Loud potable water pump

[fmstuart]

On our new C-32 CB, the potable water pump has gotten amazingly loud with a weekend of use. Other boat owners can even hear it because the sound travels through the boat. I looked and it appears that the pump was mounted on something that would absorb vibration, hence reducing noise throughout the hull. However, it doesn’t work. It pumps water fine except that it pulsates.

(1) Is this considered normal?

(2) Is there a better model than what the factory installed?

I would prefer little to no sound, if possible. I realize that last statement will make people roll their eyes [emoji23].

Forrest Stuart


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[knotflying]

They do make a tank (accumulator) that will build pressure and eliminate the constant on/off of the pump. It will take up room though. However, the other side to this is if you have a leak or someone did not close the faucet off completely you will know it immediately with the current setup. Over time I have found it to be a comforting sound, all systems normal. :lol:

 

[Matty]

Use search function and you will see plenty of discussion on this issue. Some have installed a variable speed pump with some success. I cleaned some plastic shavings out of pump filter which helped. On a new boat such as yours I will bet you have shavings in the filter which are easily removed. Especially since you say it has gotten increasingly worse. May not be total solution but good start.

 

[Red Raven]

Also check to make sure the water lines are secured and not vibrating against a cabinet or the hull. I have been on boats where that was making the noise much worse. Securing the lines reduced it.

Curt

 

[Hamster]

I replaced my pump with this variable speed 5 gpm Johnson. https://www.go2marine.com/shop-all-cate ... HNSON-PUMP Works really great.

Also, as mentioned, your in-line filter screen may be plugged with fiberglass shavings. This is what I found when I took my filter off: gallery2.php?g2_itemId=72314

 

[BradOwens]

Last week our pump started making more noise than usual and I found that one of the mounts had slipped off the rubber pad and was contacting the hull. It was difficult to see since it was the outboard rear mount. In a new boat, a loose screw may have been missed and could cause this.

 

[fmstuart]

@hamster, so you noticed is significant difference in sounds levels? I cannot imagine a boat builder would install a pump that creates such noise. I have also read about installing an accumulator tank.

I have the service people looking at it this week (since it is under warranty), so perhaps they will find shavings in the filter as well.


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[FlagShip]

I'll second the idea that the PEX pipes are rattling against something. Ours cold pipe was touching the fiberglass back by the transom, made noise throughout the whole boat. Isolated the pipe, much quieter.

 

[ixlr8]

I'll second the idea that the PEX pipes are rattling against something. Ours cold pipe was touching the fiberglass back by the transom, made noise throughout the whole boat. Isolated the pipe, much quieter.

Based on ABYC recommendations, all wires and plumbing should be supported at a minimum of every 18". If supported properly, they shouldn't be rattling. I have been busy adding supports to lots of the plumbing and wiring in my boat.

 

[BeaconBluff]

I added a small accumulator tank and it works wonders. Much quieter and doesn't come on immediately when turning on a faucet.
Rodney

 

[wcwood]

@hamster, so you noticed is significant difference in sounds levels? I cannot imagine a boat builder would install a pump that creates such noise. I have also read about installing an accumulator tank.

I have the service people looking at it this week (since it is under warranty), so perhaps they will find shavings in the filter as well.


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What did your service people attribute the noise to?

 

[fmstuart]

They just said it was normal because of its location. What I then discovered is that there may have been air in the system. It eventually quieted down. It gets loud when the water level gets low and quiets again when we fill the tank and then run the faucets on high to get rid of any air.


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[Hamster]

I found that, even with my new pump, I am finding issues related to air in the system. This happened after I drained the system this summer to get fresh water in the tank. I ran it dry and it got air in there. The new pump started acting up. I also have a small leak in a hose connection by my hot water heater, so if I have the pump off, more air accumulates - I presume.

I fixed this situation by turning the hot water on and opening the hot water tank to dispense water and air. It worked. Now I need to fix my little leak. 🙂

 

[KKRCRACE]

I have a C24 and potable water pump is extremely loud. I cleaned the filter and it helped a small amount. I even put more isolators under it and that help a tiny amount. Believe it or not I was able to reduce the noise by about 50 percent by covering the pump with folded bath towel. Sometimes it the simple things.
KKRCRACE