SO469 - Water Pump Issues

[Bora]

I'm having troubles with the FW pump on my 469.....when using the shower or galley tap the pump would cut in and out cleanly and would come on/off about every 5 seconds for around 5 seconds each time (just one faucet being used.)

The last few days the pump is running constantly when a tap/shower is on.  Then as the tap is closed the pump judders to a stop.  Sometimes if the tap is left on long enough the pump slows down then judders until the tap is closed.

I've checked the accumulator and there is no water in it, so no leaks there.  No leaks in the main system.

The accumulator is an Extravarem 2L and should have a 3.5 bar pre-charge (according to the label) and the pump is a Jabsco Par-Max4 30PSI.

I've tried various pressures in the accumulator from 1 bar up to 6 (accumulator is rated to 10bar) with no luck to return to the way it used to run.

Only change to the system recently has been the introduction of new tank sensors.

[moonshadow]

I went through a lot of troubleshooting with similar problems in my 469 with the fresh water pump starting, stopping, overheating etc. I tried various settings for the accumulator pressure etc. part of my problem turned out to be the wrong series pump that had been installed before I bought the boat. Eventually I bought a new pump and all my problems disappeared. I don’t know if it was the pump or the pressure switch or what. The pump had worked well for quite a while. But anyway, the pump isn’t that expensive and having a spare is a good idea and replacing the pump took a lot less time that troubleshooting.
I suggest trying a new pump and see if that helps. I don’t usually just replace parts that I don’t know are the real cause but in this case it worked for me and the old pump became a backup that eventually was passed on to another boat in need. Didn’t work perfectly for them either but temporarily solved their failed pump problem too until they can get a proper pump.

[Bora]

Do you remember what pump you replaced it with?  My current one is the Par-Max4, 30PSI Automatic Water System Pump, model:31620-7003.

[moonshadow]

I used a par max 3 31600-0092. It is a little lower pressure I think and single speed pump. This model might be discontinued now with the newer upgraded pump. But I think the website shows the appropriate replacement. It’s working fine.