Fresh water pump

[jmauld]

How loud are these supposed to be?
I had a jabsco pump that was making a lot of noise and making the lights flicker when it operated.

I replaced it with a new jabsco pump that makes nearly the same noise but at least my lights are no longer flickering.

 

[ZZ13]

How loud are these supposed to be?
I had a jabsco pump that was making a lot of noise and making the lights flicker when it operated.

I replaced it with a new jabsco pump that makes nearly the same noise but at least my lights are no longer flickering.

I have two pumps on my boat. I always buy Shurflo Aqua King II. Nice and quiet. One died a little prematurely so I thought I’d give Jabsco a try to test its reliability. Sounds like a frickin’ jackhammer going off in my boat. I never turn it on now. I Just use the other pump only, which is an Aqua King. Jabsco is now an emergency spare. I’ll eventually put another Aqua King in its place and donate it to charity.

 

[jmauld]

It does sound like a slightly muffled jack hammer. I think I will order a shurflo and try it out.

 

[dtfeld]

It does sound like a slightly muffled jack hammer. I think I will order a shurflo and try it out.

I have some of these pumps by SeaFlo that I like alot. A little less expensive than the Shurflo.

Also, to cut down on the hammer effect (and generally make the water system quieter, make sure you accumulator tank is working and set up correctly). I installed a SeaFlo accumulator tank and it made a HUGE difference. It has a shrader valve that you can adjust the pressure to match you pump. It does need to be checked at the beginning of each season.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Another variable... how is the pump mounted? Is it mounted directly to a hard surface or is there any type of "buffer" between it and the hard surface? The buffer could be as simple as a large rubber hose or even sanitation hose. If it's mounted directly to a hard surface, then the sound is basically amplified throughout the boat.

 

[jmauld]

It has little rubber feet that are mounted on a hard surface.

Does the accumulator need to be mounted close to the pump?

 

[LMBoat]

One thing I found out is that if the connection is to the blue hard tubing, if you shoved it in all the way so the tubing bottoms out against the pump body, the tubing will resonate throughout the boat making it louder. I pulled my tubing back just a tad in the fitting and it did make a difference.

Also, I don't mind the pump sound. If I hear it turn on when it should not, I know something is leaking. I don't want it loud, but enough to hear it does not bother me. Also reminds me I'm on a boat!

Lastly, if you have the room, install the larger 1 gal accumulator tank. It makes a big difference.

 

[dtfeld]

It has little rubber feet that are mounted on a hard surface.

Does the accumulator need to be mounted close to the pump?

No. The accumulator can be anywhere in the water system. I did mount mine near my pump as I was replacing an older version accumulator (different size/dimensions) and it wasn't easy to mount it in the original location (on the firewall in the bilge).

I ended up putting it right next to the pump in the bilge in my front cabin, just because it was easier. I did have to add some clear reinforced hose to make it match up. But now very quiet, and easy to access everything.

 

[ZZ13]

Another variable... how is the pump mounted? Is it mounted directly to a hard surface or is there any type of "buffer" between it and the hard surface? The buffer could be as simple as a large rubber hose or even sanitation hose. If it's mounted directly to a hard surface, then the sound is basically amplified throughout the boat.

My point is on the exact same system with the exact same mounting technique, the Shurflo is whisper quiet and The Jabsco is a jackhammer. Sure I can go through the effort to mount a hose to the plywood then mount the Jabsco pump to the hoses and all. But I’ll just pay a few bucks more for the Shurflo instead.

 

[Lazy Daze]

It has little rubber feet that are mounted on a hard surface.

Does the accumulator need to be mounted close to the pump?

The little rubber feet seem like they would help, but they don't help nearly as much as one might think. Get two lengths of 1-1/2" or 2" hose (stiff enough not to collapse) a few inches longer than the mounting feet. Cut the ends at a 45* angle. Mount the pump to the hoses and then fasten the hoses (at the exposed angled section) to the surface. You'll be pleasantly surprised for an "almost" free fix.

 

[Blueone]

I tell you I am so done with shurflo I think they are no more than Chinese crap. I go thru pressure switches like crazy everyone I have taken apart was cold soldered. I put the boat away last fall with another bad pump that was Put in in the spring ……. Enough already

 

[ZZ13]

I tell you I am so done with shurflo I think they are no more than Chinese crap. I go thru pressure switches like crazy everyone I have taken apart was cold soldered. I put the boat away last fall with another bad pump that was Put in in the spring ……. Enough already

Yup. Lots of my fellow boaters feel the same way. I only got three years out of my last one that’s why I gave Jabsco a try. Not sure if there is a brand that’ll last. Going to go with one more Shurflo purchase and see what happens. One thing I am trying now is removing pressure when I’m off the boat. I’ve always just left it pressurized. Jabsco instructions say to do this so I’m doing it in general.

 

[jmauld]

One thing I found out is that if the connection is to the blue hard tubing, if you shoved it in all the way so the tubing bottoms out against the pump body, the tubing will resonate throughout the boat making it louder. I pulled my tubing back just a tad in the fitting and it did make a difference.

Also, I don't mind the pump sound. If I hear it turn on when it should not, I know something is leaking. I don't want it loud, but enough to hear it does not bother me. Also reminds me I'm on a boat!

Lastly, if you have the room, install the larger 1 gal accumulator tank. It makes a big difference.

Funny you mention that. I knew I had a leak due to the occasional pump running. The other day I stuck my head into a cabinet and found the leak. Wife asked me why I was happy to find a leak. I just pointed out how easy it was to get to as opposed to some of the other areas that leak could’ve been hiding.