Variable Speed Freshwater Pump...Suggestions?

[redneckrob]

One tip on the Marco pumps, mine can't pull any air. So the pump intake needs to be below the level of the water tank and you need to use the little bleed valve to make sure water is at the pump before turning it on. Not a deal breaker at all, just saving you some time when you initially install and can't figure out why is isn't working.

[ItDepends]

Originally Posted by redneckrob

One tip on the Marco pumps, mine can't pull any air. So the pump intake needs to be below the level of the water tank and you need to use the little bleed valve to make sure water is at the pump before turning it on. Not a deal breaker at all, just saving you some time when you initially install and can't figure out why is isn't working.

Redneckrob,

Something is wrong with your install, or your procedure, or your pump. These pumps absolutely will self prime.

I have the smallest one and it easily pulls water up from 4+ feet below it’s mounting level.

They can not push air against back pressure, so you need to be sure that the bleed valve on the pump is fully open to self-prime.

[silverp40]

ItDepends, may I ask the size of your boat/fixtures as per the smallest Marco pump you are using?


Is it sufficient size at about 2gal per min?


Thanks

[Smokeys Kitchen]

We live on our boat (mostly) for the last 5 years. We got rid of the old Jabsco/accumulator setup when the pump died and went to a variable speed Johnson/SPX Flow Aqua Jet.

We purchased a new one about 2 years ago when the service started to be intermittent - but the old one worked fine after I cleaned the small rubber valves on the inside (normal maintenance) and now we keep it as a spare.

[ItDepends]

Originally Posted by silverp40

ItDepends, may I ask the size of your boat/fixtures as per the smallest Marco pump you are using?


Is it sufficient size at about 2gal per min?


Thanks

It runs 2 gpm at about 28PSI. It is more than sufficient for one outlet at a time, and works even for two. Three open valves at a time, and things get slow.

Our boat is 52 feet, and with just two of us living onboard, it is rare that we ever call on two outlets at once, and three never happens.

[silverp40]

Originally Posted by ItDepends

It runs 2 gpm at about 28PSI. It is more than sufficient for one outlet at a time, and works even for two. Three open valves at a time, and things get slow.

Our boat is 52 feet, and with just two of us living onboard, it is rare that we ever call on two outlets at once, and three never happens.

Thank you again for your patience.



Last question, It seems a European made unit with 1/2" plumbing connections. I assume the hose barbs are threaded in? I have Pex fittings with poly tubing, not vinyl hose.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by silverp40

Thank you again for your patience.



Last question, It seems a European made unit with 1/2" plumbing connections. I assume the hose barbs are threaded in? I have Pex fittings with poly tubing, not vinyl hose.

3/8” BSP tread with a 13mm hose barb, yiu should be able to replace the barb with a 3/8 bsp to pex fitting

[goboatingnow]

At 15 litres per minute this would be well capable of supplying two European 3 bar mixer taps ( 4-8 litres per minute ) , it would be marginal for three

[silverp40]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

At 15 litres per minute this would be well capable of supplying two European 3 bar mixer taps ( 4-8 litres per minute ) , it would be marginal for three

YEs, seems enough capacity for a 40' boat. Specs say 1/2" BSp but thats fine whichever size it is.



Thanks much

[Simi 60]

I hate accumulator tanks
And 12/24v pumps
None seem to last more than a year and we have been out here full time for 6 years
Johnson, Jabsco, Vetus, all dead.

When this next batch of 24v pumps dies, the accumulator tank already has, I'll go back to a 240v one.
This one


Stainless steel, 400w and 40lpm.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/25341767...r=552583098799

[JC Reefer]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

I hate accumulator tanks
And 12/24v pumps
None seem to last more than a year and we have been out here full time for 6 years
Johnson, Jabsco, Vetus, all dead.

When this next batch of 24v pumps dies, the accumulator tank already has, I'll go back to a 240v one.
This one


Stainless steel, 400w and 40lpm.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/25341767...r=552583098799

Wouldn’t running this off the inverter be kinda inefficient?

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by JC Reefer

Wouldn’t running this off the inverter be kinda inefficient?

Isn't putting in pumps that crap out every year kinda inefficient?
Think of cost if paying for labour?

Pumps don't run for long
Battery bank is big
Most things onboard are household 240v so no, I see it as more efficient.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by silverp40

YEs, seems enough capacity for a 40' boat. Specs say 1/2" BSp but thats fine whichever size it is.



Thanks much

From the horses mouth

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

I hate accumulator tanks
And 12/24v pumps
None seem to last more than a year and we have been out here full time for 6 years
Johnson, Jabsco, Vetus, all dead.

When this next batch of 24v pumps dies, the accumulator tank already has, I'll go back to a 240v one.
This one


Stainless steel, 400w and 40lpm.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/25341767...r=552583098799

I live 9 months on my boat my current Jabsco 12v is 6 years old on my previous boat the Jabsco diaphram pump was original , 1988! , I replaced it still working with a VSD.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

I live 9 months on my boat my current Jabsco 12v is 6 years old on my previous boat the Jabsco diaphram pump was original , 1988! , I replaced it still working with a VSD.

Yep
I keep hearing of people with these "magic" pumps
Can't seem to buy one myself.

We started buying them in pairs so we have a spare on hand when one craps out when out but even that has let us down when one was dead out of the box.
At least the Vetus ones gave a 3 year warranty so we haven't actually had to pay for them in a few years but im over the changeover.