How to prime fresh water tank pump?

[North Star C24]

Quick question - Our new C 24 galley faucet flows well at first then down to a trickle, seems the pump lost its prime somehow. It’s been in the water all season and the tank is half-full. Pulling boat out today and no time now to search more on forum for a quick answer or to check manuals, so I’m hoping someone might know an easy fix at this stage. Thanks.

 

[Huck]

“NEW” might be the operative word here. I would start by checking for debris clogging the strainer screen at the faucet.

 

[North Star C24]

Ok will do. v-berth sink faucet has same issue so we suspect pump not primed (pump is loud when it runs). “New” means it’s a 2018 C24 purchased from a Dealer this year, launched in May and water system checked out fine. It has run with full pressure all season (not often but routinely each month).

 

[Matty]

Also...since it is two faucets check the filter that is just before the pump or on the pump. Should just have to remove plastic clip.
I am betting you will find plastic shavings. Clean and put back together.
It will quiet it done as well.

 

[Wee Venture]

The same thing happened with our new R-31 after half a season or so of working fine. Ranger factory guys have told me they have tried to get the tank manufacturer to stop leaving plastic shavings in the tank but it is a continuing problem. The shavings collect when the ports are cut into the tanks, and then they clog the filter on the pump intake. Water flow slows down and the pump is working harder making it louder. The pump itself should be self priming. Seems like the tank manufacturer could routinely rinse the tanks before they go out the door. The filters are not very hard to clean though once you get access to the pump. Make sure when you disconnect the hose to the inlet side of the filter that you lift and temporarily tie it off above the water level in the tank, otherwise the tank will start draining out the end of the hose.

 

[North Star C24]

Great advice, thanks! We pulled the screen before pump and it was clogged with plastic shavings. Still no water flow so a blast of compressed air toward the tank seems to have cleared the line for now. Disappointing quality control issue. Thanks for the fast and helpful replies.

 

[Capt.Hal]

North Star, I have the exact same fresh water pump issue on my 2018 Ranger Tug R-23! Just the other day I cleaned the plastic shavings out of the strainer attached to the water pump. When I re-assembled it, it still didn't work properly, so I took the inlet hose off the pump and blew air into the hose toward the tank. When I re-assembled it the second time. the pump works OK now. So it was the plastic shavings still in the hose coming from the tank, which are now back in the Tank!

Are we going to have this same problem again and again? How can all these plastic shavings be removed from the tank? Can they be sucked out through the filler tube that goes from outside the boat into the tank, maybe using a hand pump?

Any ideas from the Ranger Tug Technical people would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BB marine]

The plastic shavings are from the manufacture of the tank. After the tank is molded the openings are cut and shaving get in the tank. This is usually an issue that is addressed when the boat is commissioned. Normally the worst is over after a couple of tank flushing and eventually it is not a problem. If the water pump is mounted low or close to the same elevation at the bottom of the tank. Installing shut off valve between the tank and the pump makes cleaning the filter a bit easier. Less mess from water spilling.