variable speed, but there is still a need for the accumulator.
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