Significant noise using head sink/shower in R-27/OB

[baz]

Subject: Significant noise using head sink/shower in R-27/OB

When I received our R-27/OB's systems training last week one thing that was noted was the significant noise coming from inside the cabinet supporting the sink when activating the head sink and shower water outlets. A strong 'slapping' noise, as if someone was banging on the boat's structure, is heard as the water pump pulses the water pressure.

It was suggested that a means be found for stopping the knocking noises being caused by the very stiff hot-red/cold-blue PEX lines in/under the head sink's cabinet. These PEX lines rest on the cabinet’s interior frame and with the water pump pulsing the water pressure they vibrate and setup a continuous real nasty noise. A resolution to this maybe is to insulate the two PEX lines from each other and the cabinet’s frame locally and then strapping them together might/should stop or reduce the slapping noises significantly. This will be my first attempt at fixing the noisy/water-pressure-pulsing vibrating PEX lines. 🙂

 

[Admiral S]

Simple fix is to just have them install an accumulator tank on the output of the fresh water pump. This will take significant strain off the pump, resolve the pulsing, which in turn resolves the slapping noise you hear.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?pa ... id=2654762

I installed this on my 2017 R-27 Classic the day after delivery, pumped the tank up to 30 psi and havent looked back.

 

[baz]

Thanks Admiral S. 🙂 That seems like a very good solution. Will be looking at that approach for sure.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Sounds like Ranger outsmarted themselves switching to pex tubing. The traditional hose is somewhat self damping.

 

[baz]

Sounds like Ranger outsmarted themselves switching to pex tubing. The traditional hose is somewhat self damping.

Yes.... absolutely agree with you, .... but of course the PEX is an excellent preventative adoption for avoiding nasty freezing conditions, even in my PNW area. My marina can have freezing temps at times and 'stuff' above the water line can be subject to freezing. For me, I opt for the PEX solution and will deal with its side affects as best I can.

 

[snydzy]

PEX is an excellent preventative adoption for avoiding nasty freezing conditions

Pex pipes can freeze too,....their advantage is in the ability to allow for a small amount of expansion that would cause other rigid piping to burst or rupture. Johnson and Jabsco pumps recommend flexible hose (reinforced or braided) to reduce vibration throughout the plumbing system. Braided hose expands as well.

 

[Larry H]

Shouldn't Ranger deal with this problem?

 

[baz]

Shouldn't Ranger deal with this problem?

My boat is at the RT factory this week so I'll be interested in seeing how RT deals with this problem. It was one of the things on my "please fix issues" list. 😉

 

[NorthernFocus]

As snydzy pointed out, braided hose is freeze resistant. Even more so than PEX. The very reason it's better at damping out pulsations is because it stretches more.

Not sure why they switched materials. But PEX costs about 1/3 of what comparable sized braided vinyl does and installing the fittings used with PEX is much faster than barbed fittings and hose clamps.

 

[baz]

As snydzy pointed out, braided hose is freeze resistant. Even more so than PEX. The very reason it's better at damping out pulsations is because it stretches more.

Not sure why they switched materials. But PEX costs about 1/3 of what comparable sized braided vinyl does and installing the fittings used with PEX is much faster than barbed fittings and hose clamps.

No doubt that RT keeps an eye on manufacturing and assembly cost figures.

I wonder also what the recycling aspects are for PEX vs. the metal braided lines and fittings. Every thing we build these days needs to be mindful of eventual recycling issues and to what extend they damage our earth. My Volvo auto has every piece of its component material marked such that when being recycled it will be placed into the correct recycle bin for display and/or reuse. I bet RT does not have this policy.... but then maybe they do as I dunno.

My research into recycling yielded this .... "PEX can't be melted and resued, an environmental drawback, and it produces toxic smoke when it burns." 😱 :roll: :shock:

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I firmly believe the PEX stiffness that does not attenuate vibrations due to water pumping changing pressures along with having two PEX lines in contact contributes to the noises. Suitable separation and some form of cushioning at places will/should resolve the issue IMO.

The water pulsing due to the pump's operation does not bother me. It's the noise coming from below the sink in the head enclosure that is annoying. This is because the sink's/shower's hot and cold PEX lines are in contact with each other and both lay/rest on the sink cabinet's inside structure. Separating the two PEX lines and placing some vibration soaking material between the PEX lines and the cabinet structure or suspending the lines so no contact with the cabinet structure occurs will/should resolve the annoying noises. :roll: :shock: