freshwater pump problems

M

Mike_J

New member
I seem to be having problems with the freshwater pump installed in my 2011 C-dory and I am wondering whether I should:
a) stick with the electric system and get it replaced (it may still be under warranty). This may be a fair bit of labour and cost if not under warranty
b) switch to a hand flipper pump like the whale one - looks like it would be nice and simple...
c) change to a foot pump. Also simpler, but I use the space where the foot pump is for a boat hook or paddle at times...

What experience do folks have with the hand pump? I had one on my Westphalia many years ago and it worked well.
 
I like the manual pumps, because they tend to save water, with the small water tank in the C Dory. However, it takes more time to drain the tank for cleaning or the end of season.

What pump do you have? A small in line pump such as Jabsco makes (switch on the faucet base)? Surflo, Jabsco or FloJet?

I wonder how the foot pump would interfere with the storage of a paddle or boat hook. I have never put a boat hook or paddle under the galley---usually leave them under the gunnel.

I currently have the Whale rubber diaphragm foot pump, which we like. There is also a lever action pump. The flipper Pump I had in the first 22 I owned, and put in a small inline pump, with a momentary switch on the front of the galley counter. On the Tom Cat and 25 we had SurFlo (I think), and no problems with it. All of the larger electric pumps have rebuild kits--and that would be my first choice in dealing with your problem.
 
Hi there. You don't mention what the trouble is with the pump. The new cd's. ( mine is 2011) come with a high end shut flo sensor pump that is performing well in liveaboard mode. What is your pump doing?
 
I had trouble with the fresh water pump in Journey On. The polyethylene (I guess) water tank was never cleaned after it was made and was full of plastic shavings. Since there was no filter, the swarf ended up in the pump. It said a lot for the pump that it never quit pumping water, just the relief valve leaked so it would cycle in the middle of the night.

I disassemble it, cleaned the relief valve, installed a filter and it's been working great ever since. Just to be sure I installed a rebuild kit since I never wanted to pull it again.

Hope this helps.

Boris
 
Hi George and all. I discovered once I got the boat home, that it was a circuit breaker that was broken. Once I got the electrics switched around so that the sink pump was working of one of the other circuits, it was working again. Just a couple of electrics to sort out! So I will stick with the electric!
Thanks for all the advice - great as always.
 
journey on":1re4n5g2 said:
I had trouble with the fresh water pump in Journey On. The polyethylene (I guess) water tank was never cleaned after it was made and was full of plastic shavings. Since there was no filter, the swarf ended up in the pump. It said a lot for the pump that it never quit pumping water, just the relief valve leaked so it would cycle in the middle of the night.

I disassemble it, cleaned the relief valve, installed a filter and it's been working great ever since. Just to be sure I installed a rebuild kit since I never wanted to pull it again.

Hope this helps.

Boris
Click to expand...

Yup X 2 :thup :thup
 
Apparently the fresh water pump on my 2006 25' Cruiser is toast.

This is the proposed replacement:
FloJet Quad DC Water System Pump, 12VDC, 3.3Ga/min,
3.9amp, 1/2" Hose & 1/2" Thread 182134 04405143A

Is this a good choice/
 
I think that those water pumps are rv pumps installed on floating RV's. And they've never failed for me. So either the Flojet 4305 or 4405 is a good choice, since they're cheap and reliable.

Look on the internet, here's one for $95 including shipping at Star Marine Depot: [ur=http://www.starmarinedepot.com/flojet-quiet-quad-water-system-pump---12vdc~pzz16798.html?gclid=CNzv4IiTqLkCFRRk7AodG2AAZwl]Flojet pump[/url]. Again you get the URL and the name.

I'm interested why your pump is toast? Ir runs but will not pump? The motor died? The reason I'm asking is that is a freshwater pump and can be rebuilt.

When you install the new one, make sure you flush the lines and it wouldn't hurt to put in a filter upstream of the pump. I put one of those filters in and I think it works by scaring to junk out, since it's never had any signs of contamination.

Boris
 
Mine doesn't run at all. The StarMarine unit is 04406143A, whereas the one at WestMarine is 04405143A. I have no idea what difference this makes.

Is there a more reliable brand?
 
We are on our third. First one died and Kitsap Marine (Matt) replaced it, no cost. Second one was user error; I did not fun anti-freeze through it and it froze. Third one has worked fine, once I re-mounted it vertically in the bilge to keep it OUT of the standing water.... :roll:

I have a re-built one as a spare, on board.
 
I certainly agree, that it may be more cost effective to rebuild the current pump--find out if the pressure switch or a bad connection etc. In my Tom Act there was a bad crimp in the wiring, and that failed. When I put in a replacement pump, I always use quick disconnect electrical fittings (spade type) to make the next change out easier.

The difference between the two pumps 4405-143A, the West Marine has a Special internal bypass feature eliminates pulsating water and pressure switch chatter. So the flow will be a little smoother. The 4406-143 A does not have the "internal bypass". I Find some of the pumps in the high $60's on the internet. The former will have a smoother flow.

The water pump does need a fine screen filter just before the pump, as Boris suggested.
 
As always, you guys are great and have more useful information than any other source. It makes being a newbie so much easier and gives us confidence.
 
OK, here are the mfg spec sheets for the Flojet 4406 and the 4405. The -143 means its 12 VDC

The difference is that the 4406 starts pumping when the pressure falls to 22 psi and the 4405 starts pumping at 15 psi. To me that is something I wouldn't notice. Both have an internal bypass for smoother flow.

Whatever pump you want, my only suggestion is to search the Internet first.

I would follow the comment that localboy made to mount the pump so that bilge water doesn't reach it. Journey On has the pump inside the cabin, but later C-Dories may have it elsewhere.

Boris
 
I'm about to replace the FloJet fresh water pump on my 2006 25' Cruiser. Would you recommend a strait switch, or is there a better pump that I should substitute?
 
I am on my third fresh water foot pump.... what happens is we start seeing junk in the water....pull the pump apart and find oxidation in the base part.... the pumps have some sort of coating but that seems to go away quickly and the oxidation starts.... if they would only make the bases out of plastic they would last so much longer... they are not cheep pumps, and should be quality items...plus, there is no way to drain all the water out for storage...

Joel
SEA3PO
 
We have gone thru three 3 Jabscos. All were mounted in the bilge. Original one was screwed into the core and I moved it to vertically mounted on the battery tray support. I hoped it would last longer out of the bilge and no worries about water into the core. I plugged the holes w/ epoxy resin. The problem then became water running down the wires and into the top, rusting the electric motors. See my album.

This time I went w/ a Johnson and moved it up to the battery tray, mounted horizontally again. I even took a glob of silicone and sealed off where the wires enter the housing. Hopefully, it will last longer up higher due to being drier. Time will tell.
 
If that pump lasted from '06 to now I'd stay with Flojet. Most pumps won't last like that. My 2011 has a Flojet Sensormax and has been flawless. It will run slow or fast depending on how much you open the tap.
George
 
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