Water takes ages to come through

[Stokesy]

Hi, I am currently on my first proper trip on my new (to me) narrow boat. When I purchased the boat last year the survey reported the water pump not working, it works fine but takes ages to kick in would this be a pressure switch issue? Or maybe a pump? Would a accumulater help? 

[David Mack]

When you say 'takes ages to kick in' do you mean that it is a long time after opening the tap and the water starting to flow, that you hear the pump running, or that it is a long time after opening the tap before water appears?

The former is normal and indicates that you already have a functioning accumulator. The latter would indicate some sort of problem.

[Stokesy]

So when you open a tap, nothing happens for sometimes over 40 seconds maybe a minute then the pump kicks in and water flows at good pressure, opening all the taps seams to help but this could be a coincidence. I dont think i have an accumulater

[Russ T]

Possibly a sticky pressure switch.

[Stokesy]

Is the pressure switch part of the pump or can i get it separately? I assume the switch is open circuit until the pressure drops the closed supplies the pump, I will test it in the morning, too many beers tonight.

Thanks for the responses 

[Russ T]

The pressure switch is normally integral to the pump. However, sometimes an external switch is attached, such as the square d type, which may be used in place of the internal switch. It will be fairly evident which you have by looking.The inbuild switches are usually a simple microswitch.

[Stokesy]

I assume this is integral

 

[Momac]

You could try fitting a new pump. But I have found the take apart clean and put back together routine, maybe with new O rings,  to be sufficient to restore water pump performance. Include cleaning the filter on the input side of the pump.

[Stokesy]

2 minutes ago, Momac said:

You could try fitting a new pump. But I have found the take apart clean and put back together routine, maybe with new O rings,  to be sufficient to restore water pump performance. Include cleaning the filter on the input side of the pump.

Worth a try, thanks

[Tony Brooks]

3 minutes ago, Momac said:

You could try fitting a new pump. But I have found the take apart clean and put back together routine, maybe with new O rings,  to be sufficient to restore water pump performance. Include cleaning the filter on the input side of the pump.

 

Just to say others have had a different experience with cleaning them, but always worth a try

[ditchcrawler]

It has been reported that the very small port between the pump head and the pressure switch gets furred up so it takes longer for the pressure to drain from the switch housing and longer for the pump to cut in. The switch is on the end held with a couple of screws which should let you poke the port out. In the photo you strainer looks a bit mucky, but that may just be the light.

[David Mack]

Does that water staining indicate a plumbing leak?

[nicknorman]

I think the label says it was manufactured in 1992, so 34 years later it is probably overdue for replacement even if you manage to get it working a bit better with some fiddling. It must surely be on its last legs! And I would also say that 16psi (just over 1 bar) is a rather low design pressure for the pump.

 

The purpose of an accumulator is to stop the pump rapidly cycling on and off when a tap is partially opened. So you only need to service/replace or fit an accumulator if that annoyance presents itself.

Edited February 18 by nicknorman

[Slim]

4 hours ago, Stokesy said:

Worth a try, thanks

Based on my experience it probably isn't.🙂. As others have said it's pretty old and 16 psi seems low.

Whatever you decide to do enjoy yourself.

[Stokesy]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, i think after 34 years the boat deserves a new pump. 

[WulfNut]

Yea,  you could always stick this one in a cupboard,  label it as "spare, old, very weak" a bit like me really.   Seriously though,  you never know when an old 12v pump might come in useful.  

Edited February 19 by WulfNut

[robtheplod]

29 minutes ago, WulfNut said:

Yea,  you could always stick this one in a cupboard,  label it as "spare, old, very weak" a bit like me really.   Seriously though,  you never know when an old 12v pump might come in useful.  

indeed... great idea not to check stuff as when things go pear shape and you're in the middle of nowhere.. a partially working spare pump is better than none..

Edited February 19 by robtheplod

[Alan de Enfield]

Just now, robtheplod said:

.....great idea not to check stuff......

 

Typo ?

Or taking a leaf out of C&RTs maintenance book ?

[ditchcrawler]

5 hours ago, Stokesy said:

Thanks everyone for the feedback, i think after 34 years the boat deserves a new pump. 

I bet a new one wont last 34 years. Take the switch off, poke the hole out, put it back together and try it. You haven't lost any thing and if it doesn't work replace it. Do you really need higher pressure?

[Stokesy]

New waterpump fitted today, problem fixed.

[BoatingLifeUpNorth2]

1 hour ago, Stokesy said:

New waterpump fitted today, problem fixed.

Good to get feedback of a problem sorted👍