Loud fresh water pump

P

pricelowe

Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2016
Messages
23
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2715H516
Vessel Name
le Matou
MMSI Number
316031355
Are there any quieter fresh water pumps? I must say, the ones used for the Ranger-Tugs are rather loud and annoying for other moored boaters at 5:30am in the morning. :?:
 
Maybe bottled water is quieter.... 😉 Surely the pump only makes a noise while it brings the water pressure up to being operational.
 
When the pump is running properly, it just hums. Yes, you can hear it, but it is not loud at all.

I only know this because the fresh water pump on my 2016 R25SC started making a loud noise this spring when we de-winterized and re-filled the tank. Still troubleshooting my problem -- with helpful suggestions from this group -- so no solution yet, but you might consider checking the input filter to see if it's clogged and the output of the pump to see if it is putting out plenty of water when it runs. (I have done those things and no joy yet, but I have more to try...) Next step -- according to Andrew Custis -- would be to blow air into the input hose to remove any possible blockage. All these connections come off easily, without any tools. I'll be trying the air blowing step next myself, when I get my air compressor to the boat.
Anyway, your water pump shouldn't be waking up your neighbors. The pump just might be working too hard to get water through, because of a blockage somewhere or a leak that makes it suck air. Just my thoughts. I ain't no expert.
 
The pump noise may seem louder to you on the inside due to the transmission of sound through the hull, but it is not as loud outside. Then again, not hearing yours it may be annoying to your neighbors.
 
Just finished blowing air into the water tank via the pump input hose, as recommended by Andrew Custis. It worked to solve my problem. Now my pump hums along very quietly and I have plenty of water pressure. Just a suggestion, that worked for me, anyway.
 
Are you breaking the fresh water pump input hose at tank and blowing air from there?

Thanks
 
I know my vent does not work great. Every now and then I remove the filler cap and air rushes in.. Not sure if this is the same issue causing the excess noise . Is an easier fix if that's the issue 🙂
 
This is an interesting thread. Since new my water pump has sounded like a machine gun, albeit it a small one. I have cleaned screens at the pump but it's no better. The water flow is good but pulsing, rather like a shower massage. This idea of blowing air up the supply tube back to the tank is certainly worth trying. I don't have a large compressor but maybe an electric tire inflator will do the trick. I'll let you know.
 
In regards to the pulsing. This is because RT does not install an accumulator tank. This is a tank that holds about a liter of water and has a pressurized bladder inside that is inflated to about 30psi.

This tank/bladder does 2 important things-

1. Removes the pulsing when running the faucets
2. Reduces the amount of on - off cylcles on the pump, in turn reducing the strain

I installed the Johnson SPX version to match the pump. There are cheaper products that will do the same thing though.

https://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Pumps-09 ... ccumulator
 
More info on what I did that solved my water pump noise/pressure problem.
1) I removed the water pump filter and cleaned a lot of fiberglass debris out of it. (No improvement in performance.)
2) I disconnected the output water line from the pump and ran the pump. Water pumped out, but it was difficult to determine if it was "enough," so I reconnected the line. (No improvement in performance.)
2) I disconnected the water feed line that comes from the tank at the point where it connects with the filter. I then hooked up my air compressor (2.5 gallon compressor / 1 HP / set at about 80 PSI) and blew air back up into the water tank three times. Then I reconnected the line and powered up the pressure water. After a few moments of noise and low pressure, the pump settled down to a hum and the water pressure increased considerably. The pump continued to work properly. Problem solved.

Solved for now, anyway. Whatever debris was in the line (I'm guessing fiberglass debris from the build.) is still in the tank. So I will periodically take a look at the pump filter -- not a bad idea in any case -- to check for debris buildup and clean it if necessary.
 
Depending on how old your boat is this will happen for a while. Some of those little guys get through and also clog up the strainers downstream.
 
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